travelin.sisters

it was outside the aviary at El Serpentario in La Paz

a quick smile before I start on answering questions we came back from breakfast to find that the Stanley's & Conrado or room steward had created a sliding ramp on the bed if you can't go to Puerto Vallarta, put on your Puerto Vallarta t-shirts & a floofy Mexixican dress & create your own fun

we have Plus for the first time on our current sailing (Sapphire--Baja & Sea of Cortez) because it was somehow much less expensive when I booked so thought we'd try...I would not get it again (it came with the Hawai'i I booked onboard in the sale they were offering, but will probably refare with my TA once I compare prices ashore)...gratuities & internet are less than 20/day so whatever else is drinks we can get 12 water bottles/about $7 preboarding so that's not a big deal, don't drink alcohol so just coffees & virgin pina coladas but didn't drink one a day (a couple a few days but just because they were paid for), had to search for diet coke that wasn't flat because cans aren't included & when it isn't flat the glasses are tiny...next cruise elite so can exchange the bar setup, so for us it's not a deal, like the not seeing gratuities add up day after day, but now at the end, have to figure out what to do with all the OBC we still have...oh & our TA gives us 2 photo vouchers which we have trouble using & 2 nights each specialty dining...so while it was fun, it is not a good financial choice (for us) at the current pricing

afternoon storm Loreto has vanished in the gloom then the rainbow appears (rainbow photos are unretouched or color enhanced...posted as is) & becomes a full double rainbow here comes the sun

Downtown Loreto the arch whale mural Viva Mexico tree archway pueblo magico the church back out through the arch

the Malecon with the Sapphire in the background Dr Seuss trees

in the tender the tender dock many pelicans to the right of the tender dock is a nice-looking beach area

waking up to Loreto with tenders already ready to go

we have been able to have the same table/staff for our entire cruise on all 3 cruises we have taken this year...I make a DMW reservation before sailing for the same time/dining room for the entire cruise, then the first night I check that we will have the same table each night & this has worked out for us.

on a 14-day Hawai'i there are 3 formal nights, but if you go to your travel summary it will tell you the number for your cruise, as stated there are a wide variety of clothing choices that are accepted on formal nights in the MDR, in all other venues (specialty resturants, alfredos, buffet of course) the dress is the same on formal or non formal nights

Loreto We arrived in Loreto while I was still sleeping & the tenders were already out & getting ready for moving people. Temperature is 82 & humidity is 65%. Getting on & off the tenders was much easier than in Cabo as the sea is extremely calm. We missed the port talk about Loreto, but since covid they now show the port talks & enrichment lectures on the stateroom TVs. We did not have an excursion planned & after listening to the talk it seemed like it would be an unreasonable endeavor to walk to see anything. Looking out form our balcony, however, it seemed like there was something to see right ashore so we decided to see what we could see. By the time we had breakfast & got ready there was no line for the tender so we headed right out. It was an 8–10-minute tender ride to the port & an easy walk to the end of the pier. There were free maps of downtown Loreto with an article about the mission there (the first of the California missions). It was hot & humid but not to uncomfortable so we decided to walk along the Malecon. It was nice if not as fancy as the one in La Paz. We soon arrived at the entrance to downtown Loreto & decided to keep going for a bit. As we walked down the street of Loreto there were lots of little shops, restaurants & photo opportunities. We soon made it to the Church & across from there was a stage area with musicians & dancers. We shopped a little on the way back (but thought we would shop more in Puerto Vallarta). Returning to the Malecon was much hotter & we noticed the lack of shade way more than we had on the journey to town. We were thankful for the cold water & iced cloths that Princess had provided. My sister had some difficulty from the heat & we are grateful for the kindness & care of both our fellow passengers & the Princess crew. We were very thankful to get back to the airconditioned Sapphire at the end of our adventure. While resting in our room after lunch, we realized that it was getting more & more overcast & thought we heard thunder. Around 5, shortly before the last tender was due it was so thick that we could no longer see land. Then a giant thunderstorm started. By this time someone had posted on this thread about hurricane Orlene so I was wondering what this meant. We saw the last tender return & the captain announced the changes in our itinerary. After consultation with corporate, we will no longer be going to Puerto Vallarta on Friday, but will instead have a stop in San Diego on Monday. Captain Ravera shared a great deal of detail which I very much appreciated having been on Princess ships with equally drastic changes (a tropical storm) with the bare minimum of information shared. He read the official letter (which we all received with our nighttime patters & I have copied to post later) but also told us more about what to expect. Because going to PV, & even more coming out to go home, would take us directly into the projected path of Orlene, we will stay in the Sea of Cortez tomorrow & possibly longer where it is still very calm. As they watch the track of the storm & are prepared to use full engine power to move rapidly to avoid as much rough seas as possible. He said that the suddenness of this storm forming is likely related to Hurricane Ian in the Atlantic. He assured us that there is no cause for concern, but committed to increase the daily briefings to twice a day. He also talked about automatic refunds for canceled shore excursions & that the staff is working on new excursions for San Diego. As Captain Ravera was talking, a gorgeous, perfectly complete double rainbow with both ends in the sea appeared outside our balcony. By the time we left Loreto the sun was shining once again & everything was sparkling. For dinner we had reservations at Stirling Steakhouse thanks to our TA so off we went. When I first heard that the Steakhouse was in a portion of the buffet area, I was disappointed, but they have done a nice job making it seem special & the views are fantastic. The menu is basically (if not exactly) the same as the Crown Grill on the Majestic in January & we had a delicious meal with excellent service. I am ready for a good night’s sleep after an eventful day & am looking forward to a sea day with very little planned tomorrow. Up next, photos of Loreto & answers to more questions. My posts in this LIVE: pre-cruise musing—post 1 photos of berth 46—post 2 ready to go—post 23 onboard & ready to report—post 60 embarkation day—post 67 embarkation photos—post 68 embarkation lunch photos—post 70 & 72 exploring the ship—post 80 ship photos—posts 82, 84, 88, 89, 100 & 101 day 2—at sea—post 102 day 2 photos—posts 109, 110, 111 & 112 answers to questions—post 123 Cabo San Lucas—post 126 Cabo photos—posts 147, 150,153, 154, 160, 162 & 163 La Paz—post 164 La Paz photos—posts 178, 179. 180, 181, 182 & 183

