APRIL 30 –MAY 5, 2011
Day 1 – JHJ Classmates, family & friends joined us on the Carnival Ecstasy
78 cabins and 158 people – including classmates from the classes of 1962 to 1968, and even 2 coaches, Coach Larry Roberts & his wife Shirley and Coach Joel Sturdivant and his wife Elva. On the first day of the cruise, people checked in at the Chinatown Lounge to pick up their Welcome packet and itinerary sheet. A thank you to Sissy & John O’Brien who helped at the Registration table with Maureen Wuensch Varnes, Jodie Ross Wurzbach, Judy Ross McNeely & Priscilla Keeton Hofstetter. Each Welcome packet contained a package of shout, tube of lip balm, a small pencil, post’em notepad, Carnival postcard/frame, Deck Plan of the Carnival Ecstasy, JHJ Picture album especially made for the “JHJ Cruising Thru the Memories” cruise, bottle of hand sanitizer, a Falcon lapel pin, gold and silver beads, Falcon nametag, yellow wristband – “JHJ Cruising thru the Memories” printed on it, surf safe holder & a printed Cruise Directory of everyone’s name, address, phone, e-mail and cabin number. A big thank you goes to Jodie Ross Wurzbach & Judy Ross McNeely who put together these Welcome Packets. When each person went to their cabin, there was a “Falcon” sign on each cabin door which distinguished our group. We had several that helped put these signs on the cabin doors – a special thanks to all of them – Priscilla Keeton Hofstetter & Bill Hofstetter, John McNeely & Claudia Connell and others. Dinner was served in the Windsong Dining Room and special JHJ table tents were on the tables. We had some eating at the early seating and some at the late seating. The JHJ Falcon cabin signs and JHJ Falcon table tents were made by Judy Ross McNeely as well as the JHJ Falcon Nametags, the JHJ Cruise Directory, and the daily itinerary sheets. Judy also supplied the “JHJ Cruising thru the Memories” wristbands. We appreciate Carnival donating the Carnival stationery to print the JHJ Cruise directories (with Jodie Ross Wurzbach’s assistance) and Bobby Wuensch & Maureen Wuensch Varnes in running off the Cruise Directories. After dinner, people wandered around the ship and even tried their luck at the casino.
Day 2 – Day at Sea.
A relaxing day throughout the ship – some played bingo (we had a $500 winner in our group) some sat out by the pool, some visited as they strolled around the ship decks, and some even won at the casino (How did you do Mary Frances Bonazzi Urie?). Everyone enjoyed this relaxing time on the ship. At 5 pm, our group had a one hour private cocktail party given by Carnival. It was nice to see everyone look so pretty and handsome. Bobby Wuensch gave a short Welcome and some door prizes were given out. We even celebrated Nicki Harris Ballard and Glenn Ballard’s wedding – they had re-married on Friday, April 29th. Everyone was so happy for them! The Captain’s Celebration followed on the Promenade Deck from 7-8 pm (free cocktails compliments of the captain). At 8 pm, the Captain and Senior Officers were introduced in the Grand Atrium. After dinner, some went to the Karaoke Bar and sang and danced the night away – including Dianne Roder Ball, Frank Burns, Cindy Wilson Robertson, Jake Hollabaugh, Jodie Ross Wurzbach, Dot DePriest Warrington, Tommy & Joyce Barbazette, Judy Ross McNeely & John McNeely. Those especially talented (and brave) that sang Karaoke were Gary Boyd (he has sung professionally with the Bar-D Wranglers inDurango,Colorado, and he has a fabulous voice) along with his wife Denise (she did not sing but did have fun dancing with Gary), Mike & Claudia Connell, and John McNeely (Judy Ross’ husband). Others went to the casino and tried their luck. It was a fun night to enjoy the activities on the ship. Today was Anita James Spedale and Lynn Zainfeld’s birthday. They each got a special Birthday gift and also a Birthday pin to wear, and a special Birthday decoration was placed at their dining table. There was also a Birthday ribbon placed on their cabin door to celebrate their special day.
