One Week to Go

One week and I will be flying to L.A. to join the Carnival Splendor as it sails Around the Horn to NYC!  I can remember that in my childhood I heard of going Around the Horn but never met anyone who actually did it.  Of course Magellan did it which is why the southern straits are named for him and Darwin spent lots of time sailing around there and so has waters named for him as well. I don't think they will ever name anything for me but I will take full advantage of their explorations and learn from them.

This cruise, even though it is 'only Carnival' has lots of learning opportunities scheduled.  Our Cruise Critic board has already discovered that Mickey Live  has planned a series of learning experiences.  I have downloaded his schedule and every sea day will be a new chance to learn lots of different things that will enhance not only the trip but my life when I get home.  There are four different series: Nature, History, Technology, and Special Events.  Right off the bat we will study the Birds and Bees of LA and progress to Penguins Are Our Friends. History will include in depth study of those intrepid sailors who were the first Rounders of the Horn. A Snapshot Rally will offer prizes for exceptional photos and allow us to each have a copy of these especially good pictures.  One night when we have clear skies the ship will put out all but the necessary lights on the upper decks and we will do some Southern Sky Star Gazing.

I mention Cruise Critic because I find it to be a valuable resource. In the past when taking the unique Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas, the CC chat room tipped me off on the way to take advantage of all that ship has to offer. I never would have had such  good time had I not prepared before sailing.  This time the boards have saved me a ton of money.  Typically a ship arranged tour in any port will cost a lot of money.  The basic bus ride through town for two hours will be about $35 to $60.  They usually call that something like the Culture and History Tour.  Something more adventurous will cost upwards of $100 to $150.  An all day, eight (8) hour tour will cost the same or more depending on how many museums or churches you visit that have entry fees. We have 20 ports! Yes, some people are looking at spending $2,000 or more on tours.  That is good for Carnival as the usual up charge on tours means the ship gets 60% of every tour dollar spent.

Ah, but Cruise Critic members are thrifty and wise and know their way around a good tour plan. We are planning our own tours.  The internet makes this possible and relatively easy.  (Thanks, Al Gore!)  I myself have made arrangements for four tours involving about 100 different total strangers.  Our eight (8) hour tour of Rio de Janeiro will cost us each $42!  Twenty tours for $800 sounds like a lot until you understand the cruise facts. The planning is done, I have printed name tags for my groups, signs for my vans and buses, written welcome / instruction letters for every one and am ready to go sightseeing!

Today I gathered clothes that I will take with and then winnowed the stacks down to the bare (or I won't be bare) minimum. I only take one checked bag because when I give the airline a bunch of my money to take me somewhere I think they should let me take clothes with me. So my one free bag is it! And a carry on, of course, which has lots of stuff in it that will be used up on the journey so I will have a little space for souvenirs.  It does not really seem a lot for seven (7) weeks but will it all fit?