27 days and counting

Welcome to the "official" countdown. Hopefully, I'll update it DAILY for the next 27 days or so--or at least until we're off to Vegas, Baby!!!

So, with 27 days left, today would be a good day (since it's New Year's Eve) to reflect on our many blessings, not the least of which is getting the heck outta Dodge in 27 days! More practical ideas to come in the days ahead, but for today, that's as good as it gets!

Life is good in cruise land!

Let the Countdown BEGIN!

Four weeks, four weeks, four weeks, from now--sing it with me--we're sailing in four weeks!!!!

That's right, only four more weeks until we're sailing the deep blue seas. No husbands, no kids, (okay, no minor kids for three of us), no phones, no contact. Just sailing, sun, and margaritas!



Adios, Muchacos. The mamcitas are having a fiesta!!

FOUR WEEKS

Four weeks from today we're off to VEGAS, BABY!

One Month!

Exactly 31 days until we're cruising!!!! Can't wait, can't wait, can't wait!!! CS#1

Formal Clothing

Alright, it's official.  I have cruisitis now!!!  

I was wondering what we'll need for dining apparel.  For a 7 night cruise there are 4 casual nights (sundress/pants), 1 smart casual (dress or pantsuit), 2 formal (cocktail dress) nights.  Yikes.  Where am I going to pack all of that?????

Minor detail...I'm so outta here!!

Question

Is anyone bringing an iron?  I thought one of you managed to sneak one on last time.  I'm thinking I'm shoving tons into 2 suitcases and will need to iron.  Any plans?

CS#1

Tropical Deodorant

In honor of our upcoming adventure, I bought a new deodorant---Secret's Tropical Mango--or some such smell.  The cool breezes are blowing in my arm pits AS WE SPEAK!!!

Clock's a Tickin' for Tanning

This is it, ladies.  This is the last week to start a 6 week tanning session and be able to finish it before we sail!!

As for me, I'll be tanning in a bottle!  (Bottle of margarita mix, that is!)

CS#1

Cruise Documents for Two

Well, it's official. Sharmi and I are cruising. I printed off our cruise documents today. RCCL sent them to me.....ALL nineteen pages!!! I'm guessing that what is holding up the other two is that Libby doesn't have her flight information. At least last I knew she hadn't booked a flight yet. Anyway, me and Sharmi WILL NOT be stopped at this point!!! Hope you other two can join us!
SKS

Update on the Countdown (12/8/07)

Forty nine days to Vegas, baby!!! Fifty-one to the real fun (at least in my eyes!). Can you believe it is this close? I MUST lose some weight or I'll be running around naked. Doubt I'll be able to squeeze into anything at my present plumpness. Too cold to get out and walk. I refuse to pop in a tape and workout with Marty around and he NEVER leaves! Alas, woe is me.

Any luck with the babysitter situation baby sister? Get 'er done! We would hate to party without you. BUT we will if we must.
SKS

The Titanic All Over Again

Did you hear about this ship--out of Canada. They evacuated 100+ people before it sunk. Hit an iceberg!! That's the beauty of sailing to our ports. No chance of icebergs!!!

Lucky Ducks!!!

First off-----
For those of us starting the fun in Vegas, it is only 65 days from Thanksgiving Day. For those NOT joining us in Vegas, only 67 days from Thanksgiving. Are you getting as excited as I am???

We are the luckiest! I was just checking out RC's website. A big box came up about an important update. It was about a fuel surcharge. They are charging each passenger $5 per day for this fuel surcharge. What makes us so lucky, you ask? This starts on all cruises departing February 1 and after. We just squeaked by, saving ourselves a whopping $35 each. That should buy you girls a few margaritas, huh?

SKS

Tipping--not tipsy!

It's time to get serious!

I checked the RCCL site, and here's what you need to be saving for tips:

Stateroom attendant:
$3.50 a day per guest
Dining Room Waiter:
$3.50 a day per guest
Assistant Waiter:
$2.00 a day per guest
Headwaiter:
$.75 a day per guest

So, for our 7 night cruise--it is 7 nights, isn't it???--I'm thinking we need to come up with about $75 each. Is that right?

