Cardplayer Cruise Trip Rport
 

Hi Everyone,

I just got back from my first Cardplayer Cruise to the Mexican Riviera and I thought I'd share some of the highlights/lowlights of the trip. I'll only include one "bad beat" story. It's not really a bad beat, its more like "the right cards at the wrong time".

The Mrs and I get into San Diego just before noon on the 1st, a day ahead of the boat. We usually do that to make sure we're at the port and not stuck in some airport on the day we leave. As soon as I get off the plane, I ask the information desk how close the closest casino is. I guess Viejas is the winner at 40 minutes away. So with no car and no local casino, we head off to the hotel to check in. We drop off the bags, and walk to some "seaport" type of area with resturaunts and shops. Our hotel was across the street from the pier, so those of you from SD will know what the area was called. We had a great view of the bay, and all the carriers in port. We get a bite to eat, do a little walking, and end up back at the hotel at 6:00. I promptly fall asleep (we were up at 2:30am ET to catch the flight).

I wake up at about 5:30 local and look out our balcony. There, I am hit by this image:

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...o/DSC00250.jpg



Pretty cool to see the ship up close and personal like that first thing in the morning. It really gets the juices flowing for the upcoming trip. We get a few more winks in, pack up and check out to get on the ship.

We have been on this boat before. The Carnival Spirit entered service in 2001, and we were on it in November of that year for my best friend's wedding. He was married on the ship. She looks a little worn. Thats expected for a ship that has carried around 400,000 passengers since I was last aboard. The layout of the ship came back to me in an instant, which made getting around very easy for the rest of the trip.

The Ports

Acapulco
This was fairly nice. Sort of Cozumel West, but more built up. I would say Cancun West, but I've never been to Cancun. We went horseback riding on Revolcadero Beach through a company called Shoretrips. We booked 2 excursions through them, this one and the one in Manzanillo. The horseback riding was great. I had never been on a horse, so this was a treat for me. It was hot, even on the beach, but that didn't matter. We still had a blast. We were gonna do the Senor Frogs thing, but never made it because we were exhausted from the riding.

Ixtapa/Ziuhateneho

Ziuha is a little fishing village, and Ixtapa is a resort town just outside. The boat anchored in Ziuha Bay. This was the rest and relaxation part of the trip. We caught a cab to Playa Ropa and spent the day on the beach. Here is a picture of the boat anchored in the bay:

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...o/DSC00330.jpg


Manzanillo

We went scuba diving here through Shoretrips. My wife had never been, and I only dove once in St Marteen 4 years ago. The day was overcast, which made it a little murkier underwater, but the fish and coral were still amazing. We saw puffer fish, moray eels, stingrays, and schools of colorful fish. Definitely worth the trip.

On the way back to San Diego, our cabin faced the west, so we got some good sunset shots. Here's one for the report:

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...o/DSC00352.jpg


We also saw whales from the ship on both sea days coming back, but I didn't have the camera handy for that.

The Poker

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...o/DSC00398.jpg





The poker was good. There were approximately 400 people on the ship booked through Cardplayer, and about 250 were players (the other 150 being either dealers or non-playing spouses). They had two poker rooms set up, one onthe second floor and one on the third. They were both at the back of the ship, next to the dining room. This location made it easy to jump into a game after dinner or while checking the menu for dinner that is posted outside of the dining room. It was 3 floors from my room, and only about a minute or two's walk.

The games I played in were fairly soft, although my bankroll would say differently! Thy regularly spread hold'em games of 2-4, 4-8, 6-12, 10-20, and 20-40. They spread 4-8 and 10-20 omaha. The had 1-2 and 2-5 NL games, and a 20-40 HO. On the last 2 days of the cruise, FeliciaLee and I convinced them to spread a 2-4 HORSE which was an instant success. there was a list for the last 2 days of the cruise for the game. On the last day, we changed the Hold'em to Crazy Pineapple, thus making it a 2-4 CORSE. Here are some photos from that game:

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...cruise2110.jpg


http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...cruise2109.jpg
(Felicia is probably gonna hate me for this one!)

