Last Cruise for The Mariner of the Sea-Leaving America 12/12/10

Hello again Cabo! 
It has been along time since I have updated my travel blog.  This is the last time I cruised on the Mariner of the Seas.  The Mariner has left the port of San Pedro to travel to So. America and will be making its home in Brazil.  But first it will stop in Europe awhile before heading to Brazil.
So this was my last cruise to the Mexican Rivera, which I am not sad about since it is in my backyard and I have traveled her off and on most of my life.  Mostly on a cruise ship.  Don't get me wrong it is beautiful but I prefer to travel to places I have not seen yet or have only visited a few times.

 The harbor in Cabo is breath taking and is always a port that in order to make it to land you have to take a small boat (tender) to shore.  So I don't go ashore very often.

 Since I have been coming to Cabo it has changed so much and has become very modern.  I remember when I first came there was an open air market when you first came off the tender the locals sold their wears.  I miss that, it is now all concrete and very cold to me.  But it is progress and brings more money for their economy and that is good for the people, I hope.

Another view from the ship of the panoramic view of the Harbor and coastline.

This is one of the Small tenders passengers can take to get to shore, and they run all the time.  I actually enjoy the ride to shore and would rather just stay on the tender for a few short rides to and from the ship.

Here is a Crystal ship that cruise with us most of the cruise.  I have never seen Crystal in Mexico or California.  I later found out that it was on its way to reposition for a different Itinerary.  I love to see other ships with us as we cruise.

Ahhhhhhhhh, most everyone has gone ashore, and the ship is all mine!  This is my favorite time to explore any ship I am on, when we are in port.  I love to walk the decks I haven't been on yet and see what it looks like without passengers.  Great time to go swimming also.

This is what it looks like as we prepare to leave to Cruise to out next port, Mazatlan.

And just in case you forget what day it is while you are cruising.......check the floor of the elevators each day they will remind you with the changing of the carpet.

 To get the passengers in the mood to sail away, go check out the band or entertainment on the pool deck.  This day it was a Calypso band.  There aren't a lot of passengers now but wait till the ship is sailing and the drinks are passed, there will be dancing and partying.  Good times.  

I like to watch from the upper deck.  Not so much crowd and the view is spectacular for sail away.This is the adult pool, nice and quiet, no kids.  And a jacuzzi too.

I always love to see the moon and stars while out at Sea and this night 12/14/10 the moon was brilliant.

This is the entrance to the docks at Mazatlan, Mexico.  Not the most beautiful, mostly containers dock side. But the docking fees are Less for both passengers and the company.

On this day we had 3 ships in port at the same time and we all just fit.  Our ship will attempt to squeeze in the middle of the two already docked.  Due to the heavy fog, we couldn't get into port till late.  I have to admit I have never seen it so foggy anywhere in Mexico. 

This is a port where I usually go to the terminal to use the Internet.  Good thing I brought a sweatshirt with me because I needed it today.  It was cold and foggy. Burrrrrrrrrrr.

PUERTO VALLERTA

Docked in Puerto Vallerta from 8am till 7:30pm.  Lots of time to do whatever.  I do have to admit that this is a great port of almost anything you want to do.  You can just stay around the port and shop or eat across the street.  Or take a short taxi ride downtown and have more to choose in the way of shopping and eating. 

I myself like to walk around close to the ship and take in the people and what they are doing or not doing.  I am not sure if you can see it but I tried to get pictures of the soldiers in uniform that guard the port, but every time I tired one would motion no.  So, I tried to sneak a picture as I walked by.  It can be intimidating because they do carry big guns.  This port is also great to use the Internet and low cost.

 The day has come to an end her in PV and as we wait to account for all the passengers on board, I start to walk the outer decks and take pictures of the night.

This is a Carnival ship that was in port with us all day and has gotten the go ahead to leave before us.  The ships always look so magnificent all lite up at night.

City lights of PV.

Look even Walmart has its beauty at night, lol. 

Dyane Vrooman-winner of a raffle drawing for "What a Gem"

 It is back to work for the last 2 Sea Days before we end the cruise back in San Pedro, California.

 This is what the Promenade looks like while we are in Port or early in the morning before everyone starts their day.

 This is one of the shops on board that you can spend your money at, just in case you forgot something at home or couldn't find that perfect gift for someone back home.

And since it was the Holidays, they went all out and decorated a Hugh Christmas Tree at one end of the Promenade and Hanuka Banners for all our Jewish passengers. 

Along the Promenade you can also find on most ships this size, a few bars.  This one is Vintages.  They can also offer you a nice wine tasting with cheese and fruit served by a very knowledgeable server. 

And for the passengers that want to let it all hang out or are just rough around the edges there is the neighborhood Pub.  They seem to have live music every night and I do believe Karaoke.  And for you smokers I think a smoking area to get the true feel of a pub.  But this may have changed. 

As I sell my jewelry Thru out the days at Sea, the cruise staff and dancers will come and distribute along the Promenade and all of a sudden, the music starts to play, and a Flash dance begins and hope all the surrounding passengers will join in.  Most of the time they do get a lot of people dancing and laughing their heads off as they do whatever just to be silly. 

 

It is a great way to get passengers going and give the ones that don't make it to the gym a little exercise. 

And then there are the ones who just like to watch or what I like to call the less adventurous ones. 

 Oh, and look you can see some of the jewelry I sell. 

At the end of the cruise, it is all in good fun to look back and remember the things you did that you would not have done when on land! LOL...........

And last but not least my two helpers from the Shops.  Remember when cruising to be nice to these kids.  They work hard and have left their loved ones for up to at least 6 months at a time to make a good wage that may be unattainable in their country.

That is, it for this cruise so till the next time I am at Sea stay safe and happy and laugh a lot.  Enjoy!!!