Panama Canal
Cruise:
Vision of the Seas
10/21/00-11/4/00
Itinerary: San Diego, California; At Sea; Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; At Sea; Acapulco, Mexico; At Sea; At Sea; Puntarenas, Costa Rica; At Sea; Panama Canal; Cartagena, Colombia; Oranjestad, Aruba; At Sea; At Sea; Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
After having spend the night at Bradley International Inn, we took a 5:55 a.m. U.S. Airways flight, changing planes in Pittsburgh. We arrived in San Diego around 11:30 a.m. Pacific Time.
At the airport Royal Caribbean International was much more poorly organized than on our previous Royal Caribbean cruise. This time we had to get our own baggage to turn it over to Royal Caribbean. When we got it, the Royal Caribbean staff member could not be found. We found another Royal Caribbean staff member, but she said it had to be "the one with the red hair". We finally found a third RC staff (not with red hair) who told us to follow her and to put our luggage with that of the other RC passengers. She did not tell us we had to "sign in" but we learned this by overhearing conversations of other passengers. After about a half hour (in the slight rain) we finally got on a bus that took us to the cruise terminal.
At the terminal things were very well organized. Check-in was quick and the Supercharge Card was activated at the time of check-in. The ship had not yet arrived and it was expected to be about 4 to 5 hours before we would be able to board. After having a buffet lunch provided by RCI at the terminal, we took a walk along the peer and browsed the shops at Seaport Village.
We were able to board earlier than expected. After exploring the ship, we went to the main seating (6 p.m.) for dinner. We were seated at table #38, a table for 10 by a window. This night only one other couple, Ron and Laurie from San Diego, was at the table. This was their 15th cruise. Our waiter was from Turkey. Our assistant waiter, Jorges, was from Bulgaria
The ship left port around 10:45 p.m.
We woke up at 5:45 a.m. (but later learned the time zone had changed and it was actually 6:45). After having breakfast at the Windjammer Café we walked a mile (3 times around the Sun Walk on the 10th deck), each earning a Ship Shape Dollar. We spend some time exploring the ship and time by the pool. Until afternoon the weather was cool (in the 60s), cloudy, and windy, but the sun came out and it got warmer in the afternoon. We met Jim and Jessie Carter from Sacramental at the Schooner Bar. In the afternoon we earned another Ship Shape Dollar for another mile walk.
We went to the Captain’s Welcome Aboard Cocktail Party, then went to the dinging room (formal night) where we met our remaining 6 tablemates, a family from New Jersey (2 married couples and 2 women).
The Coasters put on a very enjoyable show at the Masquerade Theater. I especially liked the base, Larry Tate.
We arrived in Cabo San Lucas at 10 a.m., but were not cleared for disembarking until almost 11. We later learned that the delay was due to arrangements that needed to be made as a result of the death of a passenger. We took the 4 hour Coastal Highlights tour where we learned about the recent growth of the city and saw much beautiful scenery.
That evening the dinner theme was Italian and the waiters sang O Solo Mio. The evening show was make Mine Broadway, a medley of Broadway songs, performed by the RC Singers and Dancers. We had a mimosa in the Some Enchanted evening Lounge in celebration of Chris's birthday, where Brooks Paxton entertained with songs of many different types.
Another day at sea; very hot. I took a craft class where we made a crepe paper rose. We spent some time by the pool watching the "horse races" and wom $5 on a $2 bet on the second race. Then it got too hot so we moved into the air conditioned areas. The evening show was The Comedy Impressions of Paul Boland.
We arrived in Acapulco before 8 a.m. We took the City Tour and Cliff Divers tour, then returned to the ship and spent the afternoon by the pool.
The evening show was Mexican Folklore Show.
We earned more Ship Shape Dollars (walking, ring toss). The evening show, Songs and Comedy of Jody Kolba, was very good. After watching the World Series via satellite TV, Chris went to the casino to play a few quarters in the slot machines and won $100.
We earned more Ship Shape Dollars (walking, shuffleboard, disco line dancing). Chris watched horse racing again, but did not bet this time. We attended a lecture about the history of Costa Rica. Headliner Show Time starred pop violin virtuoso Martin Lass.
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