Barbi and I really enjoyed our time visiting 4 of the properties of Karisma Hotels, consisting of Azul Sensatori, Azul Fives, El Dorado Royale, El Dorado Maroma, and Generations Maroma. Azul and Generations are fantastic family friendly properties, with plenty to do for adults and children alike. The El Dorado properties are for adults. Having between 30 and and 476 suites, each property has it's own uniqueness and ambiance. All have access to fantastic beaches, one of which was listed in the top 10 by the Travel Channel (El Dorado Maroma). The "Gourmet Inclusive" concept is also unique and award winning. As Karisma Hotels States: "
Your Gourmet vacation starts the moment you enter one of our Mexico all inclusive honeymoon or vacation resorts in Cancun. You are greeted with a smile, a refreshing towel and a welcome cocktail. The décor and overall atmosphere of the resorts provide for a relaxed yet upscale environment with lush landscaping, beaches lined with beach beds and multiple pools with swim-up bars. You will be pampered with Gourmet services and amenities such as beach butlers, concierge, turn-down, 24-hour room service, premium beverages and Gourmet cuisine. The latter, which is the foundation for Gourmet Inclusive, has been lauded “Superb,” “Best in class,” “Decadent” and “Outstanding.” To us it simply means creating delicious meals in pleasant environments by our star chefs. Here, you will be indulged with Gourmet hospitality every moment of your stay."
During our stay, I had many opportunities to converse with locals about the area around Cancun and on down the coast past Playa Del Carmen. My main objective was to get a feel for the safety of this area. Mexico has been plaqued in recent years with volence issues, most of which are limited to the boarder town regions, such as Chihuahua, Nogales, Tijuana, and Juarez. Some spillage has occured in popular places like Mazatlan and Acapulco. But here in Cancun, where this location relies almost 100% on tourism, it is safe. Just like any city, there are pockets where tourists and even some locals avoid, like spots in "OLD" Cancun, which have issues from time to time. However, these are places that tourists are not taken through. I can think of similar places in Glendale, AZ; West Valley City, UT; Baltimore, MD (Where I am at at this moment); Miami, FL, and New York City. Unfortunately, violence in all of it's terrible forms, exists because this world and the people in it are not perfect. Interestingly enough, when I booked my travel through a corporate travel organization, from Cancun to Baltimore, I received a warning letter telling me that I was traveling to a very dangerous city, with many murders, and that the American Consolate was located in Washington, D.C. if I needed help. I thought it was hilarious.
Cancun, according to a USAToday article in 2011, produces 50% of all of Mexico's income. It is a very vital and strategic place to keep safe. Funjet Vacations states in the same article, that "91% of people who go to Mexico express satisfaction and intend to go back." I can raise my hand as part of that 91%. I felt very safe wherever I went. In fact, we visited Ensenada Mexico this past July, and I observed that all of the streets I travelled on were definitley closer to this century. The streets were clean and well signed. Whenever we entered a hotel zone, and then again when entering a specific property, our shuttle or bus was stopped and questions were asked as to who was entering, how many were entering, and why. Victor, one of our guides from Lomas Travel, noted that people cannot come and go as they please from these properties. Security personnel are always at the gates. When Barbi and I checked out, we were given a check out pass, which was showed to the bell boy.
Mexico is a big country, and certainly, there are issues. But when it comes to Cancun, The Riviera Maya, and Playa del Carmen, I have no concerns there at all. I would, and do encourage people to travel to this hot spot of beauty. The people who work in these resorts are happy to have you there. They greet you all the time with an "hola" or "Buenos Dias"...Or...Would you like a Margarita, Senor? No? Pina Colada? Mojito? I have to say, I got hooked on the Virgin Mojito's served up by the staff in the Mojito Bar. Seriously here, my friends. If I could return tomorrow and spend a couple weeks, I would! There are two bucket list items that still need to be fulfilled. Swimming with Whale Sharks and Visiting Tulum. And then there is Chichen itza. Oh, and shopping in Playa del Carmen. Oh and Scuba Diving. And.......
We have taken a step off the cruise ship and onto the beach by visiting Azul Sensatori Mexico, in the Riviera Maya. As a result, we have discovered there is a difference in the All Inclusive Resorts and what Karisma Hotels calls, Gourmet Inclusive. This resort caters to adults, couples, groups, and families (I am big on that), with lavish amenities and services that foster togetherness. Unique amenities offered include 24 hour room service, Beach Butlers, King Size Beach Beds, Private Swim up Suites, full service concierge, and gourmet cuisine served a la carte.
Arriving in Cancun, which we have never flown into before, was yet another learning experience, which we always want to share with you. Our package included transportation from the airport to the resort through Lomas Travel. This organization is easily picked out since they wear teal shirts and white ties. What I did not realize is that they were outside the terminal. Before getting there, we were accosted by vendors trying to sell us Transportation, excursions, and day trips, saying, "Yes, we know Lomas, and we work with them. Go see Manuel over there". When we finally figured out what was going on, 15 minutes later, and got ourselves outside, we found our Lomas team happily waiting for us. They had our names, loaded us up in a Lincoln Navigator equipped with WiFi, and headed down the road. So lesson is, if you fly into Cancun and we have already scheduled your transportation, nicely pass all those people by and head OUT the doors...as quick as you can!!!! I would highly suggest you reserve the transportation before hand anyhow. Peace of Mind, ya know.
Being September, and having the beginnings of a tropical depression on the otherside of the Yucatan, have made it a very rainy time. So much rain has come down, as we were travelling down the road to the resort, it became a lake. Like a 2 mile long Lake. I jokingly told our driver, "I guess this makes walking to the resort difficult?" He responded, "Oh yes. And there are alligators out there too." Needless to say, I did not jump out. It seems very remote getting to the resort, but here along the Riviera Maya, there are resorts as far as you can see. The weather is warm and it is very humid. Just know, it's the way it is here. Always be prepared for rain. I think it's funny. All these people hanging out by the pool. It starts to rain, and they get up and run inside. I walked around int he rain yesterday and found it to be warmer than the pool water and actually quite nice to be in. The ocean is also warm, which makes getting in really fun. Not JAcuzzi warm mind you, but halfway in between San Diego and St Petersburg, FL in the height of summer. NICE!
I could get very used to this. I love exploring different country's with the cruise option. But when it's time to just relax, I am definitely doing the Gourmet Inclusive. The Molcajete we had at Zocalo last night was out of this world. Truely a myan inspired gourmet dish. Lunch on the beach today included Paella, which was the best I have ever had. Tonight, we are going to the Italian Restaurant, Siena. These types of specialty restaurants would cost you an additional $15 - $25 per person on a cruise ship. Here! It's included.
