I spent some extra time this morning in the red light sauna in the thermal suite. I am just becoming familiar with red light therapy and, in fact, found a place very close to our home that offers unlimited monthly passes for red light sauna visits. I’ll continue to use it daily here for at least 20 minutes a day to see if I notice any difference by the end of the week and will probably join for a couple of months once I get home. If we stay home, that is.
It was after 11am when I booked a table for brunch in the Pacific Dining Room and G met me there. This time we were seated at the very back of the dining room, with floor to ceiling windows across the back of the ship. Quite a difference from the HoJo Atlantic Dining Room where we have dinner. I think I’ve figured out what’s going on there.
We were assigned 8:15pm fixed dining when we booked last minute, and you know us enough to know that that we just don’t dine that late. G also wanted an assigned table with the same waiters every night, a la what we had on the Regal Princess transatlantic. Well, on the Carnival Jubilee, those guests with that request are assigned to the Atlantic Dining Room. It’s largely intergenerational groups, families with young kids and the geriatric set, so, yeah, we fit right in, whether we like it or not.
Kadek is our dinner waiter and he was also our waiter this morning for brunch and he really is the nicest guy. G had breakfast #2 of the day, a huge steak, eggs and bacon breakfast (he has blood work scheduled, and I had a bagel with smoked salmon and it really was a nice brunch.
It was then time for me to check out G’s favorite place in the back of the ship in Decks 16 and 17. I saw Shaq’s Big Chicken for myself, saw Guy’s Burgers (can’t go there…I had my annual hamburger on the Regal) and even found the buffet. I’ve decided I am useless at buffets. I am not a forager or gatherer when it comes to food. I am a sit down and order person. I always end up doing the same thing: wandering around the seating area until a I see someone eating what I want and then asking where they got it. My quest today was for watermelon, and I finally found it by doing that, and then asking three crew members, one of whom led me right to it. No, I’m rotten at buffets.
There is wonderfully comfortable and shaded seating on the back of all the upper decks, so we stayed there all afternoon and, when I fell asleep, G found more people to talk to and, well, I guess we’re joining more new friends at Teppanyaki the last night of this cruise. Honestly, this ship is full of the nicest people. I had imagined political hats and belligerent attitudes and it’s nothing like that. Just (mostly) southern manners and friendliness, everyone talks to everyone. It’s been wonderful.
Water park
There’s even a roller coaster on board.
Seriously.
Spring break on this ship is a terrifying thought.
We bravely returned to our table the Atlantic Dining Room (HoJo circa 1972) for dinner. This time we knew what to expect (and what not to expect), and G said the beef he ordered was excellent but I’m still struggling a bit to find things that appeal, or, if they appeal, that taste good. But I did have my first chocolate lava melting cake, and now totally get the hype. G’s found his favorite dessert too: banana cream pie.
We had been told that tonight’s Family Feud in the Jubilee Theater was some of the best fun of the cruise. Yeah, no. We’re not big game show people, on Carnival or Princess, which probably didn’t help, but we found it mildly entertaining at best. However, the seating in the Jubilee Theater bears mentioning. Comfortable, with plenty of leg room and cup holders at each seat. It appears that shows are offered three times, and though the theater was packed for the early show last night, that’s the first time we’ve seen where seats are not available right up to show tune.
And, once again, we enjoyed the two minute walk back to our little room. I’m really happy that our cabin is not at the opposite end of this ship. We’d nearly have to pack a lunch to get home at night.
Another great day on the Carnival Jubilee.
Life is good. :)
