Dana Point Harbor: Fourth of July, 2008

My good friends Mike and Linda held a Fourth of July party at their boat in Dana Point Harbor yesterday. Linda made some killer chicken burritos, Mike added his famous vodka-laced fruit bowl, and lots of nice people enjoyed a wonderful time in the California sun. We're fortunate to live within driving distance of such a terrific vacation area.

And yet, consummate hosts Mike and Linda still look forward to taking cruises. In fact they love cruising so much, they have referred many of their friends to me, including several of the partygoers. Perhaps it is because they are such great hosts themselves that they fully appreciate what it takes to put on a good cruise that pleases thousands of passengers.
When a couple from a neighboring boat slip came over to the party, Mike immediately introduced me as his cruise agent. The wife proceeded to say that she would never want to go on a cruise, because she's a boater and wouldn't like the crowds. Tom, who I met through Mike a few years ago and has since become a friend and repeat cruiser who also refers people to me, jumped in to say that he used to think cruises weren't for him either, but that he had found out after taking one that he loved cruising.

I don't like to be pushy, but when the lady mentioned being worried about the diseases on big cruise ships, I had to respond by saying that the rate of disease on cruise ships is less than in the general population. She had her mind made up and wasn't hearing me, instead saying, "No, I mean on those big ships that go down to Mexico." I was at Mike's party, so I had finished at least una cerveza mas, and my mind couldn't bring the facts to the forefront, but I could at least remember that the CDC and CLIA said the incidents of the disease commonly attributed to cruises was more likely in the general population. This morning, I looked up the exact figures, so I'd remember next time. The federal Center for Disease Control in conjunction with Cruise Line International Association found that incidents of norovirus in the general population to be one in twelve, and that incidents on cruise ship are one in 3,600. The difference is that every outbreak on a cruise ship must be reported by law, and that makes big news every time.

Perhaps I made some headway, and Tom's unsolicited recommendation of cruising certainly helped, because she said something about having teen-aged children whom she thought would enjoy the activities on a cruise ship. That's a big item. If you want to spend time with your own family, doing so at home can be tasking, as cell phones from friends beckon kids to other places. I couldn't help noticing that this couple's teens were nowhere in sight on this gorgeous day, and sadly the same was true with my own kids and wife. A cruise gives everyone the chance to spread out and do what they want but brings everyone back together for meals, shore excursions, trivia games, dance lessons, or whatever is mutually of interest. Your kids often remember that they actually like spending time with you. The lack of free cell phones is an advantage.

With fuel costs pushing up the price of air travel and road trips, Southern Californians should definitely consider Mexican Riviera cruises, regardless of how many times they've been before. Choosing new shore excursions will spark your adventurous spirits. This summer, Royal Caribbean Vision of the Seas and Disney Magic are joining Carnival Pride on the Riviera. In the fall, lots of ships will be returning from Alaska, and in the spring, look forward to two new BIG additions. Royal Caribbean Mariner of the Seas, a mammoth ship with ice skating on board, will be stationed in Los Angeles, and the brand new Carnival Splendor will replace Pride. Call me toll free to begin planning your next great vacation.