PHS Mexico 6-0 Reunion Cruise tips – part II 

Projected WEATHER:

Long Beach 85 F on Friday, Oct. 5,  Ensenada 81 F on Sunday, Oct. 8

Out at sea – don’t know but breeze and winds can get cold during the evenings and nights

However - we are in hurricane season through November 1. And though Pacific hurricanes are rare in comparison to Atlantic and Caribbean ones, --- there is a little bad news.

Currently (Sept. 16) there are two storms brewing just off the coast below Baja. Both with less than 40   percent chance of becoming a cyclone and eventual hurricane. (the second photo is the five-day outlook of where the storm is heading.) We’ll just keep an eye on them. Either way – even if they did become hurricanes, they should be gone by Oct. 5. (But we might see damage left behind.) And, with there being two storms brewing – it’s possible more can develop later in the month. I always keep an eye on the storms as my cruise approaches so I’ll keep you all posted if any new ones develop. The cruise ships are really good at staying ahead of the storms but worse-case scenario – we get some rough sea waves. (Another reason to bring Dramamine)
9/17: Good news that second disturbance has disappeared. (Yellow X). Bad News: A new one is developing, just southeast of the red one.

PACKING:

Remember, light is best. And if you need it – there are laundry rooms on the ship. I always throw a couple of laundry pods and some dryer sheets in a Ziploc bag - just in case but I have only used them on the 7-8 day cruises. I like to write down the days of the cruise and go from there:

Friday – Embarkation Day
Comfy clothes for traveling. Dinner is a “come as you are” for the first night – so no need to change. They know we are busy with the mandatory safety briefing and sail away party and then show and dinner. Plus some people may not get their luggage delivered till later in the evening.

Saturday – Sea Day and Elegant Night
Daytime: swim suit and cover-up, shorts or sundress and flip flops, hat, if you will be out by the pool.
Dinner – Elegant Night – dress up nice. Men: slacks, shirt, tie optional; Women: dressy or simple dress or just nice slacks and a dressy top. Take a sweater or shawl if you get cold easily. The showroom is usually cold.

Sunday – Ensenada
Comfort is key. Wear whatever you might need for your excursion. Wear comfortable walking shoes if you will do a lot of walking. Jeans and closed toe shoes if you are horseback riding. Swimwear and Shorts if you are kayaking. etc. There’s also zip lining and dune buggy excursions, wine tours, cooking classes, shopping in town, bar hopping, etc. La Bufadora (a natural blowhole on the coast) is cool to see. There are only three in the world – Australia, Hawaii and Ensenada. And Ensenada’s is the largest one in North America. (Second largest sea geyser of the world.) For photos of La Bufadora - click here: La Bufadora photos 
And if you go there - you have to try their tacos and other sea food. Everything is so fresh and absolutely delicious. Don't worry - you'll still be hungry for dinner when you return to the ship.
Sunday night – just remember to change back for dinner. Casual/dressy wear is fine.

Monday – Debarkation

Time to go home - wear something comfortable for driving home.

This is how I personally would pack.

Friday – black exercise capris pants, t-shirt

Saturday – same black capris, second t-shirt, flip flops for day / black dress and heels for elegant night

Sunday – jean capris and t-shirt, Nike shoes for Ensenada / simple dress and sandals for dinner

Monday – same black capris and another t-shirt for drive home.

Other – shawl for dinner, long sleeve shirt for early morning walking, jeans in case of cold day, undergarments, socks, swim suit and pajamas.

Toiletries: There is shampoo and liquid soap in every shower - but no conditioner. In the past, some rooms had hair dryers and some don’t. If you need one and don’t have a travel one, just ask your room steward as soon as you see him since they have a limited supply of them.

Other things which help:

·  Electrical power strip – can NOT have a circuit breaker, they will take those away from you. Sometimes they are hard to find without a surge protector – so I just like taking simple three-plug strips to plug in. That way two of you can plug in your cell phones to charge.

·         Post its – to leave notes on your mirror for the steward or on your door for family or others on where you are, etc.

·         Small bills – ones and fives and tens, maybe 20s if you plan on shopping. Avoid large bills. You don’t need money on the ship so always leave your wallet and cash in the safe deposit box in your room. While in port, you need your sail card, your driver’s license and cash for food, water, shopping – do NOT use your credit card. I have heard several bad stories.

·         Small cross-body purse – for your cell phone around the ship if you don’t have pockets – and/or for your cash and cell phone in Ensenada

·       Backpack – for your bottle of wine and sodas if you bring on the ship – also good place for medicine, makeup bag, light sweater or anything else you might need when coming onboard. This also great for Ensenada for your water bottles and anything you might need when you get off in port. (You cannot take fruit or meat or food off the ship – they have dogs to sniff you.)

·         Laudry pods, dryer sheets; and Fabreeze spray to freshen room

No Need to take towels – there are plenty in the room and at the poolside. If you need them in Ensenada, you do have beach towels in your room you can take off the ship with you but you are responsible for them.

Irons are not allowed – but there are self-laundry rooms onboard with irons and ironing boards if you need them.



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