Will Be Shutting Down This Blog

I have decided that 3 blogs is too much work so I'm going to combine my Passport2Cruising and my Throughthelens with my Mamaflo blog as soon as the advertising spots are used up. I appreciate your patronage and hope you will visit me at Mamaflo's Place.

Thank you for your patronage, I appreciate your friendship.

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Alaskan Cruise Season To Begin

The Alaska cruise season isn't far from it's 2009 start and now with cruise fares at record lows, it's time to book an Alaskan Cruise. Cruise season starts in late April and goes through September.

There are a variety of cruises and cruisetours departing from a variety of embarkation ports, some in the U.S., some in Canada, and even some in Alaska itself.

I've never cruised Alaska but the plan is to remedy this situation this season. I've booked my cruise and got my airfare, now I'm researching the ports of call and figured I'd take you all along.

If you've cruised Alaska already, I would love your input.

Our ports of call are Ketchikan, Sitka, Seward, Juneau, Skagway, Icy Strait Point, Hubbard Glacier Cruising, Victoria, BC, Vancouver, and San Francisco (there are also some sea days thrown in to just sit back and enjoy the scenery).

The next post will visit Ketchikan, Alaska.

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Best Deal I've Ever Seen

Crucon Sale

49 night Full Circumnavigation of South America - Fort Lauderdale to San Francisco on Carnival's Splendor.
1/31/09
Inside Cabin - $1684.00 per person Military Rate
$2497.00 Resident Rate
$3197.00 Unrestricted Sale Rate
This is actually 3 back to backs combined for a special rate.

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Are You in the Market for a Cruise?

If you are seriously considering a cruise in 2009, you should go over to CRUCON today to sign up for their Black Friday Sale - it's always spectacular and it's for one day only and you will only see the sale if you signed up for it before Thanksgiving.

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My Panama Canal Cruise Review

This was a Panama Canal Transit on Holland America's Westerdam that started in Seattle (we embarked in San Diego). We are 53 and 57 and retired. We flew into San Diego a day early and stayed at Holiday Inn on the Bay with a King Bay View Room. The weather was gorgeous and we were excited. This was our first time staying in this hotel although it was not the first time we have taken a cruise from San Diego. I would stay in this hotel again.

Originally we booked an SC Guarantee at an unbelievably great price and waited until about 3 weeks prior to the cruise for assignment. I was somewhat hesitant when we were assigned a suite on the hump/curve but those fears I later found out were unwarranted as the cabin was lovely.

Embarkation was a disaster, the worst we've experienced with HAL, it appeared that no one on the ground in port knew what to do. Going through security, no one was aware that you were able to take as many wine bottles as you wanted onboard (they insisted it was no more than 2) until I made enough noise that someone from HAL came over and cleared up the misinformation (after holding up the line for more than 20 minutes). We went straight to our suite to drop off our carry-ons and make our requests to our cabin steward and the Neptune Lounge. With that set we went to check out our dining assignment - Perfect, a table originally for four set for 2 - Fantastic!!!

Life Boat drill was a breeze considering 50% of the passengers had already gone through the drill in Seattle and were not required to attend a second time. We were back in our suite long before sail away.

CABIN: This cabin is configured differently than the side SA's and it feels like there is more floor space but in actuality it has to do with the cabin's configuration instead. The cabin really is an SS with Suite benefits. There is less storage space (although we didn't miss it as there was more than enough storage space for 2 adults), the sofa is smaller and the desk area is smaller. The verandah is not as deep and is angled but there is still a dining table with 4 chairs along with two cushioned chairs, ottomans and a small side table. It was more than adequate for 2 adults to relax and enjoy themselves. The verandah's angle made our cabin visible to others and them to us but it wasn't a bother at all (I do think it may be different with a younger crowd onboard). This cabin was windy but on this itinerary, the wind was helpful and made being out on the verandah tolerable. I would say this verandah is perfect for warm weather but could be problematic for colder destinations.

Our itinerary was: San Diego At Sea Cabo San Lucas, Mexico At Sea Acapulco, Mexico Huatulco, Mexico Puerto Chiapas, Mexico Puerto Quetzal/Antigua, Guatemala At Sea Costa Rica At Sea Panama Canal - Full Transit Cartegena, Colombia At Sea At Sea Fort Lauderdale

We did ship sponsored excursions in Cabo, Acapulco, Huatulco, Puerto Quetzal/Antigua, Costa Rica, Cartegena. Due to the seas, our excursion in Cabo was cancelled as we were unable to board a tender (I would have been upset if it hadn't been for having been on the same excursion last December when we were on the Oosterdam).

