2026 March 16-20, Trip to New Orleans with the Club, Diamonds in the Rough, Diamond Tours

 Day 1: Monday, March 16: Travel Day 

For breakfast, we ate Sausage and biscuits at home.

We rode to the Club, met inside for our name tags, and had a brief talk about the trip.

We loaded onto the bus by 8:30 and were on our way. 

Our driver's name was Jerome, on bus 334, Graylines Tennessee, with a mural of Nashville wrapped on the side. 

Our first stop was Loves in West Point, MS. Hubby bought a Diet Coke and some Sweet & salty trail mix; he spent $7.01.

For lunch, we stopped at Burger King, where we bought one Steakhouse Whopper, fries, and two cokes spent $15.98

We stopped at Love's West Point, MS, for a restroom break. 

For dinner was stopped at Golden Corral in Hattiesburg, MS., for a buffet meal. 

I got fish, okra, blueberry pie, corn on the cob, diet coke, and seafood salad. 

We traveled through Heidelberg and Laurel, MS., into Slidell and New Orleans, LA. 

We arrived at our hotel, Sonesta ES Suites New Orleans,212 Loyal Ave, around 6PM.

Took a shower, worked on this journal, watched some TV, and went to bed. 

3257-3261 Love's West Point, MS @10:32 AM

3264- Macon, MS 

3265-3268 Burger King Maridian, MS 

3269-3272 Laurel and Heideburg, MS Loves

3273-3275 Golden Corral Hattiesburg, MS @5:15 PM

3277-3281 traveling through Slidell, LA @6:28

3282-3299 Traveling through New Orleans, LA @6:48

3300-3301 Room at Sonesta ES Suites, room 905 

Day 2: Tuesday, March 17: New Orleans 

Breakfast in the hotel where I ate Egg, Bacon, Waffle, yogare and cranberry juice.

We were on the bus by 8:15. 

Our first stop was to pick up our rep and head to Mardi Gras World. We arrived a little before 9 and stayed until 11. 

We watched a video and then toured the warehouse where floats for Mardi Gras are made and repaired. 

We loaded back onto the bus at 11 and rode to Riverwalk Mall, where we shopped and ate lunch.

Hubby and I shared lunch we bought at Pei Wei Asian Kitchen of orange chicken, Seaweed Chicken, and steak with diet coke.  

We made a group photo before loading onto the Creole Paddlewheeler for a cruise to Chalmette Battlefield and returned to Riverwalk. 2-4:40 P.M.

We loaded onto the bus and rode to Landry's Seafood House, 620 Decatur St. 

We enjoyed fried shrimp, salad, fries, red velvet cake, ice tea. Tim bought appetizers of Crawfish bites and spinach and asparagus dip with chips. 

After dinner, we loaded back on the bus and headed for our hotel, but got caught up in the St Patricick's Day Parade for 2 1/2 hours. We sat on the bus waiting for the parade to end. 

We sang and danced on the bus while we waited. 

It was late when we got back to the hotel, everyone was exchausted. 

3304 Breakfast at the hotel @ 7:15

3305-3357 Mardi Gras World @9:19-9:39 AM 

3358 Mural Mall 

3359 Lunch @11:18 AM

3360-3365 Riverwalk 

3366 Riverwalk Jester @4:38

3371-3377 Walking to Landry's @5:07 PM

3378-3383 Dinner at Landry's @ 5:13 

Big Camera

7221-7307 Mardi Gras World @8:59-8:55

7308-7311 Riverwalk @11;3-1:28

7312-7360 Chamette Battlefield @2:46-3:36

Bought two Mardi Gras T-shirts at Puma for 18.01

Day 3: Wednesday, March 18: New Orleans 

Breakfast at the hotel, I ate egg, a sausage link, French Toast, and water. 

We were on the bus by 8:15 and picked up our guide, Wanda. We did a tour of New Orleans and we stopped at St Louis Cemetery #5, and everyone got out to listen to our guide tell about the cemetery.

One of the Crypts was built like a castle, costing several thousand dollars. I guess she took her money to the grave with her. 

Our next stop was at New Orleans City Park Restaurant (Benya's Café Du Monde), where we enjoyed a beignet and Coke. I took a few photos. 

We loaded onto the bus, dropped off our guide (8:30-11), and rode to the French Quarters, where we shopped and ate lunch.

We ate lunch at Frank's Restaurant, where hubby and I shared a shrimp po' boy and Coke. 

I ate the shrimp because the bread was very dry. (11-1:30).

