Royal Caribbean Cruise 2008

We took a journey last week, which was unforgettable and amazing. We went to CA on April 16th and came back on 29th. Our flight was from Providence, RI instead of Boston as that was cheaper. Drive form home to airport was about 1.5 hours. We picked up Anvay from school at 2PM and by 2:30, we started for airport. Our flight was at 5:15. It was late and there was a scare that we may not be able to get a connection at Chicago, but everything worked out and we reached San Francisco at 11PM. By then, it was 2AM our time and Anvay had a looong day. He didn’t get any sleep on planes either. He was sick for next couple of days, little cold and temp of 100F but then he was fine.

We had booked our Cruise in February. Early booking is good for a good rate. Although, we were to go in a spring vacation, so price wasn’t less any way. We paid $269 per person plus tax. It was a four night cruise from Los Angeles to Ensanada, Mexico in a Royal Caribbean ship called The Monarch of the Seas. The Cruise starts on April 21st from LA harbor at 5:30 PM, so we started from home which was near San Francisco and drove to LA. We had rented 12 seater van again for 3rd time in 3 years, as we were 9 people. 4 of us, Snehal’s brother’s family 3 and Snehal’s parents. We drove for about 7 hours with few breaks and reached LA harbor. There weren’t any clear signs to as which company’s ship is docked where so had to ask someone to find out. Parking lot is right in front of the ship, security people made sure we are the passanger for the ship named “ Monarch of the seas” and let us go with warning of not to use cameras because of the terrorist scare.
Outside on the curb, there was one lady waiting for us and she took charge of all the checked in luggage. They had sent us luggage tags ahead of time. She told us to put the tags on all the bags, which we would get in our rooms later. We kept purse and electronic item bag with us and gave rest of the bags to her. Luggage allowance is 200 LB per person, so weight wasn’t an issue. Snehal went and parked the car in the lot that was $12 per day.

Inside the building, they checked the passports and gave a Sea pass card, which is a room key as well as charge card. Our money or credit card is of no value on the ship. They connect pass card to credit card, so whenever we buy anything on the ship, we have to show this sea pass card and they will put charge on this sea pass card which will charge credit card. All 9 of us got this pass card with name, room number, formal dining room name and table number written on it. All three kids got a band on their hand with muster number written on it. So in an emergency, we shouldn’t go looking for them, they will be bring the kids to us at the muster station. More about muster station later.

Then we went inside the ship. At the entry, they scan the sea pass card and took our pictures. This ship was built in 1983 and was refurbished couple of times after. From the outside, it wasn’t that great looking, but inside it was magnificent! Our rooms were on deck 4, which was the main deck with all the flashy elevators, golden design and customer service counter. The ship has 14 decks, deck 1 is almost at the sea water level.

Our rooms (they call them state rooms) were inside of the ship, not ocean view. Ocean view rooms were $30-$60 more. Unfortunately they were already sold out in February. All the rooms were very tiny. They need to have more rooms in order to keep the price low.
We were four, so our room had two bunk beds, very small bathroom. But it had all the amenity of a good hotel room. Flush in the toilet was like in an airplane with suction. Luckily you have to put the cover down to pull the lever to flush, so our ears survived that suction sound. Our room number was 4039.

This ship has capacity of 2800 passengers and 850 crew members. They had some cancellation, so there were 2500 passengers and 805 crew. Ship had two swimming pools, two Jacuzzis, a rock climbing wall, table tennis, Billiards, Basket ball court, Gym, spa, big theater, two bars, Casino, dance studio, 3-4 stores, Ice cream store and a whole lot more which we may not have seen or remembered.

We reached in our rooms and got settled. In a few minutes our luggage also arrived. It was almost 4 by then. Ship’s departure time was 5:30. At 5, they opened two of their casual restaurants. Ship has two casual and two formal dining rooms. At the time of booking they asked for the time of seating for formal dining room. They have two seatings for both formal rooms. At 5:30 and at 8:00. I had put second seating with table for the size of 7-10 people. Casual dining rooms are buffet for Breakfast, lunch and Dinner. In between, they open for snack. At 5, there was a compulsory mustering. For that they called us to deck 3, and after looking at our sea pass, they told us to go to Muster station 1. This was a safety drill, so in an emergency, we have to come to that part of the ship where all the boats are hanging, wear life jackets. If the kids are at their activities, they will be brought to us. After that, when they opened for snack, we went for a slice of Pizza, cake, cookie and a sandwich. Water, lemonade, tea-coffee were free, all other drinks for a price. We were happy with free stuff!!!

