Cruising From L.A. Like a Monkey's Uncle

We breezed past security like greased pigs through a car wash, and then filled giant oval plates with assorted buffet delights like hungry Texans at a Hari Krishna feast set in a Brazilian churrascaria.

Like Annette Funicello and Frankie Avalon in a "Beach Blanket Bingo" sequel set on a cruise ship, we stretched out on padded lounge chairs as soft as a Saudi sultan's sofa and luxuriated in the Southern California sun as perfect as a Lido Deck version of Disney's California Adventure's Soarin' Over California virtual simulation of a perfect sunny Southern California Day.

Julie and I felt as giddy as Ferris Buehler and Cyndi Lauper at a Beatles reunion concert in 1984 at Bill Murray's house after learning John Lennon's death had just been a terrible hoax and that George Orwell had completely misjudged the future.

In short, it was a boffo day for a bad metaphor until the life boat drill bell rang with the inevitability of a Hemingway novel.

In a non-green flash, we were off to our muster station with the abandon of Boy George and Hillary Clinton on their way to a pant suit convention in Hollywood, where we learned how to attach the velcro on a life jacket for the 35th time.

Before long, we were back in the glorious sunshine, and the punch of a punk-packed power chord kicked off the Sail Away Party.

Nothing could possibly kill the buzz, except possibly announcing winners of the scavenger hunt, which had kept passengers busy scurrying around inside the ship rather than enjoying the gorgeous California afternoon on the Lido Deck. 

When the announcements stretched from two minutes to ten, at which point the clock dial stopped moving altogether for another hour and a half, Julie and I decided to head to our private balcony to cruise out of Los Angeles.

We popped the cork --- or actually twisted off the top --- on a bottle of Sutter Home Sweet Red Wine (Princess allows each adult to bring a bottle of wine to enjoy in your room without corkage fees), and toasted our departure, acknowledging the many shipping crates that had piled up to see us off, only a bit disappointed they weren't spewing pastel-colored streamers into the air for the occasion.

Actually, it's quite pleasant sailing out of the harbor past Palos Verdes Peninsula and toward Catalina, watching seagulls swoop by and passengers in smaller vessels waving. 

Yes, we missed most of the Bon Voyage Party on the Lido Deck, and we weren't the first ones in queue for dinner, but we were somewhat compensated when the beauty and serenity of sunset on the open sea was punctuated by a truly magnificent bright green flash on the horizon.

Surprisingly, Michaelangelo Dining Room hadn't run out of food before we arrived, and our meals were delicious.

The best tip I can give you for a great vacation and life is to appreciate each moment for what it is rather than barreling through the present in anticipation of something that might happen next. 

Be a seagull, not a vulture.

Conscious Capitalism Conundrum

I've been reading Conscious Capitalism, a book co-written by John Mackey, founder and co-CEO of Whole Foods, so it is somewhat natural that I decided to walk over to the Redondo Beach branch to see about buying dinner.

My prior visits to Whole Foods resulted in buying nothing in what seemed like a pricy grocery store, but my son, who also gave me the book, said he walks to the one in Brentwood on a regular basis to pick up a few items.

I  will grant Whole Foods several advantages.  The open layout and relatively subdued lighting do make shopping feel like a more laid back experience than the typical Von's or Target, which strive for maximum utilization of floor space along with bright lights which, as I seem to recall from a marketing class long ago, energize the customers to shop more rapidly and buy more.

 

Swimming with Stingrays

There are tasty free samples around the store, like the excellent French cheese I tried, which I assume was made from the milk of grass-fed cows from the Loire Valley during a full moon or something, and it was truly excellent, although at $15.99 per pound seemed a bit steep for my purposes. 

I have no doubt the animals who give their lives to be displayed in the butcher's case have been treated more humanely, and the produce may indeed have a bit more flavor or have a trace less of some negative afterproduct of petroleum-based fertilizers or pesticides.

