California Coastal 7 day Cruise

 This is my first time doing the California Coastal, which is kind of funny because I live in the L.A. area and have done just about every other cruise there is. Here is the itinerary below. 

When : Nov. 4th 2023 ( even though the screenshot says Oct.) 

Who : My husband, and Best friend from High School and her husband. To my surprise a couple co-workers were also on this cruise.

Where: To California and Ensenada.

Room: Balcony Obstructed E535

This is an easy cruise because I live in L.A. So we drive to the port, park the car, walk over to the pier and we are on. My best friend from high school is on this cruise, (First time on Princess) and we are reconnecting after many years. I had so much fun with her and we just picked up where we left off. She and her husband are easy traveling partners so we are hoping for many more. 

I like to get the ship's crest for my Medallion, but because I already have the Discovery I decide to do my horoscope sign. 

Heres a view from Obstructed Balcony E535. Not too bad. If there is an emergency I know where the tender is! 

Me and Bff Audrey with our Sail away drinks and photo op. 

We explore the ship, reserve the sanctuary which always fills up, unpack, go to sailaway party for drinks and later go to the MDR for dinner. If you want the Vegetarian menu you have to request it. They change it every night. They also have a couple Vegetarian options on the Main menu but now we get our exclusive one. Yay. 

After dinner it is the Comedian and my friends are casino junkies, ( I didn't know) so they hit the casinos. I'll tell you later all the freebies they get. 

Tomorrow is Sea day up to San Francisco so Zumba for me, Gym and I try out the Pilates class before I veg out and relax in afternoon. Gotta work off all the calories I may be eating or drinking. 

Fort Lauderdale Disembarkation

 It's hard to say Goodbye. 

After 15 days it's time to say goodbye. I loved this cruise and would definitely do it again. 
Next time I will go the opposite way from Fort Lauderdale to Los Angeles. This route will have 1 or 2 Caribbean Island ports and the eastern side of Costa Rica. Plus I could buy my flavored tequila in Puerto Vallarta and not have to worry about packing it for the flight home. 

 

We decided to do a post shore excursion because our flight was leaving late. We had a bus tour around the beach and went up  Las Olas Blvd. to the Waterways of Millionaire Row and saw some amazing mansions and humongous yachts. We chose the : 

Debark Tour: Intracoastal Waterway By Boat & Las Olas Blvd With Fort Lauderdale Airport Transfer :

Set your sights on Fort Lauderdale's finest boulevards, beaches and waterways. From the pier, it's a scenic drive around "Venice of America," named for its intricate canal system. As you tour the city, your informative guide will share its history and point out its most memorable landmarks. Stop and browse the hip shops at Las Olas Boulevard, and then proceed to the boarding location for the "Carrie B" paddle-boat. Enjoy a glorious sightseeing cruise along the Intracoastal Waterway and Port Everglades. View the many elaborate mansions and celebrity homes along Millionaires Row, as well as the massive yachts docked outside Fort Lauderdale's luxury hotels. This fun vessel features both open and enclosed decks and a snack bar. Upon completion of your water tour, rejoin your transportation and return to the ship. Upon completion of your water tour, rejoin your transportation and head to the airport.

After gazing, dreaming and stalking the rich and famous we head over to the airport. 

Always expect the unexpected as the runways were flooded a few days before so one of the reasons our non-stop flight turned into a stop over in Houston for a fuel up. We were also delayed for a couple hours due to the lightening storm. There has to be a certain amount of seconds ( I think it was 9, but it could have been 30) gap between the strikes in order for us to take off. We decided to do a last minute upgrade to first class and  I guess that was a pretty good decision being that we were stuck on the runway for 2 hours. 

Overall it was a wonderful cruise and on my list for a do again cruise. 

And just a few more Bird shots before you go.

 Coming back to the port you will need to walk through the atrium again. Just watching all the birds and monkeys is so much fun, I think  that I could actually spend the whole day here. 

Cartagena Colombia

 Once we haggle with the taxi driver (Side Note- They want to upsell you tours for the day so it may be challenging to say "No, we just want the taxi ride to town"), we are on our way for the ride of our life. There are 4 of us in one small taxi for $20 ride to Old Town. I think we almost crashed, hit someone, or someone hit us every few minutes.  A lot of gasps, laughs, and just close your eyes moments. When we were at a stoplight the police will get out of the car and halt traffic just so they can get through the intersection. After our Mr. Toad wild ride to Old town, we pay our driver the $20 bucks, and my sister generously tips him $10 dollars because he told us he had 10 kids. He was so excited about his tip he said, "what time do you want me to pick you back up?" And yes he was waiting for us when we were done with our day. We were let off about a block away and strolled to the entrance of the most colorful, dizzying, sensory driven area like I just took a step back in time. 

We enter through the clock tower and get bombarded with street vendors. We were told there were many and will follow you until you buy something. As I'm trying to take in the sights, someone is talking into my ear and asking me if he can be our tour guide for the hour or two @ $5 bucks a person. What a deal. There are 6 of us because we meet my sister and brother-in-law who came in another taxi. He plays his flute to keep us together instead of holding up a tour guide number or scarf. 

Just a few photos walking through the town and the colorful sights we see. 

And my favorite Pics were these. For $2.00 you can get some fun photos. 

#Cartagena #Colombia #Old_Town