We went on a cruise sailing from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas on the Carnival Elation with 2400 people on board with 980 staff members. We got the package through Costco for about $750/per person not including flight down to SD which was another $200. Hidden costs included $10/per person per day tip on food/room service. We were in room E88 – empress level.

Day One:

Got picked up at the airport in SD then went straight to Coronado hotel for a light lunch at Sheerwater which was horrible in terms of service. I was highly amused with a ice skating rink right by the beach in 70 degree warm weather. Around 2pm, we were dropped off by the cruise terminal. We met up with everyone and then the sailing set sailed around 5pm. We had an evacuation drill and I was beginning to feel shaky but praying that I won’t get terribly sick because I really wanted to enjoy myself. I took a Meclizine pill that night. There was formal dinner night every night at 5:45pm in the Inspiration dining hall with the 14 of us.

Day Two:

At sea. We walked around, checked out the place. I did not swim however because I really wasn’t in the mood to be in the pool/hot tub with kids/older people/rowdy people. I sat at the rooftop deck, got some sun rays, fell asleep in the sun while reading. This I think was also formal night and cocktail party with the captain.

Day Three:

Some people went off either zip lining, kayaking, glass sea bottom kayaking but I chose the Cabo by Land & Sea excursion. $77 or $118 for a catamaran tour of Cabo with drinks on board. Then off to a Glass Blowing factory and Sunset Da Giorgio restaurant for a sweeping view of the panoramic Cabo. This is a restaurant now named Sunset da Mona Lisa http://www.loscabosguide.com/restaurants/sunsetdamonalisa.htm. Then a visit to Cacti Mundo http://www.loscabosguide.com/cactimundo.htm. After that we went downtown to San Jose del Cabo to visit a mission church and do a little shopping. Then off to the flea market by the pier for some shopping at the dockside. We ate at Nick San Japanese food http://www.nicksan.com but I felt it was overrated. I didn’t think the sushi was much more superb than ones I’ve had before. I picked up souvenirs and a few tee shirts. I was able to bargain down to 3-4 dollars U.S. We were able to use USD which was great! I was really hoping to see more of Cabo but due to the lack of time (ship time is one hour behind then Cabo time) and needing to be back on the ship via the tender by 4pm, we had to go and limited our own time with excursion. Back on the sea for formal night I believe? I don’t remember. I

Day Four:

Set sail on the sea again. I think I got really sick in the morning after going to the gym and vomited because the boat was really rocking. We played ping pong, hung out, went to the gym, hung out with the kids, ate a lot, chatted. Show night.

Day Five:

We arrived in Ensenada, Mexico. I did not do any excursions but there were either wine tour, blowhole tour, or a horseback riding tour. We walked around downtown that was it. We ate at some local taqueria joint and looked for more gifts. We took the shuttle back to the boat $3 RT USD and ate lunch on the ship. Hung out since it was our last night before heading back to SD. The waitresses sang to us. One family member got selected to go up on stage.

Day 6:

It was morning departure from the cruise at 8:30am in the morning. We woke up at 7 to have our last meal together. I almost got into a cat fight with this lady. That is another story worth mentioning. We left by them calling out Zones. We went back to SD to pick up the car then I caught an early flight back home while the other ones went back to LA. I was still rocking a lot.

Photos on Costco website.