Day 4--Puerta Vallarta

Day 4—Puerta Vallarta

I enjoyed the early morning quiet hours as usual.  One of my favorite times of day on a cruise is early in the morning before the rest of ship starts waking up.  It’s always so peaceful watching the sunrise with a cup of coffee and seeing day break over the horizon.  As darkness gives way to light, you start to notice the sea all around you.  Sitting back with a morning cup of coffee and watching the water with the sky turning red is incredible. 

The ship docked in Puerto Vallarta at a little before 10:00 am and cleared customs shortly after that.  The Oosterdam (a Holland America ship) was also in port docked next to us.  Getting off the ship was smooth with only a short line to disembark.  Then it was off the meet the bus for the excursion I had signed up for. 

The City and Scenic Coastal Drive excursion was OK.  It wasn’t the best excursion I had been on (not that I’ve been on that many), but did give a good overview of Puerto Vallarta.  The guide was very knowledgeable and talked about the history of Puerto Vallarta while pointing out all the sights as we drove past.  We made several stops for photo opportunities.  I met two sweet ladies on the excursion and stayed with them throughout.  Hildegard and Janine have known each other for over 40 years and since both ladies are widowed, they travel together.  Janine was especially outgoing and we talked quite a bit on the excursion.  She invited me to have dinner with her and Hildegard, but I explained I had early traditional dining and not “Anytime Dining” which is what they had.  (With traditional, you have a set time and set table with the same table mates and wait staff; with anytime dining, you can go to any of the other three dining rooms, the buffet, or the specialty restaurants whenever you want, but won’t have the same table, or the same wait staff and, of course, unless you arrange to have dinner with someone, you won’t be seating with the same folks). 

Got back from the excursion at 4:00 and the ship got under way at 5:00 pm.  I was just in time to get ready for dinner.  It was Italian night and since I love Italian food, I enjoyed it.  Three of the Walmart ladies showed up along with Polly and Pat—almost a full table.  I let all my table mates as well as my wait staff know that I would be on an excursion the next day and not to expect me for dinner (it’s always courteous to let folks know).

After dinner, I made reservations at Sabatini’s which is the Italian Specialty restaurant on board the ship.  The normal cost is $20 to eat there, but since I had complementary dinner with bottle of Champaign from my travel agent, it wouldn’t cost me anything.  The next day’s excursion wouldn’t get back to after 6:00, so I thought it would be the perfect time to go to Sabatini’s since I wouldn’t be back in time for my dining assignment. 

Didn’t go to any of the entertainment that evening and instead sat outside for a while reading my book, then went back to my cabin.  When I got there, there was a letter in my room confirming the Ultimate Ship Tour!  It was scheduled for 8:15 am on Friday and I needed to confirmI would be attending.  I’m really excited I’ll get a chance to see all the places off limits to the passengers.