We tend to take our vacations during the slow season, and this year we took a family cruise to Mexico to celebrate Brittainie’s 16th birthday. I had been on a carnival 3 day cruise years ago and didn’t really enjoy the “booze cruise” atmosphere, so I wasn’t sure what to expect this time around. I used to love to travel, which is very different from taking a vacation. Travel is going to some old European cities to explore the history and architecture, or going to India to photograph a camel festival (Like our good friend Michelle Walker does). But these days, all I really want is an ocean view and a hot tub. The cruise to Mexico was perfect! It was on the Golden Princess, and the travel agent I went through really encouraged us to get a balcony room. I’m so glad he did, because the balcony room was AMAZING!!!! Every day we had great light & a nice ocean breeze, while at night we could hear the ocean waves lapping against the side of the ship. It was so peaceful and relaxing, I can’t wait for my next cruise!
In Cabo Geoff went for one of the ship’s offshore adventures and went dune buggy racing, while Britt & I took a glass bottom boat ride. We had 3 stops, in Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan & Cabo. It was nice to get off the ship & explore the towns. Puerto Vallarta was the best, Geoff & Brittainie & I went swimming with dolphins. They are such incredible creatures, intelligent & playful!
The food on the ship was ok, not bad, but not great. We had originally signed up for the formal dinner service, until we discovered the buffet had all the same food and more! My favorite part was getting a champagne breakfast served on our balcony. There were a lot of choices as far as activities (casino, bingo, art auctions, arts & crafts, pottery, golf, yoga etc) but all I really wanted was to sit on the balcony reading and enjoying the ocean view. Overall, a great time. I would recommend checking out cruiseweb.com for specials or last minute deals. I think a cruise would make a nice honeymoon, you don’t have to make any decisions, so you can just focus on each other.
Our next trip is to my favorite beach house in Irish Beach at the end of August. It’s our break in the middle of “busy season” which is May-October. Irish Beach is a few hours north, in the Mendocino area. It’s a gorgeous drive, especially with the top down…I can’t help it, whenever I get back from a vacation, I start thinking about the next one!
