Panama Canal Cruise - Los Angeles, Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta

We began our much awaited 13 day Panama Canal cruise by arriving in Los Angeles a day early and staying at the Vagabond Inn where we left our car parked for the days we were gone. The room was very clean and comfortable, but the rest of the place was definitely showing its age.

We did a little exploring, and found Angel's Gate Park with this pagoda and the Korean Friendship Bell. The bell was presented as a gift to the US by the people of the Republic of Korea (South Korea) to celebrate our bicentennial. It weighs about 37,450 pounds. The location was beautiful overlooking the bay. 

The next day around noon we were delivered to the pier by a shuttle from the motel. Check-in went very well, and before we knew it, we were on the ship looking for a snack. We heard the cruise was a sell out at about 2,500 passengers and over 800 crew, but we never really felt like it was overcrowded. There were a few times on sea days where we had trouble finding a place to sit and relax in the shade, but overall it was great.

We passed the 8.5 mile long San Pedro Bay breakwater and lighthouse on the way out. These were built in the early 1900s. It always amazes me what earlier generations accomplished!

Day 2 was a sea day. We spent the day getting familiar with the ship. Even though there are elevators, you still do a lot of walking getting from the front to the back of the ship. We were on the 8th deck, with the dining room on deck 5, and the buffet and pool on deck 11, so that worked out really well. We walked between 10,000 and 20,000 steps every day. Despite eating more than normal, neither one of us gained weight. We went to some trivia challenges, played some mini golf and just lazed around. 

The show that night was called A Night With Adele. Neither one of us know much about her. Amy Jo Slater sang this tribute show, and she had a great voice. I think I maybe recognized one song. Adele is definitely not our thing. After looking online, I think Amy kind of looks like Adele.

Day 3 was scheduled to be a port day at Cabo San Lucas. This port is a tender stop for cruise ships, which means smaller boats come to the big ship and take you to the pier. Many cruise ships actually use their own lifeboats as tenders. There were also Disney and Princess ships anchored in the bay. We had been there in 2015, so had planned not to get off the ship. 

Unfortunately, for the many passengers who wanted to get off, they were out of luck. There was a hurricane quite a ways south of us, The ocean didn't look very rough, but swells under the water coming from the south were causing the tender boats to bounce around quite a bit. They kept making announcements hoping conditions would improve, but around noon it was announced that no tenders would be allowed to go ashore for the safety of all.

Here are some views of Cabo from the ship. It is a beautiful location. The arch in the rock is what they are famous for. Many of the excursions are boat trips to get you a closer view of that arch. The water was so pretty and clear.

Disney ship in front of us

Day 4 was a stop at Puerto Vallarta where we were able to dock right at the pier. Kevin and I had also been here in 2015, so we planned to just get off and look around a little. There were not nearly as many excursions offered as the last time we were here. None of them interested us. I wonder if Covid put some of those companies out of business. There was a flea market across the street, so we checked it out. I bought a necklace, and we shared a large margarita before getting back on the ship. 

The large margarita was $8. Drinks on the ship have really gotten expensive. Cocktails are $13 and a Miller Lite is $7.49 or a craft beer is $7.99. That doesn't include the 18% tip they include on all drinks. If we bought the drink package, it was $65 per day for the first person and half that for the second person in the cabin. Both people had to purchase it to participate. There was plenty of water, lemonade, iced tea, coffee and tea available for free.

While we were enjoying our drink, we watched this guy washing windows on our ship. Not an easy job!

This is the view of Puerto Vallarta from deck 12. There is a Walmart and Sam's Club across the street. The water in the bay was very muddy, and the city didn't seem very clean. It has grown a lot, and I don't think it's the paradise it used to be. I saw a statistic that said 300 ships come here each year.

Our entertainment was Mark Preston, a former member of The Lettermen. I had no idea that group had been around so long, from 1959 to present day. There  have been many different members during that time, but they are still performing. Mark was with them in the 1980s and again in the early 2000s. We recognized many songs, and enjoyed his great voice and show.

We saw some beautiful sunsets during these days. 

The color of the water from the wake of the ship is a gorgeous blue. I loved looking at it!

These frigate birds were often seen flying near the front of the ship, even when no land was in sight. I read that they look for fish that are riled up by the ship. They have a very distinctive scissor tail.

So, that takes care of the first four days which probably doesn't seem all that exciting. But, things are going to get better. I'm doing separate posts for the next three stops and the Panama Canal, because there are lots of pictures. Get ready!!

Don’t wish upon a star – Reach for one!