Jim & Norita, hope you have a great trip to Hawai'i...I did a live for our Hawai'i this January on the Grand: it will be different as we were the very first ship into Hawai'i after the pause & the height of COVID precautions both on the ship & the islands (we weren't even sure when we sailed that they would let us into Hawai'i as the agreements between Princess & Hawai'i were still not finalized) but it might give you some helpful info, any questions feel free to ask...Hawai'i is my favorite cruise (as evidenced by the fact that our next 2 cruises are going there)

oops, I didn't mean to say that the Majestic didn't have sinks (just most of the older ships we have sailed on except the Grand) but they did not consistently have someone there to remind people to wash. Loreto was lovely but HOT & HUMID, I would not do this cruise in Sept/Oct again (will post report sometime today...as the internet lets me)

thank you both, this was the first I had heard of Orlene & it gave me a chance to look at the info so I was not surprised when they changed our itinerary or when the giant thunderstorm drenched us. @Mtom938it looks like we will be back for you to sail to Hawai'i...they are working really hard to get all the bugs sorted out so she should be good for you...the captain & crew are wonderful!

if your closet doesn't have them you could surely ask your room steward for some

the above is my live & we sailed from berth 46 last week & live in San Pedro...this is my best recommendation (assuming that you do not get different info from Celebrity...we got none from Princess): go directly to berth 50 & see if you can drop off your luggage & passengers there (it will be much less chaotic than the main terminal, since they will only be docking there if there are 2 other ships in port that day), then have 1 person drive to the main terminal & park in the lot there & take the provided shuttle back to 50. even if this is not the correct proceedure for some reason it will only take you a few extra minutes to try this & it is most likely what will happen

the Malecon

inside the aviary feeding the birds the love birds aren't very loving!

a pile of iguana crested caracara

El Serpentario ready to learn about native species nebulosa turtle....the only fresh water turtles endemic to Baja California Sur...can live 60-75 years...endangered by red eared sliders released into the wild which are more agressive spiny tailed iguana...will throw tail whenscared...can grow back tail but without vertebrae bull snake--non venomous (rattlesnakes are the only venomous snakes in Baja California Sur) king snake..non-venomous. brown tarantula...venomous but not deadly

Port of Pichilingue

morning sail into La Paz

captain just announced that PV will be canceled & we will call at San Diego on Monday...will share more details when I get to today's report

