Left home on the afternoon of Feb 19th to stay at Hotel. Dined in the bar then took part in the quiz night. We were miles ahead until the last round which was modern music so we came a cropper there! Ended up third and won some peanuts!! Feb 20th. Left the car at the hotel and we were shuttled to Glasgow Airport. Caught the 6.00am flight to Heathrow. We were late in leaving as there was fog at Heathrow and we had to circle for a while before landing. Many internal fights were delayed or cancelled. Our flight to LA was 11.55 but was delayed an hour. This was made up on the journey and we arrived in LA about 3.00pm. There was the usual slow progress through immigration then we went to look for our luggage. We met a couple who live over the hill from us who were looking for theirs too. At last the cases arrived - we breathed a great sigh of relief. WE were then taken to the Holiday Inn near the airport where we were spending the night. AS we weren't really hungry we just had a Mexican snack at a place nearby. Later we had a call from folks on our roll call to say they would come and meet us for a drink. We spent a couple of hours with them then turned in as it had been a long day. Feb21st. Decided just to breakfast in the hotel. There was a small queue and we got chatting to the English couple in front of us who turned out to be from the roll call too. We shared a table with them. After breakfast we walked along to the Hilton to see if we could see our friends. They were at breakfast but we waited and had a chat when they were finished. They had different flights to us. We walked back to our hotel and sat around until the transfer buses arrived. The journey to the ship was slow as the traffic was horrendous. There had been an accident which didn't help matters. Embarkation was simple and we were soon aboard. Our stewardess was Ana who was lovely. She promised to get us an egg crate mattress pad for our bed. We were waitlisted for first sitting in the dining room but were given anytime so went to see the maitre d'. He told us we were still 124th on the list but would see what he could do. Grabbed a bite of lunch then it was time for the muster drill. Ship was an hour late in sailing as people had been delayed in the traffic. It later turned out some missed the ship but their luggage did and some made the ship but had no luggage. I will say that Princess ships have much more you could buy to wear than we found on RCCI if you are luggageless. We had dinner in Anytime and went to the show. Feb 22nd, 23rd, 24th Sea days. The first day was cool and we sat in the solarium as it was too cold on deck. After that the weather was great. Swam, read, ate and went to the shows. Had a meeting with the CC folks from the roll call. It went well and it was good to see everyone and try to match them with their photos ( one girl had made a collage of photos we emailed her. ) Clocks keep changing so I have no idea what time it is now in the UK. We had a letter from the maitre d' saying we had a table for 1st sitting. Our tablemates are from Canada and the US. They are very nice and we get along fine. The 23rd was a formal night and Captain's Cocktail Party. Feb 25th Arrived in Huatulco, Mexico at 7.00am. Early breakfast as we had a tour arranged with a local company. 9 of us from the roll call were travelling together. The tour was a customs and traditions one and we went up above the town for a good view of the ship and harbor. Next we went to see cloth being woven then the local drink being made. After that we visited the church with the largest picture of the Madonna in the world painted on the ceiling. We had some free time to wander then we were taken back to the port. A good trip. Ship sailed at 1.00pm. Had a relaxing afternoon. Feb 26th Arrived in Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala at 7.00am. Another early breakfast then 19 of our group took the shuttle to the little village outside the dock. Our guide, Mirko, was there waiting for us. We were going to Antigua, the former capital, which was about 90mins drive. Mirko pointed out all the scenery and volcanoes as were drove. Our first stop was at a craft place where they wove wall hangings and other things. Shortly after that we arrived in the town and did a walking tour of churches and monasteries. There was a tour of the Jade museum - some gorgeous jewelry there. We also saw the open air laundry - like something from the 18th century. Some people went for lunch but others along with us went to a craft market. I got some nice jade earrings there. We crossed the street to a local bar where DH got a beer and I got some juice and we chatted to a guy who worked as a guide. It was beside the local bus park. The buses are brightly colored and called chicken buses as they carry everything including chickens. We were then picked up by the bus and journeyed back to the ship. We had a wander round the little village before going back to the ship. Another good trip. The ship left at 5.00pm. Feb 27th Arrived in Puerto Corinto, Nicaragua at 7.00am. We had nothing arranged for here and there were only 2 trips organized by the ship and both involved a long drive. After breakfast we went ashore. It was really hot. There were lots of stalls set up outside the port gate. However it is a very poor town. We wandered up the street and round the stalls but as there wasn't much to do we soon returned to the ship. There were lads with the bikes where you could sit and they would ferry you round. One couple too a ride and he only wanted 1$ for a half hour ride. The ship sailed at 4.00pm. I would rather have had longer in Huatulco than here as there was so little to do. Spent the afternoon swimming and relaxing. In the evenings we go to the shows and sometimes the piano bar. Feb 28th Arrived in Puntarenas, Costa Rica at 8.00am. We had booked a half day tour with Charlie Soto. He was waiting for us and we discovered another couple from our roll call were travelling too though they were doing a slightly different tour to us. At first we were in a nice AC van but then Charlie moved the 4 of us to a smaller van which had poorer AC. We were given a young lad who was a student as our guide. The first stop was in the forest where we saw a coatamundi in the trees. Then we went to feed the capuchin monkeys. That was fun. Next stop was a fruit stall where we had some delicious fruit then on to the Mangroves where we were doing the boat ride while the other 2 walked the bridges. It was strange to see Charlie in the other van doing what we were doing as there was plenty of room for the 4 of us in