2010 Mexican Riviera cruise wrapup
On Sunday, I came back from a 1-week Mexican Riviera cruise that sailed roundtrip from LA. Normally, I really enjoy cruise vacations, but this time I thought it was a poor choice.
The flight to LA was at 7am - which meant that we got up at 4am and scooped Brendan out of bed at 430am so that we could all be at the airport shortly after 5am. He actually woke up but seemed wired - like someone who had consumed a high amount of caffeine. Our flight left the gate on time, but waited for nearly an hour just meters away because a pregnant lady was feeling unwell. She ended up leaving the plane with her partner, and we had to wait for her luggage to be retrieved too. As a result of this delay, we all got free headsets (crappy $2 ear buds), and complimentary specialty drinks (i.e. alcohol).
On the plane (and at the airport), Brendan was pretty good. He was probably interested in his new surroundings, and watched a bit of TV on the seat back video (Air Canada E90 aircraft - quite spacious actually). Once in the air, he slept in his car seat for the duration of the flight (8-11am). Unfortunately, I can't really sleep on planes!
As for the cruise itself, I don't have much to say. It's my 4th time sailing with RCI, and second time with a Voyager-class ship, so the vessel, service, and food were reasonable, as expected. The biggest difference of course, was going with an energetic 2-year old.
On the ship, Brendan would often wander around the public areas (including going up/down the stairs). Other times he would want us to carry him which was ok for short distances, but killer on the arms/back in the long-run. He's getting big but not necessarily heavy; thank god for the umbrella stroller. He couldn't go in the pool because he's not potty trained (some ships do have wading pools for infants, but not this one), and was too young to participate in kids programs (minimum age 3+), go ice-skating, or rock-climbing, play sports, mini-golf, etc. As a result, Cathy and I had to hang out with him all day!
There weren’t any activities that we REALLY wanted to do, but we didn’t get any time for ourselves either. My parents came along with us too, and I thought that having them available to babysit would be useful. However, when the time came, I couldn’t let myself burden them with Brendan, and he seemed unusually clingy. I ended up sleeping a lot: 2 hr afternoon nap and 10 hrs at night on a daily basis (except for day 1, when I had ~4 hrs the night before the flight; he napped on the plane whereas I didn't, and he didn't nap that afternoon when we wanted to!) RCI actually offers in-room babysitting for an hourly fee, but how can you trust your belongings and child in the care of a random stranger?
We stayed in an inside stateroom, and I think at first Brendan found it weird not being able to distinguish day from night when waking up from his sleep. It was kinda cramped in the cabin having a playpen/crib set up. I liked the round shower stall in the bathroom - it had an actual sliding door rather than one of those clingy curtains, and the hand-held shower head made it easy to wash Brendan.
The meals were also a new experience for Brendan. For breakfast and lunch, we had buffets, so he had way too much food to choose from. As a result, he didn't really eat much, and just poked at a bit of everything. Dinner in the dining rooms was also different, as the order food is served in is not ideal for him. We want him to load up on meats first, but that comes out last as an entree. He ended up getting full on my caesar salad and bread! He got his daily dose of milk from cartons though. I brought 3 glass bottles for nothing - but that means I didn't have to wash them on a daily basis.
As for the ports of call, we visited Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, and Cabo San Lucas. We just got off the ship and did a bit of walking around. No point in paying for shore excursions if we're all charged money, only to worry about chasing after Brendan.
The flight home was at 2pm. Despite waking up at 630am (for immigration/customs formalities), Brendan had tons of energy at the airport (LAX is such a crappy airport). He napped in his car seat for the return flight as well. Lugging the enormous thing around was quite the hassle, but it's highly recommended and I didn't mind for his own safety and comfort.
In conclusion, I’m still a huge fan of cruising - but maybe in a few years when Brendan is older and can participate in the various kids programs. RCI is praised for their kids programs, and I have no reasons to doubt that. I'm sure Brendan had a fun experience (as he certainly didn't know what he missed out on), but I would recommend that anyone in our boat (no pun intended) should think twice before deciding on a cruise vacation - it may not be what you expect.
