2008-Oct. 25-31  Oosterdam 7 nt Mexican cruise with Carolyn: Puerto Vallarta; Mazatlan; Cabo

 Carolyn survived her 3 first ever cruise a couple years ago, so it was time to take a longer one.  So we booked a 7 night one out of San Diego.  I flew there from St. Louis, and she joined me from Portland, Or.  We spent the night in a hotel near the port and were on the way to another great sisters' cruise.

Oct. 25-embarkation and ship: 

 

Cabin HH 4061: obstructed ocean view 

 

Oct. 26---sea day 

 

Oct. 27---Cabo 

 

Oct. 28--- Mazatlan:  

Oct.-29-08  Puerto Vallarta: 

Oct.-30-08 sea day--- 

Oct.-31-08 sea day 

We thoroughly enjoyed the cruise---but then I've thoroughly enjoyed 6 cruises now! My sister enjoyed it so much that she booked us on another one with the same itinerary for Dec. 2009. That time we'll be on the Carnival Splendor ship.

10-31-08

Another sea day.  Our last day of the cruise.  I wondered if the crew would dress up for Halloween, or any of the passengers.  But didn't see any of that.  Just the usual---like this little towel puppy on our beds last night.  

 Some day---I'll get to eat in the Pinnacle Grill.

 a tasty appetiser.

 Carolyn's tasty appetiser---I'm allegic to shrimp, so will pass on that!

 At least there were some Halloween decorations!

 Eating at the Lido

 Tonight's towel animal.

 And we packed up and got ready to disembark tomorrow. 

10-30-08 sea day---

Not much going on today.  It's another sea day.  A day to explore the ship some more.

 Cool bar stools.

 And hang out at the spa!

 

10-26-08 

 Today was a sea day, so I wandered around the ship some more.

Even ate a few times!  Here was lunch in the lido---

 Then I admired more of the art around the ship.  This reminds me of some art I did in high school.

 Tea time!

 more lounges

 a lone flower arrangement (back when Hal had a lot of real flower floral arrangements!)

 We spend some time in the spa, too. 
Probably saw a show (back when HAL had their own singers and dancers).

Cabin HH 4061:

This is an obstructed oceanview cabin.  Originally we were suppose to be in an inside room, but I hate them because they're so dark and you never know what time it is (at least back then before I had a cell phone!)  My sister, on the other hand, really wanted the inside room because it is dark.  Yep, we're sisters, but don't have a lot in common!  Although we do both like to travel.  Anyway, I paid for the upgrade and she went along with it.

This was our view, but I didn't really care.  I liked that we had light.  I also liked that instead of it being a porthole or small window, it had floor to ceiling windows. 

 The room itself wasn't bad.  Along with a desk, coffee table and chair, there was also a couch. 

 As with most HAL cabins, it also had a tub.  Nice, but not a necessity for me.

 otherwise the bathroom was the usual small cruise ship bathroom.

 our comfy beds.  I took the one closest to the window.

 They do have comfortable beds.  I even brought ear plugs to block out my sister's snoring.  She seemed a bit put off by that and said I snore, too, so I offered her a pair of ear plugs, too.

Our home for the next week.  No complaints.

10-25-08  Embarkation

San Diego is a neat city to catch a cruise from.  It seems so compact and there's so much right by the port.  We spent the night at a hotel near the cruise port, but I forget the name of it right now.  Next morning, we were ready to go the mile or so to our ship. 

 even wandered around the marina a bit.

 cool place to take pictures.

 Our ship was even there!

 Didn't take long to get on board.  Then we went exploring.
I was intrigued with the simplistic design of the pool towels.

 Loved the elevator doors.

 Also LOVED the spa!  I was really wanting to get the 7 nt. pass.  They offered 2 passes for something like $250.  Carolyn wasn't as sold on the idea as I was, so I offered to pay $150.  She took that offer.  We enjoyed the spa---especially this therapeutic pool--- many times.

 I also found the decor around the ship to be interesting.  This is just one of the walls.

 Lots of interesting artwork too.

 Finally we were able to go to our room.  Had to have them come separate the bed, but the room was actually pretty roomy and comfortable.

 checking out the computer room. 

 We were sharing our cruise with a surf club!

 The pretty library (before they did away with them!)

 One of the many lounging areas.

 another

 another interesting elevator door.

 looking out over San Diego as we got ready to sail away.

A successful day 1.