Carnival Spirit - 10/27/08 through 11/4/08

Our usual group of "misfits" that enjoy cruising together decided on the Carnival Spirit for this year's cruise. We spent many months on our roll call planning, plotting and eagerly anticipating the 8-day Mexican Riviera. I have been a Carnival past guest for 6 cruises, and was anxious to get back to Carnival after a Princess cruise last year. Overall, I had a wonderful time! But, will try and be objective of both the good and not so good of the cruise.

PRECRUISE Many of us flew in to San Diego and spent the night before the cruise at various hotels. I stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in Old Town. Some of our group was at the Best Western, others at the Holiday Inn Bay, etc. My group ate dinner in Old Town at a restaurant I believe was called Coyote's. Excellent food, lots of it, fun company! We were able to walk across the street to a store where we picked up snacks, liquor and other sundries that we needed prior to boarding. The hotel was clean and pleasant. HI Express offered shuttle service from the airport and to the port, as well as breakfast the morning of the cruise. I would recommend HI Express for a moderately priced pre-cruise stay. Read more