Although we would like to go on different itineraries, until I retire, we’re limited by three letters P.T.O. (Paid Time Off). We do repeat itineraries and will continue to do so for a few more years. Maybe we’ll venture back to the Caribbean or better yet, Europe, Asia or Australia / New Zealand. Maybe even see the fall colors along Canada’s Eastern Seaboard. Until then, we’re back to Mexico and the Sea Of Cortez on Ruby Princess in April, 2018

Muster Drill. No longer have to schlep life jackets. YEAH! OK. Repeat ship, repeat itinerary, so how can we mix things up? Not only did we book a different cabin, it’s the first cruise ever that our stateroom was on the starboard side of the ship. Talk about changing it up. Lido 251.

First port was San Diego. When we get off the ship in San Diego, we always go to the right. Maybe because we are staying on the opposite side of the ship, we turned left and walked all the way to the other side of the harbor across the street from the airport. The Ruby Princess looks pretty small from here.

The next day was a sea day. If you recall, when we did this itinerary in 2016, the first sea day after leaving San Diego, we did our burial at sea for Cousin Jerry. So at 12:00, Suzi and I stood on Deck 7 Aft and had a moment of silence as we knew were were pretty close to where his urn was interred. As mentioned, we take Cuz with us on every cruise.

Next day was Cabo San Lucas. On the Tender in, we was this hitchhiker.

No excursion, we just went walking to the Puerto Paraiso Mall. then back through town to Cabo Wabo. My goal, this trip, was to have at least one Damiana Margarita in every port. The Caborita was the first.

Next Stop La Paz, We knew from the last trip, there is not a lot at the port, so we took the shuttle into town. So we walked up and down the Malecon’.

Next Stop was Loreto. Our favorite port of this itinerary. We went to the central square to have two, count em, two Damiana Margaritas. We peered into this really unobtrusive looking building and saw this hotel lobby. Beautiful!

After a sea day, Puerto Vallarta. We booked The 10 Best of Puerto Vallarta excursion along with a couple we met the first day. This drove us around many of the highlights we’ve been to but then took us to a tequila factory for sampling. Of course they hand you a small plastic cap. The guide said we could ask for grande or poquito. The girls said poquito, us guys? GRANDE! (times 8).

On board, we had the sweetest Assistant Waiter, Gisella. She was from Columbia. Towards the end of the cruise we asked her how she came to work on the Ruby. She started to tell us, then got very emotional and had to stop. We felt bad. She stepped away, then came back to the table more composed. She told us about growing up poor on a farm but had heard about going to college and found a sponsor. After college, the sponsor recommended cruising. She applied to Princess and said the day Princess accepted her was the greatest day of her life. I think we were all teary-eyed. Next time on Ruby, we hope to see her.

Back to Los Angeles and Counting down to Alaska in September.