Andrea- thanks for all your advice. I am getting a little nervous as our cruise approaches. Anytime you think of something new. Please let me know.

Diana, it's perfectly normal to have pre-cruise jitters. Even I get them. It's more excitement than nerves.

Think of it this way. You're basically going to spend the week in a bathing suit and flip flops. As long as you pack the necessities, i.e., prescription meds., eyeglasses, contact lenses, etc., you'll be fine. Everything else can be purchased, if need be.


I can't wait to read your review when you return. It will be interesting to see another cruisers point of view of the Mexican Riviera. There aren't too many cruisers on this site who I've corresponded with who have visited there. I'm excited for you!
A'ndrea

Diana...WOW almost a month to go! That is soooo exciting. Like A'ndrea I'll be holding my breath until you get back. I can't wait to hear everything. I'll send you my list of "Michele needs to know" a day or so before you leave.... ...that's ok, right I know...just what you wanted on YOUR vacation! You will have a WONDERFUL! time. I could do without the heat though...good luck with that!

All is going well with DH. He is back looking normal and doesn't resemble the chipmunk much! Antibiotics is really all they gave him...thank GOD we had some pain killers at home. I would have never made it through the 3 day weekend! Oh that's right they were for him...not me! My bad!

A'ndrea I hope your DH is feeling better. I wish I could loose the 10 pounds BEFORE the trip. But that is definitely not the way I would wish to do it.

I am still confused on the Mazatlan port. Still don't know if we want to do the El Cid or take a water taxi over to Stone Island and hang out at the beach in front of Victor's. I have read so much on Stone Island...it sounds like a nice place to hangout.

I also need to get this whole TIME thing figured out. I need to make reservations with Sea Life Park...but the whole SHIP TIME...SHORE TIME thing is very confusing. A'ndrea do you remember any problems...and Diana maybe you can see if there are any conflicts on yours. I don't think we have any time changes before I leave in September!

Well check in with you guys laters...I guess I should accomplish something today!

Michele, Stone Island is supposed to be beautiful. We were very happy with The El Cid Resort for the day. If we were to ever return, we would probably go the Stone Island.

We didn't encounter any problems. You will see extreme poverty when you leave the port area and are enroute to your destination. I never felt fearful. But, it won't be white houses with picket fences.

Make sure the water taxis that transfer you to Stone Island are reputable. Mexicans follow their own rules.

While we were relaxing on the beach at the El Cid, some locals were offering parasailing rides to tourists. They were operating from this little motor boat that was probably, if I had to guess, 40 years old. The rope, which extended from the boat to the parasailer was frail, had many weak spots, and was ready to snap. We viewed, tourist after tourist, pay the three men $25, (which I'm sure sounds like a bargain to a tourist), to take them once around the area near the resort.

They were transporting gasoline to their boat from the beach all day. Not one tourist signed a release of any sort.

All I can say is... Very, very brave (or, in my book, stupid) people. Some people like to live on the edge and dangerously. If the rope snapped and, God forbid, someone died, it's a walk-away for these locals.

I feel... not in a country like Mexico, not without a recommendation from the cruise line, and not me.

Be careful, use good judgment, and you'll be fine.
A'ndrea

I don't think I would let any family member do those types of things. Not worth the risk! The Stone Island trip sounds very easy to make. Most people have found it very easy to do on your own. And we are just going to hang out and play in the sand for awhile - nothing EXTREME! Randi's Happy HOrses are just down the beach from Victor's and they actually stop there to eat. Who know...I might change my mind again by the end of the day. I still have to Google it all!

Sounds great Michele.

Hey Michele, my friend just came back from her cruise and I am slowing getting info from her. She gave me a name of a great restaurant to eat at in P.V. I will give you some info this weekened when I get more time on the computer.

okie dokie

Yeah - look at you...36 days!!!! I wanna go in 36 days

Diana, only 36 more days until extreme heat and humidity! Pack a lot of cotton. To say it's going to be "toasty" is an understatement.

Another helpful hint. Our girls travel with those battery operated misting fans. We pack them with ice and then water before we leave the ship. It helps fend off some heat.
A'ndrea

And AGAIN...don't forget the Bullfrog!!!!