The dealers and floor were absolutely top notch. Very efficient and very friendly. Linda Johnson was always around, mingling with the players. I didn't see Jan Fisher or Mark Tenner as much, but I would assume they were around. Mark also taught 2 seminars during the cruise, one on Hold'em and one on Omaha. I didn't make it to either, and I wish I did. Linda taught a beginners class that my wife and I attended. It was held in the chapel of the ship (yes, the same chapel my best friend was married in!). They also held a welcome aboard and going away party for the Cardplayer guests, complete with hor'deurves (sp) and free drinks. Many people with the group were past cruisers with Cardplayer, and I could see how they would get the repeat business.

Ok, stop reading here unless you want to read my misery.

My "hand of unfortunate timing":

In the 2-4 HORSE, we're playing hold'em and in LP I'm dealt Q [img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img]Q [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img]. An old guy who played absolutely any 2 cards from any spot calls UTG, an unknown lady in MP raises, I 3-bet, all fold to the old man who now caps, we all call. 3 to the flop for 6.5BB

Flop: 8 [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img]8 [img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img]4 [img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img]

They both check to me and I check behind smelling a trap from the old man. Same situation:

Turn: Q [img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img](8 [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img]8 [img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img]4 [img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img])

UTG checks, lady bets, I raise, UTG calls, she 3-bets, I cap, all call. Nervous and confused to the river for 18BB

River: 6
[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img](Q [img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]8 [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img]8 [img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img]4 [img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img])

UTG checks, lady bets and I stop for what was probably 10 seconds, but seemed like 5 minutes. I say out loud "did you flop quads???". I get this sinking feeling that my gut is right about 4BB's too late. I say, "ok, I just call because I think you got quads, I'm queens full". The old man had mucked as I was saying I call, and she turns over 88.

My other misfortune was that ina 2-4 game that was playing loose, everyone manages to fold to the SB who was the loosest goose in the game. He asks for a chop and I say yes ( I always chop). He turns over AJo and I turn over KK [img]/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img]! Talk about running bad.

Overall, it was a great trip, and I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Let me leave you with one final pic to show my misery at the poker table:
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...cruise2107.jpg


Joe

Re: Cardplayer Cruise Trip Rport
 

Great report, Joe.

I've been wondering what I should say, but I wanted to get some things off of my chest (haha) since I got home, so I attended to my journal first.

Well, as far as the pic goes, at least I can't possibly look any worse, lol. I still don't have much hair. My teeth have slowly gotten discolored. I was so cold I had to put on Glenn's fleece jacket over my formal clothes. Ah, the life of a middle aged loser.

The pics are great, though, really. And the ones of you really look exactly like you. The implosion one really brings out how you look in everyday beats, haha.

I'm glad we got the HORSE game going. It really seemed like the hit of the cruise. I'll never forget your comment about 3/6 being "a little over your head" (ROFL) when I tried to up the stakes. And I was hoping for 4/8 or up, lol.

I'll try to add more tomorrow. Naturally I got a cold on the last day, ugh. I just don't have any immune system, so I seem to catch everything that is passing around on a ship, with the circulated air. Blah!

Oh, and I forgot to show you my mastectomies! [img]/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img]

Re: Cardplayer Cruise Trip Rport
 

[ QUOTE ]
I'll never forget your comment about 3/6 being "a little over your head" (ROFL) when I tried to up the stakes. And I was hoping for 4/8 or up, lol.

[/ QUOTE ]

The way I was running, .50/1.00 seemed too high! [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

I did read the blog, wish I knew all that before I read it. It seemed like you were still able to read people. You saw from a mile away that that lady flopped quads, and I missed it because I was focused on the guy who I thought had aces.

As far as the masectomy goes, I guess I'll take a raincheck??? [img]/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]



Joe

Re: Cardplayer Cruise Trip Rport
 

Bet the flop. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Nice report, I wondered what the quality of these games would be based on the fact that all players are booked through CPC.

Did you see if the 20 was good?

-Craig

Re: Cardplayer Cruise Trip Rport
 

I didn't, but Felicia said the 10-20 O8 was tight. In fact, I heard many players say the games were tighter than usual. I'd assume people are becomming better players.

It's still worth the trip.

Joe

Re: Cardplayer Cruise Trip Rport
 

The 20/40 was okay at times, mostly too tight. It originally started out as HOE, but a bunch of the seniors started whining and griping that they didn't want to play Stud 8, they didn't want to "think," they came to have fun, not work, blah, blah, blah. Not once did the 20/40 mix contain Stud 8.

