by Dianne
I thought I would write a "before and after" cruise blog. First, it might have something interesting or funny (might, I said), and second...hey, it's a blog..right?
To set the stage for this, my husband and I have been on two cruises, both with Holland America. One was to Alaska and the other to Canada and along the coast. I prefer cold weather vacations as I really do not like to be hot.
The cruise we are taking next week is to the Mexican Riviera on Royal Caribbean. We wanted to try a different ship and area. Now...if my husband had more time off we would be going to the Antarctic in the summer, but he teaches year round. Next week is his Spring break so that is why we chose now to go.
We got a veranda this time and I am excited about that for hanging out in the late AM and having room service. I am hoping the temperatures we are seeing now will not have a 100% humidity attached to them, or you will find me never leaving the ship. We also wanted to plan a couple of land tours. We have done this before .....bus/van tours of the city, other sightseeing, train rides, local shows for the culture, etc. My husband printed 49 pages for me to pick out some tours. Hmmmmm, let's see-----do we want to horseback ride along the beach, zip line through the jungle, scuba in the deep waters (they will give us a certificate after an hour in the pool), take four hour walks through towns and churches, dune buggy across the beach, or bungy jump---I wonder how I will ever make a decision. I check with Mr D and he doesn't care and wants me to decide. Well, there is a two hour whale watching cruise that sounded fun and another boat trip...check. Those are all in one port so now, what about the other two stops?
After much thought I have made some executive decisions and they are as follow: 1) if it is too friggin' hot, I will go and lay on the ice in the ice arena aboard ship 2) best tour (designed it myself) go the dining room for a great dinner, entertainment show after dinner, and then head to the piano bar (and I don't need a certificate for that)!!!!
Part 2 will follow after the first of March----------------------
To set the stage for this, my husband and I have been on two cruises, both with Holland America. One was to Alaska and the other to Canada and along the coast. I prefer cold weather vacations as I really do not like to be hot.
The cruise we are taking next week is to the Mexican Riviera on Royal Caribbean. We wanted to try a different ship and area. Now...if my husband had more time off we would be going to the Antarctic in the summer, but he teaches year round. Next week is his Spring break so that is why we chose now to go.
We got a veranda this time and I am excited about that for hanging out in the late AM and having room service. I am hoping the temperatures we are seeing now will not have a 100% humidity attached to them, or you will find me never leaving the ship. We also wanted to plan a couple of land tours. We have done this before .....bus/van tours of the city, other sightseeing, train rides, local shows for the culture, etc. My husband printed 49 pages for me to pick out some tours. Hmmmmm, let's see-----do we want to horseback ride along the beach, zip line through the jungle, scuba in the deep waters (they will give us a certificate after an hour in the pool), take four hour walks through towns and churches, dune buggy across the beach, or bungy jump---I wonder how I will ever make a decision. I check with Mr D and he doesn't care and wants me to decide. Well, there is a two hour whale watching cruise that sounded fun and another boat trip...check. Those are all in one port so now, what about the other two stops?
After much thought I have made some executive decisions and they are as follow: 1) if it is too friggin' hot, I will go and lay on the ice in the ice arena aboard ship 2) best tour (designed it myself) go the dining room for a great dinner, entertainment show after dinner, and then head to the piano bar (and I don't need a certificate for that)!!!!
Part 2 will follow after the first of March----------------------
62 comments:
Oh, Dianne... such opportunity for adventure and you want to lay on a bag of ice? It's going to be hot. You're approaching the equator. I am excited for you.
One rule I always follow whilst traveling: Never do anything abroad that I can do at home. So strap on your zip harness, slide on that helmet, breathe some canned air and bungee jump over the pool. Don't forget to eat eat eat. Cruise food. Yum!
Di~ don't listen to her.....she's the devil~
Dianne: Have a great time!! Great blog and take pictures of you laying on the ice arena, that would be fun to see!
Bonachichi: Congrats on first!
Peeking in from work, hope all is well with everyone.
Hello and Good morning to bonachichi, tina and dianne and all who pass through later.
Tina, I'd love to do Mexico with you. We'd go duning so you could pick sand out of your ass crack for months. Then I'll show you that you can eat anything you want and not gain an ounce if you bungee jump right after. I'd distract you whilst ziplining so you forget to stop before you hit the next tree. It would be so much fun!
Morning Glories!
Bonachichi got first! Wohoo! The Devil looks awfully purty this morning!
Diane Zip line I vote for the zip line and then shopping in the markets! The rest of the trip would be laying around and drinking. Maybe some eating if I felt up to it! ZZZZZZZZZZZZIIIIIIPPPP and ZZZZZZOOOOOMMMM!