Anybody out there?

Check out the Vegas map below and then let me know how you'd feel about staying at the Mirage. A friend of mine says it's VERY NICE, and I got a good coupon on email for it the other day--I'm thinking around $160/night for the 3 of us to split. It's got some fun casinos w/in walking distance. Let me know what you think. I'd like to get it booked so I can quit worrying about it! Cruise Sistah sailing away!

Sail date's getting closer and closer!!!

Maxine!

Yeah, but WHO CARES?????

Check out the calendar!

Check out the countdown calendar. We're so much closer than we were a few months ago! I dream it'll live up to my expectations! SL

WAHOO!

I'm so excited that the sisties all got their passports. We could run away and never come back now! Of course, someone's going to have to figure out a way to make money...

Back to the topic of Vegas--because I always come back to Vegas--I will wait another month or so to see if I can find a good rate, but it's not looking good. Apparently the best time to go to Vegas is the week of Christmas, so that's where I'm headed next year!!! If I can't find a screaming deal, I'll just book us at either MGM, Luxor, or NYNY and pony up the big bucks.

I'll keep you posted, but mostly I just wanted to say, "WAHOO!" SL

WE'RE READY!

Cudos to Libby. She got her passport in 14 days!
Cruise Mothah signing off.

Dang! I'm good at this!

Dang! I'm getting good at this posting and importing stuff! Check out our other blog for the cool picture of Mickey that I imported.

Anyway...I was thinking about where we should stay in Vegas. I like the MGM, NYNY corner for all the casinos there, plus we wouldn't have to rent a car. But I checked that out, and it would be about $60 for the weekend so $20 each. The reason I checked was because I got an email for Circus Circus for $100/night. That's far below anything other hotels have been sending me so far. We could stay there and just drive around. OR...we could stay there and cab to one of the areas of interest. For example I noticed that there are 6 big hotels around the Venitian area. We could cab to one of those and then just walk to others to check out as the weather should be cool then.

Or you could say, "Sharmi, why must you overthink everything???"

Just some thoughts I'm thinking as I avoid doing real work! Something to ponder for you gals while I'm meeting Mickey. Oh, silly me. One of you will be with me and Mickey. Does that mean we're having a threesome with a mouse??? SL

Map of the Vegas Strip Hotels

Me Three

Well, you guys motivated me. I finally took the time to get my online registration FINISHED. I was mostly done, like you probably were. I must thank my Cruise Sistah #1 for getting hers done before me. I just had to put that my arrival flight info. was the same as hers, thus saving me a little time and effort.

Can't wait!!!
CS#2

I'M DONE

I finished up my set sail pass a couple weeks ago. (right after Shelley booked the flights) I was pretty happy to do that, but I must not have informed you gals.

I'm more ready for this get away by the day!!! Let the excitement build!

Cruise Mothah

Work to do!

I'm not bragging or anything :), but I have done my on-line check in--since I have a passport number and flight info now. How are the rest of you coming along on that??? SL

Sunny Sunshine!

The weather here will be in the 70*s for the next couple of days and then we hit fall. Temps in the 60*s and even a 50*ish for the next ten days. So I checked, and Mazatlan will be in the high 80*s during that same time. That cruise just looks better and better. On the flip side, the harvest moon is beautiful at my house! SL

So Glad!

So glad someone out there is doing the math!! I too am sooooooooo ready! It's sad when I'm looking forward more to this than to Disneyland. Oh wait, could it be because I will only have to pack for and look out for me??? Can't WAIT! SL

Numbers and Girls

For your information, I've done the math. For those of us going to Vegas, we have 122 days left after today. For those meeting us in LA, we have 124 days. I don't know about all of you, but I am sooooo READY!!!!

