Monthly Archives: January 2014

Celebrating Christmas on board Carnival Spirit

Our cruise on Carnival was advertised as a Christmas cruise so obviously I was expecting the Christmas to be special on board.

As soon as we walked onto the ship, I could see that they had beautiful Christmas decorations everywhere. It actually felt like Christmas all the time we were on board.

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Definitely, Christmas day was very special. We had sea day on the 25th of December so everyone was on the ship. They had announced the previous day that they were going to have special Christmas lunch so we were looking forward to that.

On Christmas morning, after a quick workout at the gym, we went to the buffet area for breakfast. Most of the staff and some of the cruisers were already wearing Christmas hats, ties, headbands and earrings. The environment was very festive and there were tables full of families enjoying the Christmas breakfast.

IMG_1043-tile-vertAll the dining areas had watermelons craved with figurines like, Merry Christmas, Santa’s face, flowers and other the Christmas decoration. Also there was an area where they built a gingerbread house, some snowmen and it looked really pretty.

IMG_1024 (2)We had our usual breakfast and as it was nice and fresh. When we were done with breakfast, we saw that a few staffs were craving something on a big block of ice.

We went back to our room and on the way back we saw many rooms door decorated with Christmas decoration. Actually, they were giving prizes for best-decorated doors.  Once in the room, we had a shower and went back to the buffet area again and was surprised to see this beautiful ice carving of Santa with his reindeers and it looked absolutely amazing.

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The staffs on board worked really hard to make sure the ship had full Christmas vibe. The captain of the ship was walking around wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and we managed to take some photos with him too.

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After admiring all the decoration on that floor, we went around to find more activates. Everywhere we saw people in Santa hats and red outfits. I felt like I was in a mall somewhere, not on a ship.

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There were photographers capturing family photos with Santa and Christmas tree and there were families enjoying their time together. For me and AS, we didn’t want photos with Santa so we kept on roaming around until we found the hall where bean bag throwing competition was about to start. It was going to be Men Vs Women.

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I wanted to take part so went and had my name written down. After a few minutes, game started. 4 males vs 4 females.  They gave us 4 bean bags about 10 inches square and it had to go inside a board with a small hole around 15 feet away.

It was a fun game. The first few times, all my bags were either on the floor or on the board but once I got the hang of it, I scored a few points. It was entertaining for everyone watching as well but unfortunately, the male group won the game.

By that time, it was time for us to go to the restaurant (Empire dining room) for our Christmas lunch.

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When we arrived at our table, there were already Christmas crackers on the tables and the staffs were in a festive mood wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas. Rest of the couples from our table arrived and we started the lunch.

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They told us that they used to have Christmas dinner before but for the first time, they were organising Christmas lunch because that is an Australian tradition and they wanted us to enjoy an Aussie Christmas. It was really thoughtful of the management and staff because it was extra hard work for them to organise the special lunch.

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The menu was even more aussiefied with crusted lamb roast, prawns and pavlova on the menu. We loved the food and it was fun popping Christmas crackers and wearing the hat. I have to admit, they made us all feel special on the special day.

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After lunch, both of us were so stuffed that we went to the upper deck and just relaxed on the lounge. We enjoyed the beautiful sunset on the horizon before going to the room to get ready for dinner.

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Like every day, the Empire dining room served one of the best dinners and we were happy with the service and food.

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After dinner, special Christmas show was organised in the main hall (Pharaoh’s Palace) so we went there.

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The Christmas show was fun with Christmas carols from the singers and some kids, followed by Christmas song, Christmas story and many more entertainment and of course Santa Clause.

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Overall, AS and I had a splendid Christmas on board Carnival Spirit.

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On the way to our room we had a quick stop at the casino and had some fun :).

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We were both tired after a while and were off too bed.

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Hope all of you a great one too.

Take care everyone,

M from nepaliaustralian

XOXO

New Year’s Eve Masquerade party

I always like themed parties. It creates a great party atmosphere and makes everyone seem different. I really wanted to have a birthday party for AS since we didn’t celebrate mine in a big way this year. But he was adamant that we don’t need another birthday party as on his birthday we were on board Carnival Sprit so instead I decided to throw a New Year’s Eve Masquerade party and I have to say we had a ball.

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AS was excited as well so he was in charge of cocktails and drinks. He did a great job, as everyone loved his Margarita.

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I did the decoration and had the banner that said Happy New Year 2014.

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I bought a gold colour mask that went well with my black dress and AS bought a sliver one.

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All our friends and family were wearing a variety of masks so it was a fun event.

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Everyone was at our place by 7pm so after eating the entrée we all went to The Brighton Beach for 9pm fireworks. We managed to be there on the beach on time for the fireworks even though there were thousands of people walking to the same direction and there was nearly no room to move on the pavements.

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It was a beautiful firework and it went for 20 minutes. The council must have spent heaps of money and I love the heart shaped design the fireworks made and other shapes as well.

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After fireworks, we all were starving so dinner was served. We ate, danced and had AS’s surprised cake.

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It was almost midnight by then so we all gathered around the TV to watch Sydney’s firework. The Sydney Opera House and harbour bridge sparkled with tons of exploding fireworks unleashed at midnight as Australia was one of the first countries in the world to celebrate the arrival of the New Year.

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If anyone has missed it, here is the video, it is always so amazing.

After the fireworks, the music was still on so we were doing Macarena ,Mambo No 5 and all the other popular numbers. AS was dancing as well so it was a great evening.

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Few of our friends were staying over with us that night and by the time, we all went to bed; it was 3am on 1st of January 2014.

