Good morning. Today is the second sea day and the last day of the cruise. Tomorrow morning we will be back in New York. The weather forecast looks like it could be questionable today.

Here is a look at the Fun Times.

I found someone slower than the Hub App.

That’s nice.

Usually the towel animal takeover is on the last port day. For some reason on this cruise it’s the last sea day.

I’m pretty sure a family was about to take animals from that main display. Three kids and the dad all picked them up and we’re holding them. Then the mom came over and told them to put them back.

I headed down to deck 5 for coffee.

I went with a mocha.

We changed time back this morning but my phone didn’t so at 8:30 phone time I started heading to the MDR. I pulled out my phone to request a table and hub app said 7:30 ship time. Well, I guess I do have time for a couple coffees and a bloody mary.

As we approach breakfast time I grabbed a black coffee to take to the dining room.

 

What a mess.

It seems none of these people have a table. I fought my way to the front and got seated.

They tried to put me in a shared table again. I know I’m not selecting that shared table option. They must be trying to force it on solos. 

I ordered steak n eggs (over easy) and hash browns.

This is a behind the scenes look here. You don’t usually get to see the escalators that go down into the galley, but someone left the door open.

They have O2 in the spot where Red Frog Pub is on Splendor.

T-shirt sale. They actually have all sizes this time not just small and medium.

Fun Shop hours.

I grabbed another bloody mary.

Rafael has completed morning service and dropped off my laundry.

And packed.

I went ahead and got most of my packing done and made sure I took the time to write a nice note to go with Rafael’s additional tip.

Here are some spa pictures I took while trying to get to Serenity. 

It seems the Serenity deck is closed. They have blocked off every way to get to it.

I’ll have to do Tides bar instead.

Pina colada. 

I hate when people stare at me in the elevator.

I got back in for my burger just before they shut down the MDR.

This is the Voyage burger off of the brunch menu.

Groove for St. Jude is happening on lido deck.

I don’t feel like fighting the Red Frog Rum Bar lines today. Serenity is still shut down. I’m back out at the Tides Bar for a mudslide.

I got an email alert about my flight for tomorrow so I went ahead and checked-in.

I’m switching to Toasted Amber.

Q&A with the playlist cast. I wonder if the CD one is getting phased out. Andy did one with some of the playlist cast on Splendor. Now on Magic this is the entire cast and there’s no Ryan.

They have that birthday beer on tap. I tried it again and don’t really like it. Bijesh from Alchemy is working the atrium bar.

It’s very bitter. I don’t remember it being that bad on Glory. But I was already loaded when I drank those.

Luggage tags are by guest services and the earliest zone can still be had at 3pm.

I say that because people will stand here in line waiting for them to put the tags out. On debarkation day they will call tags 1-8 or 1-10 all at the same time anyway so when it comes down to it, it’s really not worth wasting your vacation time standing in line for these.

And if you’re on one of my cruises I have a stockpile of really low numbers I can give you.

It’s extremely windy out on the front deck.

They’ve had the door in the middle of the forward hallway closed all week. On my next Magic cruise my room is going to be just on the other side of that door.

Broadway dance lessons with a playlist cast member in the atrium.

This is not a good day if you want to watch sports.

Alchemy is open earlier than normal. But of course it’s filled with trivia players. Nevertheless, I’m heading to the room to shower and put on my evening wear a half hour early.

I made it back before the end of trivia. They’re giving the answers to sports trivia now so hopefully seats will open up when that is done.

Maria made me this drink out in no man’s land. It’s really good. I know she used spiced rum.

Finally! A place at the table!

Another form Maria. I know she said it has vodka and coconut rum.

The lady next to me is from upstate New York and doesn’t seem to be a fan of New York City. She took issue with me referring to New York City as New York. I’m trying to do better here so hopefully I don’t offend anyone.

Habanero Vodka drink from Maria.

There was an announcement. We have a medical issue and are heading full speed to New York City. We’ll be arriving at 2:30am. Debarkation times remain the same.

This girl says to Bijesh:

Can you help me?

I want nothing creamy nothing with juice what do I want?

Bijesh says:

Maybe basil drop or something with mint?

Girl says:

I don’t like mint

Bijesh:

Basil?

Girl:

No.

Bijesh;

How about lemon drop?

Girl:

I don’t like lemon

Bijesh:

Maybe glass of water?

 

I am heading to dinner at Cucina.

I’m on time for my Cucina reservation for once and they’re asking everyone to sit down and wait.

The couches are full. It’s standing room only in this waiting area. I don’t know what the deal is. I see multiple empty tables on this side alone. Maybe more on the other side.

I could’ve had another alchemy drink. I made sure I was on time because last night the guy looked at his watch and was like “well I guess it’s okay” when I showed up 8 minutes late for the steakhouse.

They’ve seated a few parties. I’m still waiting.

Two ladies just said a kid who had a meltdown in here the other night is back.

Someone says Serenity was closed due to weather. Everyone is confused because the weather was good.

They’re telling a first time cruiser to do another cruise because this isn’t normal.

How are they choosing the order? A couple that just walked in got called. I’ve been sitting here 20 minutes.

I think I’m being sent to the back of the line because I’m solo. It’s just me and one other couple waiting at this point. Several couples who came in after me got seated.

If they get seated and it’s just me here. I’m next. They have a line down the stairs. Probably 8pm people. Those people aren’t getting seated ahead of me.

The hostess came over to a cabinet by me. I asked how the seating was going. She said she’s working on it. I said we’re 30 minutes late. She said “30 minutes?” Yeah I had a 7:30 reservation. She said “I will seat you now.”

Clearly they screwed up and thought they had seated all of the 7:30 people.

I love the bread here.

Arancini.

Spaghetti. 

Massive broccoli and cauliflower 

Short rib.

Dessert to go. It’s their chocolate cookie sandwich without the gelato.

This is the MDR menu for tonight.

Elvis is on lido deck.

One of the best stewards I’ve had and definitely the best since Carnival started cutting back on twice a day service, Rafael.

This is a look at that dessert. I’ll be saving it for later.

I’ve been watching this Elvis movie. At 9:30 I’ll go see America Rocks. Then I’ll stop by the room to put my suitcase out. Then I’ll go to 10:45 comedy. I missed 8:45 thanks to the late seating at Cucina.

A thing I really got used to being on older ships those last two cruises was being able to look down at the entertainment. Here I can look down but at nothing.

The thing I like about America Rocks is it incorporates the actual musicians from the Ocean Plaza rock band.

With the rock band being in America Rocks tonight, it’s Latin night in Ocean Plaza.

The night club is dead for once.

The piano bar is doing well.

This is the last comedy show of the cruise.

It turns out this is a repeat from the first night so I’m probably about to head head out.

Jeff Harms

I took off a few mins early and grabbed a water on the way to the room. I have everything except for tomorrow’s necessities packed and I’m eating my dessert.

Tomorrow is debarkation day.

 

 

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