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Believe it or not, the water in Bermuda is even more beautiful.  It was the biggest surprise to me about Bermuda.  I didn't expect that beautiful blue water.

Thanks folks. 
While I chose to walk to town I'd suggest people take the shuttle or taxi.  I only walked to kill time.  It's 2.5 miles or 4 km.  
I went back in my photo vault and found some photos from February 2015.  Yesterday an NCL ship was in the way so I couldn't get a great shot of Costa Maya like I could back in 2015.  The water color back then was amazing and I agree - Cozumel has always been beautiful but Costa Maya stands out from my 2015 trip as having the most beautiful water color. 
The zip line facility was just being built back then.
February 2015:


Huh.  Looks like I went to Cozumel on that cruise as well, and ran into a familiar ship. 
Liberty back in 2015 sans slides:

Here are some more photos of the Costa Maya waters from my current trip that didn't make the cut above.  They do show how colorful the water in Costa Maya is.  



Oh, a friend reminded me technically that's sargassum, not simply 'seaweed'. 

Up until December, I thought Cozumel had the most brilliant blue water.  The water in Costa Maya is even one up on that.  I can't even describe it. ?

Day 8 - Self Assist Line
At 6am I joined the line in the dining room on deck 4.  I'm something like 30 from the front.   We are all sitting at tables with our luggage lined up.  

Well...whatever you are, we do know you create awesome live blogs! Thanks for taking us all along again! Safe travels home today ?

Day 7 - Sigh Day
The day you go 'sigh' knowing it's the last night.  Ugh.
Beautiful sunset night somewhere around 200 NM away from Galveston.


Another ship has been following us since dawn (well since leaving Cozumel but I first spotted it at dawn).  It's gained us as we cruised at around 18-19 knots over the day.  I suspect it's the Carnival Breeze also heading to Galveston.  I've sailed on her and her sister ship the Magic in 2015.  In fact that's the last Carnival ship I sailed, also departing from Galveston.


I watched it over the day off our port side trailing us all day.   At most times it was on a parallel course on our port side all day then recently it turned directly at us, then back to port, then back at us.  You could clearly see both in the face of the ship presented to us and in it's wake, it definitely was steering directly at us at times when it decided to turn more sharply across our wake and to our starboard side, always hovering right around the one nautical mile that I know is standard for separation.  
In the hour near and after sunset it has gained speed and is now on our starboard side overtaking us as we cruise a nominal 18-19 knots.  

It appears to be running at top speed. 
I fear there may be a medical situation onboard and they need to close the distance towards Galveston for assistance.  I'm wondering if it changed course or if we did.  Professional mariners on both ships, I'm positive they are in constant communication, sailing these water along each other week after week.

Night 7 Dinner Menu

Pub Beers

Specialty Restaurant Menus
Giovanni's Lunch

Giovanni's Dinner

Giovanni's Dessert

Wine List 1

Wine List 2

Chop's Grille Lunch

Chop's Grille Dinner

Chop's Grille Beverages

Sabor Lunch

Sabor Dinner

Sabor Kids

Sabor Beverages

 

Look at the very bottom center of this pic -- Proof of non-botness!! He does exist! 

More pictures from around the ship:

Here is a video of us pulling away from the pier in Cozumel with a brief horn exchange with the Allure.
 

I'm guessing that isn't an official ship photographer...  note to self, be careful where you eat.

Cozumel sail away time...

One last look at Allure

The self assist line circled all the way around the dining room.   At 7:30 am they started letting us off.  Scheduled time was 8am.   By 7:45am I was through and outside.   Lyft wanted $127 (no cars nearby) so I looked at Uber which was $52.   Needless to say I am in my Uber on the way to Hobby.  My flight is at 2:30pm so I'm hoping I can jump on an earlier flight.  