I think the games were too tight. I usually hop out of my chair like my seat is on fire if I am the loosest player at the table, lol. My job is resident rock, if I'm only playing 10% or less of my hands, you know the game is bad if I'm the loosest player there! [img]/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img]

If my mind would have been clearer, I'd have loosened up quite a bit and took more advantage of their tightness. Unfortunately I wasn't functioning at my best, mentally, and ended up going way, way, way down in stakes instead, by the end of the cruise (the last two days [three sessions] we played 2/4 HORSE).

Re: Cardplayer Cruise Trip Rport
 

Kewl report and pics Joe [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] (even if you did catch one of Felicia in some kind of wacky expression, lol).

For those that don't know, I dealt on this cruise for the first time. I had a great time and the people were great.

I'll also agree that most of the games seemed to be on the tight side. Of course, the 2/4 games were the games that people were chasing too much with any piece of the flop (but when there's 6 or 7 people to the flop, that's not always bad). What surprised me is seeing a 4/8 O8 game get folded to the blind! I remember it happening a couple times. I was astounded by that one!

The NLHE games were fun though; I played a couple times. Here's an example: I have AA UTG in the 2/5 blind game; made it 25 to go, and got FIVE callers!

Thanks for helping Felicia get the HORSE/CORSE games going! They were a blast! I had fun playing in them with you guys when I was off. (Just reminded of a fun hand.. I'm early position during the Crazy Pinnaple round with AKx --Axs-- and raise..Felicia's behind me and I see her think about it, but come in anyway.. Flop is Kxx, I bet, she raises and I 3 bet--can't remember if there was someone in between that I was trying to get HU--Once I 3 bet and it was HU, she calls and exposes her cards..she doesn't ever want anyone to think that we're cheating, squeezing people..so she shows AKQ --AQs-- I show my AKx, fully expecting to chop, I discard the "x" and keep the AK..she surprises me by discarding her King and keeps AQs, since she has 4-flush on the flop..of course, another heart on the turn, and she scoops it, no chop for her! LOL ... Another hand against her, I have AK or AQ, flop is AKx .. she just calls the flop with people to act behind .. when the others fold, and again it's HU, she chuckles, discards, and shows KK for 2nd set .. ouch!)

Glad to hear that you enjoyed the cruise, Joe, and thought the staff was good (being that I was one of them ; ) Thanks again for the report and the pics.

Can't wait to do another one with ya!

Re: Cardplayer Cruise Trip Rport
 

[ QUOTE ]
I'm early position during the Crazy Pinnaple round with AKx --Axs-- and raise..Felicia's behind me and I see her think about it, but come in anyway..

[/ QUOTE ]
I was debating whether or not I should re-raise. If it had been anyone else, no way I'm just smooth calling this hand. But that is the problem with a couple sitting at the same table. First hand out, and the husband/wife are raising and re-raising the table. Doesn't look kosher.

[ QUOTE ]
Flop is Kxx, I bet, she raises and I 3 bet--can't remember if there was someone in between that I was trying to get HU--Once I 3 bet and it was HU, she calls and exposes her cards..she doesn't ever want anyone to think that we're cheating, squeezing people..so she shows AKQ --AQs-- I show my AKx, fully expecting to chop, I discard the "x" and keep the AK..she surprises me by discarding her King and keeps AQs, since she has 4-flush on the flop..of course, another heart on the turn, and she scoops it, no chop for her!

[/ QUOTE ]
I sometimes go for "big" hands in Crazy Pineapple, instead of the safe route. Once I saw you throw away your useless card, I decided not to go for the chop. It's 2/4 HORSE, I came to "gambooool," lol.

[ QUOTE ]
Another hand against her, I have AK or AQ, flop is AKx .. she just calls the flop with people to act behind .. when the others fold, and again it's HU, she chuckles, discards, and shows KK for 2nd set .. ouch!)


[/ QUOTE ]
See, this is another reason I hate to play "couples" at the table. When one of us does have a big hand against the other, we don't make anything. We eliminate the competition, expose our hands (to make sure everyone knows there is no collusion going on), then check it down. It really sucks.

