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 it was 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 an hour's 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 7, Saturday, October 15, Travel Home

At 8AM, we stopped at Jack 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

Dauphin Island Marsh and Wetlands

Whether the Weather

Look for the weather station seen in the photo below. It is maintained by the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, along with several others in and around Mobile Bay.

What does this Station Measure?

Atmospheric measurements:

>air temperature

>relative humidity

> Wind direction and speed

>air pressure

>solar radiation

>precipitation

Underwater measurements:

>water temperature

>water level

>salinity

>dissolved oxygen

>chlorophyll

>turbidity

How is the Data Used?

These data can be used in many different ways. Here are just a few examples: Researchers at Dauphin Island Sea Lab might use them to better understand phenomena such as low-oxygen events that result in fish kills in Mobile Bay. Climate scientists might input the data into a model that will predict sea level rise. It might be used to analyze hurricane strength as the storm passes the station. 

Who is NOAA?

“NOAA” stands for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The U. S. Government formed this scientific agency in 1970. It has many responsibilities, including research into Earth’s weather, climate, and oceans, issuing daily weather forecasts and severe storm warnings, and providing citizens, planners, emergency managers, and policymakers with reliable information when they need it. Some NOAA offices that you may be familiar with include the National Weather Service, the National Marine Fisheries Service, and the National Ocean Service.

What is a Computer Model?

You might be familiar with weather or storm prediction models that are used by the forecasters on your local news stations. Computer models are algorithms that use the measured data to make simulations of systems. The simulations might make predictions or illustrate predictions that have already happened. 

The speed at which computers can process numbers has made the use of models possible on a practical level. Accuracy depends on the quality of understanding of natural processes in different systems, and algorithms of simulating systems are all improved. The more data that goes into a model, the more precise it can be. 

The image below left shows a computer model’s prediction of storm surge from Hurricane Ivan. 

This kind of prediction is used to issue warnings to residents of areas that are expected to flood. 

The image below the middle shows the measured track of Hurricane Ivan. Its landfall was 30 miles east of what was predicted. One major limitation forecasters have to work with is incomplete data coverage, especially over the oceans. Much of the needed data is only collected by data boys at a few points on the surface of the ocean. 

The image below right was created with measured data, not to make a prediction but to illustrate the actual storm flooding from Hurricane Ivan.

Invertebrate Trail 

The invertebrate trail is an action based on the award-winning Public Broadcasting system series  “The Shape of Life.”

These plaques represent 8 different Phyla, or groups of invertebrate animals with specific body plans, from simple to complex. Each phylum appeared in the oceans during the Cambrian Period, about 530 million years ago. These plaques are designed so that students can make a rubbing of each one to study in the classroom.

The Living Marsh 

Dedicated to the Memory of Beth Ladner; 1974-1991

“ A Teacher’s Friend” Discovery Hall Student 1985, 1989, 1990

Research on March Restoration at Dauphin Island Sea Lab

Salt marshes are among the most productive ecosystems on earth.

They provide food, refuge, and user habitats for many animals, filter runoff that drains into our coastal waters, and buffer our coastlines from damaging storm surges. Salt marshes are declining at an alarming rate due to coastal development and erosion brought on by environmental stress.

The devices installed in the Living Marsh are called flume traps. They are part of a study designed to determine how closely the ecology of this created marsh mirrors that of a natural marsh also located on Dauphin Island (above). The flume traps sample animals that enter the vegetation to forage and hide from predators. 

Flume traps allow the animals to enter the marsh vegetation as the tide rises (A, Above center). The trap is closed at high tide (B), and as the tide goes out, fish, crabs, shrimp, and other animals are collected in the net. 

We then identify and count the animals we catch in the created marsh and compare them to the animals caught in the reference marsh.

We also compare the animals that live in the mud and among the roots of the marsh grass by taking cores from the marsh bottom (below). These small animals, many of which require a microscope to see, including worms and small shrimp, burrow into the sediment. 

We also compare how the animals interact with each other in the retired and natural marshes. We are particularly interested in how intensely blue crabs feed on marsh periwinkles (see below) We teeter snails to the bases if marsh-grass shoots at each marsh and allow crabs to attack and eat the bait during a set period. We also compare the number of repaired shell cracks (signs of failed attacks by crabs) in the snail populations at each site. This allows us to compare how intensively crabs are using resources in the marsh. 

We hope this research will help us understand how new marshes develop over time and what we can do to help newly created marshes provide all of the benefits of natural salt marsh habitats. 

