Cruise Ship Evening Activities and Excursions



     So after a day of laying in the sun, eating at the buffet, laughing at the hairy chest contest, playing trivia, contributing to the Casino fund or line dancing, the time has come for the night time excitement.  Most cruise lines continue the tradition of elegant night. On a seven day cruise there are usually 2.

     I know a lot of people complain about having to get dressed up on vacation, however, I am not one of them. I love putting on my tux (yes I own one) while my wife puts on a great evening or cocktail dress and strolling the ship before dinner.

     The ship's staff has several photo stations set up and they take the best formal pictures. It is a joy to watch couples, friends and families smiling as the pose. The next day you can go to the photo area and look at your pictures and decide whether to purchase them. I know several people who wait till they are on a cruise to do formal pictures.

     Of course on elegant night the ship's chefs prepare a wonderful feast. Our favorite it Lobster night. The courses are prepared to perfection and are presented with an artistic flare. Add a nice bottle of wine and it makes for a grand evening.

      After dinner it is time to head to the show and then some dancing to burn off the calories. I am often asked why I enjoy dressing up for the formal nights. In our busy lives I believe we don't take enought time to enjoy the finer things. This is an opportunity outside of a wedding or a funereal to get dressed to the nines and have fun.

     People cruise for a variety of reasons. Exploring new places and sampling other cultures is one of my favorites. I have cruised the Mexican Riviera and visited Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, Acapulco, Iztapa and Manzanillo. In the Caribbean I enjoyed Cozumel, Grand Caymans, Costa Maya, Belize, Grand Turk, St. Maarten, St. Thomas and Princess Cays. I experienced the majestic beauty of the Alaskan Inside Passage with stops in Ketchikan, Juneau, the Glacier in Tracy Arm Fjord, Skagway and Victoria Island B.C.

  I have taken shore excurison and explored on my own. I must say that Lyndelle and I decide to try ziplining in Puerto Vallarta. It was one of the best experiences we ever had in a Port of Call. The guides were incredible and the views were spectacular. At the end of all of the zipling we had to repel from a 70 ft platform. I don't know if I would ever be physically fit enough to do it again but I sure would give it another try.

     I hope you have time to check out the video below. It  begins at the end of the hairy chest competition followed by the first formal night and captain's cocktail party. It ends with the first half of a shore excursion on Grand Cayman. Enjoy.

Cruising on Carnival

   So what is a Carnial Cruise like. Well it depends on who you ask. So let me share with you my experience of Cruising with Carnival. My very first cruise was on the Carnival Jubilee in 1997. By today's standards she was a very small ship. Since then I have cruised on the Carnival Miracle and the Carnival Spirit and in January I will be aboard the Carnival Splendor.
  The days and nights are filled with a plethera of activities from the staid to the zany and everthing in between. You can participate in a trivia game, go and watch the men's hairy chest competion or take a ballroom or line dancing class. Do as much or as little as you like.Rest and lounge by the pool or try you luck at the casino. After you have built up an appetite head for the buffet for lunch and make sure to go to the dining room for dinner and enjoy a 5 course meal finished with chocolate melting cake.
  I thoroughly enjoy Carnival. The staterooms are some of the largest at sea and range from inside cabins of appoximately 165 sqft. to ocean view cabins that  are 200 sqft. The balconies add another 40 sqft of balcony and the suites are spacious.
  Lyndelle and I really enjoy lounging by the pool especially the aft pool with a view of the wake. There are usually less kids and it is a tamer spot. We always try and find the ping pong tables so we can continue are marital rivalry. The hot tubs are great and with the breathtaking views it is an experience to be savored. After all that I have to climb to the top of the waterslide and enjoy the 300 ft trip down.
 The buffet aboard a Carnival ship has great traffic flow and several specialty food stations. There is a New York Style deli that serves the best hot pastrami sandwiches. Also, the self serve drink stations are wonderful serving coffee, iced or hot tea, and a variety of juices. Plus there is the free soft serve ice cream.
 So after all that calorie intake I need to mention the large gym. The Splendor has a 2 deck 40,000 sqft spa. The work out equipment is top notch from treadmills to stairmasters to elipticals to stationary bikes. There are yoga and spinning classes.
  Once the sun goes down it is time to head to the dining room and be served great delicacies. We love the night that escargo is served. After dinner it is time to head to the theater for a great show followed by karoake or dancing.
 So check out the video below. It is from our 2006 cruise aboard the Carnival Miracle where we visited Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Belize and Costa Maya. The first part is an overview of the ship and the various public spaces. The Miracle is smaller than the Splendor. This will give you an idea of what a Carnival Ship looks like with the 14 deck atrium that is standard aboard all Carnival ships. The second half is the sailaway out of Tampa, Ice Carving, a Fun Day at Sea.and the always popular Hairy Chest Competion. In coming posts I will share other events from that cruise as well as re-introduce everyone to the much maligned but beautiful Mexican Riviera.