For me, however, the obstacle remained: price. 

It didn't deter the other unrushed shoppers, all of whom, whether wearing stylish equestrian gear (presumably having recently ridden her stallion in Rancho Palos Verdes), tennis togs worthy of Serena Williams or dapper business attire, were quite attractive and moved with ballet-like grace, regardless of age.

A shopping cart whooshed by me, ridden like a skateboard by someone with a foot propped on the bottom rack and pushed with her back foot, just as I used to do it when I was a boy.  I was surprised to note she was gray-haired woman smiling broadly.  No one bought all that much, but apparently focusing on quality rather than quantity was paying off.

Germany

Seeing the cheapest boneless, skinless chicken breast on sale was $8.99 a pound, and most produce triple the prices at my regular grocery stores like Sprouts and Ralph's, I couldn't force myself to buy anything.  However, I do respect those whose budgets allow them to comfortably indulge their tastes and elevated consciousness regarding nurition and animal rights. 

I walked out and headed for Albertson's, where I bought boneless, skinless chicken breasts for $2.99 a pound, no longer that worried about the fact that I couldn't find them for under $2 a pound in any of the weekly newspaper ads as I usually do.  They too have more expensive "organic" options priced between their entry level and Whole Foods prices, but I personally tend to opt for the more cost effective option, if I deem the quality good enough based on visual inspection combined with past experience.  Once it is seasoned and cooked, I couldn't tell you where it was raised. 

Getty Museum Garden Maze
 

I can't help but compare this to selling cruises.





I have always striven to uphold the principles of Conscious Capitalism, even before I heard of the concept.  Unlike Whole Foods, however, my prices are essentially the same as competitors, even for premium quality.  I will educate you of the possibilities and refine the selection to the areas of greatest interest into your own customized "store."

I was shocked to read that only 4% of Americans polled think that travel agents offer the best pricing, which is a definite perception problem for me personally, because I don't charge any additional fees like many travel agents do. 

Apples to apples, I have no doubt that I compare quite favorably with web sites like Expedia and Travelocity, which in that same poll 48% of Americans said they believe have the best prices. 



Azamara Quest

If you believe that, know that I too have a strong consumer booking engine.  Simply use my web site or app to book.  Prices should be as good as Expedia or Travelocity. 

 I am happy to do my best to improve the deal after it's booked and provide the same follow through whether you had place the reservation with me in person or online.  I will also prepare you for your trip by advising you of activities in each port.

The difference of contacting me directly, beyond the fact that I will do the work of finding the best values for you, is that I might see some special that will be available in the near future, and I can help you sort through the different promotions, which can be confusing. With American Express as well as Cruise Planners giving me top producer pricing with all cruise lines, I am also happy to recommend a different cruise you may not have considered but might be a better fit for your needs.

To me, that is customer service, but apparently 45% consider booking online more convenient.  If that is you, I again recommend using my web site or app to book for pricing and convenience like Travelocity and Expedia.  Check it our for yourself.  Get the online price at CruisePlanners1.com and then check it against the others.  If you really want nothing more, book where it's cheapest.

And lest there be any doubt, the best value for your vacation dollar is cruising. 



However, if you want a land trip, I am happy to book that for you too.  I represent all of the top tour companies and vacation packagers, including companies like Pleasant Holidays that will price match any legitimate offer.  Then again, most times I will initially recommend better trips, where the air arrangements are more direct and at times that stretch your vacation and minimize flight fatigue, and include items like transfers and cancel-for-any-reason insurance that includes price protection if the rates drop, which comes in very handy when booking several months in advance.

And know that if you demand only the best, I will respect that wish and focus on that area for you. 

My Conscious Capitalism Conundrum is why you would choose to book anywhere else, but my biggest concern is:

Where in the world would you like to go?

