Cruise (ship!) 2011??

[Lola's Mom]

I have started this thread just in case there is real interest in a cruise .... this is the one that I have been looking at ... it's a 12-day to Alaska ... http://www.cruiseoutlet.com/results.do?places=A&days=ALL&month=ALL&dd=Any&d=&d2=&fd=2&c=ALL&v=ALL&p=SAN&price=&shoppingZipCode=&sort_by=7&Search.x=14&Search.y=5&cid=7KAYOT052620090001ALL&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=alaska_cruises_from_san_diego#, but we are not adverse to looking at the Mexican Riviera, or, if the price is right, maybe even one to the Bahama's ... But, pretty much, I'd like to do a trip in May or June ....

Mswaims .... this looks like something you would know much about ... and maybe something you would like to do ... ???

We've not ever been on a cruise of any kind so we are truly open to any suggestions .... even if this doesn't make it as an XLR "event" it would be great if anyone else that wanted to do something like this shared their interest, experience and advice! ..... I can't imagine more fun than to have my XLR friends on a ship ....

JetBoy .... if you time it right, you CAN do both!

 

[PassionDiva5150]

Ruth Ann, you know I am always up for a cruise. We have done several, most of them to Mexico, out of Los Angeles. The 7 night is always fun, we usually go on Princess, the ships are nice, the food is very good, lots of alcohol, and a cigar bar for the guys. The nice thing about Princess, is you can bring your wine with you. Mark has a wine suitcase he travels with. We have also done the 14 night to Hawaii, that is the best, I just don't know if most people can be gone that long, but it would be a fantastic cruise. But, the Mexican cruise is great. You visit Puerta Vallarta, Mazatlan, and Cabo. We did this cruise again in May, and it was perfect!!!!!

Glad you all had a great trip to Colorado, wish we could have made it, just wasn't in the cards at this time. Loved all the pictures, they are great.

 

[First Robin]

I agree with PD, cruise's are a great way to travel. The ten years I wintered in Florida I would do at least two and sometimes three every year. You do have to be careful about which line you sail with. Make sure the ship is one of the newer ones as the older ones are pretty worn out but still in service. Carnival didn't reveal to us they were using a few old ships from the '70's and the wiring was bad in the state rooms, took three days to get it fixed in several cabins. We had a group of fifty or so that would get together and just enjoyed going to different places. Cunard is one of my favorite lines, they have great destinations plus around the world for 105 days.

 

[Popbigguy]

12 days is a lonnng time to be on a cruise ship!!! We always do the 7 day cruises. The ALaska crusies are generally more expensive, they only run from May to maybe August. When Rogene and I went to Alaska, we went in early June and luckly,,,, we hit great weather. My suggestion, to stick with a 7 day run, it also cheaper than a 12 dayer! Duh..

Chad

 

[silverstreak]

Chad, your are right, 12 days is a long time to be on a ship. Sharon and I did the 14 day Panama canal cruise out of San diego to Ft Lauderdale last year and by the time we got to Ft. Lauderdale, I wanted off that ship as fast as I could get off.
Jim

 

[PassionDiva5150]

When we did the 14 night to Hawaii, I wanted to stay on the ship, Mark had to drag me kicking and screaming off!!!!!! But, I think the 7 night would be perfect, and I love the Mexican weather. Can we go now?????

First Robin is right, you need to make sure you pick a good ship. Celebrity is my favorite, but they don't do the west coast anymore, so we have settled on Princess, which is still a good line. Just need to decide where you want to go, and when, because the better cabins book early, and I need lots of time to pack!!!!!!!!

Now back to car business, took Passion Diva to the shop yesterday. Problems with the top, the ACC, the clock, and still have the noise in the front. Trying a new service department, Michaels Cadillac in Fresno. New service manager, Kevin J Moon, from the South. Says he know everyone at the Bowling Green plant. Does anyone know him?? Promises PD will be all "fixed". How many times have I heard that?????

 

[Lola's Mom]

When we did the 14 night to Hawaii, I wanted to stay on the ship, Mark had to drag me kicking and screaming off!!!!!! But, I think the 7 night would be perfect, and I love the Mexican weather. Can we go now?????

First Robin is right, you need to make sure you pick a good ship. Celebrity is my favorite, but they don't do the west coast anymore, so we have settled on Princess, which is still a good line. Just need to decide where you want to go, and when, because the better cabins book early, and I need lots of time to pack!!!!!!!!

Now back to car business, took Passion Diva to the shop yesterday. Problems with the top, the ACC, the clock, and still have the noise in the front. Trying a new service department, Michaels Cadillac in Fresno. New service manager, Kevin J Moon, from the South. Says he know everyone at the Bowling Green plant. Does anyone know him?? Promises PD will be all "fixed". How many times have I heard that?????

That noise you have in the front end was the same one Lola had .... after they changed out that differential (sp) fluid with the RIGHT one the noise disappeared..... I remember hearing that when I was with you in the grocery parking lot ... (you remember, the store that I had NEVER been into, but is your regular, and I still found the items before you did) (Don't ever divorce Mark.)

 

[PassionDiva5150]

That noise you have in the front end was the same one Lola had .... after they changed out that differential (sp) fluid with the RIGHT one the noise disappeared..... I remember hearing that when I was with you in the grocery parking lot ... (you remember, the store that I had NEVER been into, but is your regular, and I still found the items before you did) (Don't ever divorce Mark.)