Day 3 – Day in Progresso
Many different excursions chosen – a trip to see the Mayan ruins, a day at the beach, learn to dance the Salsa and make Salsa, a trip to Merida the capital of the Yucatan, visit several churches & an olive grove, and even to play a round of golf. Everyone had lots of fun in Progresso. After everyone returned to the ship, we all got ready for the evening events. Carnival gave our group another one hour cocktail party between 5-6 pm. Coach Larry Roberts & Coach Joel Sturdivant were presented special plaques as a thank you for being our friends and mentors. More door prizes were distributed during this time. After dinner, some went to the Karaoke Bar – singing and more dancing (Ted Scruggs was the best dancer), others gambled in the casino, and others enjoyed visiting and walking around the ship.
Day 4 – Day in Cozumel
Again many excursions chosen – some drove around the island, some enjoyed the beach and snorkeled, some shopped in the town, some went to Carlos & Charlie’s and enjoyed the bar drinks and food, and again some played golf. It was a wonderful day inCozumel. Today was Tom Britton’s birthday – Dianne Love Britton’s husband. He also had a special Birthday ribbon on his cabin door, a Birthday pin, a Celebration decoration at his dining table, and also received a special Birthday gift. After dinner, people gambled at the casino (Gary Kovar, Maureen Wuensch Varnes, Jake Hollabaugh, Karen Anthony Craig were just a few), sang at the Karaoke Bar, played bingo, and others enjoyed visiting over a glass of wine.
Day 5 – Day at Sea
Our Group Photo was taken this morning. We all wore bright colored shirts and our gold & silver beads and Falcon pin. We all looked great and festive! The Carnival photographer took several pictures of our group – one picture of everyone in our group that was cruising, pictures of the different JHJ classes, and another of the JHJ Committee that help to organize the cruise (Bobby Wuensch & Donna Townsend Wuensch, Bobby Varnes & Maureen Wuensch Varnes, Jodie Ross Wurzbach, John McNeely & Judy Ross McNeely & Bill Hofstetter & Priscilla Keeton Hofstetter). After the photo shoot, we had a special birthday party for Coach Sturdivant – today he was 83. At the party, we had a large Birthday cake and presented him with a large Birthday card which we had all signed. (Thanks to Mike Connell for his help at the Registration Table in getting everyone to sign the Birthday card.) Coach loved it and said it was the best birthday he had ever had. Coach Sturdivant also had a Birthday ribbon on his cabin door, a Birthday pin, and also a Celebration decoration at his dining table. He also received a special Birthday gift. More door prizes were distributed and we sang the JHJ school song. By the way, every person that cruised received some type of door prize or birthday/wedding gift. We appreciate Carnival and Jodie Ross Wurzbach for their generosity for all the door prizes and gifts. During the reception, we took more pictures – one group included all the guys on the cruise, another of all the ladies on the cruise, a special picture with all the athletes with the coaches, and even all the married couples who both went to JHJ – 13 couples – Jimmie Cowey & Pat Bennett, Donna Townsend & Bobby Wuensch, Jane Dawson & Christy Brookover, Sherry Bell & Gary Kovar, Cherie Atkins & Robert Young, Sherry Duty & James Lea, Linda Eckerman & Pete Lumpkin, Jeanne Horn & Larry Ryan, Maureen Wuensch & Bobby Varnes, Pat Albert & Jim Cross, and Sharon Oberhoff & Larry White. However, some of these did not make it for the picture. That afternoon, several participated in the Casino Slot Machine contest – lots of fun and we all rooted for our ladies – Maureen Wuensch Varnes, Donna Townsend Wuensch & Priscilla Keeton Hofstetter. They did not win the “big” prize but each won a t-shirt. In the Ballroom, some of the group learned a special dance – Sherry Bell Kovar, Dot DePriest Warrington, Claudia Connell, Linda Eckerman Lumpkin & Joyce Barbazette stood out with their dancing ability. As the day progressed and in to the evening (our last night at sea), the seas became a little rough. We all helped each other as we walked side to side around the ship. However, a little rough sea did not stop us – some still tried their luck at the casino, some visited, and others got ready to disembark the next morning. Just as a side note – we had one person in our group win $500 at bingo, we had several that won BIG at the Casino – Maureen Wuensch Varnes being the big winner – but Cindy Estopinal & Sonny Spurger were right behind. Congratulations to all the winners.
Day 6 – Disembarkation
Beginning with a beautiful sunrise, and as we disembarked, we can all say that we shared many memories and a wonderful time together!