2022 Oct 9-14, Carnival Ecstasy Final Voyage 5 Days Western Caribbean Cruise Cozumel, Progresso from Mobile, Al

Day 1, Sunday, October 9, 2022 

Hubby took me to my friend's house we loaded our luggage into her car and began our journey to Mobile.

We stopped at Circle K in Mount Vernon for fuel and restroom breaks.

we stopped at Jack's in Jackson for breakfast of biscuits and gravy. 

We stopped in Demopolis to take pictures of the historic markers and buildings. 

Arrived around 1:40 at Renaissance Hotel in Mobile, checked in, and took our overnight bags to our room.

Our room was facing the bay so we could see Carnival Ecstasy when she came into port.

History Museum of Mobile 

We walked to the History Museum on the corner of Church and South Royal Street and bought tickets for the museum and for Colonial Fort Conde' which is atop the Mobile Bay Tunnel. We walked through Mardi Gras Park stopping to take pictures of the markers and statues.

Mardi Gras Park 

We ate supper at Loda Bier Garden around 5:18 PM we both ordered a hamburger with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and Onion on a soft bun with fries, located at the intersection of Dauphin and Joachim Street.

Loda Bier Garden

The restaurant was crowded and people were waiting to be seated. On our way back to the hotel we saw several Oyster Shell sculptures depicting famous Alabama Cultures. Mobile is called the "Big Oyster."

By this time it was getting dark so we walked back to the hotel.

Day 2, Monday, October 10, 2022 

We walked down the street to Chick-fil-A for breakfast. I ordered a free cookie and Lemonade. 

We walked to Coopers Riverside Park where we saw several homeless people sleeping. We also saw our Cruise ship docked in the Bay.

Carnival Ecstasy Cruise Ship docked in Mobile Bay

Earlier this morning we had watched the Cruise ship come into the bay.

We walked back to the hotel to take the shuttle(that held about 10 people including luggage) with several other people to the terminal.

We got in line to be processed with passports, tickets, and proof of vaccines for COVID-19. 

Mobile had a farewell party for the crew and captain with Girls dressed in Antebellum gowns with music playing. Many were getting their pictures taken with the Cruise Ambassador John Head and ship captain Michele Coppola. 

Cruise Ambassador John Head and Ships Captain Michele Coppola. 

Around 11:00 we were boarding the ship along with many others.

State Room E155 Deck E Muster Station F.

Our first stop was Five Guys where we ordered a Mushroom burger with fixings and fries. 

We walked around the ship until time for our room to be ready. Walked back to the upper deck to watch the ship leave Mobile Bay. Such a beautiful sunset watching the birds follow the ship stirring the water up for the birds to feed on the fish.

The sun had gone down and we were headed out to the Gulf so we headed back to our room to dress for dinner.

Sunset Mobile Bay as we are leaving 

We had dinner in the Winstar Dining Room where I ordered Grilled Salmon, a Caesar Salad with veggies, and a Shrimp Cocktail. 

Day 3, Tuesday, October 11, Sea Day

Ate a cinnamon roll, with nuts and chocolate milk for breakfast.

We had brunch in the Winstar Dining Room. 

Skillet Cake (Ricotta, guava, preserve, marshmallows, and maple butter) with bacon. 

Late lunch of taco and slice German chocolate cake. 

Went to a show (Crimson String Trio)and relaxed on the deck. Bought Excursion Passion Island and finished reading Matthew. 

Dressed for Dinner in the Winstar Dining Room, where I ordered shrimp cocktail, Garlic Shrimp, veggies, and dessert.

 Day 4, Wednesday, October 12,

Breakfast of yogurt with nuts raisins and pastry, chocolate milk, and apple juice. 

Docket at Cozumel waited for Catamaran to take us to Passion Island.

Took pictures in front of Statues, Jester, Zonkey, Alligator, boat,  Fat Tuesday, and Purta May Cozumel.

Cozumel & Cruise Ship 

Ticket 

Foli MS Carnival Ecstasy all-inclusive Passion Island Catamaran 

operated by Peninsula De LA Passion Folio 56900

Cabin 155 Departs End of the Pier Sign

at 10AM Excursion # 3041391001 

Carnival Adventure

About one hour ride to Passion Island where we enjoyed three Margaritas, avocado dip, chips, tocos, veggies, and slices of watermelon.

On the island, I saw a couple of Trash Pandas and several long-tail Grackles.

After a couple of hours, everyone loaded back into the Catamaran.

We began our journey back to Cozumel, through customs and back on the ship.

The ship left port around 4:00PM.

Dressed for dinner in the Winstar Dining room where I ordered a shrimp Cocktail, grilled Flounder, veggies, and a banana split.

Day 5, Thursday, October 13, 2022

Beautiful sunrise at 7AM

Breakfast Yogurt with raisins and nuts with pastries chocolate milk

The ship docked around 8:30AM and we took the bus into Progresso.

