Day 1
Saturday
Slept
better than I thought I would once I got to sleep last night (err
early this am). Kendel and Paul arrived to take us to the airport,
we said our goodbyes to Taylor and as we were heading out Cait called
to say have a good trip. As Aaron had called last night we had talked
to all.
Got the
airport and through security, after a stop to check out my back pack.
My bag of powered chai had to be throughly examined as it just
looked like “bag of powder” under the xray :-) lol We got out
of Medford on time, plane was full and a fairly small one, so we were
glad for a 40 min flight to Portland. Once in Portland we booked it
from Terminal A to Terminal C with time to spare for a potty break
and a few minutes to sit before boarding flight two from Portland to
Los Angeles. Yes we waved at Medford on our way back over. Welcome
to Southern Oregon flights.
Arrived
in La about 10 to 2pm, so right on time. We had opted for an
adventure trip to Long Beach so we went out front, boarded the “free
G bus” to the transit station and then road the Green line Metro
lite rail to the Blue line intersection, and the Blue line lite rail
right into Long Beach, putting us out just two blocks from our Hotel
(Best Western). We went and check in, dumped our bags and went out
to explore.
We had
seen a Walmart on our trip in on the train so knew where it was, and
we needed a few items, Roy forgot his sandals, I needed pony tails
etc We then opted for Hometown Buffet for dinner as we knew what we
would get. Then we walked a couple blocks and hopped on the free
Long Beach Passport bus and road it around checking things out. Lots
of stuff was going on in Long Beach, it took us out right by the
Queen Mary and the marina. Was really pretty.
We are
both pretty beat, so being the easy to wear out people we are we are
back at our hotel room by 7pm. Interestingly enough there is some
sort of street fair in the street below us and we have some wonderful
music wandering up to our room.
We are
off to the ship in the am and can't wait!!!
Day 2
Sunday
We
slept till 7 am got up and went to breakfast. I have to say that the
bed at the Best Western in Long Beach was one of the most comfortable
hotels bed's I have ever slept in, I had a really good 11 hour sleep!
We wandered around for a couple hours in Long Beach and then check
out and called a cab to take us to the port. First mistake of the
trip, thinking that getting their early would be good. We arrived at
about 11:30 and it was not too bad getting check in and getting our
“group number” (basically you go sign behind your number and want
to get called” It became a zoo pretty quickly, as people ignored
the signs and tried to just get in line without checking in, and then
were frustrated that they had to indeed go stand in the check in
line. We were outside in full sun for over an hour before we were
called and that of course made me not feel so good overnight.
Once
our number were called in, we went and had our security screening
without issue, went up and got our boarding “photo” the one they
try and sell you, and then the photo for the ship id purposes. Then
it was onto the ship we went. The first lunch is a zoo, as everyone
runs to the Lido to get as much food as they can and didn't care who
was in their way. I guess with any group of 3000 plus people you are
always gonna find the rude ones.
We got
a hamburger and sat down for to eat, shared a table with a nice older
couple from Arizona. She is a travel agent and they were here on a
agents training tour. Very nice couple whom we enjoyed visiting
with.
After
lunch we were able to get into our rooms and found everything well in
order. It wasn't long until our luggage arrived. We went and walked
the decks and all over the ship, and went to the mandatory muster
drill and then came back to do sail away on our balcony which was a
nice quiet place to do it and we enjoyed it a lot. That balcony was
worth every dime and I wont sail without one again. They say once
you have one you wont wanna go back and I see why.
By this
time it was almost time for dinner so we headed that way, stopping
along the way to visit the casino and setting up our player's
account. Dinner was wonderful, a team of three waiters one head
waiter and two assistants made up our team. Head waiter's name is
Art and the assistants were Seno (like Reno) and …... all three
from Indonesia.
Dinner
was fabulous. We both had a pasta dish for a starter and a green
salad for me and guachamole and chips for Roy. Both had Sweet and
Sour shrimp for dinner (huge huge shrimp) was very very good. We both
ordered different deserts and shared them. I had the chocolate
melting cake and Roy had crème brule, both wonderful.
After
dinner we visited the casino for a while and then came and sat on the
balcony till we both were tired and went to bed. I had a rough night
waking up with a migraine, but by morning I felt better and we were
off again.
Day 3,
Monday
Monday
was our first full day at sea. We woke early having slept with the
blinds open and how beautiful it was to wake to the sea outside. The
balcony was beautiful and we were already south enough that it was
quite warm out even early. We had coffee, tea, and danish delivered
by room service and enjoyed it out on the balcony.
