We leave Saturday morning to fly to Long Beach, CA where we will hop on our Carnival cruise ship. It departs Sunday afternoon when we sail to Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, and Cabo San Lucas and returns the following Sunday to Long Beach. I'm traveling with our neighbors and their friends, plus my family (two sisters, brother and their spouses). We will have 14 adults all together plus my 7 y-o nephew. We have never been on a cruise before so I'm a bit anxious but I am excited.
I've been told that there are two formal dinner nights so I had to scrounge up something to wear. I have a long black sleeveless sheath with pineapples on it that I bought in Hawaii 3 years ago. It sounds tacky but it's very elegantly tropical looking and comfortable. I also found a long black stretchy velveteen sleeveless dress with sparkles on it in the back of my closet. I usually pull it out during the Christmas holidays and haven't worn it for years but I guess it will do. I couldn't find any shorts in the stores but they had tank tops so I bought those. I have a couple pairs of capris and I found a cute pair of sandals. I tried on my two bathing suits and they fit (lost 8 lbs. since day after Christmas - Weight Watchers). Throw in a sweater for the cool evenings and I'm good to go.Now that my first concern is out of the way, I have been pondering what books to bring. I have some library books but thought I better leave them behind in case I lose them. I haven't been book shopping in a while so I have only a few new titles. Of course, I have a huge TBR so this is a chance to whittle it down some.
I decided to bring 7 or 8 books. I know I won't be able to read all those but I thought I should have extras just in case. You all know what I'm talking about here :)Some I pulled out of the TBR pile that I'm considering bringing:
Whispers of Heaven (Proctor)- been saving this for awhile since she no longer writes romance
Flowers from the Storm (Kinsale) - I keep getting this one out on vacations but never actually reading it
The Pirate Prince (Foley) - what's a cruise without a pirate book, right Kristie?
By Possession (Hunter) - I have a bunch of medieval romances in my TBR I just realized
Darkling I Listen (Sutcliffe)
Exposure (Andersen)
I Do, I Do, I Do (Osborne)
I wish I had a jungle or tropical setting books to get me in the mood but I don't have any. But I have a few in my keepers so maybe I'll bring one of those along.
Next we need to decide on which excusions (if any) we want to take in each port. I would like to do the dolphin/snorkling one at Pueroto Vallarta. I love snorkling. Bob wants to take some boat tour at Cabo on a catamaran which has food, an open bar and dancing.
Decisions, decisions.... :)
6 comments:
One day I too will cruise ;) Bob went with the first wife and everyone I know has been on one - the idea of a floating all day buffet is enough to make me weep with joy!
My only concern with your book choices is that they are all meaty - you might need something light and fluffy to go with your holiday. Something you can pick up and put down without any problems.
Have you read any MJDs? Maybe even a light hearted anthology.
Just in case ;)
CindyS
Good advise. I'll see if I can come up with anything lighter. You must cruise someday! It's perfect for you, no flying involved. I haven't read any MJD but I may have something in the TBR. Thanks.
Wow, so lucky Renee! I sounds like a really great cruise! Have lots of fun, but I think that goes without saying. as for the books, sorry, can't advise you as I've read none of the ones you plan on bringing.
Ah, I'm jealous, a cruise in the middle of winter sounds wonderful.
Have a great time and post lots of pictures.
Oh, read the Osborne! You get 3 romances for the price of one! But it does take place in Alaska, which doesn't exactly scream "cruise read."
The Sutcliffe is good, but I enjoyed her follow-up romantic suspense, BAD MOON RISING more.
And as for jungle settings? Do you have THE CHARM SCHOOL by Susan Wiggs in the TBR or have you already read it. A chunk of the story takes place on a ship....
OOohhh. I've read all of those ones and they are all excellent. Whispers of Heaven is my fave though.
And boy am I ever pea green with envy. You have yourself a great trip there!!
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