I just sit there shaking my head. What a waste!

Re: Cardplayer Cruise Trip Rport
 

Nice report, I know you have been looking forward to the trip for a while.

Is that you in the suit? I've never seen you not wearing a sports jersey.

Re: Cardplayer Cruise Trip Rport
 

Are games on cruises raked or is your rake the fee to be on the cruise in the first place?

Re: Cardplayer Cruise Trip Rport
 

[ QUOTE ]

Is that you in the suit? I've never seen you not wearing a sports jersey.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes, that is yours truly. That pic was from the 2-4 HORSE we started after dinner that night. It was a formal night in the dining room. Men have to wear a jacket and tie in the dining room that night. I just was too lazy to go back to my room to get changed.

I need another poker trip! [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Joe

Re: Cardplayer Cruise Trip Rport
 

[ QUOTE ]
Are games on cruises raked or is your rake the fee to be on the cruise in the first place?

[/ QUOTE ]

Rake was a 10% to $4 max. The trip was actually a bargain. We paid $810 + tax and port charges per person. The fair was around $950 pp on Carnival.

Joe

Re: Cardplayer Cruise Trip Rport
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Are games on cruises raked or is your rake the fee to be on the cruise in the first place?

[/ QUOTE ]

Rake was a 10% to $4 max. The trip was actually a bargain. We paid $810 + tax and port charges per person. The fair was around $950 pp on Carnival.

[/ QUOTE ]

So that was you in the jersey... I think you called my wife on a string bet one evening. She and I are both still learning the game, and we'll work on our betting motions... [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Yes, I was one of those chasers in the 2/4 games. Tried my hand at 4/8 and had my head handed to me. Not pretty.

The tourneys were even tighter. A lot of respect was handed out -- so much so, that I lasted until the mid-80s in a 180-player tourney (Thursday's $150 buy-in).

My own thoughts about the cruise (also my first Card Player Cruise):

The facilities were not exactly ideal. The poker rooms were split among two decks near the dining room at the rear of the ship. The upper room had absolutely no lighting -- unless the window shades were open, some of the tables were in twilight, giving the term "raise in the dark" a whole new meaning... The air conditioning in the upper room was meat-locker quality. I didn't go in there without a sweater or jacket. A miner's helmet probably would have helped.

The lower room was far better lit, but there were metal projections sticking out of the floor where room fixtures had been removed to make room for the tables. Players were constantly tripping over the projections.

I overheard Linda Johnson discuss the Carnival Spirit's shortcomings with one of the other CPC guests. CPC takes what the cruise line gives and they try to make do with the facilities. CPC usually books passage on Holland America because their ships are nicer, the service and food are better, and the facilities are far superior to Carnival's. However, HAL is more expensive to book than Carnival, especially for the overseas voyages (CPC uses HAL for its European and Mediterranean cruises). CPC does at least one cruise a year on Carnival in order to give players a cheaper cruising option. We came strictly for the poker, not because we like Carnival.

However, there are sights never to be seen on Celebrity or Crystal Cruises. Hairy-chest contests on the pool deck. Gang-banger wanna-bes in 'fros and baggy jeans talking on their cell phones while dishing up scrambled eggs in the Spirit's breakfast buffet on disembarkation day. Card Player Cruises guests (identified by our neck pouch/ID badges) and Carnival Vacation Club members (identified by their special neck badges) studiously ignoring each other. And more tattoos than a circus sideshow...

One of the best moments in the poker room: on the way back to San Diego, action in the lower room almost completely stopped when whales and dolphins were seen out the windows on the starboard side. Very cool. "Hey," I joked, "bring 'em on in! We can always use a few more whales at the tables."

CPC runs its cruises in a homey, seat-of-the-pants way and that ain't all bad. First day of the cruise, the staff handed out Card Player Cruise swag to CPC guests -- luggage tags, t-shirts and the like. And we had our own section of the dining room -- no reserved seating; we could sit wherever we wanted.

As with you, I, too, brought a suit to wear on formal nights. But I saw as many jeans and t-shirts as there was formal wear in the dining room on those nights. Dinner time was a mere break for most of the players before they headed back to the tables for the evening sessions.