We are in the waning hours of preparation for boarding the Star Princess heading to Alaska on a 7 day voyage. Many of our friends are asking questions like, "can I use my WiFi Hotspot?" or "Is WiFi available on the ship" or "How much does it cost to make a phone call?"
Getting on a cruise ship allows you to leave your cares behind or stay in control of all your business. Technology has grown so fast that we don't have to be completely out of contact when sailing on the high seas. It is important for you to discover the details of your two sources of communication. Your wireless provider and your cruise ship.
Princess cruises, who we are sailing on to Alaska on Sunday, has done a good job of having WiFi available in almost all the guest staterooms and public areas. But WiFi is not free. All cruise lines charge to have access to their WiFi network, so contemplate how many minutes of connection time you might need, and purchase it when you get on board. Then have fun surfing away, though don't expect fast throughput speeds. It is satellite based, ya know!
All the cruise lines have agreements with the major cell phone carriers, which allow you to make phone calls on your cell phone and receive emails on your smart phone device. But, again, the carriers usually charge international rates when on the cruise ship. The same goes with sending and receiving emails or browsing the Internet on your smart phone or tablet (Including the HotSpot), except that deals with "Data". Talk to your wireless carrier on international data roaming. We don't want you to be surprised with a several hundred dollar bill when you get home, because your smart phone works on the ship. The ship may not block you and your carrier may not warn you.
We always recommend that those departing on a cruise, should arrive in your port city early. For us, and departing on July 8th (The 4th being a Wednesday), and also having family that lives in the Seattle area, it was a great excuse to come in 5 days early! I was most excited to get away from the state of Utah being on fire...Literally! We have not had rain for more than 38 days, and the average temperature has been somewhere around "Welcome to Hell". With consistent south winds, and people who do not even listen or watch the news for 5 seconds each day, the fires burning in Utah continue to be mostly human caused. How sad is that? But I slightly digress!
As I said, I am excited to get away from the fires, the heat, the lack of rain, and the lack of green, to head somewhere where green abounds. The reason for that green is of course...RAIN! Rain makes corn, corn makes whiskey. Whiskey makes my baby, just a little frisky". We arrived at SeaTac airport at 11am, with lots of clouds and the temperature right around 60 degrees! AHHH! I love walking down the concourse with different fish imprinted in the floor. Salmon is most noticeable. I have to say, being in the pacific northwest, I am really pumped about consuming a lot of fish. My cousin picked us up in her truck (there are 5 of us), and getting out of the airport was a breeze. We quickly moved to I5 and headed south to where my cousin lives.
Similar feeling of visiting the Washington D.C. Area came to me, because of the tall trees and vines growing everywhere. I feel like breathing deeply when ever I visit here..and I do! Heading through the Tacoma area, my cousin told us about the Brown-Haley Almond Roca Outlet Store here. WHAT? Oh my, we have to visit. People are excited about the 4th of July tomorrow, and fireworks are going off sporadically around us here in Olympia. Unlike Utah, fireworks are not banned here because of the threat of a wild fire. Tall old growth forests, ferns that seem like they are still growing from the Jurassic period, Moss growing on roofs. I love it here!
Barbi and I have been feeling sticker SHOCK at airline prices from Salt Lake City to Honolulu lately. Fuel prices continue to drive up the cost of Jet-A, and thus flights from here to there. I have a work associate who has a son serving as a missionary in Hawaii (I Know! Tough gig, huh?), and they would like to return there with him, after he is finished with his service time. I mentioned to him that airfare from Utah is running between $939 and over $1,200 per person. GAG...Gulp! Then he stated something I have always known. "For that kind of money, I might as well cruise there and back." Uh, YEAH!
I know this might not be for everyone, especially those who don't have to penny pinch. But if you have 2 weeks, why not consider a round trip Los Angeles cruise to Hawaii? Right now, in April 2013, published fares on Princess.com range from $1,695 for an inside to $2,595 for a balcony cabin. you catch a quick $250 flight to LA, board the ship, and relax. Two weeks of pure bliss! No 6 hour flights (Both ways), in a cramped coach seat, where the comfort was left in the terminal. Here, you can drink a Mai Tai. Get a Tan. Catch a show. Watch a movie on the big screen outside. Visit 4 of the Hawaiian Islands and Ensenada Mexico. I am telling you, there is no more comfortable and value based way to visit Hawaii!
Fly to Hawaii ($1,000), Stay in a 4 star resort ($200 per person/per day), Rental Car ($40 per person/per day), and $50.00 for meals per person/per day for 7 days, and stay ONLY on Oahu (Honolulu). You would EASILY spend $3,000 per person for the trip. No entertainment. GAS for the rental car is expensive. That is an average of $428 per person/per day.
Fly to Los Angeles ($250), Board the Golden Princess (4 Star Resort all by itself) and unpack in your balcony stateroom $2,595. Cost would be $2,845 per person. That's $203 per person/per day (Half the price). And you are not limited to just 1 island, but 4. A total of 44 hours spend between all the islands port time. Minimum 9 hours. You can do about anything while you are there.
So, when considering travelling to a distant land, consider cruising there. I have a friend who does not like to fly, so they are boarding a cruise ship this month in Australia and cruising to Vancouver, British Columbia. Travel between New York and London in 6 days. (No Jet Lag There) Ft. Lauderdale and Rome in 14 days. Ft. Lauderdale and Manaus Brasil. Los Angeles to Santiago Chile. Vancouver to Beijing China. No matter the destination, a cruise ship can get you pretty dang close.
The cruising industry (Not Tom Cruise) continues to grow and keep up with the ever changing world we live in. And though there have been "Incidents" over the last year, more and more people are embracing the excellent way to travel that we know as a CRUISE! Unpack Once! Visit many places without having to repack, go through an airport, schedule multiple hotels, etc. In the last 5 years, because of cruising, Barbi and I have visited 29 countries, seen things we only dreamed of, and made long lasting friends.
More people booked on Costa for the up-coming Easter weekend than last year!
Carnival Destiny is going through a $155M makeover and being renamed the Carnival Sunshine, and will home port in New Orleans.
The New Royal Princess debut's next year with some of the most exciting innovation in the industry.
Carnival Sunshine departs the shipyard at Fincantieri in Italy in April 2013 with Carnival 2.0 in force on the ship, along with 182 new staterooms.
Norwegian Breakaway enters service in April 2013 taking passengers on 7 day fun filled voyages to Bermuda from New York City.
Viking took possesion of 4 new ships this year and have ordered 4 more for 2014.