Last night "Britain's Finest" were in the main theater.   They are a Beatles Tribute band.   They are very good.  
Cruise summary
All in all it was a great cruise.  I got a great rate booking it under 90 days out.   I'm glad I was able to book one of the newer rooms on the ship.   Those slides on her have been calling my name and they didn't disappoint.   
I ended up eating most meals in the Windjammer.   The vegetable curry last night had great flavor.   Traveling solo the Windjammer is just easier.   
With this cruise in the books I've completed the Freedom class trilogy.   Galveston worked out pretty smoothly but next time I'll likely do a B2B.
 
Almost to Hobby airport and should arrive there around 8:40am.    

Well, you know what they say...if Mamma ain't happy, no one's going to be happy!

Not sure what type of room 9516 is but this is the bath room in our room.

It was on the cruise planner under entertainment and activities. For the price it was well worth it.

Good morning all, I have to say the mystery dinner was amazing. I'll be doing a more detailed review when I get some free time. They kept the wine coming which was all included, food was amazing and I got a special desert because of my allergies and it was amazing. I must confess I was so hungry when the entrées came around I forgot to take pictures. It all started at On Air served some type of rose sparkling wine as the show started. Then they moved us up to Giovanni's to eat. They brought out pickled vegetables, cheese some meat and bread and some greens for the antipasti.

When then had the choose of 3 dishes for the appetizer, beef carpaccio, another was the Mozzarella Di Bufalo which was cheese, tomato and arugula, it was supposed to come with a pesto sauce but Sandra didn't get it because it had nuts.

The last one was the soup of the day which was the most amazing minestrone soup I have ever eaten.

For the entrées there was the Gnocchi Al Gorgonzola which was Gorgonzola with creamed spinach. Gamberetti Alla Ligure which was grilled prawns, cherry tomato's, garlic butter and a potato purée. Lastly, the Filetto Di Manzo Rustico which was a filet mignon with roasted garlic potato purée and barolo sauce but I swear the whole room got the filet mignon  It was absolutely amazing.
Between entrées and desert they offered us some coffee. Then for desert, Sandra got the chocolate cake, and I was given a little cup dish of some type of strawberry over cream and some type of lime moose thing. I would say both reminded me of cheesecake filling. The lime was so good I ask for more and they brought me 2 more dishes of it. The other dishes were the Tiramisu and ice cream and sorbet.
The show skits run between each of your meals so you get a good little break to let it settle lol.

So on board now. Got in around 3:15 after running around doing last minute shopping (we do not shop much at home as its expensive). Only really took us 15/20 minutes to go through security and check in. It was pretty much empty as everyone was already on board. Did a scope and now waiting for muster drill to begin. Will check in later.

 
i will be checking probably later today or tomorrow :) they gave us a discount token and Sandra isn't wanting alcohol yet so will see how the day goes. Will post more 

So as a crazy day unwinds and I am getting ready for bed thought I would do a little pre-cruise update. Flew Southwest for the first time and must say I'm really impressed. I was a little sceptical of the whole boarding procedure but turned out alright. The plane was probably around 75-80% full and a lot of spaces between people. The landing was very hard however, and then you heard the captain come on the speakers with "opps" made everyone laugh. We finally ended up going to buffalo wild wings (one of my favs when we get away) thought I would start with some food pictures even if not from the cruise. I had wings with a mix of sweet BBQ sauce and spicy garlic sauce. I washed it down with an IPA the had advertised (not my most favorite IPA). My next post will be on the ship tomorrow (well technically later today).  

Please share if you have the Cruise Compass, it's been almost a year since anyone posted a copy! 
Thanks ?

Officially earning the title of worst live blogger ever - I am so sorry for not staying up to date. This is officially live-ish and I will be absolutely leaving official reviews on everything we did by Sunday evening. That said - Good Times Catamaran in Barbados is officially my favorite excursion I’ve ever done. 
That said, we are currently abusing the last of our drink package in the pub and I’m maybe not entirely sober. 
Cheers!