We then
went the theatre and had some fun with book trivia, we teamed up and
came in second place with 14 of our 21 points. Not bad for bad
memories. We then watched the cruise director give a talk about fun
on board and on shore. It was very informative, lots of information
about how to get ashore, when to return etc.
We
wandered around a bit, visited some shops, and the casino again.
Not as good of luck for me to day and I donated back most of what I
had won (or broke even with) from yesterday. We had lunch in the
main dining room, sitting with two older couples, one who had been
married for 63 years and one for 40 being their second marriage for
them. Food was again very good, we built a hamburger. We goofed off
most of the afternoon, incluiding a needed nap. Then it was off to
elegant night dining and we had our photo taken in several spots.
Dinner was again fabulous, with tonight being Lobster and prime rib
night, which Roy and I both had. I had the strawberry bisque soup
for a starter and it was wonderful. I can't remember what Roy had
for a salad. For dessert Roy had warm melting chocolate cake and I
had caramelized apples on puff pastry, which was just okay for me.
We
raced to the Spectacular theatre for the “vegas style show” It
was definitely high energy with lots of singing and dancing. I
enjoyed it very much. After the show it was off the races to 5 after
for the Morrocan Lounge and the R rated punchliner club. Very funny
and definitely R rated. We will have a new comedian after day two
Cabo as they change them half way through the cruise.
It was
then back to the room, a bit on the balcony in the wonderful night
air. And off to bed as we have a full day planned for Tuesday in
Cabo.
Day 4
Cabo San Lucas.
We were
up with the sun again and since our room service did not arrive we
headed to the Lido for some breakfast which worked out well. We then
went up to deck 11 and watched the ship pull into Cabo. Got some
great shots of the famous Lands End Arch and of the city it was truly
wonderful watching the ship pull in. Then it was back to the room to
change into swim suits and pack up our towels and head the excursion
meeting point. We had booked a snorkling cruise to a couple bays and
had to report to the tenders at 9:45.
For my
first time ever snorkling I think it went pretty well. All I can say
is salt water is gross, but once I got a hang of it I really enjoyed
the experience. We saw lots of fish, as our guides fed them and we
took photos will be curious to see if they come out or not. Roy
enjoyed the bumping fast boat ride in the zodiacs. Funny line from
Claudio, we asked what he was feeding the fish and he said tortillas
(crushed up)... then with a small “Mexican fish, Mexican food”
After three hours I was a bit sunburned (note to self reapply sun
screen to your back!!!) and ready for a shower and a nap. Salt water
makes you very sticky, but what a great day it was.
We
headed back showered, had a light lunch, and both of us took a well
needed nap. We got up and dressed up and went to the Pinnicle Steak
house for dinner. A great experience and great food, a bit spendy at
$30 a person plus tip, however since this was for our 30th
anniversary well worth it. It was very very high end dinning very
formal and really really nice.
After
dinner we went and made our nightly donation to the casino, well I
did, Roy left a bit up on the night. By then we were both beat so we
headed down to the room, a bit of time on the balcony and off to bed
we were... Well Roy is. Me my thoughts were roaming in my head so
here I am typing in the dark.
So far
I am really enjoying the experience and can see us doing this
regularly, Roy has already asked what it would take for us to do
cruises yearly and I am thinking this would be a good get away for us
regularly, and a good way to see different parts of the world.
Tomorrow
we are in Cabo again and we plan to just go in and wander around a
bit, see some sites, take some photos, and then come back to the ship
before it gets too hot. As we are both sun burned I dont want to
push it with too much more sun. I am hoping for no migraine in the
am.
Night
Day 5
Cabo Day two
Roy and
I were up with the light and were able to watch the ship pull back
into Cabo. I had been up a couple times in the night and watched us
dance in circles with the Spirit who was also here for two days.
They are achored near by. They had left Dock about the same time as
us, only leaving from across the bay from us. I have photos of them
trailing behind us most of the way down.
We got
some coffee and tea and a couple croissants delivered and then went
down to tender into Cabo. As soon as you are off the pier you get
swamped by people trying to see you a boat ride, a fishing trip,
anything. We must have said no thank you a hundred times while we
walked around the harbor and to the cabo experience shop to look at
the photos from yesterday. We paid $38 us for the disk with the
photos which turned out very nice.
We came
back on the boat by 9 am and went for a “real breakfast” then
just are hanging out by some windows enjoying a day on the boat.
