Mexican Riviera Trip, January 2, 2022, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Bliss, Trip Report 1 This was our first major trip that Linda I have taken together since moving to El Paso Texes from California on August 2, 2020. She has been on two quilting trips. During COVID times this was scary for us. The latest version of this disease is highly infectious and we thought that we were sure to catch it, mask and all. Of course, as I write this, it is still not over. Our current emergency is that we were informed by our next door neighbors in El Paso, that our house has a water leak in some pipes because of freezing. I decided to let it leak until we return. Seems like the safest of all actions we could take while cruising. We had the same leak last year in the same location. The plumber had explained to me that I should turn on the water and let it leak when it froze in El Paso. I chose to ignore his advice for this trip. Our day started very early on Sunday when we woke about 3AM to be picked up by a LYFT driver to be taken to the airport. We were uncertain that we could fly from El Paso to LAX because of mass flight cancellations by the airlines because of COVID. The flight went as scheduled and every thing worked well. The cruise line picked us up and took us to the San Pedro port where we were herded into a large building to be tested for COVID. Linda was particularly upset about this because she voluntarily had tested prior to us flying. She was required to repeat the test. Also, her test was not successful here because of claimed lack of chemical on the testing swab. This caused a further half hour delay in a mass seating area where we were repeatedly yelled at for people to go back and repeat their tests. It appeared to be mass chaos and was. Then we were bussed to another building for processing onto the ship, Because we are latitude members (repeat Norwegian cruise participants) we were ushered into a separate area for rapid processing. These operations are massive undertakings with large numbers of people being processed. This ship is very, very large. I would have taken more pictures except pictures were not allowed. I cheated at least once. Shame on me. I had an accident on the plane where I tried to twist to get my overhead carry on and fell down. Fortunately for me, not for others, I fell on my fellow passengers and recovered. I apologized and they were very forgiving to this elderly 77 year old. Appreciate it. Very embarrassing. The whole processing process was a trial in patience, more so then any cruise we have been on. We survived it. On board we ushered to our emergency muster point and we found a bar an sat and celebrated our arrival. We were given a number of free packages as incentives to go on this cruise in COVID times and the drink package is included. The alcohol seemed to reduce the anxiety of this trip, at least temporarily. Very near the bar was one of their fine restaurants where we ate some very good food with 5, 4 star service. The food was terrific. We had taken this same cruise a number of years ago and enjoyed it so much that we decided to repeat it. The entertainment was of such quality that we felt it needed to be repeated. Our room is nice and adequate considering the cramped quarters on a cruise ship. Linda and I decided to try to walk around the ship and scope our new environment. This ship is a monster in size and was activated in 2018. It is no doubt the newest cruise ship we have been on. It seems very nice and so far we are pleased with it. We ended up walking close to 9, 000 steps yesterday and were very tired. Too much for elderly people. Linda’s style of cruising is to unpack it all and hang her clothes up. I on the other hand choose to leave it all in the suit case and take what is needed daily. I have developed this habit over the years having stayed in some less then desirable places and worried about bugs on my clothes. I have the clothes laid out by day in sets to make it easy for live this way. It works. Last night we chose to eat in their cafeteria type area and this was very good. A change for this ship is that their is washing bowls with running water at the entrance to the cafeteria where a person can formally wash their hands before eating. Great service. A staff member is present to insure compliance before being allowed to enter. The food was delicious with a great variety. I am vegetarian and Linda is not and our food selections needs were amply met. We then went to a comedy club type event where a female comedian from Maine entertained with us with family level jokes. She was pleasant and produced some chuckles. Linda and I have to watch that we drink enough water. A few times we were so dehydrated that we were immobilized. Norwegian Cruise, Mexican Riviera Second Report We cruised the first day all day on the ocean. On January 4th, today, the ship will station itself near Cabo San Lucas and we will take small boats, called tenders for trips to this Mexican City. Linda and I did not sign up for organized tours today. We have signed up for organized tours at three other stops. Today, we will take a tender and visit this Mexican City. Our small boat trip is not scheduled until 11:30 AM. The organized tours get first priority and will go off the ship ahead of us. Linda and I have no specific plan and we will wonder around. We have stripped down regarding what we will carry on us personally. We will not carry our iPhones or major money. I will carry a throw away wallet with some cash in it. Our pass ports, room key will be carried on my money belt under my clothes and Linda will have hers under her clothes. We also can “smell” trouble and will stick to what we can determine safe areas in our walking. Life is never without some risk. So, my observations of the cruise continue. The American women “me to” philosophy is alive and well on the ship. Some women, usually over weight and deporting themselves in an aggressive, strutting manner are ready to “boguard” their way while walking and in any meeting confrontation. Being a retired prison employee, I recognize the posture and move aside to allow this problem person to have their way and priority passage. Their attitude is “I am women, get the F at of my way”. By the way the “boguard” word is and ancient word and goes back to France’s train porters. There is a variety of spellings. The formal sittings on the cruise ship serve food that is appropriate and a person will not over eat, as a rule. However, at the buffets, there is a tendency, at least for me, to lose control. The food is of great quantity, volume, variety where I just want more of it. It is delicious and food I would not eat at the same time magically appears on my plate and too great of a volume. I end up returning to the room or event not feeling well. Last night Linda saw an almost two hour presentation called “Jersey Boys”. This type of show is one of the prime reasons we are on this ship. It was fantastic. This particular cruise gets top rated talent for these shows from Hollywood and they are terrific. We applauded many times and stood and clapped at the end of the show. Linda and I have been on many cruises, over 7 or more. Linda has been on more then me. This ship has the typical features; but, in many cases, more of it. This she has the biggest gambling set up I have ever seen. It is very large and quite gaudy. Some of the slot machines are the biggest I have ever seen. Me personally, I have learned very early in life not to gamble. I have had people cheat me and these whole set ups are designed to take your money. Linda does have her favorite devices and did some participation. This ends my second report. Gary Bingham