At least we didn't have to cook or clean.
The flight to LA was at 7am - which meant that we got up at 4am and scooped Brendan out of bed at 430am so that we could all be at the airport shortly after 5am. He actually woke up but seemed wired - like someone who had consumed a high amount of caffeine. Our flight left the gate on time, but waited for nearly an hour just meters away because a pregnant lady was feeling unwell. She ended up leaving the plane with her partner, and we had to wait for her luggage to be retrieved too. As a result of this delay, we all got free headsets (crappy $2 ear buds), and complimentary specialty drinks (i.e. alcohol).
On the plane (and at the airport), Brendan was pretty good. He was probably interested in his new surroundings, and watched a bit of TV on the seat back video (Air Canada E90 aircraft - quite spacious actually). Once in the air, he slept in his car seat for the duration of the flight (8-11am). Unfortunately, I can't really sleep on planes!
As for the cruise itself, I don't have much to say. It's my 4th time sailing with RCI, and second time with a Voyager-class ship, so the vessel, service, and food were reasonable, as expected. The biggest difference of course, was going with an energetic 2-year old.
On the ship, Brendan would often wander around the public areas (including going up/down the stairs). Other times he would want us to carry him which was ok for short distances, but killer on the arms/back in the long-run. He's getting big but not necessarily heavy; thank god for the umbrella stroller. He couldn't go in the pool because he's not potty trained (some ships do have wading pools for infants, but not this one), and was too young to participate in kids programs (minimum age 3+), go ice-skating, or rock-climbing, play sports, mini-golf, etc. As a result, Cathy and I had to hang out with him all day!
There weren’t any activities that we REALLY wanted to do, but we didn’t get any time for ourselves either. My parents came along with us too, and I thought that having them available to babysit would be useful. However, when the time came, I couldn’t let myself burden them with Brendan, and he seemed unusually clingy. I ended up sleeping a lot: 2 hr afternoon nap and 10 hrs at night on a daily basis (except for day 1, when I had ~4 hrs the night before the flight; he napped on the plane whereas I didn't, and he didn't nap that afternoon when we wanted to!) RCI actually offers in-room babysitting for an hourly fee, but how can you trust your belongings and child in the care of a random stranger?
We stayed in an inside stateroom, and I think at first Brendan found it weird not being able to distinguish day from night when waking up from his sleep. It was kinda cramped in the cabin having a playpen/crib set up. I liked the round shower stall in the bathroom - it had an actual sliding door rather than one of those clingy curtains, and the hand-held shower head made it easy to wash Brendan.
The meals were also a new experience for Brendan. For breakfast and lunch, we had buffets, so he had way too much food to choose from. As a result, he didn't really eat much, and just poked at a bit of everything. Dinner in the dining rooms was also different, as the order food is served in is not ideal for him. We want him to load up on meats first, but that comes out last as an entree. He ended up getting full on my caesar salad and bread! He got his daily dose of milk from cartons though. I brought 3 glass bottles for nothing - but that means I didn't have to wash them on a daily basis.
As for the ports of call, we visited Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, and Cabo San Lucas. We just got off the ship and did a bit of walking around. No point in paying for shore excursions if we're all charged money, only to worry about chasing after Brendan.
The flight home was at 2pm. Despite waking up at 630am (for immigration/customs formalities), Brendan had tons of energy at the airport (LAX is such a crappy airport). He napped in his car seat for the return flight as well. Lugging the enormous thing around was quite the hassle, but it's highly recommended and I didn't mind for his own safety and comfort.
In conclusion, I’m still a huge fan of cruising - but maybe in a few years when Brendan is older and can participate in the various kids programs. RCI is praised for their kids programs, and I have no reasons to doubt that. I'm sure Brendan had a fun experience (as he certainly didn't know what he missed out on), but I would recommend that anyone in our boat (no pun intended) should think twice before deciding on a cruise vacation - it may not be what you expect.
At least we didn't have to cook or clean.