Julie's Mexico Cruise

Sat, March 23: We were up and left at the planned time of 7a. The trip was uneventful, no rain that was predicted. We stopped at a McDonald's and got some breakfast then a stop for gas. On to the cruise port and we arrived about 11:30a. We got in the short line to drop the large luggage then circled around for the parking. That didn't go so smooth. When we got up to the person giving directions.  No wonder everyone he talked to took so long, no one liked his story. So, the parking garage is closed until 12:15p. Who knew? That is odd since hundreds of vehicles are arriving to park. He suggested we could drive downtown and park for less money and take a bus back to the port! No. Then we could go visit the Queen Mary (docked next door) or park in their lot to wait. So, we decided we would park and wait. However, when we got to that lot, we could see that the line for parking had now tripled or more. We could not see the end of the line at all! So, we got back in the line and by the time we got up there for parking again it was, of course, open. Check in was quick considering we were in the general line, and it moved along at a good pace. We found our friends and started with a glass of wine.

Our cabins were ready at 1:30p. The kids went off and got all our sea pass cards and we made our way to the assigned cabins. They are nice enough, nothing fancy. This ship is probably due for a make over as some things are a bit tattered. Our balcony might be the smallest we have ever had but fresh air and a view are the points and we get that. 

We all went to dinner together and it was enjoyable. The food was not elegant in any way, but it was delicious. I see small differences but nothing is "bad" - and all is quite good. Duck pot-stickers were one of the favorite appetizers at our table. I also had a shrimp cocktail. For entrée's I had chicken with stuffing, which was excellent. John had a pork chop he didn't care much for but he also ordered tempura shrimp, which were delicious. There is an everyday menu as part of the dinner menu and also some items that you would pay more for (like lobster). I assume we will have lobster on one of the formal nights. I will add that there are wine packages available on board. We ordered one, since I did not see these available before hand to purchase. The waiter said you only buy them onboard. You get 3 bottles for $67, plus added gratuity. That isn't bad. There is a more expensive package with more options but we saw what we liked on the less expensive package.

After dinner John went back to the cabin and June and I went directly to the theater. Bingo was happening at that time but we just sat and waited for the Welcome Show to start. I called John and told him where to find us and he showed up at show time.  I'm not sure where the kids were but somewhere in the balcony as they saw us from above. The show was pretty Ho-Hum and I had trouble staying awake. It was the cruise director bringing some different people on stage and playing games, etc. Then the dance troupe came out and danced a "current" sort of dance young people would enjoy. I think the title was "Get Your Funk On" - yes, I'm pretty sure that's what they were saying (I hope). The evening is over and we fell into bed exhausted.

Sun, March 24: Sea Day. We slept very well. Our bed is quite comfortable to me, nice and soft. There is a bad sewer smell on our balcony this morning but after reported to our Cabin Attendant Deli, it has disappeared. Happy about that. John and June went to breakfast, I am doing this, and then they are going to get our wine that was confiscated from the suitcases when we checked in. You are allowed one bottle of wine each, but you are supposed to put it in your carryon, which of course we did not.

We had to talk to Julie and Adam, who seem to want to hang out most of the time. They are walking so fast that Jason cannot keep up. Julie promised she would not do that anymore. I reminded her that she was here to share the cruise experience with Jason. Let's hope that goes well from here on.

There are several options for lunch, none of them are the dining room.

It says in our "FUNTIMES" daily paper that today is the last day to purchase a drink package. I think most cruises let you buy it at anytime, but I'm not sure since I never bought one.

We went to the art auction. I got some pictures I think Jeff might like. I also won a free one.

Tonight is Formal night, or they call it Elegant night. Lobster. The food had been great but the shows are not much. Actually a little lewd for younger kids. I don't appreciate it either. We all left before it was over.

After the complaint about the odor on our balcony we got a call and they sent us 6 free drinks. Thankfully, the odor is gone now.

Mon, March 25: Cabo! We relaxed this morning and went to a very late breakfast/early lunch. I am liking the Indian food and the spices. After lunch and the open tenders were starting just before 1p, June, Jason, Julie and I went on shore. Jul and Jason did a little shopping and we took them to Senor Frogs for a Margarita in a huge glass. They had a blast. When we got there this gal came around with jello shots. She poured them in our mouth, rubbed our head, rubbed our faces in her boobs, shook our boobs, pinched our behinds, and then high-fived us. Jason sure blushed but he liked it! I turned off my airplane mode and used my phone to find out everyone was okay at home. I also sent them a few photos. Back to the ship and a nap before 5:45p dinner. John went ashore at some point but never found us. Julie bought a shirt and key ring, Jason got some sunglasses, as did June.

Our 3 Timeshares in the distance

There is a "Deli" back by the adult pool, the Tandoor place is there as well. I want to try the Deli tomorrow because the sandwiches look absolutely amazing!

They called again to ask us if the odor was gone, it is… but I think they are sending us a cheese plate now. I'm not sure because John took the call.

