We are getting ready for another cruise, and we are excited to be going for two weeks to Hawaii. Warm weather will be welcome!
I left the last blog entry when we got into Galveston; we flew to SoCal for Christmas and then right home after two days with Missy and family. That was great except I got sick at the end of that visit and have been recovering ever since then. My goal now is to get better so I can really enjoy this cruise and the other summer plans we have to cruise on our own boat. We will be returning on April 24, one day before my birthday which I will then celebrate with Missy and family. How fun is that.
We are packing for the current cruise, on the Golden Princess out of LA. This time we are going very casual, and I'm leaving the dress up clothes at home. Jim won't even take a jacket: we'll do casual evenings with Hawaiian shirts for him and a little blingy T for me, and we'll eat in the Buffet for formal nights. Packing has been very easy and even with two weeks of clothes, I am getting things into a smaller suitcase. I'm taking a pair of jeans, and four other pants in cotton or linen. Also, my wardrobe includes several different kinds of crop pants, jean, linen and cotton. My most exciting purchase is a new bathing suit and two new pairs of flip flops! I have plans to wash out under things and hang them to dry.
We are traveling with Janet and Mark, driving to LA so we don't have to worry with flights or luggage fees. Also, we will be in our first ever balcony cabin. This may cause all sorts of problems later because I may want to have a balcony every time, and they cost more money. I have read lots of arguments for and against. One guy said his door didn't close properly, and he had a whistle in his room all the time! That would be annoying. Our cabin is forward on the starboard side, so we'll be on the north side going over and the south side coming home. I have visions of sitting out there and watching the ocean go by, but in reality it may be rolly poly and I may have to stay inside. We have four days at sea, and I love those, so we'll hope for calm seas.
I am on Cruise Critic again and we'll go to the Meet and Greet on April 12 at 11AM. They've had some good discussions about the cruise and other cruises like this. The Golden has a good reputation so we'll see how it compares to the Crown Princess from the TA last November. My wish is I maintain my weight by eating sensibly except for the occasional blast of calories in rewards like pizza and a real hamburger.
Look forward to comparison shopping: for cabin prices, balcony versus window. Specialty restaurants. Entertainment. Overall service. People on this cruise. Cruising Hawaii. (I keep thinking I will want to return to some cruise again and again, but so far, I haven't been that enchanted to do it one more time. Even two weeks in the Caribbean was OK, but not again. Europe, maybe but not Greece or Italy (except for Florence which I missed). More later as we get closer to leaving. The Whidbey Wagners
