Help! I'm going on a land vacation!

[ecowen]

Next week I'm leaving on my first non-cruise vacation in years--a 7 day road trip up the coast of California.

 

I have so many questions! What should I pack? How will I know what to wear each night? Do I need to bring a hair dryer? A clock? Shampoo? Can I bring my own alcohol into a hotel room? What about tipping???

 

Any advice from experienced land-vacationers will be much appreciated!

 

 

Ed

[CruisingChick]

My deepest sympathies and condolences are with you. I'm so sorry to hear that.

 

Actually I haven't been on a land vacation in over 4 years, so I don't remember.

 

I'm sure Newt can help you.

 

Until Celebrity Zenith - NYC to Bermuda

 

 

Premier Big Red Boat II – 7 Night New York to Canada/New England, August 2000

Regal Empress – 5 Night New York to Canada/New England, August 2001

Celebrity Millennium – 10 Night Southern Caribbean, August 2002

Celebrity Millennium – 13 Night Mediterranean, August 2003

Celebrity Infinity –7 Night Eastern Caribbean, April 2004

Celebrity Zenith – 7 Night New York to Bermuda, August 2004

 

[G_Man]

The options on land are limitless. If you don’t like something you can drive away. On a ship your option is to swim. Have fun!

 

Horizon 3/’03

[Tatka]

Shhhhh....Land people are probably listening us. Don't let them know how we do things during the cruise.

 

Actually ,ecowen, not all land vacations are terrible. We went to Europe last November and had a blast in France,Belgium,Germany and Holland, but of course to get somewhere we had to drive hours, still it was fun.

 

I wish you a great land vacation!

 

------------------------------

<UL TYPE=SQUARE>

<LI>Zuiderdam 8/21/04 FLL - Key West - Cozumel - Grand Caymans - Half Moon Cay - FLL

<LI>Splendour of the Seas 05/15/04 Barcelona - Marseilles - Villefranche - Livorno - Chivitavecchia - Naples - Barcelona

<LI>Century 07/12/03 Eastern Caribbean FFL-San Juan - St. Thomas - St.Maarten- Nassau -FFL

<LI>Komarno(Volga)07/91 Moscow - Astrahan' - Moscow (honeymoon)

<LI>Komarno(Volga)07/90 Moscow - Astrahan'- Moscow

<LI>Admiral Nachimov(or Nakhimov) (Black Sea)04/1986 Odessa - Batum

 

GO BRUINS!!!!

[perrys]

Ecowen- Too funny. My last land vacation was St. Thomas . I spent much of the time pouting, staring at the cruise ships. Even begged myself aboard HAL Volendam for a quick tour. All in all, though, we had a great time. All the best to you-on land or sea.

[new_cruiser]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by ecowen:

Next week I'm leaving on my first non-cruise vacation in years--a 7 day road trip up the coast of California.

 

I have so many questions! What should I pack? How will I know what to wear each night? Do I need to bring a hair dryer? A clock? Shampoo? Can I bring my own alcohol into a hotel room? What about tipping???

 

Any advice from experienced land-vacationers will be much appreciated!

 

 

Ed<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

 

I'm probably making a mistake by assuming that you really want any serious replies, but here goes anyway.

 

Perhaps the most common mistake visitors make is to assume that summer in sunny California means hot weather. You need to know that costal California at night in the summertime can be cool. Whatever else you bring to wear at night, bring some sort of sweater or wrap. This is especially true if you will be in Northern California. Around San Francisco, even the summer days can be cool. (This can also be true inland. The inland desert areas are often cool at night. The high elevations can drop to freezing at night. Last weekend at ~ 7000 feet in the Sierra we were hiking through snow patches a couple of feet thick in places and I have been snowed on in August in Yosemite.)

 

Other than that, evening clothes are pretty casual unless you plan on going some place really really fancy. Slacks and a polo will get you into just about any restraunt. Non-tourist parts of San Franciso can be a little bit more formal.

 

I did the costal road (Hwy 1) from Monterey Bay to Santa Barbara once driving by myself. It is really pretty but very curvy and sometimes foggy. I enjoyed the first half and spent the second half wishing there was a way to cut inland to something straighter, but there isn't. Hopefully you have two drivers if you are planning on that.

 

Most hotels will have hair dryers, a clock (but you may find it hard to set the alarm time - call the front desk for a wake up call if it is important to you), and shampoo (nice places will have a separate conditioner).

 

I love a good road trip and California has some really scenic routes. Enjoy the redwoods. Stop at some road side stands for fresh produce - you will be going through areas with fantastic just picked strawberries - not the cardboard ones you get in the Supermarket; artichokes are big in the area north of Monterey and garlic in Gilroy.

[newfimom]

Hi Ed,

 

I just heard the Celebrity will be asking you to turn in your Captain's Club card since you are now a land shark.

 

All kidding aside, I too am going west. In two weeks I will be taking my daughter Megan to Arizona as a graduation present. We have friends in Lake Havasu and will be first stopping in Vegas for a little fun.