Dinner was delicious once again. I had veal parmesan, John had a lamb shank and the veal as well. Julie had the veal and the flank steak that is always on the menu. The veal could have used a little more sauce and the lamb shank was de-boned, but both were very good. June had a Portobello mushroom dish which she said was delicious. There are many menu choices and this far we have been very happy with everything.

We went to an art seminar after dinner to get another signature so we will have enough signatures in our booklet to earn a prize. Silly, but something to do. We didn't win anything tonight. The kids went to the Bumble Bee movie in the pool area. An enjoyable day but we are in our cabins by 8:30p because we have not been thrilled with the shows thus far. No problem though as we are having a good time.

Tue, March 26: Mazatlán. We were at a dock today, I was surprised. I think we have only tendered into this port in the past. It looks completely different than it did to me before. We are in more of a canal with a dock than on the ocean side. No view of the Swordfish statue is anywhere around. I'll have to figure out that later. 

John had breakfast, June and I had coffee. We found a nice table on deck 3 to play some Rummikub. Then when lunch time rolled around we found the BBQ and ate there. It was okay. The beef and chicken were pretty tasty but the rest was ho-hum. The dessert bar or Sweet Shoppe had a lot of choices. We played more Rummikub and then went to our cabin to relax and read. I watched a movie that happen to be starting called Age of Adilade or something like that.

We left port and watched that until we were almost late for our dinner time. Dinner was good and after that we went to the next art seminar. We obtained the signatures we needed and got the small, free artwork. None of us have been impressed with the shows so we just went back to our cabins for the night. Neither we or June have gotten our confiscated wine yet. I think it won't happen. We'll see, maybe tomorrow.

Wed. March 27: Puerto Vallarta. I'm not sure when we arrived because I was still in bed. John and June went to breakfast while I showered and did a little organization. My purse managed to collect a lot of unnecessary things. We chatted and watched TV, then went to lunch. After lunch we played Rummikub again in the Deli area. We got Deli sandwiches for lunch today. They look amazing but they all greatly lacked in flavor. I'm not sure why. June had the Ruben and said it was tasteless, as was my meatball sandwich and John's pastrami. Oh well, we have had a lot of good food on the ship. After Rummikub we went back to our cabins and rested. This has been a relaxing cruise so far. Dinner was delicious, my favorite for today was the peach soup, yum! The BBQ pork ribs John had were very good. Most of us had the country fried chicken, which was also good. Every night there is a vegetarian dish, pasta, fish, meat of some sort, usually two types. On the right side of the menu they have a dish created for the port we are in. That is nice. We did two art related stops after dinner. One was guess the weight of a sculpture and spinning a wheel for a prize. I won another work of art. I will pick something I think Jeff will like as our house if full already. Then there was an art scavenger hunt, that was harder than it sounds to match a work of art to a phrase on the paper. After that June was tired and went to her cabin. John and I wanted to watch a movie, The Green Book, at the Dive In Movies. Jason and Julie saved us a seat but after about 30 minutes we were too tired to enjoy it. The lounges aren't that comfortable. John and I headed back to our cabin as well. By then we had set sail north toward home. Below a view of the port. On the other side is WalMart and Sam's Club!

Thu. March 28: Sea Day. It was not a great day for me. I didn't feel good after eating some popcorn at that movie. About 1:30a I was still awake and instead of just a stomachache, cramps in my stomach began. By 2:30a the worst of it began. I never did throw up but felt I was about to all the time. Away I brought the prescription I had, thank God for that. Once I took the medication the lower gastric problem ended but not the cramping. It wasn't a good night.

John left and had breakfast with June and they went to the art auction at 1p. I stayed in bed.

Julie was in and out, she bought a shirt and mug and a ton of things at the arcade.

Our second formal night, no lobster for this night. I did go to dinner but didn't eat much. I am feeling okay, just a bit tired.

Fri. March 29: Our last full day at sea. June and I went to look in the shops but we didn't get anything. Supposedly the Clinique products were buy one get one 50% off but they had little to choose from and nothing I could use. From there we met John at the Art Appreciation event. It was nice, they served cheese, fruit, and mimosas.  We each got a free, large piece of artwork and a bottle of champagne. We had lunch after that. Surely we are getting spoiled because nothing seemed delicious! We proceeded to the final Art Auction after lunch. We have won a lot of free items. I did buy some artwork I thought Jeff might like. I will frame them myself.

We spent most of the afternoon playing Rummikub on the Lido deck. It was noisy but it is one of the few places that have tables large enough (not cocktail tables). It was time for our last dinner together. Von has been our waiter almost every night. He is a nice man, the joke is he is Von, James Von…  funny. He laughs so much about it, it makes us laugh.

We bid farewell to our traveling companions and went to pack. We all plan to walk off in the morning, but we aren't sure we will see each other. After packing Julie and Jason went up to the Dive-In Movies.

Sat.  March 30: We were up and out of our room by 8a. We are taking our own luggage off and it went quick and smooth. We were in the Jeep and headed home in no time flat. We got home before 1p. I called June a little later and they were home safe and sound as well. Julie was very happy and said she had a blast. She said when Dad took her home she was going to sleep. I guess that is the sure sign she had fun!!!