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To hell and back - Faina’s cruise report.

To hell and back - Faina’s cruise report.

Old Jan 23rd, 2007, 09:51 AM
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To hell and back - Faina’s cruise report.

A DROP OF DRAMA. A week before the cruise on Monday, taking the morning shower I found a lump. Thinking, the end of my world is coming, I worked up enough courage to call the family doctor by the end of the day. On Tuesday morning I was in his office.

In my life, tragedy and comedy go hand in hand. My older, very gentle doctor is usually very careful not to ask anything personal, feminine, not to touch me, not to remove any of my clothing. This time he was asking all kinds of questions a gynecologist would ask. After a “free massage” of my breast, he happily announced: I don’t feel any lumps! Puzzled, I said: sure, my lump is on the thigh! Turned out, the receptionist relayed to him only the lump, without mentioning the exact geography

He said it’s a serious infection, no vacation, he’ll write me a note, tons of medications, etc... I knew it was very serious, but I didn’t want to cancel my very first cruise! Up to Friday the lump was growing in size and looking worse in appearance. Then it broke, blood and what not coming out of it. Saturday morning I called the doctor’s phone number, a doc on duty gave some additional advices. It was day #6 of agonizing thoughts: to go or not to go. And somewhere in the back of my mind: if this infection gets in the bloodstream...

On Sunday the wound looked much better. YES, I AM GOING! Tossed whatever was handy in the suitcase, tons on medications into the carry-on, who cares if I forgot anything, I’m going on the cruise! Called Paula and Teresa, 2 Fodorites I’ll be meeting in San Diego.
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Old Jan 23rd, 2007, 09:51 AM
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SOUTHWEST AIRLINES. The 4-night cruise was sailing out of Los Angeles. It was easy to fly out of Oakland, security was a breeze, the flight was short. By the way, they do check your make-up if you don’t keep it in a plastic bag out of the carry-on, happened to a woman behind me in line. And a bottle of water they sell at the airport for $1.85.

A different story at LAX. There I had to go through 4 lines. Yes, 4. First, to check-in. Second, to roll the luggage to the TSA area - they’ve asked everybody if the suitcases are unlocked. My TSA lock was just waved in. Third line to check the ID and boarding pass. Forth line, security. This was my first time at LAX, the TSA personnel there was somewhat gloomy and bordering on rude, unlike OAK or SFO. But all lines moved fairly fast. The same size of water as in OAK was $2.69.

I paid $49 each way + taxes and security fees. Flying back, my reservation was for 3.30 pm, so I asked if there is an earlier flight not sold out so they can bump me up. Not without paying the difference, so forget it! The next flight at 4 was cancelled, don’t know what happened to people who should’ve been on that one.
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Old Jan 23rd, 2007, 09:51 AM
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SHUTTLE TO THE PIER AND BACK. Being this my first cruise ever, I’ve decided to over-pay for the RCCL shuttle, $26 each way. I was glad I’ve done that. First thing off the plane, saw the sign and checked in with the man holding it. Then off to get my suitcase. By the time I was back, he had a full cart of suitcases from 2 young men. Now, if you read the first part of this report, I had a bad infection on the leg, so there I was, limping along with a cane, rolling the suitcase, and that cruise representative didn’t even ask me if I needed help. I thought this was kinda rude. But he took me to a chair to sit on till the bus shuttle came. And later I’ve learned, it’s not typical for the cruise crew, everyone was very helpful and polite on the ship.

Going back, the shuttle bus was waiting for us at the pier, and everything was very well organized and efficient, as it was during the whole cruise. Next time on a cruise, if not out of San Francisco, I’m paying for RCCL shuttles, well worth it in my opinion, not to worry if any commercial shuttles will show up.
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Old Jan 23rd, 2007, 09:51 AM
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THE CABIN. I paid the single supplement to be by myself, and honestly, how would 2 people co-exist in it for longer then 24 hours without screaming at each other? Maybe spouses, but not 2 friends. I was in # 3588 with a porthole. Good decision to have some connection with the outside world, to see the waves, huge stars, arriving skyline. Next time I would try to get a cabin on the other side, it would be better to see the piers. And the porthole was enough for me, no need to pay more for a large window. The door didn’t have a peep-hole, this felt strange.