Then we ventured in to the ship, it was little cold, so couldn’t go out on the pool side for long. We watched LA harbor going away from eyesight when the ship sailed. At 8, we went to the formal dining room to eat again. Our head waiter, waiter and assistant waiter all were Indians. Very happy to see us, as not many Indians come to Royal Caribbean Cruise lines. Most go to Carnival cruise. So in last couple of weeks, Royal had introduced Indian vegetarian dish in the menu every night. We were 9, so we ordered everything Veg on the menu. They had about 2 soups, 2 salads, 3-4 Entrees, and all the desserts for us every night. Portions were not huge, but everything was paid for, so you can order again if you wish to. Usually no one does because all you do whole day is eat on the ship. Food was very delicious, better than Carnival cruise, we were told (Nimishbhai family has been on a Carnival cruise before). Our head waiter told us that there are 55 people working in each dining hall of 26 different nationalities. His name was Anthony Gonsalvis and he made sure to let us know it was his real name!! Everyone works for 6 months and then take a leave of 6 weeks or so to go home. All the three waiters families live in mumbai. Just like any hotels, waiters don’t get paid much, their main salary is the Tip they receive.

There was an area for kids only called Ocean Adventure, where they take care of the kids and make them play while parents can go do some other activity. First night we didn’t put the kids there.

Next day at 8 in the morning, ship docked at San diego. They had all the excursion ready if you want to buy, but we had decided to go on our own at our time. Our rooms were getting cleaned every morning and afternoons, twice a day. At afternoon cleaning, they will decorate towels in to some animals and either hang it in the middle of the room or put it on the bed. That time, they will put next day’s activity planner which they call Cruise Compass. I told our room attendants to put compasses for kids activity too, so he put three compasses, one for adults, one for kids 3-5 and one for kids 6-8. Anvay read that his age group is doing Star wars themed games, so he was determined to go there and not come with us. So after breakfast, which was huge with all the breads, pastries, eggs, waffles, Juices, tea-coffee we left all the kids with them and went out. For younger kids, they gave a pager, which would work on the ship only. So we just went to take a walk around the harbor and then came back. Picked up two younger ones, Anvay still wasn’t ready to come, so left him there with instruction of our cell phones and went out. There was a double decker bus (open on the top) going from Harbor to 45 minute ride, so we took that. It was hop on and off, but we stayed in the bus. At the last stop, everyone got down, but Snehal, I and Dhrut came back to the ship. Checked on Anvay who wouldn’t have minded if we came couple of hours late!!! Others visited the Old Town of San Diego and came back in half an hour.

While going out of the ship, they again scan the sea pass card and make sure pictures match with our face. Coming back, same process to make sure everyone is on board. In the evening, we went up to the 13th deck to Rock climbing wall. This wall is 20 feet high and very daunting from down. Anvay wanted to climb it, so we went there and he climbed it very nicely. Nimishbhai and Snehal also climbed, but it was little easier for them.

At 5:30, ship sailed again for Catalina, which is an island but is part of the California. Reached there at 8 in the morning. It didn’t docked there, but anchored few hundred meters in to the ocean. There was a ferry taking people to the island. All of us also went there after breakfast. This island is very small with population of 2200. About 20,000 tourists come there every year. Main road is small and doesn’t allow any vehicles on it. Only rented bicycles, golf carts etc. are allowed. We took a walk there. Inside the ship, they gave a paper with 5 stores names where we have to get the stamp for a chance to win something. All the kids had fun trying to find those stores and getting stamp. Anvay, Dhrut, Lipi and Snehal took a paddle boat ride, then all of us went to the semi submarine ride to watch fishes under the ocean. Tickets were $20 per head. It was for 45 minutes. They took us in a small submarine, 20 people can sit in a big windowed seats. We saw lots and lots of weed and many many fishes. It wasn’t worth $20, but that was the price to pay for being a tourist. We all were still not hungry from breakfast, so just kids ate expensive Grilled Cheese sandwich. We all wanted to go out on a rented golf cart, but it was already windy and little chilly, so decided to let go. And came back to the ship. Had a late lunch there. That night kids had Pajama party with Movie, so we gave them dinner around 7 and dropped them off at “ Adventure Ocean” area, and then 6 of us adults went for dinner in dining hall. Waiters were asking about kids, but we had very nice time having dinner without all the ruckus!!

That night was a Chocolate Buffet night. At 11:30, they opened this buffet where they made lots of things with Chocolate including decorations. There was a Chocolate Eagle, big flower vases, Eiffel tower, fishes, Turkey and many other things. There was an ice sculpture of a dragon and a rooster. There were many varieties of cakes, mousses, breads etc. They were giving away some samples too!! With Vanilla and Orange icecream. It was a sight to see. Line had started forming at 11pm only but Snehal got a special early private tour courtesy of Mr Anthony Golsalves !!

Next day we reached Ensanada, Mexico at 8 AM. Again after scanning our Sea pass card, we stepped in to Mexico. Cruise tourists didn’t need to take a VISA. Just outside there were shops and buses to take down town. There was Excursion from the ship, but we didn’t take that and went on our own. We were thinking whether to take the bus or to hire a taxi, then bus wala started negotiating that we won’t have to take tickets for younger two kids and it’s only two dollars, so we decided to go in the bus upto Downtown, 5-7 minute bus ride.

