Monday, May 7, 2012

One Day Cruise Vancouver to Seattle Trip Report - May 5 - 6, 2012

My friend Pia who I went on the San Diego Carnival Cruise with offered to take me for free on this one since she would have to pay the single supplement anyway.  The ship was the Holland America Oosterdam.  She also said she had a free dinner credit for two in HAL's Pinnacle Grill restaurant and a free credit on Amtrak from Seattle back to Vancouver that would cover me as well.  How could I say no?  I felt special!  :-)

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

San Diego - "Pacific Coast Cruise" Trip Report - April 26 - May 1, 2012

I booked this trip in November 2011 on the suggestion of my friend Pia who was taking this Carnival cruise on the "Spirit" after it finished dry dock.  I learned that meant it was getting "rejuvenated". Since I have been to California numerous times before (nine), but never to San Diego, I decided to accept her offer. It was not a bad price - I got an inside cabin all to myself for $318 ($359 after tax -total). There was a further price drop later, so I ended up getting a $45 "on board credit" as well.  This cruise was first labelled as "Cruise to Nowhere"...San Diego to Vancouver with no stops.  I also liked that the cruise ended up at home.   I booked two days in San Diego pre-cruise.  In hindsight, I would have booked longer, at least four days, but I just did what my brain told me to do at that time.