The cabin steward was doing his best, I hope. Do all men ignore the corners when cleaning? Yes, he was there twice a day, left a tiny chocolate on the pillow every night, and made animals out of towels. The first night I came in... a sea lion stared at me through my glasses! I brought a spare pair of glasses and left them in the case on the desk. The steward opened the case to take the glasses out. What if I’d have something else there what I didn’t want him to see? I felt like he was going over my personal things. Am I overreacting?
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Old Jan 23rd, 2007, 09:52 AM
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THE FOOD. This was the start of the cruise, I’d arrived shortly before 1 pm, so the cabin was not ready. Went up to the 11th floor to Windjammer buffet for lunch. Sure, it was packed, so I joined a lovely lady at her table. We became travel buddies for the duration of the cruise, and hopefully lifetime - I sent her an e-mail short time ago. I like buffets, and this one seemed to be average, good quality, but always the same. All 5 days. I wonder, how is this on longer cruises.

Now listen to me, and listen carefully. Do not, I repeat, do not under any circumstances order Tiramisu there! Instead of Mascarpone cheese they use some sweet cream which makes it another unhealthy desert of very bad taste!

For approximate bar price, every day some exotic cocktail special was $5.95. Those $$ do add up quickly! The statement is delivered on the last morning of the cruise, and if you pay with a credit card and agree with the charges, there is nothing else to do. If you chose to settle with cash, the line was huge. I went to drop off the survey in that area.

I was assigned to the late seating at 8 pm, my newly met friend helped me to change it to the early dinner at Vincent’s. The dinners were superb, great selection and service, always a new menu. Loved the dinners! Went to breakfasts 2 times, the food was great, but the same menu, I’d like to see some variety.

For people who hadn’t been on a cruise: every day you’ll be getting a daily planner flier, there is a schedule of opening hours of restaurants and bars, and if the food in not included in the cruise price, there will be a note (charges apply) next to each one. Ben & Jerry’s not included The food is not 24 hours, approximately from 6 am to 1 am with some breaks in between.
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Old Jan 23rd, 2007, 09:52 AM
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PORTS OF CALL. (is this what they’re called?) Paula, who I met through the Fodor’s website, picked me up and drove first to Coronado, then to Balboa park. We had a lovely lunch with Treesa outside on the patio. The weather was perfect, and so was the food, we talked and talked and talked Not feeling too well, I asked Paula to take me back to the ship right after the lunch.

In Catalina I walked around a little, and took an afternoon tour up to the Sky Airport. Very scary ride, a couple of wonderful views, but to pay for 2 hours on the bus $32 is a bit too much in my opinion. Also, I didn’t like there was no ship representative at boarding. If there is a problem, there is nobody to solve it.

In Ensenada, the first thing off the ship is some kind of a merchant center, of course with a pharmacy! They didn’t have my allergy spray, didn’t care for the rest. Nice promenade in the pier area, but where are the sea lions somebody mentioned? On the way back to LA we hit the high wind, or it his us Those ship stabilizers ARE working, I can tell
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Old Jan 23rd, 2007, 09:52 AM
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SHIP ACTIVITIES. I didn’t go to many, there were movies, and music, and shows. I really liked the stand-up comic Steve. Most of the shows were designed to sell, pushing drinks and shops onboard and ashore. Hello, Budman, if you are reading this – they had the sexiest legs competition for men only, I’m sure you’d win! I liked the food preparation demonstration, as a man standing next to the chef was carving all kinds of flowers and animals out of fruit and veggies.

The whole atmosphere reminds of Vegas. There are always some kind of activities, or music in bars and by the pool. As it was January, not too many people hung out in the wind there. If you’ve missed the main show, not to worry, it will be repeated on the TV more then once!
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Old Jan 23rd, 2007, 09:52 AM
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NEXT CRUISE. Most likely, I will take more cruises as this one was rather pleasant and I could’ve taken several tours, relaxing later in the evening. Hopefully I won’t get sick right before the trip! I would get the same type of cabin, but will make more land tour reservations. For the cabin alone (and food) I paid $491 for 4 nights – 5 days, where else can I find anything comparable to this price?