A lot of the dealers were from Viejas and other San Diego-area rooms. We did run into a few folks from our Bay Area neck of the woods. Gary from Bay 101 is a terrific guy! We also got to hear some stories from Red, who dealt at The Oaks years ago. My wife said Red looks as if he dealt at Oaks... CPC brought over sixty dealers to get the cards in the air.

Other than the ship and the facilities, only a few peeves. The staff at the door of each room didn't always check to see whether the players were CPC guests (to be in the room, you have to have booked the cruise through CPC). At least one non-CPC player was caught before he got into the same tourney I was entered in -- he picked my stepson's name off the player list and took his seat card. And I heard that someone else bluffed their way into a 2/5 NL game early one morning and won $1500 before anyone found out. The people who ran the lists on the boards looked as if they were under siege at times. Names on the lists had a tendency to disappear unless you were standing right at the room entrance to watch over yours. And if there had been tables and dealers to spare, I would love to have bought into some sit-and-goes.

The Missus and I have done the Mexican Riviera to death, and there wasn't much we wanted/needed to see. We did book a private car and tour online prior to embarkation, and took a tour of Colima (near Manzanillo). Far nicer and less confining than the ship's bus tour, not to mention cheaper. I don't much care for Manzanillo, but we loved Colima.

We generally like what CPC is doing, and wouldn't mind booking with them again. CPC has the Mexican Riviera again in December '06, with a different itinerary -- Cabo, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta. If the bankroll is willing, we'll be there...

Re: Cardplayer Cruise Trip Rport
 

watch out marcel luske, we may have a challenger for the title of "best dressed poker player"

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...cruise2110.jpg


nice trip report [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Re: Cardplayer Cruise Trip Rport
 

Where's the auto-shuffler? [img]/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img]
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...o/DSC00398.jpg

Re: Cardplayer Cruise Trip Rport
 

I don't know who you are, but welcome [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[ QUOTE ]
CPC usually books passage on Holland America because their ships are nicer, the service and food are better, and the facilities are far superior to Carnival's. However, HAL is more expensive to book than Carnival,

[/ QUOTE ]
Amen! Actually, as far as HAL prices go, the CPC on the Spirit was the most I've ever paid, pp/pd, out of four cruises (three on HAL, one on Spirit). But I usually go for bargains, not necessarily CPC.

[ QUOTE ]
And we had our own section of the dining room -- no reserved seating; we could sit wherever we wanted.



[/ QUOTE ]
I think this was hell on the dealers. Glenn was never able to get to dessert. Sometimes he didn't even finish his entree. The servers were indifferent, at best, outright rude, at worst (we changed tables almost every night, trying to find a server with even the slightest hint of a conscience).

[ QUOTE ]
At least one non-CPC player was caught before he got into the same tourney I was entered in -- he picked my stepson's name off the player list and took his seat card.

[/ QUOTE ]
Yuck! I am sure you reported this. I hope it doesn't happen again.

Nice to "meet" you, at any rate. Glenn has already been invited back to deal, but I think we'll stick to the HAL cruises only.

Too many complaints about Carnival for me to even list, lol.

Re: Cardplayer Cruise Trip Rport
 

I have been thinking about the Alaska cruise for my wife and I . She doesn't play poker and has no interest in learning. Will she be able to find some non-poker playing spouses and non-poker playing things to do?

Re: Cardplayer Cruise Trip Rport
 

[ QUOTE ]
Oh, and I forgot to show you my mastectomies!

[/ QUOTE ]
I think you didnt forget, rather you knew he never left his cabin without the damn camera [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

BTW, OP... AMAZING Trip report, nice to see some pics included!

Re: Cardplayer Cruise Trip Rport
 

[ QUOTE ]
I think you didnt forget, rather you knew he never left his cabin without the damn camera

[/ QUOTE ]
Are you kidding??? I'm the one who sent the pic of my chest, right after surgery when it was still all raw and gross, to a friend of mine as a practical joke. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Re: Cardplayer Cruise Trip Rport
 

You know what they say....... "If you aint got it, flaunt it" [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Re: Cardplayer Cruise Trip Rport
 

I was thinking about booking one of these as well, just wanted to know how often the games run and if they have tourney's as well.