Lyndelle Stonicks 2013 Art Cruise Workshop

     In six months we sail again along the Mexican Riviera for seven days aboard the Carnival Splendor. It is the Splendor's farewell cruise from Long Beach prior to repositioning in the Caribbean for 2013. We are headed back to the Mexican Riviera by popular demand. No flights if you live in Southern California and all you have to do is unpack once to enjoy our ports of call in Cabo San Lucas for 2 nights and the lovely Puerto Vallerta located on the Bay of Banderas.
   The pricing for this cruise is only $589 per person double occupancy for an unobstructed ocean view stateroom. Balconies are $889 per person double occupancy. For artists who would like to participate in the workshop "Capturing Elusive Light" the cost is and additional $200 per artitst. For more info on the workshop visit www.lyndelle.com.

I will be posting more shortly. Here is a taste of the fun times that Carnival offers onboard. If you would like more information please contact me.

Ruby Princess a Work of Art

Launched in 2008 the Ruby Princess is the newest ship of the Princess Fleet. The moment you step onboard you will know that you are on vacation. The central Piazza is the hub of the ship. Here you will find the Internation Cafe with plenty of snacks and specialty coffees. Nearby is Vines a wine bar where you can sample a vintage of your choice. In the upper decks of the Atrium is the fine shops of Princess. Here you will find plenty of duty free shopping right onboard.

Ruby Princess has a wrap around outdoor promenade where three times around equals one mile. Here you will also find steamer lounge chairs. I personally like this area when I want some quite time to read a book or just take in the sea air.

The ship has four pools and the Lotus Pool is adults only. Plus it has a swim against the current machine for a nice workout. Speaking of working out with all the food available from the Main dining rooms, specialty restuarants and the buffet including the first Caribbean specialty buffet at sea, you might want to avail yourself of the gym and the variety of classes that are offered.

From the casino to the show lounges you will find plenty to keep you busy. So stay tuned as I take you on a mini-tour in upcoming blogs.

Lyndelle's Eastern Caribbean Cruise Workshop

It is that time again for the art adventure of a lifetime as Lyndelle's "Savor the Moment" art/cruise workshop embarks on a 7-day Eastern Caribbean Cruise aboard the Ruby Princess. We will set sail on January 29, 2012 from Ft.Lauderdale visiting the exotic ports of Princess Cays, St. Maarten, St. Thomas and Grand Turk.

Cruise fares begin at only $579pp based on double occupancy and exclude port charges and taxes and always remember that prices are subject to change without notice. You can hold you space for only a 25% deposit that is fully refundable until November 15, 2011.

The art workshop is only $165pp for 3-days of onboard instruction where the focus will be "Capturing Elusive Light". There will also be an optional plein air painting day at Princess Cays. The optional day is and additional $60pp however if you book by the end of September the cost for both will only $200pp. Each session will be between 2.5- 3.0 hours with ample one on one time with Lyndelle.

When asked what is "Capturing Elusive Light"? Lyndelle responds, "Either in the studio or outside, the most exciting element is the light and how it is used. Take your skills to new levels of creativity by 'turning on the light' for powerful paintings that captivate your audience."