Barbi and I are escorting 400 people on 2 cruises this year to Alaska and Hawaii.
I mentioned Norwegian Breakaway and Bermuda in the news briefs above. Some people don't want to be "stuck" on a ship for 7 days. Well, Here is an excellent adventure! On Norwegian's itinerary, you spend 2 days sailing from New York to Bermuda, then you are "Camped" there for almost 3 full days. Take your time and explore every nook and cranny of this pink sand wonder. Don't feel hurried to get back to the ship! When you are tired, come back to the ship to sleep. It is there for you. Next day, enjoy! When you depart, there is only the evening and the next full day at sea, then back in New York City. Easy access to anywhere in the world from there!
Warwick Long Bay, Bermuda (Photo By Scott Cleghorn)
First Impression. WOW! When this ship launched in 2006, it was the largest cruise ship in the world. At 1081 feet long and 138 feet wide, she is impressive to behold. And for me, this ship would continue to impress me all week long on our Western Caribbean itinerary departing out of New Orleans, LA.
We arrived in the “Big Easy” the day before departure to experience some of what the Crescent City has to offer. Lucky for us, the BCS championship game between LSU and Alabama was scheduled for the following Monday, so we were not alone in wanting to party. Because of all the college students, we got a glimpse of what Mardi Gras would be like on Bourbon Street. WILD!
And I even scored some beads to take home. Visiting New Orleans would not be complete without shopping and eating in the French Quarter and visiting one of the famous cemeteries. I have always been partial to St Louis Cemetery #1, where the tomb of Marie Laveau is situated. A celebrated voodoo queen, many visit her grave with gifts to bring them good luck. To the lady who left the almost empty packet of Birth Control Pills, I hope your luck was incredible! Along those same lines, I made sure to pick up some voodoo dolls to bring home to my friends. Just in case they need them in the future.
We stayed in the Drury Inn and Suites and were surprised at how nice these accommodations were. Convenient to walking to Bourbon St and the down town area, it was very well appointed. What I did not like was the constant sound of the trolley passing by on train tracks all night long. I am a light sleeper and the noise kept me up. If you stay there, get a room on the opposite side of the hotel from the trolley. Don’t miss 5:30 kickback in the evenings. It is a light dinner. Breakfast is perfect to get you going.
Arriving at the Port of New Orleans is a little odd if you are arriving by car. You have to drive almost 2 miles out of the way to drop off baggage, which is what we did so we would be able to enjoy the morning without having to drag around our bags. We drove to the port at 10:30 and easily dropped off our bags…twice. After dropping off our car at Avis on Canal Street, and after winding our way through the French Quarter,
we picked up the trolley car at Canal Street, which dropped us off at the cruise terminal. Nice!
We have never arrived at the cruise port at a time when everyone else in the world is arriving! The line was incredibly long. But we proceeded steadily and at a decent pace through the first security check point. Have your boarding pass and passport/birth certificate handy. From there we went through the carry-on bag screening. Don’t try to carry onboard any irons, pocket knives, or alcohol. It’ll be confiscated! Then, we finally got to check-in, which really only took about 10 minutes. Have your boarding pass and passport/birth certificate in hand. BY now, we had been in the process about 45 minutes. Not bad. After receiving our Sea Pass cards, we headed up the escalator to board the ship, being stopped 3 times along the way to show our Sea Pass cards (Like anyone could smuggle their way through to this point!!), we arrived at the first ship photo opportunity. After so many cruises, we now just pass by and say no thanks.
Entering the Voyager of the Seas on Deck 4 forward, near the La Scala Theater. Due to a small outbreak of the Noro Virus on the previous sailing, The crew was spending a little extra time deep cleaning, so boarding time was delayed about an hour, which was another reason why we were boarding at the time as everyone else. Cruise ship companies always say the health and safety of the passengers and crew are their first priority. I really appreciate that! Here are 2 banks of 3 elevators, port and starboard side. Incredibly, we were immediately able to get aboard one elevator to take us to deck 9, where we stayed in an inside, wheel chair accessible stateroom (9557). My mother joined us on this cruise. As she uses a walker and a wheel chair, the accessible room was a necessity. We were really happy with the oversized inside stateroom. There is room enough to move around, and to store the wheel chair and walker. OH! The Walker! We checked it with Royal Caribbean, who must have put it on the bottom of one of those large bins and threw 1,000 pounds of luggage on top of it. When it was delivered to the stateroom, it was bent and Broken. Note to anyone travelling with both modes of transportation. Keep them with you. Lucky, the broken support bar was not completely broken through, and the walker remained usable throughout the cruise. The person at the Guest Services desk reimbursed my mother to get a new one.
The Voyager of the Seas is a remarkable ship, even after 6 years since it emerged. It has so many venues to keep you busy and entertained. The La Scala Theater was the place we found ourselves almost every evening. We saw the Royal Caribbean Singers and Dancers perform 4 different times. Glenn Smith, Las Vegas Dynamic Entertainer http://glennsmithmusic.com/ was amazing. Dan Grueter’s comedy had us rolling in the aisles, even though he picked on us Utah people, and Michigan, and Ohio, and Match.com newlywed’s. What fun. And what a beautiful theater it is. Honestly, the most beautiful I have ever seen. This ship sports a regulation size ice skating rink in Studio B on deck 3. We watched an awesome production Ice Skating show that was right out of the Olympics or Disney On Ice. In Cleopatra’s needle, we watched a Jazz Cabaret Show performed by the Royal Caribbean Singers. And the dance floor was there to be used by everyone. A note here. The Connoisseur Club is next door and Cigar smoke is very strong at the entrance and the back part of the theater. Take seats up front to avoid the smoke if you don’t like it.
The most fabulous, and innovative at the time, is the Royal Promenade.
Located on deck 5 down the middle of the ship from forward to aft elevators, this area is full of life at almost all times of the day and night. Enjoy some Ben and Jerry’s Ice cream. Take in a slice of Pizza, a cookie, or a sandwich at Café Promenade. Shop til you drop at all the shops the ship has to offer. Enjoy a live football game at the sports bar. If you need any assistance, Guest Services and the Shore Excursion desk are here too. This area is wide open and airy, being 5 stories tall and also sports windows from inside cabins that have windows overlooking the promenade. I often wondered just how quiet those rooms are with an entertainer playing a loud guitar in the Pig and Whistle Pub right below. I would love to hear from anyone on this. There are a lot of other places to visit, so check out the inside of the ship. Don’t miss out on staring at the $8.5M worth of art that is on permanent display onboard the Voyager of the Seas. Most of it Roman and Greek in origin.