Ensanada didn’t give that Mexican feeling, but then I don’t think any town in Mexico is like you see in “Clint Eastwood” movies anymore. It did give Indian feeling though!! All the shops are like you see in Amdavad. Small, congested and one person is always outside trying to lure you in. We decided not to roam around there and go for Blow hole 45-50 minutes away. Again there was a bus going there, telling us no tickets for younger two kids, rest were to pay $15 per head for 3 hour tour. We took that tour, our guide was a girl who had lot of knowledge of the area. She kept on talking for more then an hour, telling us about the area showing off newly built Walmart, Home Depot, Costco etc. Until these stores came two years ago, people have to go 25-30 minutes to buy anything and everything. In Mexico, there is a law, that every boy when turns 18, has to join Military for 1 year, going there every weekend. After one year, they can leave and start something else. If someone doesn’t join the military, country doesn’t forgive him until that person turns 45. They don’t get many benefits that usually people do.

After about an hour’s beautiful ride next to the bay of Ensanada, we came to “La Bufadora”. We have been warned from the ship by our waiter previous night not to drink outside water, we decided not to eat anything unless we becomes very hungry. But all of us were stuffed from breakfast, so didn’t eat anything, not that any vegetarian item was available. “La bufadora” is a Blowhole when ocean waves collides with narrow entrance of the cave, marine geyser explodes upwards with tremendous sound. Sometimes it goes up 80 Feet above sea level, for us that day it was 15 feet or so. Other Blowholes in the world are in Australia, Tahiti and Hawai. This one is believed to be most spectacular. Even at 15 feet, it did look very grand.

Just outside of “La Bufadora” there were about 500 shops selling art and craft stuff. There were many shops selling other regular stuff too. Rarely we have seen anything marked in Pesos, everything was marked in Dollars. Our guide told us that for local people, they gave in Pesos, their main customers are tourists, so everything is in Dollars. We asked her about gas price, she said in Mexico, gas is about $3 per gallon. We bought some toys for kids, and a single swing like Hammock for us. Came back to the down town. In Adventure ocean, kids had talent show, so they wanted to go back to the ship, so we didn’t venture in to downtown and head back to the ship. Everyone had lunch and then kids went to their part of the ship.

That night, kids had Pirate night with face painting and Parade, so again we fed them early and dropped them. Again, we had a quite, nice meal. That was the last dinner on the Cruise, so it was time to tip everyone. Recommended tip is $10 per head, per day. So we made three hefty envelopes and gave them to all three waiters. One more envelope went to room attendant. They have started announcing for departure next day. We have to put the bags outside of our rooms on Thursday night. If we want to get out early, then we have to take our bags with us and they will announce those people first. In the evening cleaning they left luggage tags of Yellow color. Everyone gets a colored tags, in the morning you have to depart when your color is announced.

There were some shows we went to which were good. Song and dance shows where kids also came. At night we would keep kids with Mummy-Pappa and go for adult shows which were good too. You can see people are drunk as they just let go, relax and take part in shows. Ship’s main income is from hard drinks. Everyone is relaxed with nothing to do or drive anywhere, they drink a lot and with drink, Tip is already included when they come to get a signature. We went to dance studio where they were teaching 70’s dance steps and Latin dance steps too.

At night, around 10PM ship started to take a speed, as they have to reach LA by early morning. That made ship rocking and gave us sea sickness. Until that night, all of us were good but that night for half an hour it was pretty bad. Snehal and Mummy took pills, rest just went to sleep. There was last hour sale at the shops, but none of us were in any condition to go anywhere.

In the morning ship docked at LA harbor at 6 AM. By 6:30, they started announcing for people who wants to go early. They also put board at the main deck giving time range for each color tag. Our time range was about 9-9:30 AM. They wanted everyone out of the ship by 10. Afterwards, they will sanitize the whole ship and start boarding at 12:30 for 3 night Cruise. We finished getting ready, had breakfast and by 9:15 we went to the main deck and waited for our turn. Soon, they announced and by 9:45, we were at the immigration. Luckily, they told us to stay together as a family, so we went in to the non-Citizen line which was smaller. Here they didn’t ask anything, but asked kids all the questions, like how old are they? Where do they live? Who are we? Etc. and let us go.

We came out and got our luggage. All the bags were in different rooms according to color tag. We got the van and went on our way. Kids wanted to go to “Lego land” which is Lego themed park with all the rides mainly for kids. We reached there after an hour and a half drive. Park is not good compare to the price of $60 which is also a Disney park price. But this one is full of Lego structures very nicely made. Park closed at 5, we came out and drove for 4 hours to North of LA. Found a Hotel and stayed there. In the morning, again drove for 5 more hours and reached home.

After staying couple more days, we came back home to Boston. Our Cruise and stay at Nimishbhai-Lopa’s place was very memorable.I would recommend Cruise to everyone. At least once everyone should take a cruise in their lifetime.