We’re back from Mexico! As far as traveling is concerned, everything went smoothly. In the span of a few hours our modes of transportation included a ship, a van, an airplane, a bus, and a car. Oh, and if you count the tram at DIA you can throw in a train too. Thankfully, our flight landed at DIA only a few hours before another aircraft decided to take the scenic route and light itself on fire.
Our trip had an eventful beginning. Right after we made our way through security at DIA, two people came running up the escalators, screaming at the security guard to shut it off. At first we thought someone had gotten stuck, but then thoughts quickly turned to the idea that someone had pulled a gun or weapon. After a few moments we went down the escalators to find a larger man collapsed at the foot of the escalators. He was breathing, but it appeared as if he had a heart attack. However, he was breathing and the paramedics were on their way…so we assume he made it to the hospital. Nevertheless, it was an unsettling start (it probably was around 6:30 a.m.) to our trip.
Our trip had an eventful beginning. Right after we made our way through security at DIA, two people came running up the escalators, screaming at the security guard to shut it off. At first we thought someone had gotten stuck, but then thoughts quickly turned to the idea that someone had pulled a gun or weapon. After a few moments we went down the escalators to find a larger man collapsed at the foot of the escalators. He was breathing, but it appeared as if he had a heart attack. However, he was breathing and the paramedics were on their way…so we assume he made it to the hospital. Nevertheless, it was an unsettling start (it probably was around 6:30 a.m.) to our trip.
We made it to the port in L.A. right as the ship opened for boarding. The port in L.A. is huge. We received our “cards”, which act as your room key, a form of i.d. on and off the ship, as well as your “charge card” while on board. No cash or credit cards were used on the ship. Instead, these cards were used to pay for items and were linked to your room/personal credit card. That first afternoon/night we just got settled, ate some food, and walked all over the ship to get familiar with where everything was located.
We essentially spent the first two days and the final two days “at sea”, with the three days in between docked in Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, and Cabo. So, I’ll talk and post some pictures of those places in the next few days. For now, I’ll just talk about the ship and being at sea. As far as the ship itself goes, it really is an amazing accomplishment. It’s massive, and has everything from two swimming pools, a huge theater, a movie theater, an internet café, countless restaurants and bars, shopping, a full spa, a full gym, a running track, and cabins (a hotel) inside it. It’s like a floating city. Our ship was the Sapphire Princess and was built in Japan, although according to the staff most are built in Italy (surprisingly). As you’ve probably heard, food is available 24/7. The buffet is always open, but we also had many formal or sit down dinners and were able to try many unique foods. I tried frog legs, lamb, and so many other unique things I can’t remember. There is so much food, and because it’s all inclusive, you eat it just because it’s “free”! The dinner wait-staff that we were assigned to for the whole week were fantabulous. Ana (from Romania) and Bilyana (from Macedonia) were the finest I’ve ever been served by. They did a great job especially considering they had a few other tables too. However, I was stuffed every day by the time dinner came. The cooking staff on the ship estimates that they serve approximately 10,000 meals A DAY to staff and guests. It’s ridiculously ridiculous.
Here are some of the stats from the ship's kitchen:
Dry food storage area - 16,000 sq. feet
Walk in fridge capacity - 18,000 sq. feet
Butcher and fish shop preparation - 7,000 sq. feet
Average amounts of:
Meats cooked daily - poultry 1,800 lbs; beef 2,100 lbs; pork 1,000 lbs
Salads served daily - 1,600 lbs
Mayo used daily - 28 gallons
Vegetables cooked daily - 2,500 lbs
Flour used in pastry cooking daily - 1,700 lbs
Assorted pastries prepared daily - 6,000
Ice cream prepared (made) daily - 90 gallons
Butter used daily - 500 lbs
Fresh fruit served daily - 7,000 lbs
Coffee consumed daily - 470 gallons
Dishes washed daily - 70,000
Other highlights on the ship included playing bingo, getting to see dolphins swim (and jump/flip) next to the boat, and did I mention all the great (and “free”) food? Stacey and I also got a massage at the spa and we were able to work out on new fitness equipment. It was relaxing in some senses – like, we got away – but not in others. Julia slept next to our bed and was up a lot. Even if she didn’t wake up during the night, Julia made sure she was up by around 5 a.m. every morning. Additionally, one person usually had to miss out on dinner one night since she needed to go to bed at the same time dinner was served. We tried bringing her a few times, but it really wasn’t any fun for Stacey (or whoever was trying to keep her entertained) at dinner.
All in all getting to see the ship was a good experience. As you can tell from some of the below pictures taken on/from the ship, it’s really amazing when you think about it.
Music by The Beach Boys (Fun Fun Fun)