Shadowmeboy's Star studded Christmas Mexican Riviera review!

[shadowmeboy]

 

 

 

 

 

[shadowmeboy]

 

 

 

Flag bridge - level 3

 

 

 

 

This describes the Iowa's ribbons and letters painted on the ship.

[shadowmeboy]

 

 

 

 

 

[shadowmeboy]

 

 

 

 

 

I wouldn't want to be out here on a stormy night.

 

 

A Phalanz CIWS, aka cruise missile defense gun, a late 1980's addition.

[shadowmeboy]

 

 

 

 

 

Harpoon Cruise Missile launchers

 

 

Tomahawk Cruise Missile launcher

[shadowmeboy]

 

 

 

 

 

5 inch - 38 caliber upper handing room

 

 

Enlisted berthing

[shadowmeboy]

 

 

 

 

This Gentleman served 40 years in the Navy before retiring.

 

 

[shadowmeboy]

 

Galley Serving line

 

 

Iowa memorabilia from its service years 1943 to 1949.

 

 

1951 - 1955

 

 

 

1984 -1990

 

 

Garbage incinerators

[ncklhaus]

I want to say thank you so much for sharing your review. I really enjoyed it. I especially liked the Iowa pictures. So incredibly interesting!

BTW I'm Scentsy too!

[shadowmeboy]

I want to say thank you so much for sharing your review. I really enjoyed it. I especially liked the Iowa pictures. So incredibly interesting!

BTW I'm Scentsy too!

 

Your welcome. I always enjoy your reviews as well.

 

I still have a little bit more to go. I had to pause for dinner and City Council.

[ncklhaus]

Your welcome. I always enjoy your reviews as well.

 

I still have a little bit more to go. I had to pause for dinner and City Council.

 

Thanks. I still have to do my latest review from last month. We have had a lot going on since we came back but hopefully I can get started over the weekend.

[Juvesgirl]

This is such an amazing review - thank you so much for all of the time and energy you have put into sharing your trip with us! Like everyone else, I love the blue dresses :) I found your Las Caletas pictures especially helpful - I am going to the Mexican Riviera with my DH in October and we are considering Las Caletas as an option!

 

I do have one question, and no problem if you don't remember. I have sailed NCL a bunch of times, but for the very first time we are sailing on a cruise through a CAS (casino) promotion. Do you happen to remember if the CAS passengers had priority boarding? They do in NY, but I heard they don't in other ports (and of course, the one time I sail out of a port other than NY, we are CAS! ;) ). I just couldn't tell what the priority signs said in your pics of the boarding area and thought you might remember. But no worries if not!!!

 

Thanks again!

[kevmoley]

I loved your review. My wife and I were on the same cruise the week before you and had a wonderful time.

 

Just a tip for anyone going on the cruise and wanting to visit the USS Iowa after the cruise, show them your cruise card to get half off the cost to visit the Iowa. :)

[shadowmeboy]

Thanks. I still have to do my latest review from last month. We have had a lot going on since we came back but hopefully I can get started over the weekend.

 

I will keep my eye out for it.

[shadowmeboy]

This is such an amazing review - thank you so much for all of the time and energy you have put into sharing your trip with us! Like everyone else, I love the blue dresses :) I found your Las Caletas pictures especially helpful - I am going to the Mexican Riviera with my DH in October and we are considering Las Caletas as an option!

 

I do have one question, and no problem if you don't remember. I have sailed NCL a bunch of times, but for the very first time we are sailing on a cruise through a CAS (casino) promotion. Do you happen to remember if the CAS passengers had priority boarding? They do in NY, but I heard they don't in other ports (and of course, the one time I sail out of a port other than NY, we are CAS! ;) ). I just couldn't tell what the priority signs said in your pics of the boarding area and thought you might remember. But no worries if not!!!

 

Thanks again!

 

Your welcome! I love how we both look good together in blue, especially on a dark background.

 

Las Caletas was fun. I liked the food and included drinks. The crew on the boat did an excellent job of keeping everyone entertained. It was a good experience overall.

 

I cannot tell you when CAS boarded in LA. We were supposed to board before others, but Monica the concierge was late getting to the room, so they starting boarding groups even before the Suite/VIP area had gone.

[shadowmeboy]

I loved your review. My wife and I were on the same cruise the week before you and had a wonderful time.

 

Just a tip for anyone going on the cruise and wanting to visit the USS Iowa after the cruise, show them your cruise card to get half off the cost to visit the Iowa. :)

 

I did not know that about the Iowa. Thank you for sharing. I am glad you guys had an excellent cruise as well.

[shadowmeboy]

Continuing on the Iowa...

 

 

I would hate to have that electrical panel!

 

 

 

The Bakery

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Where they sliced bread and buns.

 

 

[shadowmeboy]

 

 

 

Marine Station/Armory

 

 

 

[shadowmeboy]

 

Main Mess

 

 

Beverage station

 

 

enlisted dining room

 

 

 

[shadowmeboy]

 

powder keg for the guns

 

 

a model of the USS Missouri

 

 

a quick medic station

 

Finally coming back onto the main deck.

 

 

 

[shadowmeboy]

 

 

We finished with the Battleship Iowa after spending over 2 hours exploring. We definitely could have spent longer, but hunger was a driving force. We caught an uber back to the hotel. I caught this sign on the way back.

 

 

We walked from the hotel to an El Pollo Loco (the crazy chicken) Restaurant.

 

 

It smelled fabulous when we walked in.

 

 

I got a small taco and a burrito

 

[shadowmeboy]

 

Susan got another type of burrito.

 

 

After lunch, we stopped by 7-eleven to get some water and a pop for later.

 

We went to the pool and just relaxed in the hotel room watching TV.

 

Later on we didn't feel like going anywhere, so we ordered a pizza and some garlic knots from pizza hut.

 

 

We turned in early, as tomorrow our journey home began.

[shadowmeboy]

Leftover Pizza made for a great quick breakfast.We got packed and checked out and headed down to catch an uber to the train station. Yes, I said train Station.

 

 

Our bags, waiting for the Uber.

 

Our Uber arrived and we started our trip to Los Angeles Union Station

 

 

 

We had an excellent driver and traffic was light!

 

 

 

 

I even saw the Hollywood sign!

[shadowmeboy]

 

 

 

 

 

Arriving at the station, we had to get a few pictures for my father, who is a huge train fan.

 

[shadowmeboy]

 

 

 

They were restoring this part of Union Station. reminds me of when they were restoring King Street Station in Seattle.

 

 

As we were traveling to Seattle on the train. We had a sleeper compartment on the train. So we checked in at the Amtrak Metropolitan Lounge.