A friend of mine is taking a "girls trip" this week. I can't be very jealous, cuz they are flying into LA on Friday and coming home Saturday night. They need to take a lesson from us on what a girls trip really is!

Wow!

Hard to believe that I took the best passport photo out of all of us--so far. It's up to you, Lib, to show us how it's done. My photo was fine, but when they copied it for the actual passport, they went closer up so I look all greasy! From a distance, it looks okay! :) SL

SPEAKING OF "BAD" PHOTOS--

I can't even recognize me in my photo. It's bad, bad. Chuck likes his-I think he needs new glasses!

Cruise Mothah

Speaking of photos...

Cruise Mothoh,

How did your passport photo turn out? SL

Count me in on the cliff divers. Sounds like fun. Libby, you will have to come with us because you'd be too bored and loney if we left you alone! Glad you got your passport, Shelley.

Cruise Mothah

The Old Woman and the Hitman

I guess it is official. I AM cruising. Mine and Marty's passports arrived yesterday. (No worries, I'm still not inviting my BABYSITTER!) I look very old in my oh-so-beautiful photo. Marty, on the other hand, looks like a hitman for the mob. Hmm, maybe a new career awaits him so he will be able to continue sending me on fun trips!

By the way, SL, count me in for the Mazatlan thing!!!

CS#2

Cliff Divers Part II

I'm bound and determined to see cliff divers!!!

This tour is through Royal Caribbean and is $34 per person (a bargain!) and about 4 hours long. Any takers? SL


Mazatlan Highlights & Folkloric Show


Start with a visit to the Inmaculada Concepcion Cathedral. In the distance view the second-highest natural lighthouse in the world before stopping to see the local cliff divers. In the Golden Zone you can browse the shops and then enjoy a 30-minute folkloric show including the Papantla Flyers.

This excursion will take you to see Mazatlan's most historic sights. Leaving the port your tour begins with a visit to the 19th century Inmaculada Concepcion Cathedral with its graceful facade of intricately carved volcanic rock. From a distance view the second-highest natural lighthouse in the world, El Faro, surrounded by scenic offshore islands and a spectacular oceanfront.
Continuing along the coast, there will be a brief stop at a rocky promontory to view the local cliff divers. Your drive continues past one of Mexico's grandest resorts, El Cid, before making your way to Mazatlan's “Golden Zone” and the opportunity to shop for Mexican and Indian handicrafts.
The highlight of your tour will be a special 30-minute folkloric show. As you enjoy a complimentary beverage, a local troupe dressed in colorful costumes will introduce you to songs and dances of ancient and colonial Mexico. View the Papantla Flyers display an aerial act, which has been passed down through generations and is truly a sight that is not to be missed.
At the conclusion of your tour you may stay in the Golden Zone and return to the ship independently, or return directly to the ship.

Count Down

I don't know how many days there are left, but I do know there are 5 months, 2 days, 15 hours, and 44 minutes left--according to my countdown calendar I downloaded to my computer. It costs $10 to put it on the website so I won't do that, but I'll let you know from time to time how it's shaping up!! SL

DUH

We're not going to Acapulco, so I guess that's why I didn't see the divers on RCCL! I must need some sleep. Guess I'll go look up Disneyland stuff instead. So many trips, so little time! SL

More on shore excursions

Cruise Critic suggests these excursions while in the Mexican Riviera. The divers in Acapulco sounds awesome! I don't know if Royal Caribbean offers that, but I think we should check it out! Any takers? SL (Really, I'm done blogging now!)

Acapulco -- Night Divers and Sound and Light Show

Whether you see the world-famous cliff divers during the day or at night, seeing them is a requisite for anyone going to Acapulco. The night show presents more of a thrill, which is why we are including it here. Visitors can cab over to La Quebrada to see the show, but most of the ships offer shore excursions that include transportation, a sound and light show at the San Diego Fort, and a complimentary drink at the restaurant fronting the La Quebrada cliffs, providing the very best views. Average cost: $75 adult, $55 children.

