June 28, 2010--Cozumel, Mexico

We had rougher seas overnight.  I woke up at 2 am from the movement.  Amanda was still sleeping, so it must not have affected her.  Yay!

Finally got up at 7:00.  We went to breakfast again in the dining room.  The eggs and hash browns are much better here than on the buffet.  Amanda has decided to get a different cereal every day since there are plenty of choices.  While we were eating, the Carnival Triumph passed us on the starboard side.

When we returned to the cabin around 9:00, we discovered we had arrived in Cozumel.  The Triumph was docking ahead of us.  I looked down and there were two dolphins leaping in the water!  We watched her dock and then we pulled in alongside her. 

We saw that were almost even with their Lido deck.  The Triumph is the same class as the Glory, which we sailed in 2008.  The Fantasy our honeymoon ship should be arriving today also.

We went down to Deck 0 around 10:30.  Dan and I quickly ran up to Deck 10 to get some ice for the water bottles.  We are loving Deck 9!  We had our cards swiped so they knew we left and had our photo taken on the gangway.  There was also an Inca warrior and Mexican dancer so we had those taken too since we couldn't avoid it.  Then, walked to the end of the pier to find our tour guide. 

Our tour wouldn't be leaving until 11:15 so we walked in a couple of shops.  The kids bought mini sombreros for dolphin and Chloe.  Much easier to transport home.  Matthew pre-selected his snow globe (which will be interesting later!) and Amanda found her magnet.

We then returned to our meeting spot for our excursion.  I had time to shoot a couple of quick photos from the outside of Three Amigos. 

We were doing the Sub-Ocean View.  We had a group of about 20 people.  Cecil was our tour guide.  He did great pointing out the different fish.  He told us each trip is like a chocolate box.  We saw "Dory" before we even left the dock.

We then went to the coral reef and then to deeper waters.  I loved the fan coral that swayed back and forth.  The captain fed a school of fish and they were right next to our window.  We saw a barracuda out the bank of windows opposite us and some divers too.  We saw an eel poke his head out of his hole.  But, he was too quick for a photo.  So was the sea turtle that Matthew and I saw on the quick ride back to the dock.  We thoroughly enjoyed our time looking at the underwater world without getting wet or tired.

We walked back to the ship and snapped a few more photos.  Amanda wanted to try the pasta bar for lunch.  So, Dan took her up while I got Matthew a hot dog and jello and myself a grilled chicken sandwich.  Lo and behold, Heather and family were up in the pasta bar too.  We enjoyed a quiet lunch with no one else around us.  Amanda had chosen linguini with parmesan sauce, chicken and spinach.  The sauce was very light and not garlicky.

After lunch, we went back to get our cards, passports, and backpacks and we went down to Deck 1 to pick up Heather.  We returned to the port area. 

We snapped a few photos outside Three Amigos.  We have three boys, so we had to do it!  And Matthew wanted one with his sister.

We bought shirts for all the cousins and Amanda and Matthew too.  6/$20--great deal!!  I found nice embroidered ones for $8 for the two older cousins.  We found Matthew's snowglobe and Amanda's magnet.  We went to Los Cinco Soles and I some wooden and shell bracelets.  Then, came the highlight for me.  We stopped at a ship recommended silver shop and I found a gorgeous Alexandrite ring.  The sticker said $126, but she quoted me $112.  I also bought Amanda a dolphin ring and myself a 16" chain so I can wear some of the charms the kids have given me on a shorter chain.  All the hard work for the May election paid off!  And, I still have some left.

We headed back to the ship and I saw the Fantasy docked at the next pier over.  We invited Alec and Heather to have ice cream with us.  And, then went back to the cabin.

Dinner tonight was short ribs, sushi, and diet lemon cake.  Dan couldn't resist taking a photo of dolphin with the sushi!  I tried the prosciutto ruffles but didn't care for them.  Too salty, which is saying something for me to say that!  Calvin started his string of fish dishes with pike perch.  Yogi taught Alec a trick where he had to blow an empty soda can from one water glass to another.  While we were starting dinner, we felt the thrusters kick in.  We were pulling away from Cozumel.  The water was very rough. Amanda wanted her pill so Dan took the kids up after dessert.  We decided the waves were so big because we were closer to the hurricane, but not in harm's way.

After dinner we went to purchase our formal night photos.  I also got our embarkation photo.  Still haven't decided on the pirate ones and our Cozumel ones weren't out yet.

We dropped the kids at camp and went to the Comedy Club in the Burgundy Lounge.  Tonight was Kim Harrison. Very funny!  And, she had a great singing voice.  Enjoyed her parody of Phantom of the Opera about her husband.

After her set, we picked up Matthew.  Amanda was headed to the pool with Allison.  She had a walkie talkie to keep in contact with her parents, so we felt comfortable to send Amanda for only 45 minutes. 

We took Matthew to see Fun Force in the lobby.  These guys are so talented!  They do acrobatics and breakdancing.  There was a great turnout.  We got there early enough to have a couch on Deck 4 overlooking the Atrium.  Matthew had an unobstructed view.  The show lasted 30 minutes. 

We got back to the cabin and the girls were there.  Judging by the empty ice cream dishes outside, they had been there a while.  The pools were closed for draining and mini-golf and slides were closed due to the winds.