We felt Acapulco is a has been port of call, it's old, run down, and steeped in the past, military with guns were everywhere we stopped, the city is dirty and severe poverty is ramped. Huatulco is a newer port of call and is lovely (although there was still military with weapons present) there is little poverty and the port is clean and beautiful both at the port and beyond - I would consider a land based vacation at this city.

Puerto Chiapas - we got off right at the pier but didn't go anywhere, major disappointment!! This is a brand spanking new port of call for Mexico and has a long way to move forward.

Puerto Quetzal/Antigua - very nice! We took an excursion to Antigua up in the mountains, the highways were good roads and there was plenty to look at on modern comfortable buses. Antigua is a city not to be missed, steeped in history and fabulous architecture everywhere you turn. I would go back to this port.

Costa Rica - the Pacific side port Puntaranas has virtually nothing and you must travel inland. We took a bus, train, boat tour that essentially showed us landscape and poverty. We weren't happy with this tour nor of this port of call.

Panama Canal. We were up by 5am and started the transit at around 6:30am. There were transports before and behind us so we were able to see before and behind. I was glad I was able to experience this.

Cartegena, Colombia. This is a large city but there is much to see and experience. We took a bus tour of the city taking us to missions, naval museum (also a dance show), shopping at a Mercado, forts, the Old City. It was worth it for seeing the Old City (behind the walls), what a beautiful area!!!

FOOD: We ate in the dining room all but one night which we ate in our cabin and watched a presidential debate. Our wait staff was polite, efficient, and fun. Food was good to very good. Lido dining - we were not happy with the quality of the food. They no longer use trays in the Lido due to waste (people would fill their trays and then leave a great deal of food). The Lido is cut up and not efficient for the traffic. We ordered breakfast from room service (both the night before from the door hanger menu and calling room service in the mornings, both were equally efficient). We also ate continental breakfast a few times in the Neptune Lounge.

ENTERTAINMENT: There was plenty but we really aren't people that want/need to be entertained but instead enjoy time on our verandah listening to music, reading, watching the sea.

FELLOW CRUISERS: We have found that cruises over 7 nights in length tend to attract a much older well healed crowd, this was no exception. I would venture to say the ages were mostly from 55-90. Approximately 40% were Europeans. This was the demographics we were prepared for and enjoyed. We made many new friends from around the globe.

We put down a future cruise credit and now need to find where our next great adventure will be. This was a nice cruise on a nice ship.

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Cruising Baja

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Getting Ready for MY Panama Canal Cruise

I've been staging my packing, making lists, and have started to pack for my cruise. We are making a full transit of the Panama Canal, beginning in San Diego, California and concluding in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The cruise is 15 nights with an extra night pre-cruise in San Diego.

I'm going to do my best to post every few days while on the cruise but internet service is slow and costs are very high (55-75 cents a minute depending on the package you purchase). Check back to see where I've been and where I'm headed as we go to Cabo San Lucas, Acapulco, Huatalco, Puerto Chiapas, Puerto Quetzal Guatamala (Antigua), Costa Rica, Cartegena, Colombia, along with a fair sprinkling of sea days and of course a full transit of the Panama Canal (5am - 7pm).

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Mini Suites on NCL

CruCon has Mini Suites on Sale for the Pearl and Dawn for the Caribbean.

Mini Suites on these ships measure 285 sq ft with sitting area, private balcony (they are small however), queen size bed and luxury bath and shower. We've cruised in these mini suites and I can tell you from personal experience that they are very nice and comfortable.

NCL Pearl - 7 night Western Caribbean, RT from Miami

(Miami, Roatan, Belize, Cozumel, Great Stirrup Cay, Miami)

10/12, 10/19, 11/2, 11/9, 11/16, 11/30, 12/7, 12/14

Mini Suites $899 per person

NCL Dawn - 7 night Eastern Caribbean, RT Miami

(Miami, Smana, St Thomas, Tortola, Great Stirrup Cay, Miami)

11/29, 12/6, 12/13

Mini Suites $899 per person

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