Bon Voyage!

It’s a little too late to say “bon voyage” since the ship left yesterday, but I like the way that it rolls off my tongue, plus it’s the only French phrase I know.

Is it in French?

I think so.

Yesterday afternoon, I left my hotel for the airport to catch my bus towards the ship.

(Side note: Two guys were also waiting for a cab and asked me where I was going. When I said ‘airport,’ they said ‘How about you come with us in our cab to RANDOM BEACH NOWHERE NEAR THE AIRPORT and you won’t have to pay for a cab?’ Quick survey, ladies. HAS THIS EVER WORKED ON YOU? EVER?)

After a short bus ride, I boarded Carnival Legend, a ship with an interior that’s completely over-the-top, which is exactly why I absolutely love it.

If you haven’t noticed, the theme of the ship is “legends.” Get it? Medusa heads aren’t just randomly mounted to the walls of the nightclub. It’s strategic and it’s awesome.

The main show lounge

Atrium

Elevators (don’t you just feel like you’re in Ancient Greece?)

Medusa’s Lair nightclub

Jacuzzi in the middle of the gym. Clearly, someone knows me.

Top left: I have no idea what this is. But it’s cool.

Top right: Yes, a wedding chapel. Located next to a couple of bars, so it’s perfect.

Bottom left: Another shot at Medusa’s Lair. Not gonna lie, this one frightens me a little. Still cool.

Bottom right: See those chairs that look like hovercrafts or whatever? I slept in one. ALL DAY.

I met Storm N’ Norm (yes, he does insist on being called that) who organizes his own onboard activities with the permission of Carnival. He doesn’t get paid, but just does it because he loves it. You can’t miss him anywhere on the ship, because he’s the only one wearing the crazy multicolored hats (which actually surprised me). I’m pretty sure the hats took up 75% of his luggage.

I think he said it’s his 68th Carnival Cruise or something.

He said that he always comes back to Carnival because the guests feel like family to him. He introduced me to several other cruisers, many of whom have also been on 50+ Carnival Cruises.

Everyone seemed to know one another even though they hadn’t planned on traveling together.

Example:

“You sailed the Panama Canal in 1990, right? I remember we did X,Y,Z together! [laughter]”

Besides the giant mural of Hercules, (? – not sure, I didn’t pay attention in 6th grade mythology class) my favorite aspect of the cruise thus far has been the extent to which cruisers actually want to talk and get to know one another.

I was even invited to breakfast this morning with a mother and young daughter from Australia. On any other cruise I would have gone on, I would have been eating my Lucky Charms alone in the corner.

Which is fine because that’s what my breakfast, lunch and dinner looked like in my apartment senior year. Just an interesting observation. I guess.

I also won a fair amount in the casino today!