SAN
JUAN DEL SUR, NICARAGUA SATURDAY MARCH 9, 2013
As
I mentioned early this is a tender port and a difficult one as well –
the tender area in town is a floating pontoon and can only take one
tender boat at a time.
I
woke and as is usual I head down for a bite to eat in the
International cafe but as is also habit stuck my head out on the deck
to see the seascape and it was impressive – low hills, a clearing
sky and lots of white caps on the water – then I said to myself as
I walked down to breakfast – I wonder if they will be able to
tender with the waves being as high as they are – if you want an
even better view – Deck 5 is also at water line and the waves there
quite impressive.
Some
of us we musing out loud that tendering might be problematic and this
was confirmed some ten minutes later when the Captain came on the PA
system and announced that this port was being scrubbed as the seas
were expected to remain choppy the remainder of the day and that we
would spend the day at sea.
I
wasn't surprised but the announcement was met with a lot of angry
people who wanted to start a petition to force the Captain to go to
another port – they and many were Aussies confronted the Purser's
office, anybody in authority with there demands.
I
can understand their frustration - it is our third missed port if
you count Acapulco which was ditched months ago because of the safety
concerns.
Even
if Princess wanted to visit another Mexican port and Puerto Vallarta
would be the most logical as they still have a presence there and are
booked into there for next year – it is a weekend – how would you
be able to book the port, book the needed workers, get the local
officials on a weekend and book excursions on short notice. In
frustration – logic doesn't often factor into a discussion.
I
too was disappointed in missing this port as I had a good ship's tour
planned to visit the historic city of Granada and then visit a
Volcano – a short 4WD drive up the mountainside and then a walk
along the crater and finally a lunch.
Some
of those organizing private tours had paid a deposit on van rentals
so had to deduct that from refunds back to the cruisers.
This
is another reason why booking private tours can be risky.
So
while the protest simmer the ship took it time cruising up the
Mexican coast but we were treated to more than one dolphin show
including one fellow who thought he was Flipper – if you don't
remember Flipper – Google will educate you.
I
had mused at breakfast that I thought one option might be to
overnight at Cabo – others say No because it is a tender port –
so what other ships do overnight there and they use private tenders
as well as ship's one.
Around
5PM the Captain came on with an update and you guessed it – we will
not visit any other Mexican ports because Princess cannot guarantee
the safety of the cruisers because of the political unrest and gang
concerns BUT we will overnight at CABO – arriving Tuesday evening
around 5PM and leaving Wednesday at our scheduled time of 5PM.
No
additional tours will be offered but the tender will operate
continuously until 11PM and then limited overnight to 7AM.
Some
of my cruise critic friends are thinking about going ashore and
having dinner at one of the nearby eateries – I may join them or
otherwise I will eat on the ship and go in for a drink and perhaps a
visit to the nearby Walmart.
For
Wednesday I had nothing planned and other than short boat ride down
to the Arch there is nothing available on the ship's list that
appeals to me.
One
place I haven't visited yet is the nearby town of Todos Santos or All
Saints – a Jesuit mission with lots of history. May search out a
tour to there once ashore on Wednesday.
To
keep things orderly they will once again use tender tickets but in
this case it is more a formality than anything else.
So
while not everyone is happy the compromise is fine by me.
On
the ensuing sea days we got our passports back – saw more dolphins
and as far as I am concerned the cruise is all but over.
On
Wednesday night after leaving Cabo I will be treat Anne, Paul and
Barbara who have graciously let me dine with them on many nights to
dinner in the Crown Grill as my treat. Since none of them drink the
offer of a bottle of wine with dinner doesn't apply.
Next
– Cabo visit and some thoughts on this long 49 day journey.
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