HAHA!! You are sooo funny. You know I hate grocery stores, and only enter one, when I have no other option....

Cadillac has had PD since Tuesday. They were going to call me yesterday, before noon, I am still waiting for that call........

 

[Photo Girl]

An Alaskan cruise sounds like fun; wish we had the time to go.

 

[mswaim]

My 09 Shelby gets rode hard daily; rain or shine, has 44,000 miles, wearing its third set of tires and has never seen the inside of a service bay, except when they lift it for an oil change.

So far the repair folder for PD's car is about two inches thick, on a car with less than 30,000 miles. It's predecessor, the 04 XLR was worse, so I guess we should feel lucky........


On a bright note = I would like a cruise to Alaska, but most are one-way itineraries. Cruise up, fly back, or vice versa.

The 7 nights to Mexico are R/T and the ports offer plenty of variety, excursion-wise. Departs out of san Pedro, close to LAX which would provide direct flight access for most of you.

 

[mtrocket]

We are actually already planning a cruise to Alaska in 2011 (thinking May or June) with friends. So, a cruise to elsewhere is probably not in the cards for us.

 

[PassionDiva5150]

RuthAnn, where did you go???? I was thinking I saw a post from you late last night, but it could be all the meds..... Are you guys heading up this way soon???? You know we would love to see you. Give me a call, lets talk.

 

[Lola's Mom]

RuthAnn, where did you go???? I was thinking I saw a post from you late last night, but it could be all the meds..... Are you guys heading up this way soon???? You know we would love to see you. Give me a call, lets talk.

Yes there was a post .... and we are going to be in Flamingo Flats at the end of this month .... Ray just got called to work for tomorrow, and now I have to rearrange things to accomodate his last 4 days of the fiscal year .... ha! I was hoping I had deleted it before you saw it .... So far it looks like the very last few days of June ... Yes! I will call you as soon as his schedule is finalized -
We are going up the PCH/SJ/SF/Tri-Cities (maybe) and then home via the I-5 ....

I have been looking at that Mexican Riviera Cruise that Princess Lines offers .... so far they have not published the May/June 2011 schedule - And I do not want to travel in April .... the weather is way too iffy off of the Pacific Coastline until May.

So many cruises to choose from .... everyone we talk to says ... oh, we did the Mexican/Hawaiian/Alaskan/Carribbian/Greek --- fill in the blank cruise and IT is the BEST! We have never heard anyone say we took a cruise and hated it ......

 

[mswaim]

What's not to love? All the great food you can shovel down, waited on hand and foot AND they allow you to take aboard all the wine you can drink (that equates to 15 bottles for me). I know; but it's only a seven night cruise....

AND they have a great cigar bar (Churchill's).

Let us know when to roll out the flamingo carpet for you and Ray.

 

[Lola's Mom]

15 bottles???? Is that all? JK ... way to go!

I know there's plenty of nighttime activities .... but what does one DO during the day when the ship is out to sea????

 

[ChicagoDave]

15 bottles???? Is that all? JK ... way to go!

I know there's plenty of nighttime activities .... but what does one DO during the day when the ship is out to sea????

That's what is NICE about cruises... you don't have to do ANYTHING if you don't want to. But if you want to do stuff, most cruises have plenty to do. My wife, Cindy and I have done a few cruises (we did the Disney Cruise for our honeymoon - 20+ years ago). I've done skeet shooting during the day, fake surfing, swimming, laying in the sun, shuffle board (yes, it actually was pretty fun). I think it all depends on the cruise line. But sometimes, one needs to just DO NOTHING (so many vacations don't allow for that "nothing" time).

 

[First Robin]

15 bottles???? Is that all? JK ... way to go!

I know there's plenty of nighttime activities .... but what does one DO during the day when the ship is out to sea????

You can enjoy the spa, get your massage, hair styled, manicure, pedicure, facial, in other words get pampered and enjoy it. Some have movies, some have live entertainment. There are so many things to do you will complain there just are not enough hours in the day. When you go to shore they will pack you a lunch in case you don't want to eat local food or drink their water or they will send a launch to pick you up and bring you back to the ship for lunch if they have to anchor out in the bay and not at the dock. Some ports I have been to we had to stay out in the bay as the ship was too large to dock. You will absolutely love going on a cruise, I highly recommend it to everyone.

 

[mswaim]

As others have indicated, lots of things to keep you occupied =

Tours of the ship

10 bars

new-release movies in the afternoon

casino is always open when at sea

10 bars

wine tasting

art shows and auctions

craft displays

golf lessons

spa

10 bars

Cooking demos from the head chefs

at least 10 bars

three swimming pools, one is covered

shuffle board

more than 10 bars

wireless internet everywhere so you can locate all 10 bars

shopping in all of the on-board shops

stage shows

10 bars to choose from.............

and that's just what I can think of off the top of my head. They publish and deliver each night a list of the next day's events and it takes up two pages.

 

[HOMEGAMEROOM]

You had me at "10 bars"!

 

[mswaim]

Did I mention the Sports Bar, the Wake Bar, the Schooner bar, Churchill's Bar, the Wheelhouse Bar, Skywalkers Night Club, Fusion Club and Bar, the Martini Bar, and a couple of others I got thown out of before I could get the name....................