Above: Periwinkles climbing on marsh grass

Upper Right: Blue crab

Right: Snail tethered to marsh grass and (inset) shell scar inflicted by the blue crab. Marked by the arrow. 

2002 ~ June 29-July 6, Luxury RV Campground Gulf Shores, Crossing Mobile Bay, Theadore, AL & Biloxi, MS

Hubby drove our  Damon Escaper RV to Gulf Shores, Alabama 

We stayed at Luxury RV Campground in Gulf Shores from June 29-July 6.

Saturday, June 29, 2002
We spent most of the day riding to Gulf Shores which takes about six hours. We rode our bicycles to Gulf Shores beach.

Sunday, June 30, 2002
We rode to Biloxi, Mississippi where we spent the day, we saw the Beau Rivage Casino,  President Casino Boardwalk Resort and Biloxi Light lighthouse.

Casino

Treasure Bay Casino

Biloxi MS

Monday, July 1, 2002
We rode over to Pensacola, where we toured the Naval Airplane Museum, we ate supper at Lambert's Café III "the home of the trowed rolls" in Foley. Come Hungry, leave full & Hopefully have a laugh or two!

Tuesday, July 2, 2002

We toured Fort Meyers “Morgan,” in Mobile Bay,  we rode the ferry across Mobile Bay over to Dauphin Island.

Ferry taking Cars across Mobile Bay

Riding the ferry across Mobile Bay

Crossing the Mobile Bay

Tall Ship that we saw as we crossed the Mobile Bay

Tall Ship that we saw as we crossed the Mobile Bay

We saw many people boating, sailing, and fishing.

Wednesday, July 3, 2002

We drove to Bellingrath Gardens located at 12401 Bellingrath Gardens Road Theodore, Al 36582.

The Bellingrath Gardens are located on sixty-five acres of Southern Estate, including the rose garden. 

We saw the Delchamps Gallery of Boehm Porcelain, it is the largest public collection of Boehm porcelain in the states.  

In the Bellingrath home, we saw priceless antiques and furniture.

Bellingrath Gardens 

Inside Bellingrath Museum

Bellingrath Gardens 

Bellingrath Gardens 

We took a relaxing scenic cruise along the Fowl River aboard the Southern Belle River Boat, we saw some of the most secular natural sights.
Mobile Bay is the perfect place to connect with nature, we saw Osprey, pelicans, blue herons, seagulls, egrets, and songbirds.

Riding the Southern Belle Cruise boat 

Bird in Nest

taking the Southern Belle Cruise boat

Waiting on the Southern Belle boat

The freshwater mixes with the saltwater of the bay, there are many lovely homes along Mobile Bay. 

Mobile Bay is loaded with vegetation of the delta grass, Spanish moss, live oaks, cypress, and southern pines support the wildlife in the mobile bay. 

Thursday, July 4, 2002

We went to the Gulf Coast Emporium Science Museum and IMAX Dome Theater in Mobile, Alabama.
My husband was trying to get a park when someone backed into the front of our LS Satun.
The accident broke out the passenger headlight and bent the hood. 

We exchanged insurance information, we then went to the Gulf Coast Emporium Science Museum where we explored the 100 hands-on science exhibits. 

In Mobile Bay, large ships were coming in for the Tall Ship Parade that will be happening on July 4, 2002, later that evening. 

Please note that Sail Mobile, part of the tall ship's program, is one of the most popular events. 
Mobile’s Sail Mobile program plans to display approximately 30 ships which will include 5 to 6 class-A ships and 10 to 12 class-B ships over a five-day period from July 3 to 7, 2002.

We rode back to Luxury RV Park, we sat on a picnic table where we watched the Fourth of July fireworks show that was coming off the Gulf Shore Beach, we were just a few blocks from the beach.

While staying in the park, we enjoyed the swimming pool and riding our bikes to the beach.

For dinner, we ate fried oysters and shrimp at Gulf Shores Sea and Suds, where they have the freshest seafood at affordable prices.

We visited the Tanger Outlets Stores in Foley, Al. 

Friday, July 5, 2002 

We rode to the Harley Davidson located at 3260 Pleasant Valley Road, Mobile. I bought a white T-shirt with a picture of a Harley Davison motorcycle on the front of the shirt inside a red star.

Harley Davidson T-Shirt

For supper, we ate fried oysters, french fries with ice tea at the Original Oyster House in Gulf Shores.

Saturday, July 6, 2002 

Traveled six hours in our RV to Florence, we stopped to eat lunch at a Country Market.