Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Lady Bug travels with NashTrash

What an adventure this is going to be...    I am so excited about this upcoming cruise!   We are traveling with the famous Jugg Sisters, Sheri Lynn and Brenda Kay.   They own and operate a  tour company in Nashville Tennessee, NashTrash Tours.    (www.nashtrash.com)

Penney and some of her friends boarded the big pink bus back in January (no I didn't get to go on that one), they had such a fabulous time that when the 90 minute tour was over, Penney asked Sheri Lynn and Brenda Kay if they would be interested in hosting a cruise... and that is where this idea was born.

Shortly after they met and chose to do a NashTrash Cruise for Halloween.  You can find more information about the cruise at the official website  www.nashtrashcruise.com   but I am going to give you many of the highlights as we go along.

I will be traveling with Penney and her family, Kevin, daughter Andrea, Mother Winnie and friend Holly as well as 60 other friends, family, and NashTrash fans on the Carnival Fascination, October 27th for 5 nights.

 

October 27, 2008

This morning as we headed to the Jacksonville port to board the Fascination.   The check-in process was quite easy until we heard an announcement asking Kevin and Penney to come to security.   They were asked to site in an area until the port sheriff arrived.  Oh No... Kevin asked Penney, 'what did you pack that you shouldn't have'   (you know his nick name for her is   Rule Breaker)  hahaha    We sat for what seemed like forever speculating on what we had done, when the sheriff arrived he asked about a bag that had a tag on it for John (Kevin) Rudicil but also had another tag for someone named Andrea Perry (their 13 yr old daughter had used the bag when she went to church camp and the tag was still on it)  Anyway, he asked to take Andrea to to a secured area to search the bag.  Penney asked if she or Kevin could go with them, (kind of afraid to let them all off her 13 yr old) so Kevin and Andrea followed the security officers.

About 20-30 minutes later, here they come, all smiles. it seems that it wasn't Penney after all :)   They had found a pair of handcuffs (which Kevin says were are part of his costume for the Halloween party).   They had to take them and that was that.

Once on board, it was right to the buffet for a scrumptious lunch and then to explore the ship.   The Fascination is a medium size ship at 70,000 tons, with a capacity of 2,100 guests.   The ship was built in 1994, but had a multi-million dollar renovation in 2008.

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This evening, we had a meet and mingle party for the NashTrash Fans.  There are 60 of us traveling together.   The party was fun and the Jugg Sisters entertained us... boy are they entertaining!

Then off to dinner, where Penney ordered me my very own Chocolate Melting Cake... my favorite desert in the whole world!!!   I heard that Rory, Jeff and Susan like this dessert too.

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After dinner we strolled the decks but retired early as it was a long day.   When we arrived back to our cabin we found a new friend awaiting us.

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October 28,2008

Today is a fun-filled day at sea.  There is so much going on on this ship, where to begin?

There was trivia going on, a scrapbooking class, pictionary, pool games and of course, the casino, shopping, fitness center and spa are in full swing.

A yummy breakfast in the dining room and then out to the pool area to enjoy some relaxation and great people watching.   

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Oh no, 3 hours have gone by... is it time for more food?   Yep, we decided to have a lighter lunch, so we went to the deli for sandwiches.  Met some very nice folks from South Carolina and visited for awhile.  

We then wandered upon a huge crowd out by the pool, it was the men's hairy chest contest...  and guess who were the judges?    Yep, several of our group.   Even Momma Jugg and Sister Cindy got into the action :) IMGP7567                              Here are some of the judges and the winner.

This afternoon we went to the Newlywed/not so newlywed game show, Penney & Kevin were actually chosen to play... AND WON!  They may even let me have a sip or two of the champagne they received, along with this lovely 24 carrot gold plastic ship on a stick. 

That was a lot of fun.

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This evening is the Captains cocktail reception and dinner, I am sure I will get left in the cabin, but that is ok, I am stuffed and don't think I can eat another bite.   But I bet Penney has another melting chocolate cake!

While everyone is gone, I take time to meet another new friend.

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Penney took some pictures tonight at dinner, everyone was in their finery...

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and a special birth wish goes out to Lois MillsIMGP7589

 

October 29, 2008  -   Key West

This morning we docked in Key West.  What a fun and beautiful place.   Everyone is buzzing and getting ready for Parrot Head Week.

After breakfast we decided to walk into town and do a bit of shopping.   We ran into several folks from our group wandering around and shopping.

Brenda Kay, Rob, Doug and Butch were spotted enjoying themselves on the conch tour.

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Andrea made friends with a local...

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Kevin found a souvenir that he wanted to take home...

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Back to the ship for some lunch and pool time.

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Before dinner many of our group met for a photo opportunity in the main atrium.

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We will post the professional photographers photo later.

This evening, I was invited to dinner in the main dining room, those Jugg Sisters are a hoot!

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After dinner, we met in the Passages of India Lounge where the sisters entertained our group. 

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They are so funny...  and actually have great voices too.

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At the end of the show, the 'sisters' sisters joined them on stage to sing.

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Then I got to have my picture made with Momma Jugg, the Jugg Sisters, and their siblings...   Doug, Cindy, Sandy, Butch.

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October 30, 2008 

Today we pulled into Nassau, Bahamas.   It was a bit cloudy when we arrived, but soon the sun came shining through and it was a beautiful day.IMGP7679

Many of our group went snorkeling, to the Atlantis Resort, to the beach and shopping.   A few even braved driving the Bahamian Streets, renting a Bahamian Harley mexican harley                                       (or as we call them, mopeds)

Kevin, Penney and Andrea took a horse and buggy ride around the city of Nassau.IMGP7650

Donna and John had lunch at a nice restaurant overlooking the main street...   great people watching.IMGP7649

After some shopping in the market we headed back to the ship for more fun a the pool.

The waitstaff on the Carnival Fascination are fabulous.  They are all so attentive to our needs, and they even sing and dance for us. (and in some cases with us) IMGP7680  IMGP7687

This evening their was a passenger talent show.   Our group has A LOT of talent, but Miss Sarah showed her stuff tonight.

October 31, 2008    HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Today was another FUN DAY AT SEA...

IMGP7533                         Some enjoyed morning coffee by the pool, while others enjoyed their morning in the hot tub.IMGP7538

This afternoon, Penney was able to get our group a private tour of the Galley.   It is so amazing how they can prepare such good food for so many people.   Freddie welcomed us.IMGP7710 IMGP7711 IMGP7713 IMGP7716

Then onto our Farewell Party (we gotta go home tomorrow, pout)        IMGP7723 IMGP7722 IMGP7727 IMGP7741 IMGP7728 IMGP7752 IMGP7751 IMGP7729 IMGP7762

On to dinner and another party...    The Travel Planner and NashTrash hosted a Jugg's look-a-like contest and costume party.   What fun!!!

Click to play NashTrash Costume Party

Well that was our adventure...  tomorrow we must head for home.   To all of you that were with us on this cruise I want to say...  It was great to meet you, we had tons of fun and look forward to seeing you again really soon.

Hugs,  

Lady Bug (and the Travel Planner Team)

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