Outside, you can enjoy so many things, you will never be board. When I visited the rear of deck 13 and 14, I was amazed to find the basketball court in full swing. Not a full court game of hoops, but half court game, with the other half being used as a soccer game. I have never seen this on any ship I have ever been on.
And the other times I went back there, it was still being used. It’s not just the basketball court, but also the table tennis tables, the 9 hole miniature golf course, the inline skate track, and OH, the Rock Climbing wall. I climbed that wall twice. Cool! Back here is also a children’s play pool area. Deck 11 sports 2 salt pools and 6 hot tubs, which are often the center of all the outside activities. On day 6, ribs were barbequed and served pool side with lots of music and deck chairs for sun worshipping. As is typical, there is an adults only area that also has a salt pool and 2 large hot tubs, in a quiet area with 6 famous Greek gods and generals watching over the area.
If you want to stay fit while cruising, the Ship Shape fitness center on deck 11 forward is very large, with lots and lots of treadmills, ellipticals, stationary bicycles, and free weights. Use of a sauna and steam room are available here. Or simply plop into a hot tub here too. This is the best fitness center ever! Up on deck 12, there is a running track that you can run a mile after 5 laps. Barbi and I mostly prefer to take the stairs whenever we move from deck to deck to get our exercise.
Food is an important part of cruising. There are 3 main dining rooms on decks 3, 4, and 5 aft.
The Garden Café on Deck 11 is the ever popular buffet. Café Promenade as I mentioned earlier, or room service. For specialty dining, try Johnny Rockets on deck 12 for a old fashioned burger and fries. Eat all you want for $4.95 each. Their famous malt shakes are extra, but for returning Crown and Anchor members, your coupon book will have a 2 for 1 in it. Use it. Portofino next to the Garden Café on Deck 11, is the specialty Italian restaurant for $20 per person. My biggest complaint here is that the Garden Café closes at 9pm. If you want a real meal after 9 pm, it’ll either be Johnny Rockets (Open to midnight) or room service (A $3.95 fee applies between midnight and 5am). Café Promenade is open 24 hours, but it is light snacks…unless you want to eat your fill of Pizza.
Overall, I really enjoyed my time on the Royal Caribbean Voyager of the Seas. Our stateroom was excellent. Our cabin steward (Pedro) was effective and took care of our room when we were not there. Our waiters, Made and Artem, in the Carmen Room, were awesome and attentive. The Roast Lamb was the best I ever had. My very favorite spot on the ship?
High Notes Lounge, Deck 14 in the Viking Crown. OMH! The best view of any ship I have ever been on, that is inside. Another favorite…access to the very front of the ship at all times for that “King of the World” moment.
Wishes for improvement.
·WiFi available in all staterooms (This should happen in dry dock next year).
·The Garden Café open 24 hours
·There is supposed to be 1 heated pool. I could not find it. Make that happen with fresh water instead of salt.
·Passenger use laundramat, for the self serving passenger.
The Norwegian Epic, as briefly mentioned in my previous blog, is an amazing ship in many ways. We did make the 1.8 Mile hike from the Freedom Tower MetroMover stop, thinking we would need the excercise to ward off the evil spirits of eating too much on a cruise ship. We only regretted that move because the sidewalk ended just after crossing the bridge on NE 6th Street. This forced us to cross a couple roads, which were busy, and ended up walking along 2 different and equally busy cruise ship terminals, Celebrity, Carnival, a non-used one, then finally the Norwegian terminal. We were excited to arrive at the vary same time as a friend and his wife (Paul and Krista), who had arrived late the night before and who stayed in Ft. Lauderdale.
Garden Cafe Forward overlooking Italian Restaurant
Since we were on opposite ends of the ship, for check-in, we had to split up; Barbi and I heading toward the bow, Paul and Krista staying there at the aft. This was about 11:30am. Check-in was rather flawless and quick, which makes me glad we arrived a little early. A little different than Princess, we were checked in, then sent to a waiting area for when they would allow us to board. It wasn't bad and there was juice that was available. We were in the 4th group boarding, when they called us at about 12:30, and we boarded on deck 6 forward, but we were told that our staterooms would not be available until approx 2pm, so we headed up to deck 15 and the Garden Cafe for lunch. The buffet takes up the whole forward part of the ship on Deck 15. The design made it really easy to get food without standing in a line for too long. The same items are served in different locations. I went for a really cheesy mac-n-cheese, a roasted chicken breast, and some steamed broccoli. My only disappointment here, and throughout the cruise was that no one came and asked if we needed anything. They would clear used plates, but that was about it. OH! Except to ask if we needed anything from the bar (Extra $$). I did like that there were always utensils wrapped in cloth napkins stacked in a holder on the table. That is unique. The menu in the Garden Cafe never varied from day to day, which I found to be a disappointment. But, the usual good things were ALWAYS available. Burgers, Hotdogs, Pizza, salad, coldcuts, and really good selection of Ice cream flavors (Not just soft serve vanilla and chocolate). How 'bout butter pecan? Surprise, we were allowed to go to our staterooms at 1:30. Early!
Epic theater
During this cruise, we really took advantage of the available entertainment on-board. Of critical importance, everyone should know that if you intend on seeing the world famous Blue Man Group, I strongly urge you book your seats well in advance of sailing. We booked 45 days before, as these shows are always sold out. And WOW! Was it an awesome show. And it is COMPLIMENTARY! Consider this. If you go to Vegas, tickets will cost you more than $100 to see them in decent seats. Your cruise fare includes admission. I would say that what you pay for this cruise is WELL worth it. Also available for your entertainment, and again complimentary; The Second City comedy troup from New York in Headliners Comedy Club. Alumni from this group includes John Belushi, Martin Short, John Candy, and Gilda Radner. The comedy and improvisation was amazing. For a show in Chicago, you would pay $30 pp. Your cruise fare is getting cheaper by the day! Finally, there was Legends in Concert. Performing on stage for us was Steven Tyler (OMH, was he good)., Lady Gaga, and Elvis Presley. I sang at the top of my lungs to Aerosmith favorites, while the Tyler imitator strutted around the stage and put on a really good show. I am not much of a Gaga fan, and Elvis is always a favorite, but I would go back to this show. If you were to attend one of these concerts at Bally's in Atlantic City, you would pay $37.50 per person. Though we did not go, Nickelodian's Slime Time Live was also there for you and the kids to enjoy. There was other entertainment that was available for purchase, such as Cirque Dreams and The Second City's murder mystery theater lunch. We did go to the murder mystery and really enjoyed it, at the price of $20 per person. As I said earlier, it is easier to book before the cruise. But if you wait, there is a ticket counter on deck 5 or your stateroom interactive TV, which is convenient. One other complementary place you should NOT miss. If you like blues music, then do not pass by Fat Cats. The band that played in here each night was incredible. I took 10 seconds of video for an overall video production, and was immediately told to turn off the camera.