Yeaaaaaa! I get to go next month. I love saying that! I can't wait. So much to do, so little time! We are so busy at this time of the year! I am getting my little kindergartners ready for their promotion along with meeting my new class through our orientation. It will make the month go by faster!

Andrea, I know the heat. We have been in PV in July and I remember the humidity. I am packing lots of tank tops and short. I did buy my sons the carnival misting fan as a bon voyage gift. They will be surprised when we get in our stateroom. thanks for the tip!

Ahh... Diana, that's so sweet. What a great surprise!

Your boys will also like "Funship Freddy". It's a crew member dressed up in a costume resembling the funnel of the ship. He'll walk around C.C. and you'll be able to take photos with the mascot.

Our youngest daugher has the stuffed animal mascot on her shelf. She's 13 and still brings him on every cruise.

I'm glad I don't have to tell you about the heat and humidity.
A'ndrea

Diana - I was looking at all the things you can order through Carnival when we started this whole thing. I think I am going to get Tyler the sand bucket and toys. I think they have the Funship Freddy too. I need to go back and price it all out.

And don't forget....if you are going to get a SODA CARD...WAIT until you have already set sail and the duty free shops are open...then you won't have to pay sales tax on the card That's my tip for the day for ya!!!! 34 more to go

A'ndrea...is DH all better? Wow...I can't imagine being sick like that for that long. YUCK! The antibiotics worked for mine and all is well again. Back to working to hard and stressing too much! The cruise can't come soon enough We are in the process of "potty training" in t]our household. Tyler knows he can't go in the "big" pool or use the waterslide on the "big ship" if he's not wearing "big" boy pants by the cruise. We'll see how it all works out! I'll buy the blowup pool for a back up!

Well have a great weekend and I will check in later.

I was thinking of purchasing that as well. I was also thinking of buying the sand toys for him so that I don't have to bring my own. It would also be a great gift.

Hi Michele. He's all better. Tomorrow he's leaving for Columbia. So, another trip to a third world country that should throw him off nicely... AGAIN.
We have a very busy month coming up. Our oldest daughter is graduating H.S. on June 22. He can't be ill for that.

Fun Ship Freddy is a great gift. If you buy it, you can have the costumed Fun Ship Freddy autograph it while he's at C.C.

A'ndrea

Michele, thank you for the tip. I will do that. I bought Ryan the fan but I was thinking of buying him the fun ship freddy. He is a little nervous about being on a ship so I think that would be a great friend to sleep with. I got my teen the chocolate ship. He is a chocoholic and they really don't have much for teens. I know he wouldnt wear the shirt since he is too "cool" for that. I got my DH the bon voyage shirt.
Andrea do you know of cool bon voyage gifts for teens? is it 35 already? I need a tan. I am so white I can frighten off caspar himself!

Diana, depending on his age. My youngest daughter is 13 and what I do is we go on a girls shopping spree before we leave, i.e., new bathing suits, flip flops, formal night dress, etc.
When you board the ship, you can inquire at the Purser's Desk about a video arcade account set up for him. They will accomodate pretty much anything on the ship. Most of the bon voyage gifts are for the very young, newlyweds, or special occasions.

My daughter got Fun Ship Freddy about 4 years ago, when it wasn't dorky. But, she still feels sentimental when we cruise and she smuggles him into her luggage.

How about an ipod for traveling. On the expensive side, but my girls live for theirs.

Don't forget about the ports of call. You can purchase pretty neat things for kids there. Toys, kites, t-shirts, boogie boards, leather necklaces and bracelets for guys. You can tell him he can pick out what he wants when you get to the first port.

Some ideas. Hope they help.
A'ndrea

Thanks Andrea, the coolest thing right now for him is the chocolate! Otherwise, I will get him something on the ship or at the ports of call. My 7 year old is the easy one. He would be excited over a pen.

Diana, I know exactly what you mean. I have two daughters, each completely different. One wanted ONLY a trampoline for Christmas. The other, a Tiffany necklace. Go figure.
A'ndrea