North of the Redondo Pier

The longer I live in Redondo Beach, the more I realize what a wonderful place this would be as a pre- or post-cruise stop when embarking from Long Beach or San Pedro. Or, with the lovely Portofino waterfront resort and other fine accommodations, this is definitely a worthy destination for an extended stay, too.



While I love our former hometown of Manhattan Beach, there really is only one restaurant with a commanding ocean view, The Strand (formerly called Beaches). Nothing wrong with that, and there are lots of great eateries with peeks at the ocean from some of their tables, but Redondo Beach has lots of waterfront restaurants.

Normally, Julie and I don't go out much for dinner. Happy hours with cheap food while we nurse a cheap drink, yes. Full on meals, very seldom. Since moving to Redondo Beach, we've had more people come visit us, primarily due to curiosity about where we moved, I assume, prompting us to browse menus of potential destinations while strolling around. Joe's Crab Shack quickly became a favorite, as it merits repeating regularly. We used to take our mothers to the one in the Long Beach Marina before they passed away, so we already harbored fond feelings toward this waterfront chain. The Redondo Beach branch has lived up to our expectations, with great food and friendly service in a relaxed setting. Joe's menu features huge buckets of crustaceans and  gourmet seafood entrees, but there are also lots of delicious, filling meals for about $10 to $13.

While entertaining guests like friends Mike and Linda Rood or our daughter Gina justifies a meal in a full service restaurant, Julie and I rarely go out to eat by outselves when not on vacation (unless you count breakfast on the road at McDonald's or lunch with In-and-Out), but Redondo Beach may change that, because we feel like we're on vacation all the time. With our proclivity for thrift, however, I doubt we'll be deigned the new F. Scott and Zelda among the Redondo high society set.

Walking home last night from dinner at Samba, looking at the lights of the nearby Palos Verdes Peninsula, I thought about a simlar nighttime stroll with Julie on Ka'anapali Beach, and while we were definitely more chilly than we've ever been in Hawaii, the sound of the waves breaking nearby and the beauty of the night helped Redondo hold its own.

I hope you'll excuse my self-indulgence in again praising my new home town, but if you've been here for any time at all and for some reason are incapable of taking in the beauty for yourself because you're too busy texting or exercising without noticing where you are (and I pity you if that is the case), then you will at least make a mental note of all the people stopping to take photos, whether with smart phones or 35 mm cameras sporting an assortment of lenses.  On the way to dinner, a woman stood at the gate of a residential complex snapping a photo, and hearing me comment to Julie about how many people I notice taking pictures, she turned to us and said, "I've been here 27 years, and I still keep taking pictures."

Many visitors to Redondo Beach hang out on the pier or the stretch of beach immediately south of it.  There's a grassy park above that beach where families hold ocean-view picnics, and the farmer's market winds down a path between the park and the beach on Thursdays.  South of there is where Julie and I prefer to go to the beach, boogie boarding or just strolling the strand.  When our oldest daughter Gina came for a recent stay while doing some research with USC, she joined us on several walks here, as well as up to Hollywood Riviera cafes and shops, which I'll most likely describe another time.

Immediately north of the pier is a stretch of waterfront bars which I can imagine breaking into donnybrooks of flying chairs and overturned tables should the wrong intent be inferred, which along with the fresh seafood vendors makes for a lively area that I call Poor Man's Marina (the boats are generally seaworthy but left in a rather rough state, presumably in a rush to hit the bars).

Once north of that area, you come to Rich Man's Marina, where pristine boats could easily compete for Prettiest In Show ribbons. This is where the gorgeous Portofino Hotel is located. 

Right at the crux of the two marina are Samba and Delzano's.  We haven't tried Delzano's yet, but taking advantage of a 2-for-1 promo we chanced upon, we indulged in Samba, a Brazilian churrascaria.




