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 Travel & Outdoors | October 2005 
Seniors Experience Endurance Cruise
 Ron Malast
| | Sandy Hotton, enjoys a “Up-side Margarita” at the Giggling Marlin Cantina, in Cabo San Lucas. (Photo: Ron Malast) |
Earlier this month 64 travelers, many Ocean Park Moose members, friends and family, gathered to share the experience of cruising the warm climate and beautiful ports of Mexico — Acapulco, Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas — the jewels of western Mexico.
The group consisted of several people in their late 50s, many more in their 60s and 70s and some in their 80s, and two young ladies traveled with us, Sheila Marti’s daughter and Marie Kessler’s daughter Kari, both in their early 20s. Bob and June Griffis, having just returned from Australia and New Zealand, were also members of the crew.
The beginning of the adventure challenged the late risers with a wakeup call of 2 a.m. to catch a 6 a.m. flight out of Portland to Los Angeles. Of course, traveling entails standing in line at the ticket counter, the security check-in and boarding the plane and that’s just the beginning.
After an uneventful flight, we boarded an air-conditioned bus that would take us to the super cruise ship Norwegian Star, a city within itself. We sailed out of the Port of Los Angeles on a calm sea and a dramatic sunset and the anxiety that accompanies any anticipated vacation.
The first day of cruising was fantastic with gentle seas, a slight breeze and a warm sun. As evening approached the clouds started to roll in, the wind rose and the seas started to come up … something was happening! Later that evening the captain came on the loud speaker to announce that we were going to change course to a northwesterly heading to try to avoid Hurricane Otis, so we deviated our original course by 250 miles.
That evening, the seas rose to 7 to 12 feet, a little uncomfortable for some, but nothing really bad. The following day we learned that a cruise ship behind us had suffered much more severe weather and had headed for a safe port. Due to the detour we arrived eight hours late in Acapulco, which made for a short day in port. But that night at 4 a.m., all but the soundest sleepers were awakened by thunder claps and a spectacular lightning storm that lasted till dawn. Spectacular cliff-divers highlighted the morning and 95 percent humidity drained the energy from your body.
Then it was back to the ship for what everyone thought was a trip to Ixtapa. However, the captain decided we were running out of time so we had to skip that port and proceed to Puerto Vallarta under a cloudy and humid sky. Cabo San Lucas greeted us with warm sunshine and a lot of walking … thank God for the Mexican rickshaws which along with the tequila, helped ease the pain. The senior-seniors are doing fine, it’s the younger ones I’m worried about.
After arriving back at the Port of Los Angeles, we disembarked and headed to the airport and a six-hour wait for the plane to Portland. Finally the plane was boarded, the engines started and oh, oh … what’s that smoke coming out of the starboard engine? … Not good!
After about a mile and a half trek around to the replacement plane, we boarded again and took off … Whew! During the flight home many passengers fell asleep but were jolted back to reality by a landing that can only be described as a semi-truck landing on a giant pogo-stick … Hello, are we there yet?
Despite the many frustrations this hardy crowd from the Peninsula could only remember and talk about the casino winnings on the trip, the delicious prime-rib, lobster, filet-mignon dinners, and the par excellence service provided by the ship’s crew.
The Senior Cruiser of the Year Award has got to be shared between June Griffis for her resilience and positive attitude in all situations and Donna Simonson, who did not miss a show on the ship. They could be found either at the disco or casino in the wee hours of the morning and never stopped ticking. Do not call these people old … they know how to have Fun! |
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