Author Archives: Sparky
Carnival Liberty Day 6: Belize City, Belize
I don’t like Belize City. It is the most charmless city in Central America, in my opinion. But the port area is interesting. It is an old-school port; not one built for the huge, modern cruise ships. It is a shallow-water port which means that the ship has to anchor more than a mile offshore … Continue reading
Carnival Liberty Day 5: Roatan, Honduras
Our first port was one we have visited several times: Roatan, Honduras. Specifically, Mahogany Bay, the Carnival-only port on the south side of the island. We started the day with breakfast in the buffet, then went ashore. This is a typical made-for-cruisers port. Lots of shops and bars, all overpriced. There is also a beach … Continue reading
“The Fix” by David Baldacci
Copyright 2017 by David Baldacci. Published by Grand Central Publishing, New York. This is #3 in the Memory Man series by Baldacci. I don’t believe I have read the first two. I am sure I would have remembered (get it?). If you are interested in this book it is probably best that you read the … Continue reading
Carnival Liberty Days 3 & 4: At sea
We woke on Day 3 to find that the ship was in motion but was still in the Mississippi Delta, not yet to the Gulf of Mexico. We learned that it had left port shortly after midnight. Apparently it takes over 5 hours to traverse the Mississippi from New Orleans. We also learned, by being … Continue reading
Carnival Liberty Day 2: Embarkation in New Orleans LA
The Econolodge was just 4 miles from the Carnival cruise terminal, but, as I have mentioned, it is Mardi Gras season in New Orleans, so getting a taxi is more difficult – and more expensive – than usual. This became an issue when we checked out at 11am. We took our bags to the office … Continue reading
Carnival Liberty Day 1: Lehigh Acres FL to Gretna LA
Unlike every other cruise we have taken, this one started with an all-day drive to the port. It was 805 miles via FL 884, I-75, I-10 and US 90. It included a short detour to drop off Becky in Ft Myers where she will be cared for by a friend (and will socialize with another … Continue reading
Carnival Liberty preview
We are going on a cruise next week. That isn’t exactly earth-shattering news to those who know us. This one will be special because it is Marlene’s “milestone” cruise – her 25th cruise on Carnival Cruise Lines. It will be on the Carnival Liberty, out of New Orleans. That port will also be special – … Continue reading
28
Degrees, that is. Yes, we had a low of 28 on Monday – 4 degrees below freezing. There was frost on our windshields. Plants froze. Pipes didn’t. And it didn’t snow. But it could have. Not Florida weather. And not weather I like. Too damn cold for anything outdoors, including softball. It is supposed to … Continue reading
2025 blog booklets (Carnival Venezia, NCL2, TN_11, TS_11, ATW, NCL3)
2025 was a HUGE travel year with a lot of blogging. It is documented in 2 volumes. Both are over 100 pages.
“The Chase” by Clive Cussler
Copyright 2007 by Sandecker, RLLLP. Published by Penguin Group, an imprint of G.P. Putnam’s Sons, New York. Cussler writes adventure/mystery books featuring Dirk Pitt, the Special Projects Director of the National Underwater and Marine Administration (NUMA), a fictional government agency. I like his Dirk Pitt books. Totally ridiculous plots, but a lot of fun to … Continue reading