heckit's blog: Family Cruise

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Family Cruise

¿Qué quieren para su aniversario?

Nada.

¿Cómo que nada? ¿Nó queiren un a misa y una fiesta?

No. Por que se invitan algunos y otros se ofenden.

¿Qué quieren pues?

Before boarding

My parents decided that they wanted to go on a cruise with their children and grandchildren for their 50^th wedding anniversary. We chose to go the week before Christmas—so Santa wouldn’t be arriving with any presents this year—a blessing.

We booked a cruise on the Carnival Splendor. For many of us it was our first time on a cruise. I must say it is a good value. The cheapest cabins were about $2400, about $600 when split between three other mates. This includes your lodging, (all you can eat) buffet, and entertainment. The service was excellent. Our rooms were cleaned twice a day. There was wait staff on the Lido deck (where the buffet was) to quickly clean up after guests. And our wait staff for the formal dining Gold Pearl was affable and attentive. The guests are charged an $11.00 gratuity per day for all the service staff, but it was very reasonable.

The rooms were small but comfortable—my brothers and one nephew shared two bunk beds. There were no windows but we didn’t spend time in the room except to sleep. The shower always had hot water. Chocolates were left in our room everyday and fresh towels were made into animals on our return.

The buffet was decent. There was a wide selection from which to choose—so no one could complain of being hungry. Some items (omelets, panini sandwiches, etc) were made to order. There was always a food station that was available when the buffet was closed. The food in the formal dining area was fine—not quite SF quality but acceptable. The service made it more enjoyable. There was always a fixed menu (chicken, burgers, steak) and a rotating one: Aaron got to try alligator, shark, and sushi on various nights. None of us had the gumption to try escargot on the last day. The alcoholic beverages are extra—so the bill can add up. A beer could be $7.00 but you could buy a bucket for $22.00. And while I do not drink soda, they did have a “bottomless bubbles” option for those who wanted soda with their food.

The entertainment was good. They had song and dance reviews, a juggling show, comedy shows, bingo for cash and one Mardi Gras night. Yeah it was kind of cheesy, but it was fun. One comedian had the same act night after night but the other changed it around. The juggler was quite amazing as we were on a moving boat. The ship had a miniature golf course (9 holes), Ping-pong tables (which always seemed to be busy), a small track (10 laps equaled one “statutory” mile), lounge chairs and various pools.

We stopped in Cabo San Lucas for about four hours and were in Puerto Vallarta for 12 hours. Our stays in the ports of call were just too short to enjoy. In Cabo we had just enough time to get a short excursion to the famous arch and beaches. It was amazing to swim in the Pacific in December—water was clear and comfortable. Then we did some shopping and were back in line to get tendered to the ship. In Puerto Vallarta, my dad became sick so I stayed behind to make sure he was OK. While I would have like to have gone into town, I think my father wanted to go into town with his grandchildren even more.

Swimming in Cabo in December

El arco de Cabo San Lucas

On our last two days, it seemed we were hoofing it back to Long Beach, the water was choppier or we were going against the current. In any case, the boat moved a lot more and I lost my appetite—I was ready to be back on land. There were vomit bags at the elevators for those who needed them.

I don’t think I am a cruise kind of guy but I don’t regret going. The best part of the trip was just to spend time with my family and relax and enjoy the trip.