Tina Eunice is scaring the hell out of me this morning. She looks possesed!
Morning Bebbi!
or is that possessed?
Some of you may think I am indeed the Devil, but you would be mistaken. We are simply close personal friends. Every time he has an idea, I preach to him about moderation and self-control. Imagine the chaos that would reign if not for me and my gentle restraint?
Dianne -- I'm green with envy (blame bonachichi's horned friend for that one)! I haven't been on RCL's larger ships yet (got one coming up this fall) but cruisecritic.com has some great reviews for most of them.
I was going to do the zip line for my 50th birthday but our ship got re-routed and we never made it to that port. Wasn't in the cards, I guess. Snorkeling is awesome and it's a great way to beat the heat.
Do you like to do the ship activities? All indoors and out of the heat...Battle of the Sexes, Family Feud, and Trivia. Taking/watching dance classes. Bingo. Having a sampler in the martini bar makes a nice pre-dinner stop.
Have a great time and don't go stepping into the hallway in your pj's or you may end up on the DVD. On our Alaska cruise some guy was putting his room service tray out the door and locked himself out in his boxers, lol!
Waving a wing at bonachichi, Tina, Bebbi, Lynn, and everyone else swooping in. I hope everyone gets a little sunshine today!
I wound up on one of those DVDs once. I didn't even know they did that. I couldn't for the life of me figure out how everyone knew who I was.
Hi Honkies!!
Dianne you are so funny....lay on the ice!!
I am assuming you are stopping in Cabo....Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta...the weather should be agreeable during this time of year.....cool at night and 80's during the day.....
You are not ...as Bonachichi (who damned me to hell yesterday) said...going to the equator....unless you are continuing on to the Galapagos Islands.....but the sun is more intense than what you are accustomed to around the Tropic of Cancer....its harder on your skin so take great sun block and wear colors...you know wearing white is like wearing nothing....it offers practically mo protection from the sun....
A friend of mine just got back from Cabo San Lucas....and she loves the whales.....its the right time of year for that.....while she was out in in a small boat a cow and it calve came right up along side the boat in one of those OMG moments....she said they made eye contact and she kissed them both....so if you see a Mother and her baby with lipstick on them....those are the ones!!
I think they are amazing creatures but personally I don't really get that close to anything that has a "blow-hole"....well ...except Tina and Tracy...
I know you will have a nice time on your cruise......but you know it never fails....there are always those women on board that wear their swimsuit tops with a wrap around the waist....you know...sort of an island girl skirt.....and they keep their drinks between their boobs....that just drives me crazy...once I went so far as to order a round of tropical drinks for everyone that came in a hollowed out pineapple....that took care of the problem for awhile.....
And one last word of advice....if somebody starts a nude conga line on deck.....just walk away with your corneas intact...
Don't make the same mistake I did this summer on the Queen Mary II......I am banned until next year and then I will be on probation for another 12 months.....
I didn't damn you to Hell, DeeDee; I'm just joining you. As for blowholes, we once took a Taxi whilst carrying a blow-up doll. She was kind of like our mascot and we were determined to take her everywhere. The driver was tolerant for a time, but he wound up throwing us out at the side of some dirt road. This was not the same incident where we were thrown off a bus. There was no blow-up doll on the bus. Just a bunch of assholes.
That was my delete and it's just because I can't spell. I just felt it noteworthy to mention that we have done many pranks with blow-up dolls, and we always name them Tina.
Hello from cloudy Las Vegas. Sharon and I saw Terry Fator's show last night and it was fabulous. I highly recommend it, if you get to Vegas. Tonight we are going to Cirque du Soleil.
Just popping in to say hi after printing boading passes for flight back tomorrow.
Too many people waiting for this computer to read the blog but I hope you are all having a good day.
DIANNE: Whichever activity you choose, just make sure you bring one of those little cameras that the athletes wear..you know, the ones you can strap to your head? That way we can be in on ALL the action! :D
Have fun! I can't wait to read Part 2!
BONACHI: Congrats on FIRST!
LYNN: I agree..Zip Line!
DEEDEE: I couldn't pick out one thing..so LOL @ your whole comment! :D
SACBARB: But did you win any money yet? ;) I'm glad you're having a good time!
CAROL: Thank you! :)
HI TINA! HI BEBBI!
Hot Damn!!!!! I'm home and I don't have to go to work tomorrow!!!!
