The maiden voyage of the Fantasy may be even more exciting then thought.  What is the schedule for the Fantasy?  I am assuming that the Holiday will be safely back in Mobile.  Ida may want to participate in the celebration.

 The Holiday made it back just fine.  We had some rough seas leaving Cozumel and halfway through the last seaday.  The Holiday has to load the spare driveshaft (20 tons) at the shipyard in Mobile.  She will then leave out today for Miami and then Freeport.

The Fantasy is going to Progreso 11/12; Cozumel 11/13; and Costa Maya 11/14.  I dont see any change in the schedule as they will want to go west to get out of the path of the storm when we pull out Tuesday.

Dave 

Dave,

How was the weather in Cozumel? Did you have rain and are they expecting rain or storms next week? We have always had good weather on our cruises, not sure what to expect if the weather is bad. We are in Gulf Shores now waiting for Tuesday, the weather couldn't be any better here. Hope it stays that way.

Jennie54

I live just a few miles north of Gulf Shores.  The weather bureau has issued a flood warning for the coastal area beginning sunday night.  this is not due to rain, but high tides and very high winds off the Gulf.  Not sure if this is anything to do with Ida.

 We had heavy rains in both Cozumel and Playa del Carmen along with 10-12 foot seas on the way back in on both Thursday night and a good bit of the day on Friday.

Once the storm passes you normally have several days of perfect weather.  So we will be okay once we get down there.  The unknown is leaving out of Mobile.  

Dave 

jetskier:

 We had heavy rains in both Cozumel and Playa del Carmen along with 10-12 foot seas on the way back in on both Thursday night and a good bit of the day on Friday.

Once the storm passes you normally have several days of perfect weather.  So we will be okay once we get down there.  The unknown is leaving out of Mobile.  

Dave 

Hey Dave! No wonder I kept waking up when I was rolling around in our bed when the waves were rough on Thursday night. The Holiday was a lovely ship. We were so glad we sailed on her before she was gone. I hope you enjoy the Fantasy next week.

Smitty

"The unknown is leaving out of Mobile"

OMG....Don't even go there!!!!!  I don't quess we'll know anything until Tuesday morning which really stinks.  I would think as full as this sailing is and how much they would have to refund, they would be seriously thinking up a plan "B" and even a plan "C' to get us out of Mobile.  I am hoping so anyhow.  Even if we have to go the long way around and miss a port (not Coz), that would be okay.  Just get me on that ship!  Two more days...my nerves will be fried by the time Tuesday gets here.  Watching the weather and praying for a miracle.

Sandi (aka Smeegle on CC)

 One other option would be for us to join the ship in New Orleans instead of Mobile.  It is also possible that the Mississippi River could be shut down and the ship not able to get out on the 9th.  Right now there are too many variables until we get closer.

Dave 

Heck....I would drive to New Orleans but then I would have to pay for parking.  I only live 8 miles from the port of Mobile so I have someone who can drop us off and pick us up (really convenient).  But whatever it takes to make it on that ship...count me in. 

 It's the waiting and not knowing that is driving me nuts!  We probably won't know anything until Tuesday, will we?

Sandi (aka Smeegle on CC)

 I called Carnival Emergency Line yesterday and was told the cruise line will not make any decisions (typically) until a minimum of 48 hours before time to sail, so this afternoon at 4 PM CST seems to be the soonest we expect to hear anything. The customer service rep did say it will more likely be Monday afternoon though. The unknown is the hardest part to wait out. I live in Biloxi, and from LA to the AL state line, we are currently under hurricane watch. Bummer. I really need this vacation!

 Make sure you medicate before you get onboard the ship.  We had 10-12 footers coming back in on the Holiday and a lot of folks were sick.  My wife had to calm one lady down as it was her first cruise and she was petrified because of the creaking and the waves crashing against the hull.

We get back to the cabin and my wife is in the window going OHHH  AHHH as the waves crash and the bow spray going flying.

Dave 

jetskier:

 Make sure you medicate before you get onboard the ship.  We had 10-12 footers coming back in on the Holiday and a lot of folks were sick.  My wife had to calm one lady down as it was her first cruise and she was petrified because of the creaking and the waves crashing against the hull.

We get back to the cabin and my wife is in the window going OHHH  AHHH as the waves crash and the bow spray going flying.

Dave 

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Hey Dave,

It was all pretty cool except for the fact I kept rolling around in bed the last two nights. Did you see the Boogie Boarders in the street in Playa Del Carmen during the rainstorm on Thursday afternoon? That was awesome! We were in a nice little Mexican bar drinking ice cold Pacifico and eating Queso, Salsa, and chips while watching the rain and the Boogie Boarders. What a great cruise!  I was the last guest playing the slots on Friday night/Saturday morning when they closed the casino for good. Diane ended up with 1000 PLayers Club Points exactly. That was a sad moment when they started to remove the gaming tables. The Holiday was awesome!!!

Smitty

I am a cabbie here in Mobile. If anyone finds out anything before I get info...PLEASE post :) 

~Ashley 

Hey Smitty,

Yeah, it was heart breaking to see the tables being dismantled. I made the last purchase in the gift shop at 1:30am.  I figured they were still in the shops so we stopped to say goodbye.  I jokingly said I was there to buy the last bottle.  They said they sold them all other than two of the 6-pack of vodka samples.  They said they were two for $15.  I tried to talk them down to $10 before agreeing to the $15.  They normally retail for $14.95 each.

I can imagine the person in bookkeeping wondering what the heck they were doing still selling at that time in the morning. 

Dave 

jetskier:

Hey Smitty,

Yeah, it was heart breaking to see the tables being dismantled. I made the last purchase in the gift shop at 1:30am.  I figured they were still in the shops so we stopped to say goodbye.  I jokingly said I was there to buy the last bottle.  They said they sold them all other than two of the 6-pack of vodka samples.  They said they were two for $15.  I tried to talk them down to $10 before agreeing to the $15.  They normally retail for $14.95 each.

I can imagine the person in bookkeeping wondering what the heck they were doing still selling at that time in the morning. 

Dave 

 

The Holiday was certainly a beautiful and proud lady, Dave. I didn't even mind the water pressure being a tad low when I showered. We had a great cruise on her final voyage.