La Paz Up early so that we will be ready to disembark when the ship is settled. I much prefer excursions when we can meet on the dock rather than gathering in the Princess Theater. Sailing into La Paz was lovely, nice to see the sunrise. Sadly, the TV was not working so I couldn’t see where we were exactly as we slowly glided in. Down to the International Café for breakfast, they have lots of interesting choices, but the sandwich press needs some adjustment as the sandwiches did not get really hot & melty. Waiting for the announcement that we can disembark. Then off to El Serpentario: Wild Animal Rehabilitation Center & Aviary. Weather was not expected to be as hot today 93 & humidity in the 60’s. I heard there were thunderstorms in the night, but if there were we slept through them. Our balcony is very wet this morning though so that seems possible. I did not realize that we would not dock at La Paz (with all the chaos surrounding whether we would even sail I did not do my usual research & planning), but at the Port of Pichilingue which is about 20 minutes/10.5 miles away from La Paz itself. It is a small port getting maybe 2-3 cruise ships a month during the cruising season & 1-2 ships or ferries bringing in supplies each day. Disembarkation was super easy, just down the gangway & off to our tour bus. Our guide Marcos & driver Jose Luis were there to get out tour started. The bus was very nice & AC almost as good as in Cabo. As we started the 30-minute drive to El Serpentario, Marcos shared historical & ecological info about the area. It was a beautiful drive with the desert & cacti on one side & ocean, beaches & mangroves on the other. Arriving in La Paz, we drove along the Malecon which is sprinkled with interesting statuary, shops & bordered by the ocean. If the day had not been so hot, I would have been tempted to return on the free shuttle bus & walk along the Malecon. It reminded me of southern California beach towns from my childhood. El Serpentario is a very interesting place. It is not primarily for tourists but for the rehabilitation & preservation of native species & educating school children. Most of the signage is only in Spanish but Marcos, who has been a volunteer their for 11 years gave us a great tour & talk about the reptiles cared for there. I found it very interesting to learn about local species. We saw a turtle, iguana, snakes & a tarantula during the talk & other species in their cages or habitats. Animals are brought there for rehabilitation & some are part of breeding programs to insure the survival of local species. My sister loved the aviary where the birds flocked to eat the seeds & grain that she bought to feed them. It felt good to be supporting something that is important to the local ecosystem & the education of local children. On our return to the port, we strolled (& shopped) thorough local vendors & were quickly back on the ship. La Paz is the first port where it felt like we did better with pesos although American dollars di still work. After lunch we spent the afternoon relaxing. We were happily surprised at dinner to find that they had removed the extra chairs & table settings to convert the table for 5 that we had been eating at to a table for 3 which allowed us more space & made it easier for the servers to reach things. The headwaiter & maitre’D are both constantly visible, checking with passengers, encouraging & training the waitstaff, & pitching in to help when needed. It is very obvious that everyone is working as hard as possible to make this cruise the best they can. In today’s announcement, the captain addressed the fact that air conditioning has been problematic both in some people’s cabins & in public areas. We have been fortunate that our AC system has worked correctly, but others have had varying problems. He told us that the problem is not the capacity of the system, but rather calibrating the system for the various areas & that there is a team dedicated to fixing this in all areas as rapidly as possible. While it is miserable to have your AC not work (I know from experience on another cruise) that misery is doubled when the problem is ignored or treated as trivial so it was good to hear him admit that there is a problem & address how they are dealing with it. We went to our first show tonight. Nathaniel Rankin was billed as a magician. His show was very enjoyable, but I would class him pore as an entertainer or as a street performer. His act was a combination of juggling, magic & comedy & I would definitely go to see him again. Set sail about 5:30-6 & tomorrow morning we are in Loreto. Up next La Pax photos—then Loreto. My posts in this LIVE: pre-cruise musing—post 1 photos of berth 46—post 2 ready to go—post 23 onboard & ready to report—post 60 embarkation day—post 67 embarkation photos—post 68 embarkation lunch photos—post 70 & 72 exploring the ship—post 80 ship photos—posts 82, 84, 88, 89, 100 & 101 day 2—at sea—post 102 day 2 photos—posts 109, 110, 111 & 112 answers to questions—post 123 Cabo San Lucas—post 126 Cabo photos—posts 147, 150,153, 154, 160, 162 & 163

the Sapphire anchored at Cabo San Lucas by day (with a Carnival & a pirate ship) alone at night