Balcony Stateroom 9060
OK, I am going to insert my biggest disappointment with the Epic. The Stateroom. We had a balcony stateroom, and I guess I have always come to expect a little bit more for the price. But this ship was built in France and has a very distinctive European design. The first thing I had to overcome was the 12" - 18" of space at the foot of the bed. Our luggage was placed outside the stateroom for us to retrieve, but I could not roll it past the foot of the bed. Had to heave the luggage onto the mat placed on the bed. I noticed throughout embarkation day that no cabin steward ever took luggage into the stateroom. No special treatment here. Also notice the curtain on the far side of the bed? This is the divider between the toilet, behind frosted glass on the left, and the shower on the right. One positive note, the curved design of the glass for the toilet and shower provided extra shower space. For a change, I did not have to worry when dropping the soap on the floor. See the towel hanging on the glass of the shower enclosure? Right below and slightly right...there's the sink. It is on the bedroom side of the curtain...right at the foot of the bed. You could sit on the foot of the bed and wash your hands. The bed was rounded at the foot and a little short for even me, and I am 5'9. A couple days into the cruise, we discovered that the mattress and frame could be pushed back to give you a little more passing room, but then the bed sleeping was messed up. Our cabin steward, Marlin, would always pull it back out to remake it. Since this was the second voyage of the Epic since it's return from Europe, I think Marlin was still on European time. The room was never made up before noon and never turned down before 8pm. I guess she always expected we would be eating breakfast at 10am and eating dinner at 9pm, and always taking 2 hours or more to do so. But you know what? We always say..."You never spend that much time in the stateroom anyway."
Group dinner in The Manhattan
Dining aboard the Epic can be varied, depending on your tastes and budget. The first night, we ate in the Manhattan Room, Deck 6 aft. We arrived at 5pm for the opening of the restaurant, along with 50 or so others in the line. This dining room has a dress code, despite Norwegian being a "Freestyle" cruise line. No shorts allowed. There were several who were angry about this policy, as they were past passengers and were under the impression this policy did not apply on the day of embarkation, due to luggage still being delivered to staterooms. A couple were able to argue their way past it by using this excuse, or pointing at the man in the wheel chair and saying..."he's wearing shorts!" I believe a few of the passengers in following days would be disappointed about NOT knowing that this first night, LOBSTER was served. I was not disappointed. The Lobster was served as a cut in half tail, grilled, with the typical appetizers, salads, and dessert. We were also instructed we could have multiple servings of the Lobster without having to order a whole additional plate of food. NICE! Considering the smallness of the tail, I think I had 3 half tails. All in all, probably 6 oz in weight. Not bad for the diet, ya know. The Manhattan room sports a jazz ensemble that plays music, along with some occasional singing, and a floor that is big enough for dancing. We ate with Paul and Krista, and they got up and danced. The only problem was where we sat, which was up close to the band, it was a little loud for conversation. On another night when we ate here, with the group pictured above, we were farther back and it was perfect level for conversation and enjoying the music too. We discovered a couple days later, that the line to get into Tastes Restaurant is not as long. This restaurant is on Deck 5 mid-ship and requiring you to take the elevators/stairs in the forward section or the Escalators midship from Deck 7 in the Casino. This restaurant is quite nice, but, we were told, does not have the dress code of shorts. I never wore shorts to dinner, so I guess I never really got stopped. It has the same menu as the Manhattan Room, and a part of it has an open area of dining looking up to the Casino on Deck 7. We ate here more than the Manhattan Room and really liked it. The wait staff were awesome, the atmosphere serene and quiet.
Tastes Restaurant From Above
O'Sheehans Bar and Grill is another you can choose from. Eat a British style lunch of fish and chips, or any of the other menu items, then play some billiards. Or take in a round of bowling. Yes! Really, there are three lanes of bowling here. (More on that later). If you are willing to spend a little extra, there are a whole host of specialty restaurants available to you. I had Sushi at Wasabi. Not badly priced depending on what you order. Barbi and I also visited Moderno Churrascaria, a Brazilian Steak House. If you have never visited this type of restaurant and you love meat, this is heaven for you. The cover charge is $25 pp, which is very competetive with Rodizio Grill or Tucano's here in Utah. There is an all you can eat salad bar and then the waiters come by every minute or so delivering different flavored meats to you, such as (My favorite) Garlic Sirloin, Bacon Wrapped Chicken, Lamb, and Tenderloin. They keep delivering until you turn over the little wooden thingy to display the red end, which signals Surrender! Another favorite specialty restaurant is Teppanyaki, which is a Japanese steak house. If you Like Benihana or the shore side Teppanyaki restaurants, you will feel right at home here. Same cover charge, $25 pp. With 21 places to eat (Including Room Service), which are either complimentary or have a cover charge, you will never want for a bite to eat. NEVER!
Now for fun! The Epic is loaded with fun things to do, both for kids and adults. Now some may think I am a child at heart (Barbi would whole heartedly agree), but I believe the Epic Plunge slide video above shows how fun this can be for everyone! There are 3 slides in total. The purple is longer than the green, but the plunge was definitely the most fun. I went twice! Just behind the stairs to the plunge is a large children's water area, which is more shaded to protect those sensitive little skins from sunburn. Lots of Hot tubs all over the ship, including Spice H2O, which is an adults only area most of the time. There is a pool here too, which doubles as a stage for other performances, along with a large screen TV. We watched a video of Plácido Domingo one night. There is also an inside big screen at the Atrium, Deck 5 mid-ship, where I found Barbi one day watching Soul Surfer. The Epic Casino takes up half of Deck 6, and WOW! Was it packed every night. Some say that Carnival is the "Booze Cruise" (Which I don't agree with), but I will say this appeared to be the "Gambler's Cruise". During our NCL briefings, we found out that when the Epic is in Europe, the Casino is rarely used. But when it comes back to the Caribbean, it is most definitely used. I tried my hand at the "extreme" climbing wall, but could not get this slightly overweight body over the 2 foot ledge above me. I worshipped the sun from my balcony and from the pool deck. For those of you who "Truely" worship, there is a "Freestyle Sundeck" on Deck 19, which is adults only, and cannot be viewed from above or below. Sun however you like here!!!! I was wowed by the amount of machines and free weights at the fitness center. Honestly, I have never seen that many free weights on any ship. For those who love to play some hoops, there is a full size basketball court on the back of the ship above Spice H2O. Never seen that on any ship either! And one other First! Bowling! There are three lanes at O'Sheehans and 2 Lanes at Bliss Deck 7 Forward. We bowled and had a blast doing it.