Who Should Go: Everybody! This is truly a unique experience and great for families; even teens will be enthralled. Those with mobility impairments should stick with the ship excursions, as there are wheelchair-accessible viewing areas that may not be available to those going independently, and there are several sets of steps to negotiate for those who choose not to take the organized tours.

Why It's Extraordinary: Divers climb the cliffs by torchlight and then soar outward to dive into an area that's about 10 feet square, timing their dive to the highest flow of the waves. The tallest cliff platform is 130 feet above the water; the diver has nothing but torchlight to guide him. You'll find yourself holding your breath and ooh-ing and ahhh-ing during the show.

Note: The same dives take place during daylight. The advantage is that the divers are more visible, but again, the night dives provide more of a thrill since there is an added element of danger involved in the darkness.

Cabo San Lucas -- Land's End Catamaran Sail and Scenic Drive

The rock formations at the tip of the Baja Peninsula are renowned worldwide, and this is a way to get up close and personal with them. Called Los Arcos (The Arches), these towering rocks straddle two bodies of water, the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez. The scenic drive portion is short, and takes visitors to Georgio's Cafe, a cliff-top restaurant with magnificent views over Land's End, Los Arcos and the Sea of Cortez. Average price: $36 adult, $20 children.

Who Should Go: This tour is suitable for almost everyone, although there are some stairs to go up and down at the cafe, not suited to guests in wheelchairs. It's particularly appealing to nature lovers and nature photographers.

Why It's Extraordinary: It's the best way to get a sense of the magnificence of Los Arcos. As appealing as they are from a distance, they are truly awe-inspiring close up.

Cabo San Lucas -- Whale Watching by Zodiac

If you are lucky enough to be in Cabo San Lucas during whale-watching season (mid-December to mid-March), and if you are somewhat adventurous, this is the tour to take. There are other whale-watching tours with larger vessels, but for a personalized experience, the Zodiacs and their guides provide the best option. (Zodiacs are inflatable boats that hold a small number of guests, usually a maximum of eight). The Seaworld-trained captains take the boats a safe distance into the Sea of Cortez or the Pacific and find gray and humpback whales during their birthing season. Average cost: $64 adult, $44 child.

Who Should Go: This trip is particularly suited to the the adventurous nature lover who is not concerned about being in a smaller boat on the open seas; the photo ops are incredible. Children under 11 are not allowed, and boarding/disembarking would be very difficult for completely non-mobile guests.

Why It's Extraordinary: With luck, you will see the blow spouts of whales right from your ship as you sail through this region, but to get within just a couple of hundred feet of one of these creatures, at sea level, to watch it swim and jump and cavort, is an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Mazatlan -- Sierra Madre, Copala and Concordia

This half-day tour takes you away from the water and into the colonial interior of the Sierra Madre mountains. During this trip guests will visit two towns established in the 1500's, learn about the history of the region, and see handmade pottery, Mexican tiles, furniture and bricks being created by local artisans. Lunch is included in a "typical" Mexican restaurant in Copala.

Who Should Go: The air-conditioned motorcoach makes this trip suitable for almost anyone, but the cobblestoned streets of Copala might make wheelchair access difficult. This trip is especially suited for history buffs, architecture lovers, photographers and anyone with an appreciation of the arts and style of Mexicana.

Why It's Extraordinary: The gold rush didn't just happen in California; these mountains were the venue of many bloody battles for land that was rich in the ore, and predated the California gold rush by over 300 years. The Baroque architecture of the village of Copala is renowned in the region, and anyone who appreciates the history of architecture will have plenty to explore.

Mexican Port Information

I get a newsletter from Cruise Critic. This link should get you to the page on Mexican Ports and lots of exciting information about our intended cruise! SL

www.cruisecritic.com/ports/area.cfm?area=13

passport cover

How cool are these? SS and I picked them up at Target while she was here. They are bright plastic and VERY stylin'! Do you guys want me to pick one up for you? SS and I both liked the hot pink. They also had bright orange and lime green. They are about $6. Let me know if you want one. Okay, I've done my duty. Someone else's turn to blog! SL

161

If my calculations are right, we're 161 days out! No pressure Lib, but did you apply for your passport? SL

Anybody out there?