Artists will be able indulge in art and relaxation where you can experience the beauty of both land and sea. Relax, eat to your hearts content, paint, create, play and bring along a love one to accompany you.

Even if you are not an artist you are invited to join our group and experience the Eastern Caribbean with us.

If you have any questions please feel free to email us at travelsolutions@cox.net. Also check out Lyndelle's website at lyndelle.com. We look forward to hearing from you. Keep checking back as I will be posting information about the ship and the destinations.

Final Stop Cabo San Lucas

Cabo San Lucas is our final port of call. Situated at "Land's End" and dividing the Pacific Ocean from the Sea of Cortex, Cabo is a resort and fisherman's paradise. Over the years the port area has blossomed with shops, restaurants and bars to entertain the "weary" cruise passenger. Cruise guests are greeted by the familar Los Arcos rock formation. Many times I have stood on deck in the early morning to gaze at the formation as the sunlight hits the rocks. It is a very tranquil scene and one that I never tire of. Speeding pass the ship are sport fishing boats on their way to find the right spot for the big catch. I also keep my eyes open for whales. Every time I have visited Cabo I have been able to spot them from the ship.

This is the view of Lover's Beach. It is located on the calm waters of the Sea of Cortez. Looking through the gap you can view Divorce Beach where the crashing waves of the Pacific beat the beach creating a hazardous undertow. Once you visit their you understand how the beaches got their names.

Downtown Cabo San Lucas has many local shops and bars. It is worth walking around. There are also resorts where you can enjoy their beach amenities. San Jose Del Cabo is about a 30 minute drive north. It is the "quiet and quaint" Mexican Village. It has cobblestone streets and many local artisans. If your ship is in port long enough I would recommend heading there. All vessels anchor in the Sea of Cortez and tender passengers ashore. Just remember to get back to the tender terminal on time or the ship might leave without you.

Cabo has much to offer. You can chose to golf or go on an ATV adventure. Take a whale watching trip or go snorkeling or diving. Hang out at the beach or just lounge on the ship and enjoy the view. What will your Cabo expierence be?

Second Port of Call Mazatlan

Our second port is Mazatlan. Many people comment that there is not much to see in Mazatlan because they only view the city from the cruise ship. The ships dock in a working industrial port and if you stay on board you miss a city filled with old world charm and 21st century resorts. There are several hidden corners of Mazatlan but lets start with the ones that stand out.

Outside the cruise terminal you will find pulmonias. These are open air cabs that can be hired for about $5 per person. The name pulmonia comes from the belief that riding in the open air can cause pneumonia. The pulmonia can take you on a 5 minute ride to Plaza Republica in the heart of the old town. It is also only a 15 minute walk (I have walked from there back to the ship).

A lovely plaza with a gazebo surrounded by vendors and shoe shiners. It is quaint and a very enjoyable place to hang out for awhile. Next to the plaza you will find the Cathedral of the Immaculate Concepcion. A very beautiful church. Not far way there is the Mercado with merchants selling everything from t-shirts to pigs heads. It is a very interesting place that gives the flavor of the local enviroment.

A 5 minute stroll back towards the cruise ship along Benito Juarez is the Plaza Machado. It is an artist colony surrounded by galleries, cafes and a restored theatre that houses an art insitute. It is a great place to stop for lunch and a cerveza.

After experiencing the old town grab a pulmonia and head out to Zona Dorado (Golden Zone). There you will find resorts, high end shopping and jewelry stores. Also, you will find the infamous Senor Frogs. Worth seeing at least once. We enjoy hanging out at the Las Flores resort directly across the street from the jewelry stores. The beach is lovely with a view of Stone Island. You are also welcome to use their pool and beach chairs. This is an excellent place for lunch and the staff is very friendly and attentive.

Mazatlan is also home to a bird sanctuary and some great nature hikes. Outside the city there are charming villages in the Sierra Madres if one is inclined to take a day trip. Mazatlan is also home of the Pacifico Brewery and a sports fisherman's paradise. Since time is limited a second, third or fourth visit is recommended.