Customer Excellence Cruise 2008

The company I work for had its national sale meeting on a Carnival Cruise ship in January. I was one of those people outside of sales chosen to go. We left on a Sunday from the Port of Tampa. The picture to the left is a picture of Play area for at the Florida Aquarium. Dean, my nephew a few years ago had a blast playing with the water cannons on the pirate ship.

We didn’t leave when we were supposed to, and some of the items for the meetings didn't show up on time either. We were supposed to meet across the way to pick up items for our meetings.

I didn’t mind looking out at Tampa. As you can see I even found the loading of luggage interesting. I can keep myself entertained. I think it comes from all those years of sitting in a car waiting for my mom to get out of appointments.

We didn’t get to experience the view of leaving Tampa. We had a meeting and then went to dinner. The ship set sail while we were at dinner.

Monday, was a day at sea for most people. For us, it was a work day. Meetings and more meeting. But it was great getting to go to work in shorts and tennis shoes.

Tuesday we hit the Grand Caymans. There is no dock for the cruise ships and as you can see boat ferry passengers to shore. I didn’t go. I’m not into shopping, and I needed a rest from the structure. I was having flash backs of boot camp. (We were allowed to do anything we like after dinner.) It was too windy to sit on the deck and read a book. I found the ships library and had myself a very peaceful morning. The afternoon the ship set sail again, and we headed back to meeting.

Wednesday, was just our day off. We docked in Calica Mexico. Calica really isn’t a town. It was created by a cement company. The dock is used for the cruise ships.


The company I work for paid for one excursion, and I chose the Mayan Ruins of Tallum. What a wonderful experience. Many of my co workers wouldn’t take the tour because of the long bus ride. They must have watched too many Flying Nun episodes, and thought we were going to take some beat up bus, down dirt roads, without air conditioning.

I couldn’t believe I was looking at this bird. I just had to have a picture. I had seen a picture of it recently. Steve and Lisa had given me BIRD The Difinitive Visual Guide for Christmas. I could hardly wait to get home and make sure it was a Tropical King Bird.


We seen the Yucatan Jay as we waited to enter the ruins.

Iguana’s were everywhere and they were huge.

This is the Castle. See the building to the left of it, that looks like it is going to tip. That was built at that angle on purpose. It's the same angle of the earths axis. June 21st the sun's morning light can be seen through it. Wouldn't tha be some thing to see?


House of the Halach Uinic (House of Lords).

I don't remember a lot of what the guide said about the different buildings. But I do remember that Tallum was built towards the end of the Mayan era, and that they focused more on regeneration than scarafice.

Many people made there way down the wooden steps and to the beach to go swimming. There just wasn't enough time. I think we had an our to walk the grounds.

I didn’t want to leave. I was so mesmerized by the place, I walked past one coworker. He had been on another tour bus. He said he had said high to me, but I don’t recall passing him.

I had the best lunch. It was at a little place called Senor Frosty. Not what you would think of as the name of a Mexican restaurant in Mexico. I think it even beat the food on the ship!!

We arrived in Tampa on Thursday afternoon. Loaded up on busses, and headed back to work. I had no problems on the ship, but at work, I felt I was going to fall out of my chair.

I know, I'm not a cruise person. I liked being rocked to sleep, but I didn't like the structure. I like to explore places, and cruising just doesn't give you the time.