For the Solo Traveler, the Epic is the first in the industry to offer solo staterooms, and priced as such.
The whole length and inside Deck 12, you will find the Studio's, which are accessible only by those who reside there, and not the general passengers. They have a gathering area and a snack bar just for these stateroom, along with planned activities just for the solo travelers. At 100 Sq Ft, these cabins are small, but fully functional with the needs of solo travelers in mind. With an Amsterdam flair, there are round windows in each stateroom which one can view the passersby in the hallway outside. Each stateroom has a queen size bed (Though designated a double) and with all of the activities and attractions on this ship, I for one believe it is a singles dream. No more begging or bribing a friend to go along to share the cost of a double occupancy stateroom. Go on your own and make new friends. Barbi and I met one such traveler by the pool one day. She loved being on the ship and having the privacy of her solo stateroom. For those who want more exclusivity. May I introduce The Haven Suites. These luxurious accommodations at the front and top of the ship range in size from 322 to 5,722 square feet (Sleeps 8). This area has it's own private entrance, pool, restaurant, concierge, and fitness center. We were able to tour this area and it is amazing. If you think it is out of your price range, think again.
Three couples could share the cost of the 5,722 Sq Ft, 3 bedroom Garden Villa comfortably. And since it is a 3 bedroom villa, each bedroom has it's own private bath, and a hall bath. Similar to a 3 bedroom condo. Really! Check it out and live the life of luxury without having to hock your BMW! Norwegian does really well with these type of accommodations and the benefits you get by reserving one of these suites. The next closest to it is Cunard's Queen's Grill Suites, though their largest suite is not THIS big.
Overall, I really enjoyed this cruise. I look forward to Norwegian Breakaway (2013) and Getaway (2014) to see if Norwegian improves the stateroom layout. Breakaway is on sale now and will be sailing from New York city to Bermuda for 7 day itineraries. I would love to be on one of those new voyages. Perhaps with 2 couple friends sharing the Garden Villa!
As I mentioned in my last post, Barbi and I needed a vacation from our family vacation. This being interpreted means, sailing together on a ship for 7 days. Not just any ship, but on a ship we have never been on before. And to equal the importance, on a cruise line it has been 10 years since we have experienced. The Norwegian Epic was our next adventure. This is the largest ship we have ever been on, which debuted just last year. This ship is longer than Cowboy Stadium (Yes, the whole stadium..end to end), though it does not hold 80,000 people. The Epic is 1,081 feet and holds 4,100 passengers. To some extent, I would agree with John Heald that the exterior of the ship is not the most beautiful of designs, but it is very unique. That is to say, fits well within Norwegian Cruise Lines mantra..."Freestyle Cruising". This ship has 19 decks, and it is an engineering marvel that she does not tip over. Anyone who chooses to experience her will find a boat load (pun intended) of fun, excitement, and yes..even relaxation.
This was a "working" vacation for us, as we were here for seminars provided by Norwegian while aboard the Epic, to bring us (Other Travel Agents) up to speed on all things Norwegian. But before we boarded the Epic, Barbi and I arrived a couple days early and camped out in the DoubleTree At Biscayne Bay Hotel. A couple days before arrival, the DoubleTree alerted us that they would upgrade us to a balcony suite for just another $20. We agreed! Gee, who wouldn't? Getting there from the airport was a quick and easy taxi ride of $27.00, though we thought it was a flat fee of $24.00. We gave him $30, said thank you, and headed in. The DoubleTree must really love us, since they upgraded us to a Jr. Suite, not just a balcony. And what a room it was, there on the 8th floor, eating warm fresh baked chocolate chip cookies, the size of the palm of your hand! We were facing north with a side view of Biscayne Bay. There was a 50" LCD TV, Fully stocked Mini Bar and Snacks (You pay extra for those), sitting area, and a large bathroom with a 10' double sink area. The Balcony was about 15' in length with windows from the room the entire length.
The DoubleTree was not in the middle of downtown Miami, but was convenient enough by hopping aboard the FREE MetroMover just a block walk from the hotel. The MetroMover would take you to many stops in the downtown area. It is best described as an elevated electric bus. Each car on a rail would hold 30 people or so, and is a favorite ride of all kinds of people, homeless or not. We hopped off at the Freedom Tower stop, which is 1/3 mile from the well known Bayside Market Place.
Walking to the place where all want to shop was leisurely, and only took about 10 minutes, since we had to stop and cross at the busy intersection of Biscayne Blvd and 5th and 6th Streets, which also is the intersection of the Port of Miami. Ooh! Crazy idea. Let's walk to the cruise ship! There is a sidewalk that runs along the whole north side of NE 6th Street, leading beside the American Airlines Arena, over the bridge, and right into the port. EASY!
Bayside Market Place really has a little of everything. the picture above was taken beside a really large Hooka Bar. There area all kinds of food outlets, mostly on the second level. If you want to have a little Cuban food, here is a convenient place. Barbi found a Starbucks, which she insisted we have breakfast the next morning. She loves their muffins. I really enjoyed wondering around Art By God, a unique art gallery, where you can find trophy animals on the walls, full size fossil specimens hanging from the ceiling, jewelry, animals skulls, and lots of other things. Honestly, I thought it was really a cool shop and I would go again and just stare. Don't take your kids in here. Touching and breaking would be a bad thing. I got the impression I was constantly being watched, as if I was going to grab and run. There are all the other favorites here, like Bath and Body works, Footlocker, Victoria's Secret, Hooters. If you forget something important, you can find it here, then have lunch at Bubba Gumps. You can relax at the Bayfront Park right next door. While we were there, a concert was going on at the amphitheater there at the park.
The Doubletree has lots of shopping opportunities as well. Eateries galore. Walk out the back doors, you will find yourself at a marina where you can hire a boat to take you fishing or a tour of the waterways that are so prevalent around Miami.
Miami is a vibrant city with lots of culture and history. We really only spend 1 day there, but I would love to go back and explore some more. If you go there, or have been, feel free to share your favorite spots and places that should not be missed.
We decided to leave for southern California late in the evening to allow the little grandkids to sleep most of the way there. Everytime we have done this, we tell ourselves we will never do it again. Going without sleep for 30 plus hours is truely a pain! But between 4 drivers, we made it safely and in time to our destination in Oceanside. Seeing the ocean again was a dream come true. It has been 5 months.