Re: Cardplayer Cruise Trip Rport
 

Quote:
At least one non-CPC player was caught before he got into the same tourney I was entered in -- he picked my stepson's name off the player list and took his seat card.


Yuck! I am sure you reported this. I hope it doesn't happen again.

What is reasoning for restricting tournies and ring games to CPC cruisers - just that there are long wait lists for seats. Seems that the players would want all the cruise passengers to participate.

Re: Cardplayer Cruise Trip Rport
 

So that everyone who wants a seat can have one without being stuck on a waiting list for five hours.

If there are empty seats or breaking games, it's only reasonable to allow non-CPC passengers to play, and they do.

Re: Cardplayer Cruise Trip Rport
 

[ QUOTE ]
I don't know who you are, but welcome [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks Felicia! Sorry I didn't introduce myself...

[ QUOTE ]
I think this was hell on the dealers. Glenn was never able to get to dessert. Sometimes he didn't even finish his entree. The servers were indifferent, at best, outright rude, at worst (we changed tables almost every night, trying to find a server with even the slightest hint of a conscience).

[/ QUOTE ]

My wife and I noticed this, as well. At least the wait staff on other lines pretend to smile and pay attention to us. Or even have a clue...

We never quite got the entrees as ordered. When they did arrive, they were either overcooked or way undercooked. Some we wouldn't touch again with a ten-foot pole.

The only thing we were sure about was to get the hell out of the dining room before the maitre'd or cruise director got on the PA system to announce the singing waiters (boy howdy, did we feel sorry that they had to sing! how embarassed they must be) or some other BS. Most of the time we could dine and be done with coffee and dessert in 45 minutes or less.

If I had to recommend only one dining option on Carnival, it would have to be the Supper Club (CCL's ultra-ritzy alternative restaurant). At $30 per person, pricey. But the food and service were as nice as the luxury dining options on other cruise lines.


[ QUOTE ]
Nice to "meet" you, at any rate. Glenn has already been invited back to deal, but I think we'll stick to the HAL cruises only.

Too many complaints about Carnival for me to even list, lol.

[/ QUOTE ]

Don't. Get. Me. Started. About. The. Rest. Of. Carnival... [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] The December '06 Mexico cruise is on HAL's Oosterdam. Perhaps we'll see you then!

Take care,
Bruce I.

Re: Cardplayer Cruise Trip Rport
 

[ QUOTE ]
I was thinking about booking one of these as well, just wanted to know how often the games run and if they have tourney's as well.

[/ QUOTE ]

My experience on this particular cruise was that they would run one tourney a day while the ship was at sea. There were four full sea days on this cruise. There was a $230 limit HE tourney, and three NL tourneys with buy-ins ranging between $150 and $300+. The tourneys began at 9:30 a.m.

The poker rooms opened for business at 9:00 a.m. each morning when the ship was at sea, closed at 5:00-5:30 for dinner break, and reopened at 7:00 p.m. until the wee hours. The rooms were closed when the ship was in port (local regulations) but you could probably have done a "home" game in your cabin. I actually saw poker chips for sale(!) in a department store in Acapulco...

Games were set up based on demand. There were usually two 2/4 and up to four 4/8 games going during the course of an evening. Lots of demand for 6/12, along with the Omaha and NL tables.

Re: Cardplayer Cruise Trip Rport
 

Glenn was the dealer with the ponytail, in case you don't know. Obviously you've seen my supermodel pic, lol.

We should definitely be on the Oosterdam. It's HAL and it's convenient (SD is only about a five hour drive for us). That is, if Jan doesn't boot me off for being such a rag.

I will never, ever, complain about the HAL Lido again. In the past, I was comparing it to Vegas buffets. Having tried the Spirit Lido, all I can say is that the HAL buffet is comparable to Bellagio, lol.

Re: Cardplayer Cruise Trip Rport
 

I heard a rumor that Mexico may legalize poker soon. If that happens, maybe we will be allowed to stay open in port? Gotta dream...

Re: Cardplayer Cruise Trip Rport
 

[ QUOTE ]
I have been thinking about the Alaska cruise for my wife and I . She doesn't play poker and has no interest in learning. Will she be able to find some non-poker playing spouses and non-poker playing things to do?