it. The boat trip was super. There were loads of birds to see and iguanas. The highlight was the crocodiles. The guy I the boat jumped onto the mud and offered a huge on a chicken leg. I don't know why it didn't go for him. You wouldn't see me doing that. After the boat rip Charlie said we would be going for lunch. We told him we hadn't booked for that but he said he would cover it. That was when things really deteriorated. We sat for 90mins in the sun waiting to be served and while the food was OK it wasn't wonderful. Then we were to go to the hilltop for a view. Lastly we stopped to buy some coffee. In the end we were 7h30mins instead of 4h30m. We hadn't wanted this long as DH's leg gets sore. Our van was back first and we told the boy we were only paying what we had been quoted. I left him with a copy of my email from Charlie in case Charlie argued. The boy and driver got a tip but we would not recommend Charlie if this is how he works. We didn't have time to see the town as it was almost time to get changed for dinner. The ship sailed at 7.00pm. Feb 29th Sea Day. Time to relax after being on the go for the last few days. This was another formal night. Met some friends for a drink. 1st March. Panama Canal. What everyone has been waiting for! An early rise as we didn't want to miss anything. We were on deck by 7.00. Our cabin was on Baja deck near the front so we made use of the little deck at the very front where you had a terrific view of everything. There was a running commentary as to what was happening which was great as it was very informative. Soon we passed under the Bridge of the Americas and Centennial Bridge and headed for the Mira Flores Locks. We were behind a large container ship and alongside another. How amazing it was to see the 2 men in a little row boat row over to attach the ropes on one side. The ropes were attached to engines Called Mules which help guide us through the locks. It took about 20 mins to go through the first lock. Then we went through the Pedro Miguel Locks before sailing along the Culebra cut and out into the Gatun Lake. Ahead we could see the Coral Princess who was doing a partial transit. We crossed the lake and went through the 3 locks at Gatun before reaching the Atlantic. Most of the day was spent watching the transit with a short break while crossing the lake. It was really spectacular and really worth doing. 2nd March Arrived in Cartagena, Colombia at 8.30am. We had booked a walking tour of the city with Cristian Martinez along with another couple. We were to meet him at the clock tower in the city so we took a taxi there. After waiting for a while and there being no sign of him we hired another guide, Toni. ( I later had an email from Cristian apologizing as he had knee problems ) Toni took us around the city showing us various areas, We saw the cathedral and gold museum and he took us to buy coffee. He also took us into some hotels to let us see what they were like. There was also a visit to buy some emeralds. I got a coffee bean pendant with a little emerald chip. It was a good tour and he even negotiated a cheap taxi back for us. We had a look round the shops at the port then went back to the ship which left at 2.00. 3rd March Arrived in Aruba at 12.00. We had a relaxing morning before going ashore with another lady to do an island tour. The roads are really bumpy but we saw an old fort, the natural bridge which has collapsed, baby natural bridge, the lighthouse and hotel zone. The seas on the far side of the island are really rough with some huge waves. Back at the port we wandered round the town and craft stalls. There are lots of brightly colored buildings. It has a nice feel to it. The ship sailed at 7.00. 4th March at Sea. The last formal night and Captain's Farewell Party and Champagne Waterfall. I caught up with some reading and laundry. It was like a party in the laundry as folk waited for a machine or dryer. One man was celebrating his golden wedding. 5th March Arrived in Ocho Rios at 8.00am. We had arranged a private tour along with another couple. Our driver, Wentworth Pearson, was waiting for us. First saw a view point and sampled some sugar cane then we went to the Wassi Pottery factory then through Fern Gully to where there were some stalls. They were reasonable so bought some earrings and a necklace. Next was Coyaba River Gardens. We had a Rastafarian guide who was really knowledgeable about all the plants and flowers. Then we saw Mayhoe Falls before returning to the town. We got dropped off and walked round the shopping village before returning to the ship. We had been a bit apprehensive about Jamaica as we had not liked Montego Bay but it was much nicer here. The ship sailed at 4.00. 6th March At Sea. Time to relax and enjoy our last day at sea. We had a final group meeting and took photos. Bought the photo of the group at our table in the dining room. It's got views of the ship round it. Said farewell to our waiter, Anthony and busboy, Nolan. They have been excellent. Packed before dinner. We went to the final show then the piano bar. Turned in early as we have a long day ahead tomorrow. 7th March Arrived in Fort Lauderdale 7.00am. An early start as we were up at 6.00. Disembarked at 9.00. Had a minor panic as one case was missing but the tag had come off as had our luggage strap but it was beside a couple of other cases without tags. Then we were taken to Intercontinental Hotel in Miami for lunch. After lunch we went to the International Mall to shop before going to the airport in Miami. Flight left at 5.05pm and it was the bumpiest ride ever. Arrived at Heathrow at 6.10am. Saturday 8th. Caught flight to Glasgow at 10.05am. We collected our luggage and phoned the shuttle to collect us. Got our car and were home by 1.15pm. While some people didn't like the entertainment we were happy with it. Shows were good and pianist excellent. Some people had a problem finding space around the pool deck but we were always able to get a chair. While we were set dining the people on Anytime seemed to be able to book a table whenever they liked - unlike last year when you couldn't book between 6.00 and 8.00. Also our tablemates went to Anytime one evening and were still able to return to Set which is not what I thought you could do. There appeared to be a virus outbreak on board as we were bombarded by leaflets telling us to wash our hands. Luckily we were not affected. The staff were all very pleasant and helpful. Our disembarkation was much improved on last year when it was a fiasco flying out of Ft L. All in all a very enjoyable cruise much to be recommended.