Our next stop was the WWI Museum, 1:30-5PM.

Our next stop was for dinner at Crescent City Brewhous 527 Decatur Street. Here we enjoyed porkchops, green beans, spring salad, rolls, mac & cheese, bread puddin and iced tea.  

When we were walking in the French Quarters, a Orential woman walked up to us, putting a couple of bracelets on our wrists, then she asked for money. She also put a necklace in my hand, and I handed it back. She told hubby that she wanted $40, and he said no. He gave her a $5, she said $10, hubby said no, and gave her another dollar. I tried to give back the braclets but she said no. As she walked away, hubby heard her say cheap ashole. 

3384-3391 Park @ 8:48 

3392-3415 St Louis Cemetery #5 @9:20-2:38 

3416-3420 City Park & Restaurant @10:17

3421-3424 French Quarters Park Jackson Square 

3425-3443 French Quarters @11:33-11:48

3444 Lunch at Frank's 12:10 

3445-3451 French Quarters 12:33-12:55

3452-3473 WWII Museum 1:44-2:30 PM 

3474-3480 New Orleans Headed to restaurant 5:-5 

3481-3483 Restaurant @5:24-6:15 PM

3484-3492 Hotel Receipts 

Big Camera 

7361-7366  French Quarters @8:54-9:14

7357-7371 Cemetery @9:26

7372-7381 New Orleans City Park @9:56-11:25

7382-7428 WWII National Museum @2:12-4:36 PM

Day 4: Thursday, March 19: 

Breakfast at the hotel . I ate egg, French toast, and juice.

After breakfast, we rode to Caesars Casion where several people gambled. We decided to walk over to the Riverfront Mall. 8:30-11

Hubby sat on the steps outside while I walked along the riverfront, taking pictures.

When  I got back, we went inside the mall, where we bought a beignet and walked around inside the mall. 

Lunch: at the French Quarter Market Bowl of Gumbo. World famous N'awlins on N peter st spend 12.32 cash. 11:30-3

We also got a scoop of cookies and cream ice cream in a cone at Southern Candy Makers spent $4.35 cash 

At 3, we headed back to the hotel to rest.

At 6 PM, we loaded onto the bus for dinner at Boomtown Casino & Hotel in Harvey, LA

At each table, we had a spring salad, rolls, butter, and water. 

One table at a time went to the buffet. There I got fish, green beans, beans and rice, gumbo, and bread pudding.

There was dancing and music, and we stayed until 8 PM. 

Rode back to the hotel, packed, as we are leaving tomorrow. 

3493 Breakfast @7:35

3495-3519 Riverwalk @9:08-11:07

3520-3527 Jackson Square @11:47-12:14

3528-3529- Dinner Boomtown Casino 6:01

Back to the hotel by 8:30.

Day 5: Friday, March 20:

Breakfast at the hotel, I ate egg, bacon, muffin.

We were on the bus by 8:30, headed home. 

We stopped at Arby's in Tuscaloosa for lunch. Hubby ordered their lunch special for $8, which included a sandwich, curly fries, cheese sticks, a pie, and a drink. 

I ordered a roast beef slider and a drink we spent $14.05

We stopped at Love's Poparville, MS, to fuel up.

We stopped at Walmart in Russellville for a restroom break

We arrive back at the Club around 6PM.

Hubby helped clean out the bus, and we loaded our luggage into our car and headed for home. 

We stopped at Hugos for a Shrimp Fajita for dinner. 

Washed clothes, uploaded some of my photos, and went to bed around 12.

Jan 30-Feb 8, 2026 Carnival Spirit 7 Days Cruise to Princess Keys, Celebration Cay and Nassau the Bahamas

Jan 30-Feb 8 2026

Day 1, Friday, Jan 30:

We travel to Russellville, stopping at Jack's, where I order gravy and biscuits, and two strawberry cheesecake pies; Hubby orders sausage, eggs, and a cheese biscuit.

We stopped at McDonald's for a restroom break. 

We stopped at Mugshots in Meridian, Mississippi, for lunch. There, we ordered one Mumbo Gumbo combo, which included mushrooms, kicking chicken-fried tenders, naked wangs with ranch dressing and honey mustard, and two teas. 

Our next stop was Dollar General's. We bought two Mountain Dews, a Coke, and peanut butter crackers. We arrived at Spring Hill Suites around 3:30 P.M.

We watched TV, ate our snacks, and went to bed. 

Hubby ordered an Uber to take us into Mobile tomorrow. 