As Atkins Diet advocates (if not strict practitioners), we've been tempted by the promise of sabers full of charred meats in unlimited quantities brought to the tables, and Samba fulfills that promise. It was all delicious, including a wide variety of side dishes. On an episode of "No Reservations" set in South America, Anthony Bourdain chided his brother for the folly of eating any starches or veggies when so much great meat was available, but I have to say that the diverse side dishes really rounded out the meal. We were surprised to find a short line to be seated in this tough economy, although once we tasted the food we weren't surprised to see a much longer line when we left.

While we waited for our table, we sauntered into the lovely bar, where several large screens and one enormous screen showed the Sunday night football game. During games, domestic bottled beer is $2.50, so I went with a Michelob Ultra with a lime in it. In a world of imports and micro-brews, I'd forgotten how good this Atkins-friendly beer is. We enjoyed out wait for the table, ensconsed in the modern but comfortable, white leather sectional couch. Our "date night" proved to be thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish.

What's Happening On The Mexican Riviera: Is It Criminal?

We've become accustomed to cruise lines clearing out of Southern California for the summer. If you want to cruise roundtrip to Hawaii from L.A. or San Diego, you have to wait until the fall, and this year we are left with our two stalwarts from Long Beach for Mexican cruises.

Carnival Paradise continues to alternate Friday through Monday cruises to Ensenada with Monday through Friday cruises to Ensenada and Catalina. In the summer months, demand swells to almost double winter pricing on these popular escapes, but I just saw a Pack-n-Go special for 7/22 departure that starts at just $279 per person, plus about $40 tax. If you've never done one of these weekenders, you should really try it. You'll be amazed how much vacation you get in three nights away from home.

What can you do in Ensenada besides go to Papas & Beer? A special treat is Wine Country Tour. You'll be surprised to find these terrific wineries in the rolling hills outside Ensenada have great wine and lovely grounds. The bullring draped in bougainvillia makes a great backdrop for photos.

If you're not a wine afficionado, there are many other options from horseback riding to 4 wheeling in Jeeps to visiting the remarkable coast by La Bufadora.

Carnival Splendor continues its 7-night Mexican Riviera cruise, and the substitution of two days in Cabo plus one in Puerto Vallarta remains the order of the day. A few criminal incidents in Mazatlan have pushed cruise lines away.

In fact, when Disney and Princess return in the fall, they will not call on Mazatlan either. In addition, Princess has decided to replace Puerto Vallarta with Ensenada. Princess will also use that same ship for wine country cruises and Hawaii cruises, so she won't have too many Mexican Riviera cruises anyway.

Other lines like Norwegian and Royal Caribbean have ditched the Mexican Riviera altogether, so this year we will have fewer ships than in many years. Carnival will bring back Spirit, which will be alternating five night trips to Cabo (2 days there) with 9 night cruises to the Mexican Riviera from Los Angeles instead of San Diego to fill part of the gap.

San Diego is the odd-man out, with only Holland America making it their home port for the school months. Oosterdam still is scheduled to do the traditional ports of Cabo, Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan, but keep in mind that they are owned by the same company that owns Carnival and Princess.

A real delight is the 11-night itinerary on Zaandam, which if it goes as scheduled will visit Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo, Acapulco, Huatulco, Zihuatenejo and Cabo San Lucas. With the way cruise lines have been running from Mexico, you better visit these ports while a ship still goes.

By the way, regardless of the length of cruise you select, be sure to enjoy Southern California before and after your cruise. Trump National Golf Course in Rancho Palos Verdes, for example, is a world class spot to stretch your vacation.

Trump National Golf Course, Rancho Palos Verdes

Today Julie and I finally had lunch at Trump National Golf Course in Rancho Palos Verdes. We've driven past the beautiful resort a few times, and once almost had Sunday Brunch there, but despite it being a short drive from our home, we had never eaten there prior to today. We simply didn't realize what we had been missing.

The lunch menu may not be cheap, but it certainly is reasonable, and the setting is quite remarkable, with rolling fairways along the rugged coastline.

