Disembarkation Day

Well, that’s a wrap on my 34 day long Ruby Princess cruise adventure.

Goodbye, Ruby Princess. Until we meet again!

The ship is so small from the plane!

I took the Princess shuttle to the airport today because for one person the $44 price works out just fine compared to a taxi. Plus the folks running the show are nicer to a person on a scooter than other transportation people we’ve used before. I was on one of the first busses out and had plenty of time at the airport to consider getting something to eat but wow, prices have skyrocketed. Only when I couldn’t go without anything to drink any longer did I break down and pay $5.84 for a Diet Coke from Burger King. 

Hey Jenn, another See’s!

It’s always hard to do wrap up posts so I’ll keep this one simple. So would I do this trip again? Absolutely. I would not change one thing. Just a few highlights:

*It’s always special sailing under the Golden Gate Bridge and I never miss being outside for it.

*I enjoyed discovering new things - and old things - in ports. And eating and drinking there, too.

Arcade museum in San Francisco. So fun!

San Francisco Sourdough to take
back to the ship? Oh, yeah!

Double margarita in San Pedro? Dang, that was a lot!

Mai Tais at Duke’s on the beach in Nawiliwili? Yes, please!

Hanging with the guys in Mazatlan? You betcha. And excited we’ll be with them every week this winter.

*I loved staying in ports after dark. Cabo is always pretty and I thought San Diego was gorgeous until I saw Honolulu during a full moon.

Cabo San Lucas

San Diego

Honolulu

*I also loved spending almost every single moment outside. Whether off the ship, on my balcony, at the pool, or in the back of the ship, the vitamin “sea” was just what I needed.

And the sunrises and sunsets? Amazing.

So what’s next? Looks like fall has now come to Boise so that means winter on the Royal Princess is coming soon.

Boise, October 11

Boise, November 15

Then I’ll probably head back to Hawaii in the spring. I figure why not. Wouldn’t you?

Thanks for joining me for another solo trip. Bon voyage and happy sailing! (And since I’ll have a little extra time during the next couple weeks, happy sewing!) Until next time…

Ensenada, Mexico

Hello from Ensenada!

It was another great day, even with the fog rolling in during the afternoon.

Morning view from my balcony

Afternoon view from the balcony

They say fish tacos were invented here. I don’t know if it’s true or not, but if I’m in Ensenada my day is going to be about tacos. Specifically those at Tacos Lucero. 

But first I had to get there. Once off the ship there’s a walkway down to the security booth by the bridge.

After the booth take a left and cross the pedestrian bridge.

Keep walking along the waterfront past the huge flagpole. Usually there are vendor tents set up here, but not today.

Keep going! If you get tired there are plenty of benches along the way.

You’ll eventually run into these archways. The ship will still be in view. 

Go under the arch. I always take the left arch where the tent is because it’s the one with a ramp. Once through the archway you’ll see the fish market in the blue building.

I usually take the path outside the fish market because I don’t like my scooter tires on the wet fishy floors, but today I took one for the team and went through it to get some pictures.

Once through the fish market the sidewalk takes a right and then a left.

But don’t stop at the first taco place. (Where the blue shirt guy is standing.) Keep going to the corner taco place and you’ll be at Tacos Lucero.

Made it!

Scooter parked? Check.

Table full of condiments and sauces? Check.

Three distinct and different tacos - fish, shrimp, and cheese/beef - ordered? Check, check, and check. 

Tacos fully consumed? Check.

They were all so delicious and the price couldn’t be beat with the meal costing just $7 and some change. Then, not wanting the day to end, I headed back to the flagpole and went outside the gate and across the street for…

churros, of course. They make them fresh when you order them.

I went back to just before the bridge and sat on a bench and ate myself a few churros. I have plenty of leftovers, for sure.

A nice afternoon nap rounded out the day. We have one more sea day until we’re back in San Francisco where this Ruby Princess adventure of mine ends. See you in a couple days!

Five More Sea Days

Hello from my fifth consecutive day at sea!

Tonight’s sunset

I’ve used these past five days to do exactly what I wanted to do. While everyone else was keeping busy with inside activities, I spent almost every waking moment outside listening to the ocean and soaking up the sun.   On my balcony. On the promenade deck. And out behind the buffet by the Terrace pool. Taking pictures all along the way.

There’s nothing else I need more than days like these.

Tomorrow we’re in Ensenada, Mexico. See you there!

Hilo, Hawaii

Hello from Hilo!

At 6:23 AM today the Mauna Kea summit and observatory were showcasing themselves in the early morning sunshine. What a sight.

As we pulled into the dock, we had a tugboat on standby. Moana is her name.

It was another glorious day - even though I never left the ship. I was here in the spring (I wrote about the visit here) and thought about whether I wanted to make the trek back down to the farmers market again today, or go get shave ice again. I didn’t. So I opened the mini muffins I picked up at Whole Foods yesterday and ate them for breakfast. In the shade, on the balcony, while watching the clouds show and hide (and show and hide) the summit.

As I stayed and watched commercial and military planes landing, minutes turned into hours and before I knew it the noontime phone call from my daughter rolled around.

By the time the call was over, the sun started coming around to my side of the ship.

When I’d get too hot I’d come back into the air-conditioned cabin until I cooled down. And then back out I’d go. All day long. It was a wonderful way to spend the last day in Hawaii.

I spent my last evening in Hawaii outside at Movies Under the Stars watching Bohemian Rhapsody. A great way to end another great day.

We have five sea days in a row until we get to Ensenada, Mexico. See you then!