Dianne have a great time on your cruise! Take lots of pictures and make sure you and the Mr. are in some. Please don't get into any trouble, our bail fund is pretty low.
I forgot to say hi to everybody.
Hi Everybody!!
hello again....
You know I was starting to get a little ticked waiting for my island gifts.....I was afraid I was going to have to send out a stern letter....but then they started rolling in!!! Thanks everyone....even Nicolas in France who keeps sending surprise boxes...apparently juniper doesn't translate....lol....but from his pictures his surprise box is huge!!
I know there is bound to be some animosity about my island because it is so breathtakingly beautiful.....so thanks for not letting your feelings of inadequacy get it the way of our island relationships.....your islands are nice too.....
So thanks again.....as a treat...my peacocks blossom tonight and if you can find them steal all the eggs you can carry....(3)....hope you haven't already pilfered me today....in light of this exciting newsbreak!!
Kiss Kiss......
your islands are nice too....(rolls eyes)
Sheesh, DeeDee; I just had a non-LSD flashback which kicked off with your flying sea monster. I was stealing, I admit. But then I was getting rewarded for burgling berries when I was in fact stealing lemons. I had to go back to your hoarder's paradise, flying sea monster notwithstanding, to find my sanity again. And that, is a sad state of affairs.
DeeDee~ Janice can't stop laughing.....i'm almost positive it's AT you~
HELLO HOOTERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Long time kiddies!! Congrats on 1st Bona....
Dianne, Mr. Goldie has vowed never to go on a cruise... woo is me. Will have to wait until I am old, grey, and my sugar Daddy takes me...tee hee
Getting ready for our trip next.. we leave the 28th and I can't wait!! I was even willing to try on new bathing suits and buy one today! That was scary.....
Off to dinner with the Mr. ... then back home to the Olympics. Arent we romantic??? LOL
Hope everyone has a good night! MWAH!!!!
Pardon me.....but that "flying sea monster" is a very expensive Chinese kite!!!
25!!!!
dammit DeeDee - you effed up my 25!
you might want to change that to a 26...ijs......baaa haaaa!!!! I got 25...
Hi Everyone....GOLDIE: I will go on a cruise with you. they are so fun and you only have to unpack once and be treated like a Princess!!
I forgot to tell all of you that I could do rock climbing on the ship but after watching that incredible skating last night at the Olympics...I think I will skate and do my triple whatever!!!
BONOCHICHI: Don't be telling me it's going to be hot or I will unpack (haven't even started to pack).
Some of you may remember that I am the world's worse packer and procrastinator about packing. I have a list and the suitcase (s) have been in the room for a week and here I sit farming and blogging. I am going straight in to start when I get off here though and my house is all clean and in order..so that is something. My laundry is done and new clothes all purchased and ready to pack. I finished up some shopping today for my Hot Tamales candy and I have my glue for my temp bridge...God forbid...just in case...so I think I am ahead of the game. Hair done today, mani/pedi,mustache tomorrow...yup, I'm all good.!!
I wanted to pass on some news....ZONA sent me some lovely tassels a few weeks ago for the playoff games when Arizona was in them....a very long time ago. I just sent off a little package to LYNN to include the tassels. I thought it might give her a smile and also maybe she could use them to drum up more money for the food bank. WELLLLLL, she received them and properly thanked me but told me they are too small for her. I think she is a bragger! Maybe we should do the tassels like the necklace and pass them around and tell stories and wear them...the owls, children and animals..You first LYNN so take that picture!!!:)
Dianne, by "hot" I did mean around 80 or 90 degrees F. Perfect weather for water play. I don't remember which port it is, but there is a bungee jump that goes into a pool. That's fun, but do it before you eat. Snorkeling isn't exiting because the water's not all that um, clean.
Parasailing can be fun, but just sitting in a harness watching a boat beneath you may become a bore so I recommend a quick-release when you're safely away from land, then you can crash land in the ocean. Somebody will fish you out eventually.
I have not seen any mention of bug spray, so I will break with my usual character and tell you something nice. Make sure you have bug spray, especially if you're going zip-lining or duning.
And you can get your own blow-up Tina doll at any sex shop, here or in Mexico. Take her out, let her see the sights. Enjoy a meal or two with her. In fact, take her everywhere you go. It will add a whole new dimension to your trip.
Good evening everyone!
Congrats o first Bonachchi!
Diane, I am so excited for you! I went on my first cruise last year. Loved it. A balcony is a must! Sitting out there in the morning watching the ocean is breathless! I can't imagine not having a view of some kind.
Goldie and Diane, sign me up for a cruise! I have a feeling that a cruise with owls would be unforgettable!