Isn't it time someone updated this blog????? SL :)

Counting the Days!

As we wait for the Pioneer Days fireworks to start, Shelley's counting the days for us.

Are you ready?

Get excited!

Only 186 days to go!!!

WAHOO!

Little sister--get your passport going, or you'll miss out on all our fun!

SL and SS

On It's Way!

Well, I FINALLY got my passport taken care of. It is out of my hands now! Of course I waited until a day when the road work in the area of the Post Office made it nearly impossible to get there. If Marty hadn't been with me and persisted in finding a way, it would not have happened. We were pleasantly surprised to be only the second car to pull into the parking lot. Apparently others were not quite as persistant about getting there. Works for us!!! $224 later, we were good to go. Could have expedited getting it for another $92. I told him my plans weren't until Jan. He said I should have no problem. We'll see!!! WAHOO!!!

Weather matters

I don't know if you guys will agree with this or not, but I'm thinking, after the heatwave that's been blasting the west lately, the cold front that went through here yesterday (gotta love bordering Canada) bringing temps down to a balmy 78* yesterday makes me think that temps in the high 70*s or 80*s will be just fine with me in January in Mexico!! Anybody out there agree with me? SL

Been thinking...

Hi ladies,

I've been thinking about our cruise and even checking out Royal Caribbean's web site for shore excursions. The most expensive tours run around $80, and I'm not sure we'll want to do any of those expensive ones. (They do have a tour of a tequila factory that one of you just HAS TO go on with me!! Don't worry, it includes a city tour too so we can see other sights too.) Since we only have 3 ports, we'll not have to spend a lot of money on shore excursions--especially since we aren't bringing our families (those money-sucking machines) with us! Since we're relaxing on the ship for 4 of our days, this might be a cheap (relatively speaking) trip...that is if we can stay out of the casino!!!

SL

I've GOT it!

Okay, I haven't really "got" it yet, but it's been sent in for processing--my passport, I mean. She told me it should be here in 11 weeks. We'll see... SL

Way to go!

Look at your girls, blogging along! I'm going to the post office on MONDAY to drop my stuff off! SL

Passports anyone???

Does any one know for sure whether or not we will need passports? I'm thinking I'll go do mine just in case (also for future girls' cruises--because there MUST be more).

Also, don't forget to go to RCCL and register online. YIPPEE!!! Only 218 days to go.
CS#2

BBBRRRRR!!!

Is it just me, or did you all expect warmer temperatures? I'm thinking I might want to bring my parka if it isn't going to be in the high 80s!!! I still can't wait!
CS#2

New blog look~

I just changed the look of the blog because I thought it looked more "tropical." What do you think? Clearly, I have too much time on my hands! SL

Temperatures in Mexico

I just checked and the average HIGH temperatures in late January for our destinations are as follows:

Cabo San Lucas: 77*
Puerto Vallarta: 80*
Mazatlan: 80*

Bring it on, baby!

219 DAYS TO GO!

Cruise sistah #2, AKA Shelley, says we have 219 days to go! Yahoo! I'm searching the internet for a free countdown thing that we can load onto the blog. Nothing yet, mostly because I'm too dumb to understand what they're talking about, but I'll keep looking! SL

Check out our new blog!!!

This blog is so user-friendly that I hope you will all try it, post often, and keep me amused!

Love, Sharmi

FYI: Because I don't know how to fix it, all posts will be signed by "cruise sistah" so be sure you put your name or initials at the end of your blog post so we know who wrote it!

Here we go!!!

In case you aren't excited enough, here's a blog where we can all post on our excitement as often as we all like!!! I'll send out an email telling you how you can access the blog and post. It's easy. Get your passport because January 27 WE ARE OUTTA HERE!