Statendam - Oct 19 - Acapulco

[Krazy Kruizers]

Acapulco - we were supposed to arrive by 8 but didn't get here until 8:30. The ship cleared quickly - 8:50. Many tours left late due to our late arrival. The cruise terminal has been completely refurbished since we were here 2 years ago - very lovely - great air conditioning. A new cruise ship terminal is being built next door. There is now an internet center in the cruise terminal along with telephones, faxes, etc., along with some nice shops. Internet prices were reasonable: $2 for 15 minutes, $3 for 30 minutes, $4 for 1 hour. Once you leave the terminal there are a lot of pesty tour operators and taxi drivers. Turning left you walk to some shops. There are government ID people all around wanting to help you cross the streets - but they also want to stay with you and take you on a walking tour - and they expect to get paid. Radiance of the Seas anchored in the bay - what a 'gay' time they are having.

When we returned to the ship - everything is still hot - including our cabin. The captain came on at 6:05 PM and announced that our starboard engine was having problems and a special technician was flying down to meet our ship at the next port. He explained that there is a computer chip that has malfunctioned 7 times since we left Cabo (we knew of at least 4 times) which causes the engine to quit and slows the ship down. This was the reason for our late arrival in Acapulco this morning. He made no mention about about the poor air conditioning on the ship. But a couple of people have heard that another HAL ship is bringing parts to us - don't know when we will see this ship or even which ship it is.

We have complained several times about no room air - keep getting all kinds of excuses. Dining room - lower level - hot - upper level - we are a little cooler. Many people have been getting new dining room table assignements. So all those empty tables we have seen the last couple of days have been filled. While having an after dinner drink in the Piano Bar (the only really cool place on the ship) we talked to a woman who was on this ship in Alaska at the end of June - she said that there weren't any problems with air-conditioning then.

This morning in the Neptune Lounge we were talking to a man who spent some of the first day in the infirmary. He was getting onto elevator #1 (aft) and the doors began to close. He thought that putting out his arms the doors would re-open. They didn't. He was cut on both arms by the metal on the edges of the doors. He also told us that 2 people were denied boarding the ship in San Diego because the doctor felt they weren't healthy enough. The sickness had been among a couple of crew members - seems to be under control as no one has come down sick yet.

[gizmo]

Acapulco - Once you leave the terminal there are a lot of pesty tour operators and taxi drivers. Turning left you walk to some shops. There are government ID people all around wanting to help you cross the streets - but they also want to stay with you and take you on a walking tour - and they expect to get paid.

These guys are something else! We had one attach themselves to us and all the "No Thank You's" in the world would not make the guy stop following us. We finally lost him after we went into a church and ducked out a side door.