I’m back!

Well it took some time but I have fixed my technical blog issues. A HUGE thank you to Marilla Wexfor her help.

The Last cruise ship that I was on was the Carnival Glory. Right now it is sailing out of New York and going to Boston, Portland, Saint John NB & Halifax NS. The picture below was taken while flying into La Guardia Airport. Due to permit issues I was not able to get off the ship in Boston or Portland… But I will be able to visit those cities next week when I am back. So if you have a suggestion for “must see” sites in those cities, please let me know

The Big Apple!

Here is something interesting. I’ve been booked for a really cool gig that I can not talk about. Weird? Yes. So why mention it? Suspense…. DUN DUN DUN!

2011
09/21
CATEGORY
Uncategorized
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Hockey under a Caribbean sky…

Last night I got to finally watch some hockey. Luckily for me it was Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals. So just before game time I went up to Lido deck, found a seat beside some fellow Canadians and we watched as Boston Bruins bitch slapped the Vancouver Canucks. It was a great night! BIG THANKS to our Cruise Director Goose for putting the game on the big screen!

2011
06/16
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Jason Blanchard Carnival Valor Goose hockey Boston Vancouver
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A great day in Honduras

Normally in Isla Roatan I get off the ship, go to the smoothie shop and get frustrated at the slow WiFi signal.

Today there was a crew party at Fat Tuesday’s on the beach. What a great day. I hung out with
The cruise director Goose, his lovely girlfriend Victoria…

Stand up comedian Frank Del Pizzo…

and entertainment host extraordinare Olivia.

We had a few drinks and ate…
the best fish I have ever tasted. I realize it looks nasty in the picture but when I tell you I have never tasted fish this good, I mean it from the bottom of my stomach. Next time I am there I will order it again.

I got to meet the owner of Fat Tuesdays Vincent. Such a down to earth nice guy. We talked about his bars and customers and some of the new stuff he has planned. Vince even gave me a free hat so I wouldn’t get sunburn on my melon.
2011
06/15
CATEGORY
Jason Blanchard Carnival Valor Isla Roatan Fat Tuesdays
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Ho hum

Today I am in Miami.
I went to Walgreens to get some turkey jerky and Q-tips.
For lunch I had fish and chips with mushy peas.
Soon I will go back to the ship.
… and have a nap.
2011
06/12
CATEGORY
jason blanchard valor nap fish chips mushy peas
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I need to be more adventurous….

Grand Turks is uncomfortably hot today. The moment you step onto the gangway you can feel the heat & humidity… and the sweat start to drip down your back. All I wanted to do today in the port was to find a strong wireless signal, take some pictures, write a blog and get a cold smoothie.

Two out of 4 is not good. I took a few photos and got my cold slushy drink. There is supposed to be free wifi there but on this particular day I could not connect to it. As I sat there trying to write my blog in the corner of the smoothie shop surrounded by a long line of people, I felt like a roast in the oven basting in my own perspiration. Not a pretty site.

The Island of Grand Turks is a beautiful place. Next time I am here I am going to take the advice of one of the super cruisers (someone who cruises 7 times a year for the last 15 years) Linda and rent a golf cart and explore the island. It sounds like a relaxing way to spend the day here.

I miss hockey. The Stanley Cup is happening and I am missing it because none of the channels on the cruise ship carry the NHL. That being said I am enjoying the NBA finals… GO DALLAS GO.


2011
06/10
CATEGORY
Jason Blanchard Carnival Valor Grand Turks NBA NHL Go Dallas
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Blackbeard’s Castle Inn…


It was a nice Inn. The people were fantastically friendly; especially John the bartender and Binky the Rum Factory tour guide. My room was okay. The king size bed was comfortable, the TV did not work, there wasn’t hot water in the shower, the air conditioning worked TOO well and there was a HUGE cockroach in there; So big I named him Bobo.


Today I will be boarding the Carnival Valor. I have been on this ship before. My fingers are crossed that I do not get the corner fly-on room. The anchour is housed behind the wall where the bed is and when it is dropped the whole room shakes… I know how a James Bond Martini feels.

2011
06/08
CATEGORY
Jason Blanchard St.Thoma Blackbeard's castle inn carnival valor Bobo
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BWD… Blogging while drinking in St Thomas



This is one of my easiest and enjoyable travel days yet. The Carnival Dream is at the port of St. Thomas. I am staying over night at the Blackbeard Castle Inn. Tomorrow I just take a taxi back to the port and hop on the Carnival Valor.

The Inn I am staying at is very nice and has a Rum Factory & Museum. It was a very interesting tour although at this particular moment I can’t remember much. The end of the tour included a sampling of 7 different kinds of Rum including aged, spiced, banana, coconut, mango and another two I can’t recall. They are pretty strong shots.

There is a drink here called a “Pain Killer”… orange & pineapple juice, nutmeg, honey and a tremendous amount of rum. The name fits, I am feeling no pain.

2011
06/07
CATEGORY
Jason Blanchard Pain Killer St.Thomas Blackbeard's Castle
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Skipping Nassau today…

It is more of a time thing than a location thing. Since we are leaving the Port of Nassau Bahamas at 1:30pm (we arrived at 8:30am) I always feel like I am rushing to get back to the ship… AND my only goal when visiting this port is to hunker down with a coffee & a good WiFi signal. The good places to find that stuff don’t open until 11:00am Bahama time, which is 12:00pm ship which is cutting it a little to close for my liking.




Last night I finished watching season 1 of Burn Notice. I love this show. In the first few minutes of the pilot I was hooked. It is about a spy who get a burn notice and is dumped in Miami. He has no money as her bank accounts are frozen and he is on a mission to find out who and why he was burned. If you like action with just the right amount of comedy… this is a fantastic show.

2011
06/05
CATEGORY
Jason Blanchard Nassau Burn Notice TV show fantastic spy
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Not much happening in Port Canaveral…

When I am on the Carnival Dream, the home port is Port Canaveral. I always take the $7 (return) crew shuttle bus to the Merritt Mall. Then I go grab a seat in Ruby Tuesdays where the food is great, the service is EXCELLENT and the WiFi is free and fast. Today I had the dry rib special with grilled zuchinni. My server today, Ashley, is just about the nicest waitress ever. Soon as my coffee is low she is here with a smile.
The one cool thing they have here at this mall is…
They put you in a harness, hook you up and you get to jump around for 5 minutes. I know what you are thinking… No, I didn’t do it. I am a bit more than 200 lbs so I an not allowed. :(
Tomorrow I will be in Nassau Bahamas. Who know what craziness I will see there tomorrow.
2011
06/04
CATEGORY
Jason Blanchard Carnival Dream Ruby Tuesday Merritt Mall Nassau jumper
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My spot in Costa Maya

Sometime having a routine is a good thing. When I come to Costa Maya Mexico I have a ritual, a plan and “to do” list.


1) Get a massage on the beach. Today Cindy was the lady who covered me with oil and rubbed me down. This is a fantastic way to start your day. The clean ocean air, warm breeze and the relaxing sounds of hombres yelling at tourists things like, “Cuban cigars”, “Buy a necklace for your wife” or “Want to me my seester?”

2) Have some lunch and free WiFI at 40 Canyones Beachside bar. Last time I was here I ordered tacos and they were rather bland. Today I ordered the burritos and there were great. I also met Pat and Nancy from Richmond Virginia. They were sitting at the table beside me and were extremely friendly. They have assured me they will be at my show tonight sitting in the front row because I promised not to pick on them.




2011
06/02
CATEGORY
Jason Blanchard Carnival Dream Costa Maya massage bar comedy tourists hombres
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