Walked through the shopping area to the beach stopping for a full body massage on the beach.

We saw several birds, a statue, and several murals. 

We had to use the restroom so we stopped at one of the stores they said if we bought something we could use the restroom. I bought a pair of sunglasses. 

We walked through the flea market where I bought a bag for $10.00.

We took the bus back to the dock where we took pictures of Marilyn Monroe, Yucatan, Flamingos, Azul Temple, a boat, a cheetah, and a burrito

Went to Guys for lunch with hamburgers and fries.

The ship was supposed to leave around 4PM but several people were late so it was more like 5PM before we left Progresso.

Progresso Yucatan 

We dressed for dinner in the Winstar Dining room where I ordered Ribs, fries, beans, and apple pie with vanilla ice cream.

Day 6, Friday, Oct 14, Sea Day

We had a beautiful cloudy Sunrise. 

Brunch in Winstar Dining Room of Skilled Cake with linked sausage.

Relaxed on the Lido deck meet several ladies from Georgia, Destin and Fair Hope, Al, and one from lower California.

At 4PM we went to the Platinum farewell Party where we enjoyed free mixed drinks.

Recognized a father and son who had the most days traveled on Carnival Cruise Ships.

We listened to Crimson String Trio before going to dinner in the Winstar dining room.

Crimson String Trio 

I ordered grilled salmon, veggies, and Carnival Baboloo 50th Anniversary Cake. (a white frosting with three layers of cake. The cake frosting has chewy chunks throughout the frosting.)

Carnival Baboloo 50th Anniversary Cake. (a white frosting with three layers of cake. The cake frosting has chewy chunks throughout the frosting.)

Day 6 Saturday, October 15, Travel Home

At 8AM we stopped at Jacks in Jackson for breakfast sausage and gravy with strawberry pie. Filled up with gas at Texaco and bought Almond Joy and Diet Sprite. 

Carnival Ecstasy Stateroom E155 Deck E Muster Station F 

Hotel Renaissance Mobile Riverfront Plaza Hotel 64 South Water St Mobile, Al 36602

Seagrass, Soup of the Sea and Migratory Birds

Soup of the Sea

Plankton is organisms that drift with currents. Plankton can be plant-like phytoplankton or animal-like zooplankton. Most plankton is small, but even larger organisms are considered plankton if they live their lives drifting with currents. Plankton is found in freshwater and saltwater all over the earth, and it is very important to humans. 

Thank your plankton

Imagine your favorite seafood - shrimp - crab, oysters, fish ... thanks to phytoplankton, we can enjoy this mouthwatering cuisine from the sea. Phytoplankton provides two things that are essential for animals  (including us) to live. One is food. Like plants on land, they use sunlight and nutrients to produce food. They're the base of the food chain in the ocean. Many tiny animals eat phytoplankton and, in turn, get eaten by larger animals, up the food chain. Without plankton, we would not have seafood. 

Now, take a deep breath. The second essential ingredient produced by phytoplankton is oxygen. Estimates vary, but most scientists agree that phytoplankton makes up a significant portion of the air on earth. 

There's a zoo out there

Zooplankton eat. Many eat phytoplankton, and many eat smaller zooplankton. They are an important part of the food chain. A shark may never eat plankton and has no idea it exists but it depends on plankton for all of its food. 

Many zooplankters go through a metamorphosis. Some of them are plankton for part of their lives and then grow large enough to swim against currents or settle to the bottom. Those are called meroplankton. Holoplankton is plankton their whole lives.

You might recognize the adult forms of many meroplankters. See if you can match the adult forms with their planktonic forms below.

Broth of the Bay

Look up at Mobile Bay. These are some of the planktonic organism that is common in the bay. 

Plankton is collected with special nets like this one. The nets have tiny holes and are pulled along the water's surface. 

Crabs go through metamorphosis, much like butterflies or frogs. The megalops is one larval stage for crabs. 

Bristle worms get their name from their many bristles that are used for movement. They are related to earthworms. 

Dinoflagellates are phytoplankton. Some of them can glow like fireflies. Some make toxins that can be harmful to humans when there are lots of dinoflagellates in the water.

Diatoms are phytoplankton. They produce glass-like skeletons that are used in a variety of products. The grit in your toothpaste might come from diatoms. 

This is a nauplius, a larval form that is common to many different crustaceans, including barnacles. 

Copepods are thought to be the most abundant animals on earth. 

They are found in salt and fresh water and even in damp soil. 

They are incredibly strong for their size.

Saving and Restoring our Seagrasses

Threats to Seagrass

Nearly 80% of all seagrasses in coastal Alabama have been lost since the 1950s. 

A constant threat to seagrass beds is scarring created by boats' propellers and anchors. When boaters navigate across shallow areas or anchors. In seagrass beds, deep scars are created that can take years to recover leading to erosion and further loss of seagrass. Poor water quality is also a major factor that poses a serious threat to the health of seagrass. For example, excessive sediments in the water limit the light perpetration necessary for plant survival.

