CROSSING THE LINE SEA DAY - Day 14 is another sea day with overcast skies and about 81 degrees F. We have another 280 nautical miles traveling at an average speed of 13 knots before we reach Manta, Ecuador tomorrow. But today is also the day that we "cross the line" as they say onboard. It's the first time for both of us as we have not been this far south before. The ship celebrates this event by holding the King Neptune Ceremony on the aft sun view pool deck....

REFLECTIONS SEA DAY - Today, Day 13 is yet another sea day – the first of two before we arrive in Manta, Ecuador. It's good to get these breaks at sea – yesterday was a tough two-hour walk in Carara National Park with all the heat and 92% humidity. I could have used a snorkel. Because it’s slower on board the ship today, I thought it should be time for a little reflection on what we’ve seen so far and where we’re headed. To me, Sou...

We arrived into Corinto, Nicaragua on this the 11th day of the cruise. From here on in, this is all new for Deborah and I – anything south of Acapulco, Mexico is virgin territory. We had arranged a tour with one of the ladies that I conversed with on Cruise Critic – a $50.00 US p.p. – 7-hour tour. It's about a one-and-a-half hour drive in thankfully an air-conditioned, 12-passenger van into Leon. This is a city of about 350,000 people and likely...

We arrived in Puerto Chiapas, Mexico with the ship clearing shortly before 09:00 a.m. Chiapas is situated on the south Mexican Pacific coast, within the State of Chiapas, near the border of Guatemala and Mexico. The area is characterized by plenty of fertile soil, plenty of coffee and cocoa plantations with mango and banana plantations everywhere. They say that it's 72 degrees, but I can’t believe that. There are Mexican’s fanning themselves and dri...

It's Day 9 today - We’ve been at sea for two days now having left Cabo San Lucas. Today is also THANKSGIVING DAY in Canada so I thought it was an omen. When I opened my cabin door there it was in my mail slot. It was an invitation letter from the Casino Host to join the SLOT Tournament on a two-for-one buy-in because I was such a good customer. I thought today MUST be the day. We were sure to be there for the 2:00 p.m. start –tickets in hand – t...