Hope everyone one had a great New Year celebration. Hope this year will bring lots of happiness, good health and great company to everyone.

Take care everyone,

M from nepaliaustralian

XOXO

Celebrating AS‘s birthday in the middle of the Pacific Ocean

On 28 of December, it was AS’s birthday and we had a sea day on the cruise. Since AS has been in Australia, he has been lucky enough to celebrate his birthday in different places every year. Three years ago, we were in Brisbane, two years ago, we were in Vanuatu, last year it was Nepal and this year it was in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

Before we even started our holiday, AS warned me not to embarrass him in from of lots of people in the ship by letting them know that it’s his birthday. I love to do all those stuffs but he is a very private person so I respect his decision. I promised him I was not going to do that and I would not buy him a cake either.

On the morning of his birthday, I work up, put the card I had for him in front of him and went to shower. When I came back, he was awake but he didn’t see the card. I wished him Happy Birthday and we went to shower. I moved the birthday card from the bed to the dressing table hoping he would see it when he comes out of shower and gets ready.

To my dismay, he didn’t see the card for another 10 minutes so I ran out of patience and gave him the card :). When I asked him why he did not see the he said he did not have his glasses on!

He read the card and hug me and thanked me for making him feel special. He was happy with the card and a watch, the one I bought before we left10884014-horz

As the cruise always served a lovely breakfast, we went for breakfast. When we opened the room door, we got a card for AS from the cruise.The breakfast was as usual awesome with too many options to choose from.

We just went to stroll around the cruise after the breakfast and I let him do the things he wanted to. I really wanted him to enjoy his day. As if everyone knew that it was AS’s birthday, the lunch that day was Chocolate Extravaganza.  Imagine AS’s happiness when we went to the dining room :).

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It is a chocolate buffet with items you can’t even imagine. I am sure AS was able to get “chocolate high” by just looking at those items. Just have a look on what they served. Lots of different chocolate items like chocolate wontons, chocolate cake, banana fritters, fudge , puddings , chocolate-dipped churros, home-made marshmallows, doughnuts , jelly candies, and fresh fruit that can be dipped into chocolate fountain and much much more.

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We had a lovely lunch and we went to watch a magic show. The magician was just OK but we had fun. When we came back to the room, we found a plate of cakes and chocolate covered strawberries left in the room. It was just perfect.

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It was “Elegant Night” that evening on the ship so it was a perfect opportunity for both of us to dress up for dinner.

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I wore my black floor length gown and he wore his purple shirt, purple tie and black pant with purple stripe. By then both of us were tanned and I have to admit, he was looking great and I feel blessed to have him in my life.

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As everyone was wearing their best evening dress, when we walked out from our room to the main hall, the hall looked amazing and it reminded me of the moment from Titanic when Rose (Kate Winslet) comes to the ballroom and  Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) sees her. Anyway, we had a great time walking around and taking photos and mingling with other guests and it was time to go for dinner.

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AS asked me again if he will get any surprise and I promised him that I hadn’t organised anything. So as usual we met other couples from our table. They wished AS Happy Birthday and then we started our dinner. The dinner was awesome with a 3-course meal. We were spoiled with choices of food and by the time for dessert I didn’t even want to eat anymore.

As we were conversing on the table, one of our new friends told me that she had informed the waiter that it was AS’s birthday and as we saw nights before that, everyone in the restaurant room would sing the happy birthday song once the cake is out.

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I was glad that AS was getting the cake for his birthday. So after our dessert came, our waiter brought a cake with a candle for AS. AS was literally blushing when the waiter announced to the whole restaurant that it is his birthday and we all need to sing the song. So more than 100+ people sang happy birthday and he made a wish and blew the candle. I am glad AS enjoyed his cake and it was a happy evening for us.

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After dinner, we went to the show and it was just amazing night for both of us. AS had a great day in the middle of Pacific Ocean for his birthday.

Once we were back, I had organised a party at our place for New Year but I sneaked in a cake with the help of my SIL. When the cake came out and we all were singing happy birthday, AS was confused as it was few days past his birthday.

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I was so glad and he had no clue we were having a cake for his birthday. He made me promise not to do anything on the ship but I had made no promises for our home so it was my opportunity to make sure he gets a proper cake for his birthday.

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The cake was chocolate mud cake, AS‘s favourite and we all loved it.

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I am just happy that AS got two cakes for his birthday and he had a wonderful time both the days. I hope to celebrate many many of our birthdays together and with full of love.

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Take care everyone,

M from nepaliaustralian

XOXO

I am back

Hello everyone and a very happy New Year 2014. Yap I am finally back to reality from my wonderful holiday. I am back with refreshed mind, few more kilos on my body, 5 shades darker and lots of memories.

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I hope everyone had a great Christmas and a very Happy New Year. Thank you so much for all your good wishes.

Thinking about this, I just realised that time goes so fast and it’s already been a year since I was writing a Happy New Year post from Kathmandu.

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Anyway, I am happy to report that I loved the cruise and all my fears vanished once I stepped into the Carnival Spirit. It was so grand and majestic that I loved everything.

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I already miss twice-a-day housekeeping, wonderful and yummy foods, the amazing views, snorkelling in crystal clear water, relaxing on the pool side and watching amazing shows every night. Everything made us feel spoiled and made our holiday perfect. We also meet some great people who made our holiday even better. I have so much to share with you all but before that I need to unpack, do the laundry, clean the house, do some grocery, get in touch with our families and get ready to go back to work from tomorrow.

So as I get my life sorted in the real world, please enjoy some amazing photos from our holiday. I promise I will be back with heaps of posts soon.

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Take care everyone,

M from nepaliaustralian

XOXO