The
remainder of the second Cabo day we were pretty lazy. Took a nap,
watched some TV and read. We then went out on our balcony at 3 pm to
watch the last tenders come and to watch sale away at 4. People
coming back had been partying hard you could tell, a couple really
staggered back onto the ship. As we got closer and closer to 4 (sail
away time) you could tell we were missing some. They were announcing
their names looking for them if they had snuck back on board and
right at 4 the last tender came with them aboard. Everyone in their
balcony's watched at 4 people came back an hour late and we finally
pulled out.
We went
and saw the show in the theatre, they do a very nice job. Tonight's
was latin music.
Thursday
Day 6 – Puerto Vallarjah
Roy and
I were up with the sun and watched it come up. Was really beautiful.
We then watched as we went into Peurto Vallarjah to dock at 9 am.
Was interesting watching the docking I was sad at first we did not
dock on our side, but the view was so pretty the other way. Was
surprizing how much pollution there was in the air. They have both a
Super Walmart and a Sam's club.
We went
off a bit after 9 and went to the little flea market. I found some
things for the girls and was proud to have bartered them down to
about 50% of their original price I am sure I could have gotten them
lower, but I stuck it out and felt the price I gave was fair. It was
so hot, we went back to drop things off, went down to the internet
cafe for a few (in port) and got 30 min of internet for $3. We
returned to the ship and enjoyed the nearly empty pool. Then a shower
and a nap.
We had
dinner with our crew in the MDR. Art, Seno, and Imar do a very nice
job and take good care of us, even keeping up with Roy's tea
requirements. We then went to watch the Mexican Folk Troup that have
been performing on Carnival ships in PV for the last 29 years. They
were very good and I enjoyed them considerably.
Then we
went up to the balcony to enjoy sail away, and then to bed for some
reading, which I of course fell asleep in the middle of.
Friday
Day 7- at sea
I woke
with a headache so I went back to bed for a bit this am. We got up
at about 8:30 which would be 7:30 at home. We went to breakfast and
then to watch the “future cruise show” We bought Alex and Lainey
a little something, and then I started watching for a free washer.
Once our clothes were in the laundry we went to lunch. I then went
down and bought a “future cruise certificate” which will give us
$100 on board credit when we book our next cruise. We are hoping to
go at least once a year maybe more we will see. I did better than
expected health wise, with only headaches twice during the whole trip
so far.
We got
the laundry in the dryer and off to the “Game of Love” show.
That is so funny, I want to do that every trip. One couple was
married 54 years, one 20, and one newlywed. The funniest answer was
to the “unusual place they had ever had sex” and the 20 year
couple both said in the spectacular lounge. The whole place lost it
on that one, even the Cruise Director. The CD had the guys mom read
it.
Now we
sit on our Balcony in the coolest weather yet, we have some pretty
good winds going today. Tonight we will go to the Varoom show and
then to the comedy club for the over 18 show.
Tomorrow
is our last sea day...cry...back to reality. I have truly enjoyed
the time away, now to the planning for the next one!!!
Day 7
Saturday – Sea Day
We had
a rough night at sea, lots of big waves. The pool was sloshing so
much they finally closed it and spent this am emptying it. It would
have been down right dangerous to get in. I slept remarkably well
as rough as it was, woke me up a couple to times.
We got
up at about 7 am this am and decide to go to the MDR for breakfast.
It was much more relaxed than the Lido.
At 10am
we went to a towel animal folding class, what fun! We made a dog, an
elephant, and a seal. I will look for book on ebay at home. Found a
nice photo I might buy in the am. I have to decide if I like it that
much or not.
The
chocolate extravaganza is at noon should be a good lunch lol. We
have to be out of our room at 8:30 am ugh.... was hoping for a bit
later.
Today
we plan on going to the Ultimate couple's show, the free cruise
giveaway, and the Carnival Legend's show at 10:30 pm. Late night and
then early am, late flight. Should be an interesting day.
I
bought a future cruise certificate today good for two years we will
get the $100 value off our next cruise, and also a $100 obc to start
us off on.
I feel
Roy thinks we didn't do enough or see enough. I was happy to not
have any sick days on board. A couple headaches but that was it for
me.
Love
the balcony would not do without one ever!!!
off to
read, and enjoy the last day of official vacation, Roy is off two
more days (Monday and Tuesday) and tomorrow will be a travel day.
Photos of the ship, our waiters, tablemates and other misc coming up.
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