[/ QUOTE ]

I believe that's a question for Dr. Phil... [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] Is your wife prepared to see you only at breakfast, dinner and bedtime?

Or not. They served us pastries during the morning sessions, sandwiches and pizza in the afternoon, cookies all day long, dining room desserts after dinner. I've never eaten this well in any land-based rooms!

You might not ever leave -- at least until the poker staff locks you out...

There's plenty to do aboard a cruise ship that isn't poker-related. Galley tours. Art auctions. A (mostly) well-equipped library. Bingo. The casino slots. Shopping. Golf. Internet cafes (although they're wicked pricey). Broadway-style musicals in the evening. And that doesn't include the shore tours.

I am shying away from the Alaska cruise, actually. There's far too much pretty scenery up there to watch. I would lose my focus on poker in a heartbeat.

Lots and lots of music to listen to, as well. One of the refreshing things about this particular cruise was that the poker rooms were located just off the lounges. Jazz music in the evening. Classical music at the afternoon tea time session. Made the poker feel almost civilized...

BTW, JoeU -- great trip report and terrific photos. Thanks!

Re: Cardplayer Cruise Trip Rport
 

Hi Bruce,

Thanks for filling in the holes on my report. My wife complained that I left some stuff out, you saved my bacon. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[ QUOTE ]

So that was you in the jersey... I think you called my wife on a string bet one evening. She and I are both still learning the game, and we'll work on our betting motions...

[/ QUOTE ]

I remember this. I'm pretty sure that was the same day I wore the Yankee jersey. She had called a bet, then went back to her chips and said "raise". Me and the guy in the 9 seat called the string. She thanked me for saving her $2 when someone sucked out on her aces! [img]/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]

I also remember your "whale" comment, but am having trouble remembering your face. It was the same day as the photo. If you remember, it was the really tall guy (Gary) that took the picture.

Nice to "meet" you as well. I'm sure we'll run into eachother again.

Joe

Re: Cardplayer Cruise Trip Rport
 

[ QUOTE ]
What is reasoning for restricting tournies and ring games to CPC cruisers - just that there are long wait lists for seats. Seems that the players would want all the cruise passengers to participate.

[/ QUOTE ]

As Felicia pointed out, they do this to keep seats open for CPC guests. Since we booked through CPC, we deserve the benefit of having an open seat in a game. It wouldn't be fair to the CPC guests if a seat was filled by a non-CPC player.

Joe

Re: Cardplayer Cruise Trip Rport
 

[ QUOTE ]

watch out marcel luske, we may have a challenger for the title of "best dressed poker player"





[/ QUOTE ]

Smart A$$! [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

We'll have to get together at Foxwoods again, maybe over the holidays. I'll keep you posted.

Joe

Re: Cardplayer Cruise Trip Rport
 

[ QUOTE ]
I also remember your "whale" comment, but am having trouble remembering your face. It was the same day as the photo. If you remember, it was the really tall guy (Gary) that took the picture.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hi Joe --

Oh, sorry. Asian guy, either in a polo shirt or Hawaiian shirt (though one day I wore a Cabo San Lucas volunteer firefighters tee that I bought in, of all places, Cabo...). The Missus was at the other end of the table from you, I think. I was a couple of seats to her left...

[ QUOTE ]
Nice to "meet" you as well. I'm sure we'll run into eachother again.

[/ QUOTE ]

Likewise...

Bruce I.

Re: Cardplayer Cruise Trip Rport
 

[ QUOTE ]
Oh, sorry. Asian guy, either in a polo shirt or Hawaiian shirt

[/ QUOTE ]

I DO remember you. You sat 3 seats to my right (5 seat) that day. I think you had some type of gold coin for a card protector. You bought in for $100, and were up early, but then hit a down swing...if I remember correctly.

Joe

Re: Cardplayer Cruise Trip Rport
 

[ QUOTE ]


My wife and I noticed this, as well. At least the wait staff on other lines pretend to smile and pay attention to us. Or even have a clue...

We never quite got the entrees as ordered. When they did arrive, they were either overcooked or way undercooked. Some we wouldn't touch again with a ten-foot pole.