 

I hope you enjoy your California vacation.

 

Fran

newfimom

 

Galaxy 3/19/2004,Millie 4/02,Century 4/01, Ocean Princess 3/00, Grand Princess 4/99, Monarch 6/97, Century 9/96, Crown Princess 10/94

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[lssteele]

Ok...I'm a "do 'both"..returned not long ago from a 10 day drive from Denver to Mt. Rushmore to Battle of the Little Bighorn (took a 7 1/2 hour horse back tour of the battleground...that's a whole different posting....on some other board!) to Yellowstone to Jackson and back to Denver. All the hotels had both hairdryers and shampoo/conditioner. Ofcourse, where we went was very casual...jeans and shorts...San Francisco has always been cooler when we were there...needed jackets at night. Have a good time!

 

Panama Canal on the Galaxy

[jezzdogg]

We were a trader also. We did a week at Puerto Vallarta last april(crying alittle when I saw the cruiseships in the harbour)..But it was something different and fun.

Also, somethings do not need an cruiseship(for me Hawaii we spent 2 wonderful weeks there in 2002 and do not see how you can experience that the Pan-Pacific food without staying on the islands

 

norm

[high seas gal]

I had to chime in on this one. Cruising is my favorite, but usually we do a land vacation as well. We're renting a house at Lake Tahoe, California/Nevada border) in July, and bringing up the extended family for a week. Lake Tahoe goes way back in my family ... my parents took us kids EVERY summer, DH and myself took our kids EVERY summer, and now my kids are taking their kids. Great place for boating, incredible hiking, awesome scenery, great summer weather (not too hot), and if you're in to gambling, casinos on the Nevada side of the lake. So, we'll do a week on land with the family ... then 11 days on a Mercury cruise in October, just the two of us! I like both vacations, but must admit cruising is my favorite!

 

High Seas Gal

Northern California

 

Celebrity Mercury - October 13, 2004 - Mexico!

 

NCL Sky Jun. 2000 (ALASKA)

NCL Sky Aug. 2001 (ALASKA)

Princess Regal Princess Jul. 2002 (ALASKA)

NCL Sun Sep. 2003 (ALASKA)

 

[NYY]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by ecowen:

Next week I'm leaving on my first non-cruise vacation in years--a 7 day road trip up the coast of California.

 

I have so many questions! What should I pack? How will I know what to wear each night? Do I need to bring a hair dryer? A clock? Shampoo? Can I bring my own alcohol into a hotel room? What about tipping???

 

Any advice from experienced land-vacationers will be much appreciated!

 

 

Ed<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

 

By your tongue sticking out face there, I take it you really weren't asking those questions so I'll just comment on your choice of trip...

 

My family and I made that trip a few years back. Spent one weekend in San Diego (It's beautiful there) and then drove up the coast to San Fran (pretty much New York City with big steep hills - I live near NY so it wasn't anything really new).

 

The trip in between was breathtaking at many times. I grew up 3 blocks from the Atlantic Ocean and this was my first time seeing the Pacific.

 

A couple of things...

 

1. In my opinion, if you have a choice, head north up the coast. At least you are on the inside of the road. Coming around some of those bends can be quite scary, If I was heading south I think I may have gone over the side...

 

2. There are spots along the way that are VERY remote. No gas, food or lodging for hours. We had no lodging booked and pulled off the road in a small town (I can't remember which one) to see every hotel with a no vacancy sign. The last one in the strip did not have a sign, so I went in to inquire. The desk clerk told me they had been booked but just now had gotten a cancellation. We took the room. The next morning on our way north, I noted no hotels for nearly 3 hours.

 

3. Bring lots of money. Things are expensive along that route (gas, food, lodging, etc). Bring a camera as well...

 

In my opinion you have made a good choice for your vacation. We had a great time and had no regrets about our choice.

 

Have a good one...

 

...John

 

Century

[Lois R]

Good post Ed

 

Actually I have had some fantastic land vacations and I don't mine saying it either .

 

Went to San Francisco for a week in 1998---that was AWESOME.

 

Drove up the east coast in 2002...stopped in Charleston and on to Williamsburg...that was outstanding as well.

 

Went to Mexico in the mid 90s and stayed at an All-Inclusive 2 years in a row...had a blast there too .

 

In May of 2001 I took my first trip to Vegas and then spent time In San Diego...fabulous .

 

Of Course I just recently found cruising...so those were all legitmate vacations for me .

Now, when I think about my "next week off", the thoughts are directly going towards cruising

 

Next up...HORIZON Sept 18th to Bermuda!

