Cactus527

I've been thinking the same thing.- maybe trying one of Carnival's newer ships would be the way to go. I definitely think of them as competitive with RC.

I wandered over to Chill Island to shop and then South Beach. Successfully procured a Coco Cay shirt, something I forgot to do when I was here in September. Best conversation overheard: Drunk College Girl: *stands up* College Girl 1: You're out! You're out! What are you doing???? Drunk College Girl: What? College Girl 2: Oh my gosh, [name], your nipple is totally hanging out! Drunk College Girl: Where? College Girl 1: Do something about it! You're totally out! College Girl 2: Fix it! Drunk College Girl: *laughing* what? She's lucky her friends were able to help her out. Or in, whatever. She's covered now, folks, we're all good.

Hideaway Beach at 12pm. It was getting louder...

I think that's an awesome plan.

Hey, look, in the sky!

2nd lunch: crispy island fish sandwich, fries, and caramel brownie. The fish was good, the fries were fries, but the brownie was amazing.

I paid $20. To me, worth it. Anything more and I probably wouldn't. He said the problem comes from all of the construction as well as traffic in the port area, so many of the drivers don't find it worth their time.

I can see your back right now.

1st lunch. Island guava pizza and beef empanada. The pizza really is the same quality as Sorrento's on board, but it has a really nice flavor with a bit of some spice/kick. The empanada was good, it just wasn't what I really wanted. I actually went back and got more pizza because it was that nice. The last photo is the inside of my beef empanada.

I'm just doing my part.

Palapa update: 75% of the little tables that are underneath the palapas are now underwater. It's comical to me cuz all the videos I have seen of this location show them stranded out of the water by a lot. Hammock update: I have seen so many people try to climb into the hammocks over the water and then promptly fall into the water. Not surprisingly, this has been one of my favorite things to watch thus far.

WOW! I'm super impressed!!!!!

I know one of the things I was concerned about regarding Hideaway Beach was the sound level from the pool. Here's a 10-second video from the far side of the beach. They've cranked it up since I arrived but it's still not horrible. It also feels like there's suddenly a ton more people here. Full disclosure: I fell asleep for about 20 minutes. PXL_20240312_135407565.TS.mp4

I'm a morning person, and I also like to be early for things. It's a benefit on vacation because then it means I get to choose exactly where I want to be before crowds descend.

See? Swings are fun (but creaky). They really got them going high.

First observations about Hideaway Beach 1. The shoreline around the horseshoe shaped bay looks like it would be perfect to walk on. Don't be fooled! That is some tough sand to walk through and there are even rocks. 2. There are no physical tickets that you need for this location. They have scanners at the entrance for your Seapass card. 3. I can confirm that the PDCC song is not coming from the Hideaway Beach pool area. I can definitely hear a little bit of music but it's not annoying at all on the far side of the bay. 4. The swings in the water are really fun! 5. 8:30 in the morning, the sun is perfect for sunbathing on that far side of the bay. As a day progresses, the sun will be more direct for the people that are closest to the entrance. 6. Regarding the walkover- I think I read something about 3 to 5 minutes to walk it. I'm a pretty average speed walking person, and it took me a solid 5 minutes. Another 5 minutes to the other side of the bay. Definitely take the tram if you have any issues walking, as the sand path has not been compacted enough yet to be easy to walk on.

Ugh, that doesn't sound pleasant. I waved hi to you!

Well, I can tell you so far at 8:30 in the morning, it's super peaceful except for the damn piped in PDCC tune they keep playing over and over and over and over and over. I know the pool area is pumping out tunes, but I really can't hear anything beyond the base right now. Unless they're the ones pumping in the PDCC song!

Shellfish allergy here. I don't think I'm going to try the seafood pizza because I forgot my epi pen at home, but I can definitely try everything else!

I'm going to Hideaway's food places for sure! Any specific requests, @OCSC Mike?

I forgot to take a photo before I plowed through my room service oatmeal. Here's the rest on my balcony.

Looks like the Norwegian Sun is on the neighbor island today!

I'm glad our ship wasn't the only one going bananas! I had to take Bonine last night and I typically don't have to. Ugh.

Drinking games... That takes me back... Carnival definitely has decent pricing! There's a ship that sells out of LA that I constantly am eyeing versus Navigator, but now that Quantum is coming, I may stick with RC. I've seen those! Craziness. Miami IS known for spring break. Also, good to know my driver wasn't a total flake. I stopped counting how many times he almost had an accident to give myself stress relief.

6:55am and @Lovetocruise2002 had already beaten us to PDCC.