Too early to check in, we decided to have breakfast at Denny's, just outside the gates of Camp Pendleton, the Marine Corps historic training base. After choosing the most inexpensive menu items, we enjoyed a nice, though noisy meal. It was quite busy on a Saturday morning. But everyone was happy in the sunny, warm, Late October Southern California weather.
Honestly, I feel like I was the only one who wanted to go to the beach as soon as we could. I sometimes think I am an outsider with my wishes. But, due to arriving early and having no where else to go, the beach it was. And what an awesome location. A 15 minute walk from the Worldmark by Wyndham condos, under the railroad tracks, past the marina and shops with all kinds of really cool clothes and trinkets. Getting there was as simple as I have ever experienced it. And I was not disappointed. Here, about a mile north of the Oceanside pier, people were enjoying the cold Pacific water, either by wading, or mainly surfing. The waves were perfect for it too. My single son walked around in his bare feet talking to his girlfriend on his cell phone. My pregnant daughter and her husband watched and played with their little girls, running from each wave as it washed up on the beach. My oldest daughter still at home had my Nikon D40 DSLR camera and was snapping away at all the photo opportunities everywhere. Barbi and I enjoyed watching it all and savoring every minute. No stress. No worries!
In the week we spent, we visited Seaworld twice, getting soaked to the bone by Shamu and his friends and enjoying all the park has to offer. Went Trick-o-Treating in one of the neighborhoods Halloween night after Seaworld. Attended a local church and were humbled and thankful for the kindness of the members, who, after finding out we were in need of a portacrib and high chair for our littlest grand baby, found a willing lady who let us borrow hers for the week. Miracles and kindness are still found where ever you are in the world. I Believe! We also went snorkeling in La Jolla cove, which though the water was frigid, I think was a highlight. It was amazing to swim out in the cove and near the sea lions which are so numerous there. They were not afraid of us, but watched with curiosity as we hovered in the water with our black wetsuits, mask, and snorkel. They made lots of noise, swam under and around us. I took my waterproof camera, but the water was still a little too murkey to get a really good shot. You will just have to take my word for it. If you are planning a trip to the San Diego area, I highly recommend some time in La Jolla Cove. The week after Halloween, it was not too busy at all. If you have money burning a hole in your pocket, La Jolla is a great place to shop at high end stores. It is really a fun little city.
Thursday and Thursday night, it was exploring the Farmers market and Night market in old downtown Oceanside. How fun was this! Especially the night market, where Krista and I took lots of pictures and enjoyed the multicultural festivities. When I say multicultural, I mean a whole lot more than just Hispanic. There was African, European, Asian...I think I counted at least a dozen different nationalities represented in booths (Especially food) here. Awesome!
Alas, we planned on leaving Saturday morning, but when Friday turned rainy...and I mean not stopping soaking rain, we packed up and left early. Good thing too. Getting out of the LA Basin took an extra 2 hours. We had planned on staying overnight in Saint George, but upon arriving at 11pm, we pushed on instead of keeping Grandma awake. Rain and Snow in the overpasses. A little trecherous, but again, getting there (Back) without incident.
It was a fun vacation with the family, cooking turkey for an early Thanksgiving for the family we would not see at the real Thanksgiving time. But as is sometimes the case, Barbi and I needed a vacation from this vacation. And thank goodness, we only had to wait 5 days til just the 2 of us headed off to the Caribbean on the Norwegian Epic for 7 days. HOT DANG!
Our family is taking a land (Sort of) vacation next week. We are driving to San Diego for a week on the beach, water, and, of course, Seaworld. We have not visited Seaworld since our 24 yr old daughter was 6 months old. She and her family are also going with us, which we are excited for. Unfortunately, our 17 yr old can't come because of school grades. School!
That's a long time to be away from the area south of Los Angeles, where we have been several times visiting Disneyland or cruising out of or arriving by cruise ship. The west coast is convenient, relatively speaking, since we live in the mountains of Utah. 12 hours or so either directly west or southwest will land us in either San Francisco or Los Angeles. But there is something special about the coast south of Laguna Beach.
I remember a summer vacation one year when my mother took me and a cousin to California, and we stayed in Oceanside and visited a fair in Laguna Beach. I remember it being a really awesome place. uncrowded beaches, the ocean air, the mountains rising up so dramatically from the coastal areas. My mother bought a picture that was made out of rosewood. To this day, that picture still brings back memories.
So we have our snorkel gear and wetsuits packed. We have decided on a schedule for Seaworld and, lest we forget, trick-or-treating in the neighborhoods around the Wyndham Condos in Oceanside we will be staying in. Ahhh! Halloween in SoCal! Cool! We will go to La Jolla cove and beach. Visit the LDS temple near there. And, since I don't want to offend, visiting a cousin who lives in Dana Point, whom I have not seen in, I don't know, 20 years???
This will be a fun trip, and my Nikon Digital SLR is bound to be full by the time we get back. But I'll share with you all what you definitely want to see in that area.
NEWS ALERT - Hurricane Rina is churning through the Western Caribbean, headed straight for Cancun and Cozumel. Currently a Category 2 storm, it is expected to strengthen before making landfall tomorrow night at Cozumel.
from http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
Start making alternate plans if you are headed to the region. This is where travel insurance really comes in handy. When shopping for travel insurance, understand all your options and what coverages are available. Your travel agent can be a very valuable resource here. Let them teach you.
Some may think travel insurance to be expensive, but when it comes to the loss of your travel investment dollars, it is really cheap. Just the cost of making airline changes could pay for the coverage all by itself. Here at Focus On Fun Travel, we want you to have a memorable vacation in a good way. Not one that you look back and say...What a nightmare!
To stay informed, take a look at all the usual weather sources, including http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/.
I have many times found myself googling the web to find out information about a certain feature at a resort or a cruise ship, only to be inundated with superfluous information, varied slightly, from an original press release from the company who is offering such a place. Today, it is Norwegian Cruise Lines, Norwegian Epic, and the Posh Beach Club. The Epic has now been sailing for over a year, with a passenger capacity of 4,100 each cruise, out of Miami, and I cannot find any real life blogging about the Posh Beach Club. No. Not even any really good comments from Cruise Critic. Only regurgitated statements about what it is when it was announced from NCL more than a year ago. "Adults Only", "Front of the Ship", "Hot Night Life", "Sizzle of South Beach", "Riviera." Heavens sakes alive, people. Hasn't anyone visited the Posh Beach Club? Rumor has it it is $15 a day or $58 for a week (Starting the second day of the cruise). With terms like "Hot", "Sizzle", "South Beach", "Adults", it sounds like a clothing optional place. But with today's cruise ships and family atmosphere expanding, that is mostly taboo. At least in the U.S..
