After 3 ½ months of staying at home for remodeling after flood damage, we resumed traveling. (The reason we retired early). We got a good price on a suite so decided to take the Carnival Spirit to the Mexican Riviera for the 5th time, starting 3/3/10. It stopped in Acapulco, Zihuatanejo and Manzanillo.

Usually the weather is in the 90's and very hot and humid. This time we lucked out as it stayed in the 80's with less humidity. Sweating was reduced considerably. We had a Meet and Greet on the first sea day and 5 officers showed up and spent almost an hour with us. We had about 20 CC'rs. Carnival provided coffee and water for us; they are not quite as liberal as some of the other cruise lines.

Living in southern California makes it easy to take these cruises out of San Diego or Long Beach; One hour drive to both locations. This was our 24th Carnival cruise and we took it mainly because we wanted our 25th to be to Hawaii on 4/11/10. Carnival gives us 25% of whatever we paid our travel agent for the cruise as credit on our sail and sign card. $3000 = $750 and we have 100 shares of Carnival Stock so we get another $100 credit; $850 will go a long ways toward paying for tips, bar bill, purchases, etc. Not too bad!! Read more