 

See My Century and Mercury Pictures at:

http://community.webshots.com/user/lovescruising

[lougee1043]

we have a land vacation in sept to new mexico -- but that trip is inbetween my last cruise in march and my next cruise on the galaxy in also in march ---so i consider this land vacation a packing test

 

lougee1043

 

 

Since we last sailed on the Oosterdam

<img src=http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&prgb=2325FF&cdt=2004;03;28;08;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800>

 

til our next cruise on the Galaxy

<img src=http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&prgb=2325FF&cdt=2005;03;21;18;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800>

 

9/87 HAL - Noordham

10/92 HAL - Westerdam

4/01 HAL - Zaandam

5/02 HAL - Maasdam

8/02 HAL - Zaandam

3/03 HAL -Statendam

cancelled due to surgeries

12/03 HAL - Statendam replacement cruise

3/04 HAL Oosterdam

3/05 Celebrity Galaxy

[pbk917]

OK. So you are going up the coast, why not take a boat?

 

Song of Norway 4/88

Horizon 4/01

Millennium 4/03

Century 7/04

[dmarch@islc.net]

ecowen ...So sorry (LOL)

 

pbk917......I heard that!

 

No really, I have had wonderful "Land" vacations as well....they usally start with a 7 to 23 hour plane ride, or a few daze on a ship.

 

Forgive me,

 

David

[MISSYLOU]

Well I'm planning a land vacation too. Have time off at Christmas and didn't want to cruise then so we are going to Phoenix for a week.

 

When I suggested to DH that we go to Phoenix at Christmas he replied "Why would we want to do that. The last time we were in Phoenix I don't recall an ocean there"

 

Convinced him it would be a nice break from the cold midwest but we sure won't be as excited as we are when we are waiting to cruise.

 

Karen & Paul

kmbix56@wmconnect.com

http://community.webshots.com/album/124134511FOjEih

Infinity

Galaxy B2B 10/04

Mercury 03/04

Radiance 01/04

Summit 09/03, Infinity B2B Hawaii 03/03,Infinity 10/02,

Maasdam 07/02, Sun Princess 03/02,Maasdam 11/01,Statendam 07/01,Dolphin 1990?

 

[lssteele]

Missylou

 

Phoenix is a great place for Xmas! We lived there for about 15 months and on Xmas Day, my husband, daughter and son (who were visiting) were on the golf course, behind our house, hitting golf balls. Our Xmas picture had us dangling our feet in the pool...but it was too cold to get in.

 

Panama Canal on the Galaxy

[BEAV]

You're going to "do" the California Coast in HOW many days ????

 

To do that trip properly, you need a MONTH, pal!

 

San Diego

La Jolla

Laguna

Newport

Huntington Beach

Santa Monica

Santa Barbara

Pismo Beach

Morrow Bay

Hearst Castle

Big Sur

Carmel/Monterey

Santa Cruz

Half Moon Bay

San Francisco

Marin

Bodega Bay

Ft Bragg

Mendocino

Eureka

Crescent City

 

Have fun....there ain't nothin' like the California Coast!

 

If you absolutely MUST do a land trip, you've picked a good one....

[toni1266]

I usually need a land vacation to rest after a cruise vacation.. This summer is crazy..

 

Next week: Century with the girls

 

Mid July Cape Cod and Boston, (Red Sox, Lion King, and last but not least Lobster Rolls... Yumm

 

Late July: Freeport trip with boys, but girls are now coming with us as well. Two teenage boys, two teenage girls and me....Yikes!!!

 

Early August: Bangor Maine

 

Late August: Back to school..... YEAH

 

Mid September: Hopefully Horizon with Lois and the gang!! No Kids!!!

 

The only bad thing about this many trips is that it makes summer go by so fast. I work so hard in my yard and I'm not here long enough to enjoy it.. Oh yea, I do miss my hubby some and my pooch a lot!!

 

Toni

[trcori]

My deepest sympathies, and empathy!

We too are being "forced" to travel by land/air for our next vacation -- after cruising for the four previous major vacations.

Until the very second I hit "purchase" for the plane tickets, I was hoping something would happen like last year, when we planned the summertime "land" trip and then found ourselves somehow booked on Infinity instead ... but this year, we have friends in CA and CO having some rough times and would like to deliver them hugs in person, so we're going to do a triangle trip and spend 4 days each place. At least our December Caribbean cruise awaits ... TR

[Rickster]

Hi Ed, Jill and I just returned from a non-cruise vacation to Scotland. We had a great trip. Our hosts (who we met on Cruise Critic and then onboard a cruise) spoiled us. It was one of the best vacations we have ever taken.

 

Jill and her group had a great time in New York. Thanks for your advice, she followed through on some of your recommendations.

 

Have a great vacation.

 

Rick & Jill.

[excitedofharpenden]

Hey Rick! Welcome back! Sounds like you had a great time. Come and revisit the Night Owls thread and tell us about it. Did you get to try tatties and neeps? Where abouts did you go. We want to hear!

 

Phil

 

Mercury Western Caribbean November 2002

Galaxy Eastern Caribbean November 2003

 

<BR

 

Until Galaxy Panama Canal Out Of Galveston

13th November 2004

 

 

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