When we entered our room, we had Mardi Gras beads and a moon pie on our beds. Room 223

Photos 

2852-2858 Mugshots 11:28 A.M.(Mumbo Combo, Fried Mushrooms, hot wings and fried chicken tenders)

2860-2861 Spring Hill Suites (our room)@3:56 PM

Steps 8,630 Zone 35, Miles 3.02 Cal 1,523

 Day 2: Jan 31, Saturday 

Breakfast at the hotel 

We ate an omelette, chocolate milk, and a muffin. Our Uber driver picked us up around 12 P.M. His name was Thomas from Florida. 

He took us to the port of Mobile. 

He had to let us out on this side of the train tracks because Uber drivers weren't allowed inside the port area.

Paid 21.70 plus tip

We joined many other passengers standing in line in the windy, cold

We finally made it through customs and boarded the ship. We met up and mustered. Our cabins were ready, so we took our luggage to our room, then we went for lunch at Chop Sticks, the buffet on the Lido deck. 

We went to the Empire Dining Room for dinner.

There, I ordered BBQ salmon with onion rings on top and cheesecake water. Hubby ordered steak, salad, cheesecake, and water.

We went to bed early because I had an earache and a headache. We watched Something's Gotta Give with Jack Nicholson, Diana Keaton, and Keanu Reeves.

Photos 

2862-breakfast 7:26 A.M.(Omelete, sausage and muffins at hotel)

2864-65 lunch 2:02 P.M. (Plate of Chinese food)

2866 photo 

2868-2870 dinner 6:09 P.M.(Salmon, cheesecake)

7:30 P.M. Got Dark Blue Barrels and necklaces at Grand Opening 

We ordered the chat plan for $10

Picked up our ship pins 

Steps 5615 Zone 58, Mils 2.08 Cal 1443 

Day 3: Feb 1; Sunday 

Breakfast cheese omelet, sausage link, water 

Hubby ate a hamburger, cereal, eggs, and potato water. (Empire Room)

Lunch: wonton, cream potatoes, and cake at the buffet. (Lido)

We went to the Wave Morning Show, 9:30–10 A.M.

Shop, eat, and explore onboard and ashore 10:30–12 P.M.

Walked in the Jungle area, then took a nap

Dinner Empire dining room 

I ordered Caesar salad, shrimp & crab cakes, and a chocolate melt cake with ice cream. Hubby ordered filet mignon with BBQ, salad, clam chowder, and chocolate cake. 

At 7:30, we went to the Color My World show. (Pharaoh Palace)

Back to our room and watch tv

2871-72 breakfast 8:29 A.M.(Omelete, Sausage, Hamburger)

9:39 A.M. Got White Barrels at Diamonds for Breakfast, Rise and Shine. 

At 10:30 A.M., SEE Show insider for Barrel, a light blue barrel at Pharaoh Palace 

At 12:30 P.M., Fun at Sea Shopping Spree, power shopper for a dark Blue Barrel.

2873 towel art dog 1:11 P.M.

2875-76 snow moon 7 P.M.(took before going to show)

Steps 8591 Zone 16, miles 3.14 cal 1507

Day 4, Feb 2, Monday Sea Day

Breakfast: cheese omelet, sausage links, toast, Jelly, buttermilk water. 

For lunch, we both had Guy's burger, fries, and lemonade. (Lido)

We went to the Red Frog, where we did Create at Sea art.

Tea time @3 PM Empire Restaurant 

We ate sandwiches, cake, and tea.

We got barrels of jewelry at Effie 

Bought Ava a bracelet for her birthday 

Spent $15

Dinner at Empire: we had salmon, Greek salad, potatoes, veggies, and a chocolate-melt cake with ice cream. Hubby ordered pork chops, green beans, Caesar salad, and chocolate melt cake. 

We went to the 80's Musical in the Pharaoh Theater from 7:30 to 8:15 P.M.

Bought the show book, spent $25.

Info about gems

2878-80 sunrise 7:09 A.M.

2881 Breakfast 8:37 P.M. (Omelette, Sausage)

At 12 P.M., Nahal unveils for Purple Barrel

2882-83 Tea time 3:11 P.M.(Hot Tea, Cakes, Sandwiches)

2884-93 dinner 5:52 P.M.(Greek Salad, Salmon,Creamed potatoes Cheesecake)

Steps 8864 Zone 28, miles 3.26 Cal 1559 

Day 5- Feb 3, Tuesday Celebration Key

Breakfast Empire room: French toast, omelet, water. Lunch: ate toco on the island; it was not good. I fed it to the birds.

