KeepCalmBearOn

Maybe true for some people, and maybe true for the new locks, but I think the majority enjoy the crossing, especially in the old locks. Nothing is more special to me than the dozens, maybe hundreds, of Panamanians standing on the balconies at the visitor center waving to you and you waving back. It feels like a very special moment of shared humanity and friendship. http://www.svcountingstars.net/uploads/1/0/6/4/10645747/img-1381_orig.jpg

Depends on day of the week, time of day and time of the year. It used to be $35-45, now it is more like $55-65.

Not great ports I'd say, Cabo, PV, Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala, Puntarenas, CR, Panama City and Cartegena. Also, you go through the new locks I believe. I like the smaller Princess ships that go through the old locks and Cabo or PV and then Huatulco, Mexico, San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua, Puntarenas, Costa Rica, Fuerte Amador, Panama and Cartagena, Colombia. Huatulco is a great stop, so are San Jose del Sur and Puntarenas. I do agree about The Path Between The Seas. There will be a short quiz when you finish on how many pounds of potatoes were consumed during construction and how many tons of dirt was moved

The Bus does, but with a 90 year old I'd use Uber or a cab. Figure out WHERE at Ala Moana you want the cab/Uber to drop you. I'd ask to be dropped near Needless Markups (Neiman Markus).

If you've seen Jurassic Park 3, that is literally one of the views you get from a helicopter. It doesn't seem real. The video below (with a song from Brother Iz) show Napali both from the air and sea. Each is equally impressive.

Uber or Lyft from the rental car lot will be your best option.

I like the Hotel Maya well enough, but I'd rather be in the Pike area (Hyatt Centric, Hyatt Regency) to be close to good dining and then just pay the $10 to Uber to the terminal.

Are you staying in San Pedro? If so, where? San Pedro has CVS, Rite Aid and a Von's Supermarket pharmacy not far from the terminal.

It always helps to know your nightly budget and what sights you want to see.

I would stay at the SpringHill Suites Bayfront, Residence Inn Bayfront or InterContinental San Diego and walk across the street to the cruise terminal. https://goo.gl/maps/Xr4F41NYwZe8dk816 The Residence Inn is to the right, the cruise terminal to the left. The SpringHill Suites is the back half of the RI Bayfront. The InterContinental you can see the corner or it, just across the plaza from the RI Bayfront. You can spin the map, zoom out, go to Street Level, etc.

Heck, I'd have just walked to the Buena Vista Cafe and started ordering Mimosa's until noon and Guinness after that 😄

The ocean shouldn't be rough and the weather from SF to LA should be great. This is the first part of a repositioning cruise. After you get off in LA the next group gets on for a 13 day trip LA to Tampa Bay, through the Panama Canal so the Serenade can start its Caribbean season.

I don't understand any of this post. I thought you were on the Serenade of the Seas in September? That would either be an Alaska cruise or the first part of a repositioning cruise? If it involves the repositioning cruise, then it should be warm and fairly calm most of the cruise.

Yes, the tasting is Tequila Doña Engracia.

Have you been to Huatulco? THAT is the most underrated beach destination in Mexico. Most people have never even heard of it. As to Stone Beach.... once you've seen the town, plaza, etc there isn't that much to Mazatlan. Stone Beach is the one eyed man in a kingdom of blind people. Never had a bad time or experience there.

Last time I was at Hussong's (in the last year) there was a place called Taqueria Ojos Negros next door and it had pretty good tacos, especially Al Pastor.

I've not sailed from Vancouver in Oct to Hawaii, but several times from CA. I imagine it is somewhat the same. Pretty cool the first 36 hours, getting warmer as you get further south. Plan accordingly, like maybe do your spa day in that first day at sea and plan indoor activities. But even so, there will be people sunning themselves by the pool, even if it is 19° (66°) out.

Was this picture taken in Australia??? 😆

I would not stay above 3rd Street in Downtown Long Beach. If you want to use points, the Westin or Renaissance would be my first pick of Marriott hotels. But if it is just one night, I'd stay at the DoubleTree or Crowne Plaza in San Pedro. The area restaurants are fine and the convenience is great.

You don't even need to go "north" of Long Beach. Three to four blocks north of Ocean Ave or Broadway can be bad. Long Beach goes from nice to bad in a very short space.

I've used Elite Limo and Pacific Monarch for corporate events for large groups.

What is your hotel budget? How long is the cruise? Are you looking for a Stay & Park deal? Without knowing those things, my general advice is stay at the Hotel Maya DoubleTree or Residence Inn. If you can't get a Stay & Park deal, park in the garage at the cruise port.

I'd stay in St. Helena (Harvest Inn or Wine Country Inn) or Yountville (Maison Fleurie or Lavender Inn).

You DO NOT want to do an excursion to Pearl Harbor. Read the two websites below, https://www.recreation.gov/ticket/233338/ticket/16 That is the reservation site. https://www.hawaii.com/culture-historic-info/tickets-uss-arizona-memorial/ That is the site for general information. You can book 8 weeks in advance, or the day before. It is very easy to get a cab to go to Pearl Harbor.

There are a lot of very bad areas in Long Beach. I'd be very cautious in booking an Airbnb.