The only thing we were sure about was to get the hell out of the dining room before the maitre'd or cruise director got on the PA system to announce the singing waiters (boy howdy, did we feel sorry that they had to sing! how embarassed they must be) or some other BS. Most of the time we could dine and be done with coffee and dessert in 45 minutes or less.

If I had to recommend only one dining option on Carnival, it would have to be the Supper Club (CCL's ultra-ritzy alternative restaurant). At $30 per person, pricey. But the food and service were as nice as the luxury dining options on other cruise lines.

=======================

Don't. Get. Me. Started. About. The. Rest. Of. Carnival... [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] The December '06 Mexico cruise is on HAL's Oosterdam. Perhaps we'll see you then!

Take care,
Bruce I.

[/ QUOTE ]



Nice report overall.

Bringing back some memories of our experience on the PPM cruise last March (hoping to go again sometime...still working on that one).

FWIW - I've been on only one other cruise in my life. I was 18 and I forget the company.

The PPM was on Holland Oosterdam and we pretty much thought that the food and service were both outstanding.
I was equally impressed by the quality of dealers from CPC and how the games were run. Certainly better than I was expecting.

Anyway, I've since heard quite a few bad things about Carnival and your tales of undercooked or wouldn't touch with a 10-foot pole certainly differed from our experience on the Holland line.

We thought the service was pretty prompt (most of the time) and extremely friendly and courteous (almost all of the time).
This certainly does make a difference.

I might have considered a carnival cruise for a future vacation if I wanted to save dough....but I think this thread is steering me in the correct direction that it's worth it to spend just a little bit more to get the better overall experience.

I would really hate to be on a cruise that had nothing but crappy food and crappy service all around.


They sell seperate packages for the PPM cruise in March (down to Cayman Isls and Cozumel this year) that don't include the $10k tourney-package and this would likely be the ultimate for card-playing cruises I suspect.
The whole boat is poker-players (or families and friends of poker-players) so you don't have the cross-over clientele.
And the main poker-room is 60 tables with lots of action (not nearly as tight on a boat with a bunch of party-poker satellite qualifiers...the games were quite crazy most of the time).
But I think the cost of the cruise alone costs a bunch more than it does on the other cruises for some reason.

Anyway, thanks for the memory re-visit. Looking forward to our next cruise (whether it be poker-related or not).

Re: Cardplayer Cruise Trip Rport
 

[ QUOTE ]
But I think the cost of the cruise alone costs a bunch more than it does on the other cruises for some reason.

[/ QUOTE ]
I think this is because they chartered the whole ship, rather than just reserving a block of cabins. Don't quote me on that one, though, lol.

The Oosterdam just won the best mid-sized ship on the seas, according to Porthole Mag. We will definitely be on that CPC next year!

The great thing about HAL is that no matter what, you will have a good cruising experience. It may not be the very best line, but it is never going to suck, like some Carnival cruises.

Re: Cardplayer Cruise Trip Rport
 

This cruise was the first that I had gone on as an employee. I had never worked in a card room before and after 8 days of helping on the floor I have a new respect for those that do it every day.

I did ENJOY the fact that everyone mistook me for Mike O'Malley. My name is Mike and I guess I have some kind of resemblance to him. It was wierd having several people ask me about my job at the Wynn. It was a few days in before I figured out who they thought I was.

Mike

PS - Thanks to all of you that put up with my newbie mistakes the first few days.

Re: Cardplayer Cruise Trip Rport
 

Here is a picture of me on the cruise before this last one:


http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...kZack/Mike.jpg

Here is one of Mike O'Malley from poker pages:

http://www.pokerpages.com/pokerinfo/...-omalley01.jpg

Re: Cardplayer Cruise Trip Rport
 

I knew you weren't MOM, but there is a facial resemblence I noticed right away. He is built much bigger than you.

I think I heard his brother (the cop) called a few times for games though. Was I hearing things, or was his brother aboard?

If you've never worked in a cardroom before, how did you get the gig? Or do you want to say? I know J&L probably accept slave labor from those in debt to them (lol).

I thought you did a great job. I should have pushed the mixed games earlier, though. I was trying to be "nice," due to Glenn dealing on the cruise. Nice isn't in my makeup.

Re: Cardplayer Cruise Trip Rport
 

Pat and his wife Shelly were there. The last day of the cruise they took a picture with me to show Mike his evil twin.