The first sea day heading home began sunny with a calm sea, but windy and chilly. This wind must be a permanent trade wind or something, because it was always blowing, even on this perfect day. It was borderline warm by the pool, lots of people with tops on or towels wrapped around them. We strolled all over and actually found 2 sunny places without the wind … see note below. The bow location is busier, more people walking past on the track. Other location is more secluded.
DAY 7 - AT SEA ON THE VISION OF THE SEAS
The last sea day, Saturday, started beautifully, ocean almost glassy calm, blue sky. Even so there was still that stiff chilly breeze on deck. We got a few rays in our sheltered bow spot, and then the clouds rolled in about 9:30, so we went to breakfast. Overcast and cold the rest of the morning, and at noon the captain made his daily announcements, saying that the weather would get cloudier and windier in the afternoon, with higher seas. He turned out to be a better seaman than a weatherman, because after 12 the sea got a bit choppy, but it turned mainly sunny all afternoon. No one could sit above the pool on deck 10, all those loungers were empty, it would blow your sunglasses and hat right off. Somewhat better at the pool, loungers all taken, maybe half the people with tops on. Just lovely in our protected spot at the bow. We hit lunch just before the buffet closed at 2:30, then back in the sun till dinner time.
DISEMBARKATION FROM THE VISION OF THE SEAS
Luggage out in the hall by 11pm and cruisers are asked to be out of their cabins by 8am. Dining room closes at 8, buffet closes at 8:30. Final ship accounts are delivered to cabins early Sunday morning for checking. Debarking is by color code as usual, and the first was called at 7:50. After leaving the ship and entering the terminal there was a 45 minute wait in line for customs. Then you get your luggage, each color tag in a separate room, and leave the terminal, total time for us was 1 hour 20 minutes. The sidewalk in front of the terminal is for private pickups, and if you want a cab or shuttle you cross over to the island where a taxi coordinator radios for them. Another ship was debarking beside us, but there were tons of cabs, and we had one in 5 minutes, and were off to LAX for $43. Super Shuttle and Prime Time Shuttle are about $30/couple to LAX, need to pre-book.
TIPS & NOTES
Internet: Need to check your email? The ship is expensive as usual, 50 cents a minute, sometimes pretty fast, more often slow. Crown and Anchor booklet has coupon for 10 minutes free. Have to submit coupon same day used. Great internet ashore, often $1/hour! In Cabo a good one about halfway down Marina Blvd, just 1 block off the Blvd on the left in a plaza, ask any of the tourist kiosks, they’re very helpful. In Maz there’s one a block from the cathedral, rec’d as cheap, but didn’t get there. In PV the one off the gangway is expensive, $3 for 15 minutes. In town it’s $1/hour at a place at Juarez and Aldama, fast connection, about 5 pesos (50 cents) for about half an hour. Another place on Ordaz, the beach strip, 2 doors east of McDonalds.
- Protected tanning locations: On our strolls we only found 2 sunny places protected from the winds. One was on deck 10 (jogging track) up at the bow in front of the 5 foot glass panels. The other was also on deck 10, behind the Solarium. There are no loungers there, you have to drag them in from the side of the ship.
- Menus: We had to look around to find the daily menus, they aren’t displayed at the doors to the dining room, but back about 20 feet in the wine display cases.
- Tipping: RCI has 2 nice tipping features. The ship gives people the choice of putting tips on your Sea Pass card or handling it yourself. Also another nice feature, if you put the tips on your ship card, you get vouchers to put in the tip envelopes to give the staff which shows you tipped through the ship.
- Money. Don’t bother bringing large bills like 20’s, they’re just a nuisance, only good for large purchases like private shore tours. No one can or wants to change them, cabs, bar waiters, food waiters, and if they do you often get a bunch of pesos to try and get rid of. Plus wasted time waiting for change. It’s best to pay close to the exact amount and be gone. It’s good to have about $50-70 in ones, about 20-25 fives, and 5 or 10 tens for generally getting around. Don’t use the ones until you need to.
- Comfy. If you like a terry robe in the cabin, but your cabin category doesn’t include one, you can ask (or tip) the steward to get you one, and RCI’s policy is to fill your request.
Lovely cruise, hi to our new shipmates Gary and Betty, lots of fun together, hope your hangovers don’t last too long :-)
Here’s the link to our cruise photos, should be posted by April: http://community.webshots.com/user/rob42ca
Email us if you have questions.
Guest Contributors: Bob & Wendy
Bob7@canoemail.com