I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again – life is an adventure. And sometimes, in order to fully enjoy it, you just have to go where the adventure takes you. That is especially true with cruising; wherever that boat goes, it takes you. Choose to enjoy all the little “firsts” that cruising has to offer. But since this was our 16th time cruising the Mexican Riviera, I really had little hope that there were any more firsts to be had. It was the hottest part of the summer here in Phoenix, and I knew that Mexico would be no better, just more humid. I am so glad that I was wrong. In fact, my thinking was so far off base, the left fielder could have tagged me out.

One of the best parts of a Mexican Riviera cruise is finally arriving onboard to the constant smiles of Carnival’s cruise. And there is no ship on which I feel more comfortable than on Carnival’s Spirit-class ships. Feeling that familiar décor around us, watching “virgin” cruisers as they see the glass elevators racing up the 10-story atrium in the center of the ship, and hearing the staff welcome us “home.” I don’t think I will ever get enough of that. But this time was different. As we walked down the hallway on Lido deck, I suddenly heard a booming voice, “It’s my brudda from anudda mudda!” I recognized the familiar banter of one of our favorite waiters, Noel, with whom we had sailed several times. Noel is from the Phillipines, and has been with Carnival many years, and consequently has sailed with us off-and-on for many years. After a round of handshakes and hugs, we caught up on each other’s lives in the intervening time, and then we headed on to lunch.

Sitting on our balcony afterward, we loved feeling the California sun drenching our bodies as the cool Long Beach harbor breezes wash away all the wear from the long drive across the desert. We know that the interminably long “muster” safety drill is still ahead of us, but just this short couple of hours is enough to reset us into a cruising mood. As the time approaches for the muster, we begin making our way down to our assigned station with the rest of the ship’s passengers, arriving with plenty of time remaining before the ship’s horn assembles everyone shoulder-to-shoulder, back-to-front on the deck. Read more