There were a lot of sandwiches and salads under $15. The sandwiches come with a tasty cold slaw and your choice of fries, onion rings or fresh fruit. My Trump's Club Sandwich with apple bacon, roasted turkey and avocado was delicious, as was Julie's grilled tuna and Swiss.

After lunch, we strolled through the public park that's embedded in the course, enjoying the panoramic ocean views.

For passengers on Mexican Riviera cruises from Long Beach or Los Angeles (San Pedro), this is a great excursion to stretch your cruise experience by a day. While it is not on the most direct route to LAX, it is well worth going out of your way.

If you have enough time for a round of golf, I would surmise you'd love this challenging course. In my video above, you can see an amateur successfully finding the green on Trump's signature waterfall hole.

Day-Cation in Palos Verdes

Palos Verdes is a few miles but lightyears away from downtown Los Angeles.  For tourists, it's a beautiful, convenient locale to visit between debarking a cruise ship and flying home from LAX. 

It's also a wonderful place for Southern Californians to escape for a day, like Amy and I did yesterday.  We headed toward the ocean on Crenshaw, and when the street ended, we parked.  After a short stroll, we shot the video footage above, where you can see we enjoyed a beautiful panoramic view.

We proceeded to hike toward the ocean.  Occasionally encountering horses with riders and other hikers, some with dogs in tow, the downhill walk was especially pleasant.  Trekking back up required frequent stops for me to slow my heartbeat and catch my breath, but it was well worth it.

Back at the Jeep, Amy made sure she got her old Dad some water along with salted almonds to rebalance my electrolytes or something, and we were off to our next stop, a Japanese shopping center a right turn on Sepulveda away from Crenshaw that Amy enjoys visiting with her boyfriend.  We decided we didn't feel like Japanese food, so we drove to an adjacent shopping center to a restaurant she said always smelled good but where she had never dined.  Poquito Mas, a Baja taco restaurant.  Okay, at this point, I think we technically had ventured into Torrance, but that's the way of the South Bay.  Cities fade into each other.

We both ordered their signature dish, tilapia fish tacos, which had a "market price" of $6.75 for the platter on this day.  A sign advertised "$2 Day Beers," which turned out to be any bottle stocked, so I chose Modelo Negra, always a solid choice.  Amy had a fountain Diet Coke, but many of the other diners had tall Coke in bottles, presumably the famed Mexican Cokes that use real sugar instead of corn syrup.  A waiter brought us a small helping of tortilla chips, and Amy brought back some green and red concoctions from the salsa bar.



Buffy the Vampire Slayer's High School

When our plates arrived, they were heaped full of delicious beans and rice along with the overly stuffed tacos.  The tortillas are not ONLY made on site but made fresh for each order, and they are fantastic.  The Corona batter on the tilapia is thick, crispy and delicious, and the fish itself mild and tasty.  Everything we ate was fantastic.  Looking at their web site, I see they have a lot of other locations, including several in the San Fernando Valley, but I'd never eaten at one before.  I definitely will again.

After lunch, we headed to another South Bay institution, the Skechers Outlet Store at the corner of West 190th and South Vermont, which I think is called Harbor Gateway, which might be a pseudonym for some other city.  In any case, it chalk full of bargains.  Amy had been looking at sporting goods stores for hiking boots over her college break, and she found the perfect ones there, plus some dress flats, and the total bill was under $50 despite the fact that the second pair was too inexpensive to qualify for the 50% off the second pair promotion.  If you're in the area, check out this outlet for my home town company, Skechers.

Buffy's House

Amy and I had a great day together, a vacation without traveling far from home or spending much money. And for you TV fans, on the drive from Poquito Mas to the Skechers Outlet, we drove right past Buffy the Vampire Slayer's high school, which Amy had visited earlier in the week with some friends.  Buffy's house is also near by. 

If you're going on a cruise from Los Angeles or Long Beach, why not enjoy the wonderful South Bay?  You'll learn why we love L.A.