We Had a GREAT time!!!
We are saying today why does it hurt so much to have such a good time? We left on Monday from home at 5:00 AM and went to PHX to catch a plane (Southwest the best) and flew to LAX. It was the 6 of us Scott, Becky, her dad and sister, Bud and me.
We were taken by transport van to the harbor and we boarded the ship. It was all so new and exciting for us. It was really like going into a secure building. They do all the same security stuff as the airport except you can leave your shoes on and that happens every time you leave and return to the ship. We had received all the information/tickets by mail. We went to our cabin a small one with two twin beds pushed together to make a king size bed, a built in desk, small closet and tiny bathroom like a camp trailer.

We looked around the ship and went to dinner. The beginning of many wonderful encounters with great tasting, out of this world FOOD. The menu had different things on it each night and there was an appetizer, main entree and fabulous desserts.

During the trip I wanted to eat all the foods that I had never tasted and probably never would have the chance again. You see the food is all included in the price so there is no charge at the time of the meal. You could order one thing or everything off the menu. I was able to taste and enjoy escargot, lamb, duck, ma hi ma hi, cold fruit soups, like watermelon and pear. I also ate a warm soup of pumpkin and apple so good. The breads were different and we could choose what they passed around. The server an assistant waiter was from Peru and a real delight to have her serve our table. The servers were the same each night and we had an assigned table. The waiter very nice but he was not as friendly as she was, I forgot where he said he was from.

I don't think anyone working on the ship are Americans. They were from different countries and so all had strong accents and sometimes hard to understand but they all spoke English. They were all very friendly and helpful. I would say the ship was the happiest place on earth and not Disneyland because the workers on the ship were happier than those at Disneyland when we went in March.

The first evening Bud was so tired he went to the cabin and the rest of us went to the comedy show and it was so funny, we laughed and laughed. The ship has a small casino that is open when the ship is in international waters. It is very small but had a few fun machines to play to sorry to say I did not win. It did not take long to get rid of my $20. Bud the second night went and he did win a bit, he seems to always be the lucky one. It was fun anyway.

When we woke up the 2ND day we were docked at San Diego. Bud and I were really tired and of course the migraines did not stay at home either so we stayed in bed late and stayed on the ship. We went to the buffet for lunch it was too late for breakfast. We had lots of good food again. They have lots to choose from including hot dogs and hamburgers for every lunch and dinner. They had lots of different foods from different countries and the best desserts of any buffet. Again there was no charge as it too was included in the cruise fees. The buffet was open from 6 AM to 9:30 PM everyday.

We sat on the deck and looked at San Diego it was beautiful with a low fog. It was cool and was fun to watch the people on the board walk. That night after dinner we went to another comedy show that had some singing and dancing.

The next morning we were anchored just off of the shore of Catalina Island. We boarded a large water taxi that took us to the beautiful, foggy island that was mostly covered with fog. We rented a 6 seater golf cart and Scott drove us around the Island. The pictures I took do not do the flowers on the trees justice they were so vibrant of color and breath taking. I also walked along the shore on the sand in the water nobody else wanted too. I could not come that close to the ocean and not walk in the sand. The water taxi took us back when we were ready it ran every 30 min.

I have so many pictures to scrap. Every time we exited or returned to the ship they took pictures hoping we would buy them all. That afternoon I watched an ice carver sculpt an angel fish from a 200 pound block of ice in about 10 minutes. Of course I got pictures of it as well as pictures all around the ship. After that I went to a bingo game and a shopping class. I learned about shopping in Encenada Mexico our next stop. Everyone else was taking a nap I was tired and hurt, but did not want to waste my time in the cabin.

That night was the captains night formal dinner. We all dressed up and the photographers too professional pictures that turned out pretty good. It was nice to see Bud in a suit jacket and all dressed up. That night we all went to a very good singing and dance show. The entertainers are very good, I was surprised.

The next morning we woke up docked at Encenada Mexico and we all went to the shopping area but Scott. He stayed on the ship. In the class I took the instructor gave us a shopping map and told us there would be drawings at certain times at different shops, but we could also pick up drawing slips for a drawing to be held on ship that evening. So we got our slips while shopping. We did not buy much, not for the lack of them trying to get us to. The street merchants followed us around wanting us to buy things. It was hard to say no but we did. After returning to the ship we ate and rested, by this time we were exhausted. We did take a nap and rest until it was time for the ship to leave the dock and we went to watch. I was so neat it is just hard to describe, it is something that has to be experienced. We hoped to see some dolphins but we didn't. At dinner the wait staff did a program for us it was really funny. We went to the drawings from the slips we picked up in town and of the 6 they gave away I won 3, Becky won 1. Yippee!!

That night there was another very good dance and singing show, we really enjoyed it. In the center of the ship that night at 11:30 PM they had a chocolate buffet it was fantastic. There were ice sculptures and fruit sculptures, in the shape of dragons. Lots of chocolate molded things like a gigantic tiger and some chocolate pillars. The food they served was laid out beautifully as well as tasting fantastic. I am afraid to weigh I know I must of gained at least 10 pounds on the ship but enjoyed every minute of it. It was hard to go to bed knowing it was the last night we would be on the ship. Each night we returned to our cabin there were towel animals on our bed, a bunny, a monkey hanging on a hanger from the ceiling and the last night was a swan. They were so neat. We also had chocolates on our pillow each night.

We returned to LA and got a van shuttle back to the airport. We were early getting there so had to wait a while in the airport. We did some famous people hunting as we waited but did not see any. We did sit a few rows back from Ice Tea who plays a character on one of our favorite shows Law and Order. We did not get close enough to talk to him or get an autograph. He did shake hands with others who recognized him as they passed him while taking their seats. We had a wonderful time and both of us are so anxious to go on another cruise although it will be awhile before we can go again. I would recommend it to everyone!!!! It is worth the aches and pains that we are still having from the trip and recouping.