On the ship, I went to see their booklets, and asked one of the guys selling future cruises about “cruisetours” in Europe. He said it’s when you buy a tour on the cruise. WHAT??? I said, I bought my Catalina cruise on this ship, so what’s the difference? I just love to torture people who don’t know something I know Finally I told him it’s a short land tour before the cruise, sold as a package. But he should’ve known that as it says so in that same booklet!!

Now off to licking my wounds and making arrangements for the next vacation.
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Old Jan 23rd, 2007, 10:38 AM
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Faina next time do not touch yourself before the cruise!
I was very surprised that no one interrupted you during your wonderfull writing. Thanks and what destination was? I've missed it somehow.
Hope you are feeling ok now.
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Old Jan 23rd, 2007, 10:41 AM
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LOL I've learned my lesson

I typed the full report in words, so it took only 2 minutes to post

From LA to San Diego, Catalina, Ensenada, back to LA
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Old Jan 23rd, 2007, 11:08 AM
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I was worried about you. I hope you are recovered COMPLETELY. Enjoyed your report.
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Old Jan 23rd, 2007, 11:44 AM
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Faina-enjoyed your trip report. Glad you found a travel companion on the cruise. Now that you've tried a cruise, I guess it's my time to try.

I was wondering how things were on Catalina the day you were there. As Faina said, Tuesday was a beautiful day in San Diego but the next day was the day in snowed in Malibu and the weather was just crazy. At least it sounds like Catalina weather was OK.

It was fun showing you around San Diego, hopefully you will be back when you are feeling better so you can see more. Hope you are all healed.
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Old Jan 23rd, 2007, 11:54 AM
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People were coming back from Catalina at 10 am running away from the rain. I got off late, after 11, when the sun was coming out already. It was warm by the pier, hot in stores and windy freezing up at the Sky Airport.

I also forgot to tell about my cell phone. Thank you Paula for fixing it I have a pre-paid T-mobile, it worked on the cruise and in the US ports, did't work in Ensenada, but not sure why - maybe I just didn't know the code to dial.
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Old Jan 23rd, 2007, 01:24 PM
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Thanks for the report, FainaAgain. It was very entertaining.
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Old Jan 23rd, 2007, 01:32 PM
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I'm glad you enjoyed the cruise - you'd probably enjoy a 7 day one even more.

I took this exact cruise a couple of years ago and with the ship being in port every day, there was no chance to sit back and enjoy a sea day (which are my favorite days). It is an enjoyable cruise, though - and I think it was a good choice to see if you liked cruising.
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Old Jan 23rd, 2007, 01:42 PM
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Faina-US cell phones don't usually work in Mexico although every once in a while I have been able to make a call while I was in Baja Mexico. Who knows why that worked. Anyway, usually if you try to call someone from Baja, you just a recorded voice in Spanish. Don't know what they are saying, I just always assumed it was telling me I couldn't call out.
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Old Jan 23rd, 2007, 02:57 PM
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I was holding my breath between Faina's writings, glad you had fun in cruise hell, and hope your thigh is in good shape now!
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Old Jan 24th, 2007, 05:09 AM
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Fiana - like you - having my stuff, closets, etc. gone thru' really bugs me. They used to bring out your nightgowns and arrange them on the bed !! I have had things thrown away, boy, I went to the supervisor on that one. Now, I tell the room steward - not touch or throw away anything that is not in the waste basket!!

Thanks for a great report.
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Old Jan 24th, 2007, 07:47 AM
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Thanks for the cute report! Yes, one has to call their cell phone carrier to have their phone to be allowed to call out or in from another country, or at least that's how it worked for us with our t-mobile account. We had to call and request the service.

Have fun planning your next cruise.
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Old Jan 24th, 2007, 09:02 AM
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Thanks for the report, Faina. I took that exact same cruise in 2004 and it was short but very sweet. Welcome home!!
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