Caribbean cruise, November 17-22, 2007, part 1

S and I went on a Caribbean cruise by Carnival Cruises. Our ship was named Ecstasy. The ship sailed from Galveston TX, to Cozumel and Progresso (Mexico) and back. We got to see some of the archaeological sites of Mexico: Mayan ruins and pyramids.

Since we only visited the northern tip of Mexico, perhaps this cruise shouldn’t be called Caribbean, but a Gulf of Mexico cruise instead? I suppose we technically ventured into the Caribbean sea, so I’ll keep using that name.

This structure was visible from the ship while it was docked in Galveston. The structure in the center is, according to S, a dry dock — a platform that is used to lift a ship out of the water to repair it. And those tall things of “lacy” metal are “legs” of oil rigs. When an oil rig is assembled, the “legs” are submerged under water.

Cranes in Galveston along the coast, visible from the cruise ship while it was docked at the port.

Before the ship sails, the passengers undergo a drill. They go to so-called “muster stations” where they practice putting on life jackets. Here is a muster station, which in its regular incarnation is a bar and lounge. It is aflame with red life jackets.

A triangular island seen on the way out of Galveston

The atrium and elevators of Ecstasy, our ship. The atrium goes across 4 or 5 decks. The blue neon angular/cylindrical thingies are elevators.

Here is a fuller picture of the ship’s atrium, with the neon blue-rimmed elevator.

A bar on our cruise ship. I guess the passengers would forget to enjoy themselves unless they were constantly reminded to.

Ice sculptures and watermellons with words carved into them at the grand gala buffet. If you forgot to bring something to read at dinner, you can read a watermellon.

Actually, this wasn’t the dinner. The grand gala buffet, with all the gorgeous food, was served just two hours after dinner ended, causing it to be wasted on most guests.

An ice sculpture of a dragon at the grand gala buffet.

A pineapple sculpture created by removing the actual pineapple flesh and recreating it with fruit bits, at the grand gala buffet.

Cakes in shape of tiaras and swan sculptures at the grand gala buffet