Barbi and I will be sailing on the Epic, Nov 12, for a 7 day Eastern Caribbean itinerary, out of Miami. This will be the first time, since 2000, that we will sail on Norwegian, and we are really hoping for a better experience than the first time. That particular cruise was our very first, and it was only 3 days to the Bahamas. We stopped in Nassau, and spent the next day at sea because the Atlantic was too rough for us to tender off to the private island, Great Stirrup Cay. We did not cruise again for 7 years. But the Epic is so packed full of many exciting things, I really have high hopes that this will be a positive experience. We are travelling with a couple of friends new to the Norwegian experience.
So when we return before Thanksgiving, I promise to have a full review of everything I can see. If I can swing it, I'll even explore the Posh Beach Club on Deck 19, and let you know if everyone has their clothes on. We already have our tickets reserved for Blue Man Group, which will be awesome. We also want to attend the Cirque Dreams Dinner Show. Because of the spelling and "Vegas" atmosphere, I am assuming this is a Cirque du Soleil show, but there again, no bloggers telling me about it. So I'll have to check it out and report for myself.
I found myself in a boat with some other fun life loving people, as we headed away from the dock at a high rate of speed. As we headed out to sea, we encountered our first wave to pass over. Because of the speed we were traveling at, we soon found ourselves airborne, soaring high in the air, traveling what felt like a mile. With a loud splash and quite a thud, we landed in the water. We started cheering and woot wooting, when the boat came to the next wave...a larger one. This one propelled us even higher. But unlike the other flight, the front of the boat started to shift and point downward at a sharp angle. Similar to the experience of one of my youth scout leaders, John, who was sitting on the back of a large river raft that went over a huge wake of some class 5 rapids on the Snake river in Wyoming; which when the front went down, John and all of his large framed body was shot upward and over the bow of the raft; I also was thrown higher up in the air as the boat plummeted down, nose first into the water. My friends were scattered over a small area, as I spread my arms out and started soaring over the area of the accident. I saw others who were sitting at tables close by enjoying a lunch, so I called down to them: "Hey! Help! Right there! Can you help..." Marty! Don't you have an early morning meeting this morning? Huh? Wha... Oh! Can't I get that dream back?
I love the sensation of flying in my dreams. It is one of my goals (Bucket List ya know), to don a wing suit, jump out of a plane, and soar for miles and miles, before being forced to pull my parachute cord and land safely. Thankfully we have near supersonic aircraft that can take us anywhere in the world in no time at all. This means we can visit paradise anytime finances allows us to. The other day, I received a promotional flyer from Princess Cruises detailing a 28 Day cruise itinerary that is round trip from Los Angeles, and visits Hawaii, Samoa, Tahiti, and Bora Bora. Talk about Paradise! Tahiti has been on Barbi's bucket list for years, and has been a 30th anniversary wish of ours as well. Well, Number 30 is 2014..3 years away. We got time to plan and save money. When the adventure is $75 per day, the saving is even easier. We can do this one!
Some people think paradise is a hot beach. Some feel it is exotic adventure in the orient. Others, it would be climbing a tall mountain. Where is your paradise? What is on your bucket list? Do you like to fly in your dreams too?
As I traveled back home tonight after completing my FIRST open water dive, at the fabulous Homestead Crater, in Midway, UT, I passed many places were people were busy doing things. A miniature golf course, where people were having fun. A regular golf course, with carts busying around like ants, a Karate dojo, where adults and kids alike were learning self defense and self control, Boaters skiing, people fishing from a bridge. Joggers. Cyclists. Throughout my life, I have tried many things to see what I might be good at and really like. I tried baseball. Did not make the first cut. Guitar playing. I never learned more than strumming chords. Bicycling. At times, the physical stress has been too much. I admit I have never liked to run. When I was young, I accomplished a 5:58 mile, which is outstanding. But I really pushed myself in order to make the marching band. Yep, an 8 min mile was all that was required to make it...well, and to be able to play an instrument.
I have been going through PADI open water certification, and I realize I missed my boat 30 years ago. I really love being in the water. And I mean IN it. This intrigues me so much that I find myself wanting more and more every day. I really love this. Last night I blogged about Submarine cruising, and what an amazing vacation that would be. Well, for me it would be. I realize there are those of you out there who may feel a little claustrophobic. But I also know that we all have the ability to overcome our fears to experience new heights in our well being.
Barbi is really afraid of heights (Speaking of heights). She won't let anyone in the family be within 20 feet of the edge of the Grand Canyon. Those of you who have been there know how challenging it would be not be closer than that anywhere. Yet, in 2007, on a Western Caribbean cruise on the Grand Princess, we stopped in Belize, where we tubed on a river through tunnels in the mountains, then went Zip Lining through the jungle canopy. We were 25 - 50 feet in the air moving from one tree to another through 8 stations. At first Barbi didn't think she was going to be able to do it. Once the first zip was through, and she felt safe, it was onward and downward! She has even said she would do it again. See! It can be done, with a little will power, and someone you love there to support you.
My high school is planning their 30 year class reunion. Holy cow! 30 Years! I have suggested to the committee that we take a cruise as a class, instead of getting together in our home town of Mesa, AZ for a Friday evening, then a partial Saturday during a weekend. I expressed how much of a better deal everyone would get if we cruised. Such as, for the price, everything is included...food, entertainment, lodging, fun activities, and even getting together in a meeting room. There are pools, dancing, karaoke, games...you get the picture. For a little more than an evening and a morning, this is a much better deal. For me, it means getting back to the ocean. You know...the Water. And wherever we go, I know I can get in the water and explore this part of the world. Fish, creatures, whales, plants. Scuba or snorkel, it does not matter to me. I just want to be in the water.
My point in all this is, if your vacations have become Blah. Go get scuba certified. It cheap. It is easy. It is safe. And when you go to Cancun for a week, go out to Isla Mujeras and swim with Whale Sharks, the largest fish in the ocean. They have no teeth and have never eaten a human. If you take a western Caribbean cruise and you stop in Grand Cayman, the birth place of scuba; go out and swim with the stingrays, instead of just standing there. Belize has the 2nd largest coral reef system in the world. Stuart Cove's in Nassau Bahamas will take you scuba diving with Caribbean Reef Sharks. Heaven only knows what can be explored in the Mediterranean. Ship wrecks?!
If you are in Utah County, I highly recommend Scuba Teds Dive Center, 50 N Main St, Springville, UT. Mike Brothersen is my instructor.
![[Image of 5-day forecast and coastal areas under a warning or a watch]](http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/storm_graphics/AT18/refresh/AL1811W5_NL_sm2+gif/175852W5_NL_sm.gif)
