Super Bowl Magic: Grand Turk
Good morning from somewhere near Grand Turk!
I don’t think I’ve mentioned it but we’ve had a few days of some rough waters.
My cabin has been relatively quiet. I’m in a location where I only have one neighbor. Those neighbors are two older ladies that I haven’t seen since embarkation day.
The steward’s closet is right next to my room. The first night I was hearing a noise all night. It sounded like a door closing. Not slamming, just closing. And closing and closing and closing…And closing. I was thinking it was probably something in that closet. I haven’t heard it since the first night.
If there is one annoyance it’s that the steward’s cart is frequently camped outside my door and my steward can be difficult to avoid because of that.
I frequently will go out on the secret deck and come in the other side of the ship to leave my area during his morning cleaning hours when I have my snoozing sign on the door.
Here is today’s Fun Times. 
With today being the last port day we have the towel animal takeover on the lido deck.
It looks like we have about six people in line for coffee.
I took my mocha to the casino and played slots for a half hour. I’m going to have fun trying to use my onboard credit up so I’m going to throw some of it around in the casino. After they take out gratuities I’m going to have about $160 left.
After the casino I headed back to the room to get ready for breakfast.
It extremely windy out. It was not earlier.
I went back to Java Blue for another coffee to take to breakfast but the line is beyond ridiculous now. Nobody seemed to be manning the casino bar. I headed down to the atrium for breakfast drinks.
The table is taking awhile so I got another.
My table was assigned. I headed to the back of the ship.
You can’t see it in this picture but I came down the stairs from deck 4. Five people were standing in the middle platform between floors and two people were sitting on each step. I don’t know why everyone thinks they need to camp out in front of the dining room waiting on a table.
I was of course assigned a packed big round shared table. I requested and received a more suitable table.
In the past I’ve said Dream class deck 4 is underutilized. I would use it to quickly get from the front of the ship to the back of the ship bypassing the crowds and slow walkers on promenade.
Last night I noticed there’s a lot more foot traffic on deck 4 now with the new non-smoking casino. They even had a photographer set up down there last night. I lost my little shortcut but I think Carnival has done a good job redirecting some of the traffic down there.
We’re being followed.
Avocado toast, bacon, hash browns.
French Toast.
They are closing the gap.
They are attempting to pass on the starboard side.
And they are passing us as I make my way out of the dining room.
We have arrived.
My favorite water of anywhere I’ve been.
The last time I was in Grand Turk was December 2019. That was my first time here. I had five future cruises booked–All of which went to Grand Turk.
I remember thinking Grand Turk was going to be my new Cozumel. It seemed like I couldn’t book a cruise without stopping in Grand Turk. That was three years and two months ago. This is my first time back. And I don’t have it on any of my future cruises. It’s crazy how things changed with COVID-19.
It’s HAL Rotterdam that has docked next to us.
Normally I’m not trying to get off early without an early excursion. But today I want to swim in the ocean with time to come back for lunch and get ready for my afternoon excursion.
It feels like half of the ship is on deck 3.
I’m getting a fireball while I wait.
And another.
And a water.
The gangway is open. I’m going to skip ahead to lunch. For full coverage of my morning on the beach be sure to check out: Grand Turk Beach Day.
I just returned from my morning on the beach.
Once I showered, changed, and started getting a laundry bag ready for tonight, it was 12:45. My excursion is 1:30 so I don’t have time to play around.
I stopped by the Red Frog Rum Bar for a beer. He gave me this busted up can so I had to get a glass.
Minions is on. And at my favorite part.
I got a ringer and fries from Guy’s Burgers.
I am heading off to my whale watching excursion. Getting off of the ship is much easier this time.
The water still looks great. The beach doesn’t look too crowded.
I am going to skip ahead. For full coverage of my excursion be sure to check out: Grand Turk: Whale Watching.
I just returned from whale watching. I wish I would’ve just stayed on the beach.
I took another shower and got a bag of laundry ready.
HAL Rotterdam is sailing away.
The Alchemy bar is full. I grabbed a Jamaican Sunrise in the Red Frog Pub.
The duo is playing in here.
This is what the start of dinner service looked like on my way here.
Tonight is what I like to call “guests entertain themselves night.” Karaoke is in the comedy club. A game called “The Showdown” is in the main lounge.
One couple just came in. They’re looking all over for people. Then they’re like “Oh they’re on stage.”
This is a ball dropping competition.
I ordered a White Russian. Think I’m going to eat after this.
Cruise Director Rico.
They’re having to act out different things. This is Jurassic park
Titanic.
Having a baby.
Violins are in the atrium.
Caribbean music is in Ocean Plaza.
On the bright side Quest comes back tonight.
This is what’s on the menu tonight.
I made it just in time for showtime.
I got a mudslide.
Shrimp cocktail.
Spring rolls.
Greek salad.
Grilled salmon.
Chocolate melting cake.
Deal or No Deal is happening in the main lounge now.
She opened one more case and took the next deal.
And it’s the return of Quest! This is the first time Quest has been on one of my ships since the restart.
It’s good to have Quest back. I’m off to bed. Tomorrow is a sea day.