Dinner: BBQ ribs, stuffed mushrooms, Caesar salad, and chocolate cakes. I ordered catfish, Mac and cheese, and stuffed mushrooms.

We walked to Celebration Keys, watched the parade, saw a palm warbler, bought sunglasses at Del Sole, and spent 64.90

We watched karaoke at the Red Frog. Bought shore excursions for Princess Cays, the Bahamas, spent 99.98

Relaxing cruise on the Blues reference number 603630

2894-95 breakfast 9:16 A.M.(French Toast with blueberries, omelette and sausage)

2896-2963 Celebration Keys 10:20–12:56 P.M.

2964 Del Sole guaranteed 1:04 P.M.

2965 towel art frog 1:17 P.M.

2966-67 Dinner @ 7:14 P.M. (Salmon, veggies, potatoes)

Watched parade video 2916

Palm warbler 2963-43

Bought sunglasses for 64.90 at Del Sole

At 7:30 P.M., we went to Diamond International's unveiling of the black Barrel.

Steps 9833, zone 41, miles 3.67 cal 1634

Let the fun begin 

embarking 7:30 grand opening Alaskan barrel dark blue

Sea day 1- 9:39 A.M. diamonds for breakfast, rise and shine white

Sea day 1: 10:30 am SEE show insider barrel light blue Pharoh palace dk2

Sea day 1: 12:30 fun at free shopping spree, power shopper dark blue

Celebration Key 7:30 P.M. yellow diamond unveiling reveal black

Sea day 2: 12 pm Nahal unveiling purple

Princes Cay 6 P.M. color diamond party black

Nassau 6 P.M. girls night out date night dark pink

Sea day 3: 12:30 pm best of NYC showcase yellow

Sea day 3: 4 PM Silver showcase reveal XO pink.

Last sea day, final call, clearance sale, VIP baby orange 

Play sea day 7 P.M. Effie annual diamond sale dark blue Alaskan

Steps 8630, zone 35, miles 3.02, CAL 1523

Steps, 5615, zone 58, miles 2.08, CAL 1443

Steps 8591, zone 16, miles 3.14, CAL 1507

Steps 8864, zone 28, miles 3.26 CAL 1559

Steps 9833, zone 41 miles 3.67 CAL1634

Steps 9179, zone 17, miles 3.36, CAL 1207

Steps, 8363, zone 10, miles 3.09, CAL 823

Day Six, Wednesday, February 4, Princess Cay

For breakfast, I ate two apple danishes, scrambled eggs, and sausage water.

For lunch, we ate on the island. I had a hot dog, chips, and cookies.

We walked around the island, bought a $20 hat, and some Banana Boat sunscreen.

We did the boat excursion from 1:30 to 2:30.

2968 loading boat at 8:53 A.M.

2969 breakfast at 9:46 A.M.

2970 Tickets @10:16 AM

2971-84 Princes Cays 10:54–12:49 P.M.

2985-3034 Cruise @2;37-4:01 PM

3035-36 Towel Art @4:20 PM

At 6 P.M., Color Diamonds party, black Barrel (we were late for this one)

3037-3039 Seafood Soup, Rice, Broccoli, Veal, Potatoes, Veggies, and Double Chocolate Cake @ 6:55 P.M.

3074-76 Showtime @7:26 P.M.

Took the shuttle to the shore and the shuttle to return to the ship.

Steps 9179 zone 17 miles 3.36 cal 1207

Day Seven, Thursday, February 5, Nassau 

For breakfast, we sat with a couple from New Orleans, and we talked a long time about Politics and being a Christian. (Empire Restaurant.) On the left and on the right were a couple from Birmingham. The woman said she first said he loved working in the rodeo. She said that he had almost every bone in his body broken and was deceased. (That was when they lived in Montana)

Said she was legally blind and had worked for Bell South in their office. (The couple from New Orleans) 

For brunch, in the Empire Restaurant, I ate an omelette, sausage Links, tea, and two apple danishes.

At 10:00 A.M., we met our guide, Elsi, and followed her to several stores to shop.

We stopped at Diamond International, where we got two free bracelets with charms.

At Effie, we got a necklace and two charms.

At Del Sole, we got a color-changing bag and a couple of rings.

We bought a Necklace to put on my sunglasses so I would not lose them. 

We got a waterproof bag for our cell phones.

At Titanzanite International, we bought a pair of Tanzanite earrings with a bluish velvet finish, a bracelet, and a necklace for $329.00.