Waving at Zona,Bebbi,Tina,Caryn,LynnD,DeeDee,
SacBarb & Shirley ~~~~
I am off to Farm and make a pizza
Dianne: What kind of tassels?
BEBBI: THEY are a lovely gold and they swing both ways (so to speak). I was a hit a my Bronco parties but it can be a chilly experience.
BONA: So buying a Tina doll to take is kind of like when the kids have you take Flat Stanley on trips? If I am taking any sex doll you can bet your bippy that it won't be a TINA doll...it would be more like a Tom doll, but I have MRD this time. I will plan on taking a Tom doll when I go to Chicago.
BONA: I guess you don't realize that I am old, fat and am not able to walk very far. Matter of fact, I rented a scooter for the ship!! See...I'm not very fun :(
Dianne: Are you talking about pasties? with tassels? I just want to be clear on this before I tell my story...LOL
DIANNE...have a great time on your cruise. Do whatever you want, even if is doing nothing...that's what vacays are for. Enjoy!!
Di, being on a scooter is no excuse not to have fun. Remember, I travel with idiots who don't know the meaning of composure. I would still get some bug spray. It can't hurt. And sunscreen.
I took Mum on a Mexican cruise when she was about 60-ish. She loved bingo aboard the ship and I taught her how to play Blackjack. She had limited mobility, but I made sure to visit each port so she could see the sights. Really, she was so taken with the ship and there was so much to do, she'd have been happy to stay on board the whole time. The food is always amazing, so that's a really good activity that we enjoyed as well.
See? I can act like a grown-up when I want to.
I think someone hijacked Bonachichi's account.
Now about these blow-up dolls. It is just interesting to see peoples' reactions to the fact that you're toting one around. You have to keep a straight face, and you can't be gentle. Sometimes you have to stuff Tina into something, or yank her out. Like baggage. I don't like carrying around a naked Tina, but some of the guys do.
ALL the guys do~ ijs~
I'm not always a smart ass. How do you think I survive?
Uh-oh. Tina, we started calling the dolls Tina back around 2000. We had a crash-test dummy we used to call Timmy, but he died like, a zillion times and we finally couldn't put him back together.
bonachichi: I wouldn't mind carrying around a naked Tina blow up doll but what freaks me out is the way her mouth is shaped..it's rather odd. Why does it look like she is saying "OOOOOOH NO" all the time?
OOOOh my.
Mary: Forgot to say yesterday, thanks for your support on the gay marriage front too! And you are right... there is opposition on the democratic side of the house as well as the republican... like the nine democratic senators who voted against it in New York State.
They are in my hall of shame, too!
Dianne: I've never been on a cruise, but it is a secret ambition of mine to do the around the world cruise on the Queen Mary when I retire! :)
OMG- are we taking our tassles on the cruise with our tina~ blow up doll??? What fine!! Sign me up!!
Dianne, I will think of you when I am dining with Bear and rocking to Bon Jovi- if you think of me on the cruise!!!
47
48
49
50!!!
Ha!! Take that Dee Dee!!! :)
umm, what fun? I need to word check and spell check, but a little too lazy and tipsy..
ruht roh, Goldie is tipsy bloggin!
Going to bed now, sweet dreams all.
55
CHICHI: I don't think I will be playing Bingo...now there are 281 slot machines on this ship (MARY) so I do think I will be there. I think you now have me too old..I am pretty fun to be with sometimes I think...ask TINA AND ZONA...you both better tell the truth too.
I will take sun screen and bug spray and NOT my weight watcher scale!!!
A quick comment before I turn in. I am physically and emotionally exhausted and we still have no decision about temporary custody of the grandkids.
Dianne You will have a great time on your cruise. I absolutely love cruising, being catered to, the beautiful views and great food. I think you would love the whale watching so I hope you do that. I am very sure that you are a lot of fun to be with. What port do you leave out of?
Good night, Owls. Sleep tight.
JL. We leave from LA. I'm sorry things r setteling down for all of u. How r u doing with grandkids full time?
JL. We leave from LA. I'm sorry things r setteling down for all of u. How r u doing with grandkids full time?
Dianne, I don't think you're 60-ish; It's just how old Mum was and I was able to behave and show her a good time, even though we weren't running around like teenagers. I find slowing down refreshing once in a while.
I think you're going to have a wonderful time, and I am envious that you're able to take a trip just for you. I do hope you tell us about it.
It occurs to me that we should be wishing Dianne Bon Voyage. Di, worry only about enjoying yourself. I really hope you have a fabulous time!
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