Cabo San Lucas

We have missed our call into Cabo San Lucas today due to weather.  Although the sea conditions are currently slight, a category 'A' hurricane (Hillary) a few hundred miles off the Baja coast threatens to produce bad weather for the coastal areas. As there is no cruise ship terminal or pier in Cabo, passengers would have been transferred to and from the shore using the ship's tenders. In an unpredictable swell, this is a risky operation as the tender is lowered into the water and then manoeuvred alongside the ship for passengers to step aboard. The tender then transfers passengers in small groups to a suitable berthing point ashore. For the whole operation to be achieved safely, it really does require calm sea conditions.  So with much disappointment, which I'm sure is shared amongst most of our fellow passengers, we have to accept that the Captain's decision is final and the ship will continue to Puntarenas, Costa Rica.

The passage plan however, remains effectively unchanged and in the distance, we can see the tip of the Baja California peninsula and the many resort hotels on the Cabo shoreline. The ship will now continue across the mouth of the Gulf of California to run parallel with the Mexican coastline, and we expect to pass abeam the popular holiday resort of Puerto Vallarta about 0900hrs tomorrow.

Tuesday night was our first formal night on board, and observance of the formal dress code was required in each of the main dining rooms. For ladies, this required an evening gown or cocktail dress, whilst the men were instructed to wear a Tuxedo, suit, or slacks with dinner jacket. Having avoided formal nights on our last cruise, we were both slightly apprehensive about the etiquette but we need not have worried.  The dining experience and format was identical to previous nights, with the only exception being the dress code itself resulting in an overall more elegant and stylish atmosphere in the dining room.  For those who do not wish to participate in the formal nights, the Horizon Court buffet or any of the speciality restaurants are always available.

The temperatures are now in the high '20s', even out at sea, and the strength of the sun should not be underestimated, as we are now only 24 degrees north of the Equator.  On Deck 15 and 16, we have been taking advantage of the ample deck space, sun loungers and bar service although this might be curtailed somewhat today after getting some painful sunburn to the legs! We prefer to keep away from the pool area on Deck 14 as the giant 'Movies Under The Stars' screen blasts out loud music during the mid-afternoon sun, making conversation slightly difficult.

Well, it's now mid-morning and time to burn off some of those calories. Three laps of the promenade deck equate to one mile, and this is by far our preferred exercise routine. Any notion of visiting that gym just sounds too much like hard work!