How can we protect our seagrasses?

What are we Doing?

To help propeller scars heal and protect seagrass beds from further scarring local partners are implementing protection and restoration projects throughout lower Perdido Bay including Little Lagoon the island near Perdido Pass and Ole River.

No motor and sensitive seagrass area signs will identify seagrass beds to help boaters navigate through or around shallow water sites containing seagrass. 

The scientist is using bird stakes to attract local waterfowl whose guano deposits will provide natural fertilizer to the propeller scars to promote the growth and expansion of surrounding seagrass.  

What can you do?

Be aware of idle or raised motors and poles when navigating through shallow areas.

Set anchors in sandy areas avoiding seagrass beds.

Obey No Motor Zone or Sensitive Seagrass areas signs: wade, troll, pole, or kayak when navigating through these areas to your favorite fishing or beach spot. 

Seagrasses Coastal Nursery Habitats

What are seagrasses

Seagrasses are flowering plants that live in the shallow waters of every continent except Antarctica. 

Seagrass beds containing shoal grass and turtle grass are found in Alabama's calm and shallow coastal waters. 

Why are seagrasses important?

Seagrass beds provide food and protection for juvenile fish and shellfish including many economically important species such as speckled trout, redfish, blue crabs, and shrimp. 

Many types of waterfowl feed on seagrasses as do threaten and endangered species, such as manatees and green turtles.

Seagrasses help stabilize bottom sediment filter runoff and absorb nutrients from surrounding landscapes. 

Alabama's Coastal Connection

Migratory Birds

In search of food and shelter

Each fall, millions of birds leave North America and cross the Gulf of Mexico, to spend the winter in South and Central America and the island of the Caribbean. In the spring they make the return flight to their Northern American breeding grounds. Alabama's Gulf Coast provides an important rest stop for these travelers. Stopover areas are a key element in maintaining bird populations. 

With increased development along the entire Gulf Coast, tracts of diverse, forested lands such as these are disappearing. 

Migratory species as well as resident birds, use this diverse landscape for foraging, resting, and evading predators. Birds must find enough food to provide energy for the long-distance flight to nesting sites far north. Migratory butterflies are dependent on food such as paw, paw, and passion flower larval growth. Songbirds feed on insects and berries while shorebirds hunt for invertebrates in the mudflats. 

The western end of the Fort Morgan peninsula is an important stopover site for migratory birds and has become a nationally known hotspot for birders. When adverse weather forces birds to the ground during a spring "fallout," the birding can be spectacular, although treacherous for the exhausted birds that must find a safe place to recover. 

Bird species commonly seen during migration include vireos, warblers, flycatchers, buntings, and hummingbirds, The Monarch butterfly migration can also be breathtaking during fall when weather conditions are favorable. 

Alabama's Coastal Connection 

Permeable Parking 

a Better way to go 

Combined sewer systems are remnants of the country's early infrastructure and so are typically found in older communities. Combined sewer systems are designed to collect rainwater runoff, domestic sewage, and industrial wastewater in the same pipe. Most of the time, combined sewer systems transport all of their wastewater to a sewage treatment plant, where it is treated and then discharged to a water body. Heavy rainfall adds stormwater so that the wastewater volume in a combined sewer system exceeds the capacity of the system.

Combined sewer systems are designed to overflow occasionally and discharge excess untreated wastewater directly to nearby streams, rivers, or other water bodies. 

These combined sewer overflows, also contain untreated human and industrial waste, toxic materials, and debris. 

The expansion of impermeable surfaces associated with urban sprawl and automobiles has so increased the stormwater volumes that the combined systems are being separated at great expense. The result is that stormwater runoff that used to receive treatment at the plants is now being delivered to receiving streams and coastal estuaries like Mobile Bay.

Water running off of roads, bridges, and parking lots have been estimated to be the largest volume of untreated wastewater in this country. Even twenty years ago the Federal Highway Administration estimated that 25 million tons of rubber wear off the nation's tires every week-50 tons/week in Alabama. Since rubber is biodegradable the process of biodegradation consumes oxygen when it occurs in streams and estuaries. Also of concern are the heavy metals found in steel-belted radial tires, oil, antifreeze, or even transmission fluid. 

The parking lot at the Estuarium allows all stormwater and associated contaminants to percolate down through the gravel providing an enormous surface area for microbial treatment of the waste, returning it to the water and carbon dioxide. Any contaminated waste that remains cannot reach the shallow freshwater aquifers that lead either to the Bay or Dauphin Island community wells because an impermeable membrane four feet down traps it and sends it through a filter system that removes the hydrocarbon contaminants. The water and any overflows of the system then flow into a detention pond where the vegetation, including the common cane, and other plants remove any nutrients that contribute to low dissolved oxygen levels in the Bay.