We stopped at several other stores but didn't buy anything.

We stopped to take several photos and walked back to the ship for lunch.

For lunch, we ate fries and shrimp at the Blue Iguana Cantina.

3040 -3050 Nassau (on board ship) @8:28 A.M.

3051-3070 in Nassau @11;53-1:45 P.M. 

3071-3073 Dinner @ 7:55 P.M.(stuffed Mushrooms, Fried Catfish, Mac & Cheese, BBQ, Fries (Hubby)

3074-3075 Showtime @7:26 P.M.

@6 P.M. Girls' Night Out date night for dark pink Barrel. 

Steps 9559 zone 11 miles 3.55 cal 1634

Day 8: Sea Day Friday, Feb 6,

Breakfast of French Toast with peaches and tea (Empire Room)

Bought charm of the day and another bracelet. We went to the Red Frog for Creative AT SEA beads and shells to make a bracelet.

We also stayed for Country Music trivia. 

Hubby went back to the room, and I went to walk. It was too cold outside, so I walked in the Jungle Hallway and the hallway of the rooms. 

We also bought Christmas charms and bracelets.

We ate a light lunch @ Chop Sticks on the Lido deck because we are having lobster tonight.

Came back to our room and sat outside on our balcony. It was the first day you could sit outside without a sharp wind blowing on you.  

We did Tea Time at 3:00, ate smoked salami, chicken salad, and scones with hot tea.

We worked on crossword puzzles. 

We signed up to win a free cruise.

We went to Effie to get a barrel charm. 

Dinner Hubby ordered Clam chowder, Caesar Salad, lobster, and Crème Brûlée. 

At 7:30 P.M., we watched 88 Keys perform "Pharaoh Palace". 

3078 Breakfast @9:50 AM

3079-80 Towel Art and Ocean @1:57 P.M.

3081-85 Tea Time @3:58 P.M.

3086-87 Receipts @ 5:24 P.M.

3088-89 Dinner (two lobster tails, creamed potatoes, and Crème Brûlée.

Sea Day 3: at 1230 PM Best of NYC showcase barrel was yellow

Sea Day 3: at 4 P.M. Silver Showcase reveal XO Pink 

Steps 10696 zone 12 miles 3.92 val 1651Day 9, Saturday, Feb 7,

Breakfast was scrambled eggs, French toast, chocolate milk, and hot tea. (Lido)

Lunch was Pizza (Lido)

We sat outside on the Lido.

We went to Red Frog for Coloring Pages and Trivia. 

I walked in the jungle Area and the hallways. 

I talked to the cleaning lady (in the jungle area) about the cold weather. She was from a tropical island and didn't like cold weather.

I met a lady near the jungle. We talked for several minutes, and I later saw her on the Lido deck. 

Dinner in the Empire Room, where I ordered baked salmon, cheese potatoes, veggies, and baked Alaska.

3090-91 Sunrise @ 7:26 A.M. 

3092-95 Photos with Cat & Hat @8:31 P.M.

3096-99 Breakfast (Lido)@9:06 P.M.

3100-02 SUNSET @ 6:25 P.M.

3103-04 DINNER @7:10 P.M.

Last Sea Day Final call Clearance Sale VIP Baby Orange

Play Sea Day Effie Annual Diamond sale Barrel Dark Blue Alaskan

Steps 8444 zone 5 miles 3.10 cal 1499

Day 10, Sunday, Feb 8, 

3107 Breakfast: Lido of scrambled eggs, apple danish, sausage links 

We were to depart between 7:30 and 8, but the ship's WFI was down. We were in Group D.

We sat in our room until 8 A.M., then took the elevator down to deck 3 to debark. 

The line wrapped around the room of people waiting to get off the ship. 

When we got off the ship, Hubby went online to get us an Uber. 

It was her first time picking up a passenger at the port because she got turned around several times. 

We had to walk up the street to meet her and were on our way to the hotel. 

Pick up our car at the hotel and head home. 

We stopped a couple of times for restroom breaks and snacks. 

We stopped at McDonald's in Killen for dinner. 

Hubby bought 2 Double cheeseburgers and large fries, and I got a fish sandwich, which we brought home to eat. 

We unloaded the car, and Hubby put his clothes in the washer.

My clothes will have to wait until tomorrow. I uploaded my photos, took a long, hot shower, and went to bed. 

I spent the next couple of days washing clothes, posting photos, watering flowers, and just getting caught up on everyday things. 

Steps 8570 zone 53 miles 3.21 cal 1827