Panama Canal Cruise

Okay, let's get started. It was another early morning start. 3:30 AM.

We have a friend who is an UBER driver. He picked us up.

We rode the St. George Shuttle to the Las Vegas Airport.

An uneventful check in and flight to LAX.

Next we board this very nice luxury bus to the pier.

 Here is our home for the next 14 days.

 We are standing on our balcony here. Fred is looking out with his binoculars.

I'm taking a selfie. Let the fun begin.

 This is Day Two. Part of the cruise package we bought included four speciality dinners. 

This is the first one at Cagney's Steak House. 

 We didn't take pictures of any of our food this cruise. 

Not sure why.

My friend at work told me I definitely would need a hat for this cruise.

She said the sun this close to the equator is killer.

I broke down and bought this in the shop on board. 

It was a miracle worker. I figured out soon not to wear any hair product.

I would just put in mousse, blow dry my hair and go.

Most days I only wore brow pencil. eyeliner and Lip Sense.

I truly was on vacation. 

Our first Port was Cabo San Lucas. BEAUTIFUL!!!

 These photos were taken from our balcony as we came into port.

                                                    We had to take a tender into the pier. 

The story with this ring. Get a drink and snack and get comfortable - it's long.

I've been whining for years for more bling because the diamond on my wedding ring is pretty small. 

I'm pretty much into BIG BLING. Fred pretty much just harrumphs and continues on his way.

There is always a big Gem & Shopping Event on board and we attended. I won't completely bore you with all the details, but at the end we decided to go on this excursion and utilize his $250 discount and look at Crown of Light diamonds to replace my diamond or maybe a new ring in chocolate diamonds. Thinking maybe spending $500 or $600 plus the discount. Fred said he had actually been thinking of buying me something.
I WAS SURPRISED.

So anyway, we get to Diamond International and the Asst. Manager pulls out a Carat Crown of Light diamond.

I love it - It's BEAUTIFUL. $26,000.00

Ah - can we look at something smaller - $6,000.00

She asks what do you want to spend? We tell her. 

She takes us across to another counter. This is Tanzanite. We learned all about it at the Gem Event.

She pulls out a couple single tanzanite stones and then this one.

AH YES - THE BLING FACTOR. I'LL TAKE IT!!!!

I asked Fred what do we call it? You know like "Anniversary Band" or some other romantic gesture.
It's pretty much a "I'm spoiled and I get whatever I want ring."
Not really, but I was actually pretty surprised when he said he had been thinking of getting me something. I'm more than happy about it. It's not the greatest picture, but it really is beautiful and really BLINGY!!!
"I'm spoiled - I get whatever I want" 

We did have to rush it in the Jewelry Store. That purchase was made in under a 1/2 hour.

The jewelry store had a ridiculously decorated bell that the customer rings when they make a purchase. 

Of the 50 people on our excursion from the ship - I was the first to ring that bell.

I'm a fast shopper. I know what I want and I get right to it.

Okay - back to the day's activity. We actually already had a shore excursion planned for Parasailing.

We brought our swimming suits, but the people said we would not get wet.

I was relieved - I really did not want to hassle with changing. 

I know - all fuddy duddy.

Fred and I decided to go up separately. We wanted to take pictures of each other.

We didn't realize there was a photographer on board. 

 I let Fred go up first so I could see what to do.

They let you "sail" for 10 minutes.

Gorgeous Day/

If we ever go again, we will definitely go up together. Once you are up, it gets a little boring. It's beautiful, but it would have been so much more enjoyable if Fred would have been there with me. 

When we got back to the ship, it was time for ice cream on the deck. 

Fred went and got my ice cream for me. 

I just love going on vacation with Fred and by ourselves. It is such a great time to reconnect.

No distractions. 100% all about each other.

Good Night Cabo San Lucas.