Here is our plan for today. I will go down and wait for the doors to open, and then head over to Margaritaville to get our cabana. Patti and Ryan will eat breakfast, and then join me after the initial rush to get off the ship.
Why a cabana you say? We have been here about ten times, and with the exception of the very first time, we always get a cabana. About 8 or 9 years ago, we were on the Miracle, making our very first stop at Grand Turk. We got a couple of loungers with an umbrella at the pool, settled in, and everything was just perfect. Then it happened. Something that hadn't happened here in over 340 days. Dark stormy clouds rolled in and it poured, and I mean sideways poured. Half hour later, the sun came out, but then it poured again, and then a third time. Now, we didn't mind getting wet, heck, we were wet from the pool and the ocean anyway, but all our other stuff got soaked too. Finally we had had enough and made our way back to the ship, but couldn't help noticing the people on the porches of their cabanas, dry, drinking, and having a blast. We swore then, that every time we come here, we would rent a cabana.
The cabanas are fully enclosed and air conditioned. They have comfy couches inside, and the porch of the cabana has two loungers, and is covered with a roof. The door also locks, so you can feel safe leaving any valuables in them when you go swimming or exploring. But my favorite part of the cabana is the "button". It's located right by the door. Push it, and in a few minutes a waiter will come and take you drink and food orders. No fighting with the masses when you are hungry or thirsty.
Over the years we have met some really great cabana attendants. One of our favorites is Ricardo. I'm hoping that he'll be there today.
As planned, I got off of the ship fairly quickly.....
I made my way over to Margaritaville, and lo and behold, there was Ricardo. We greeted each other, but then I got the bad news. He wasn't working the cabanas today. No problem, he grabbed the keys and walked me over to cabana #9. We always get cabana #9. Perfect location for us, as it's close to the Flowrider and the beach. The lower number cabanas are closest to the pool's swim up bar and the DJ.
Ricardo introduced us to the young lady who would be waiting on us today. Her name was Winsome. Yep, just like the saying, you win-some, and you lose some. Lol. I ordered a bucket of Landsharks, and she took my Sail & Sign card. No, you do not pay with your Sail & Sign here, but they hold onto it until you pay your bill, to make sure you don't skip out on them. No Sail & Sign card, no getting back on the ship. You can pay with cash or credit card.
Once my beer came, and it came quickly, I grabbed one and went to hang out in the pool until Patti and Ryan came.
They had their breakfast, and now are leaving the ship.....
The Carnival Pride docked in Grand Turk.....
Looking down the beach towards the Crew Bar and the Casino (which isn't open).....
Looking the other way, at the excursion pier, the whale, and beyond that, the conch graveyard.....
To be continued.....
Why a cabana you say? We have been here about ten times, and with the exception of the very first time, we always get a cabana. About 8 or 9 years ago, we were on the Miracle, making our very first stop at Grand Turk. We got a couple of loungers with an umbrella at the pool, settled in, and everything was just perfect. Then it happened. Something that hadn't happened here in over 340 days. Dark stormy clouds rolled in and it poured, and I mean sideways poured. Half hour later, the sun came out, but then it poured again, and then a third time. Now, we didn't mind getting wet, heck, we were wet from the pool and the ocean anyway, but all our other stuff got soaked too. Finally we had had enough and made our way back to the ship, but couldn't help noticing the people on the porches of their cabanas, dry, drinking, and having a blast. We swore then, that every time we come here, we would rent a cabana.
The cabanas are fully enclosed and air conditioned. They have comfy couches inside, and the porch of the cabana has two loungers, and is covered with a roof. The door also locks, so you can feel safe leaving any valuables in them when you go swimming or exploring. But my favorite part of the cabana is the "button". It's located right by the door. Push it, and in a few minutes a waiter will come and take you drink and food orders. No fighting with the masses when you are hungry or thirsty.
Over the years we have met some really great cabana attendants. One of our favorites is Ricardo. I'm hoping that he'll be there today.
As planned, I got off of the ship fairly quickly.....

I made my way over to Margaritaville, and lo and behold, there was Ricardo. We greeted each other, but then I got the bad news. He wasn't working the cabanas today. No problem, he grabbed the keys and walked me over to cabana #9. We always get cabana #9. Perfect location for us, as it's close to the Flowrider and the beach. The lower number cabanas are closest to the pool's swim up bar and the DJ.
Ricardo introduced us to the young lady who would be waiting on us today. Her name was Winsome. Yep, just like the saying, you win-some, and you lose some. Lol. I ordered a bucket of Landsharks, and she took my Sail & Sign card. No, you do not pay with your Sail & Sign here, but they hold onto it until you pay your bill, to make sure you don't skip out on them. No Sail & Sign card, no getting back on the ship. You can pay with cash or credit card.
Once my beer came, and it came quickly, I grabbed one and went to hang out in the pool until Patti and Ryan came.
They had their breakfast, and now are leaving the ship.....

The Carnival Pride docked in Grand Turk.....
Looking down the beach towards the Crew Bar and the Casino (which isn't open).....
Looking the other way, at the excursion pier, the whale, and beyond that, the conch graveyard.....
To be continued.....
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