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Alan Sheckter Photo | profile | all galleries >> Nature, landscape photos >> Cruise to West Coast of Mexico - Oct. 2-10, 2009 tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Cruise to West Coast of Mexico - Oct. 2-10, 2009

Donna and I sailed aboard the Norwegian Star in early October 2009 - just before hurricane season, apparently - beginning and ending at the Port of L.A., with stops at Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta. The ship was wonderful in terms of food, crew, activities, and evening entertainment: Vegas-style song/dance stage shows (some good, some hokey), Second City improv show (photos not allowed), magician, juggler/comedian, acrobats). Once on the boat it was instant relaxation. No car keys, no commute, just our floating city with unabated ocean views. The ship was freakin' HUGE; a lap around the jogging track around Deck 13 was 1/4 mile. Also, in addition to 13 restaurants, several bars, a large pool, and six hot tubs, the ship had a basketball court, movie theater, large entertainment lounge, large casino, and a theater that held about 700. Staterooms were also equipped with TVs, unlike the cruise I took 20 years ago. (Internet was available for 70 cents/minute! We didn't go for that.) And the whole thing was pretty inexpensive. Everything was included except shore excursions and alcohol (vodka smuggled in an Aquafina bottle saved us big bucks.) In addition, Norwegian's new Freestyle Cruising style is great - doing away with rigid dinner seatings and dress codes, welcoming instead dining when and where you want and casual dress is always OK. Photos by Alan Sheckter / AlSheck@comcast.net. Images may not be reproduced without expressed written consent of the photographer.
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g1/45/850245/3/118436342.EG5Tv50J.jpg First leg, Chico to S.F. aboard a 30-seat Embraer EMB-120
First leg, Chico to S.F. aboard a 30-seat Embraer EMB-120		 Old-fashioned propeller
Old-fashioned propeller		 Golden Gate Bridge and the city of San Francisco
Golden Gate Bridge and the city of San Francisco		 Lights over San Pedro - a mile from our departure docks
Lights over San Pedro - a mile from our departure docks		 g1/45/850245/3/118436343.dyktXkfl.jpg
The enormous China Shipping site at the Port of L.A. at San Pedro
The enormous China Shipping site at the Port of L.A. at San Pedro		 Our room for a week - small but quite comfortable (note: we did NOT use that bunk bed).
Our room for a week - small but quite comfortable (note: we did NOT use that bunk bed).		 Debarking L.A.
Debarking L.A.		 Debarking L.A.
Debarking L.A.		 Debarking L.A.
Debarking L.A.		 Port of L.A. Harbor - Angel's Gate lighthouse
Port of L.A. Harbor - Angel's Gate lighthouse
Approaching barge at Port of L.A. Harbor Angel's Gate lighthouse
Approaching barge at Port of L.A. Harbor Angel's Gate lighthouse		 Port of L.A. Harbor - Angel's Gate lighthouse
Port of L.A. Harbor - Angel's Gate lighthouse		 First meal - deck party barbecue
First meal - deck party barbecue		 Donna, the expert shuffleboarder
Donna, the expert shuffleboarder		 An easy listening trio plays the seventh-deck Atrium
An easy listening trio plays the seventh-deck Atrium		 In case of emergency
In case of emergency
Nearly full moon at sea
Nearly full moon at sea		 Welcome on board show
Welcome on board show		 Cruise director (right) jokes with a cruise staffer
Cruise director (right) jokes with a cruise staffer		 Juggler/comedian
Juggler/comedian		 Juggler/comedian
Juggler/comedian		 g1/45/850245/3/118436344.IRy4iOl2.jpg
Seventh- and eighth-deck atrium
Seventh- and eighth-deck atrium		 A couple of the ship's elevators
A couple of the ship's elevators		 Sunrise at sea
Sunrise at sea		 Basketball court at sunrise
Basketball court at sunrise		 What time is it? Who cares?
What time is it? Who cares?		 Voyage data recorder
Voyage data recorder
1/4-mile jogging track
1/4-mile jogging track		 On deck casino tables
On deck casino tables		 Top-side - decks 12 and 13 - place for sun, drinks, pool, hot tubs, daily live music
Top-side - decks 12 and 13 - place for sun, drinks, pool, hot tubs, daily live music		 Sterling Howell and Excite - reggae and island pop
Sterling Howell and Excite - reggae and island pop		 Sterling Howell - From Trinidad & Tobago
Sterling Howell - From Trinidad & Tobago		 Deck 5 corridor - staterooms
Deck 5 corridor - staterooms
Casino - deck 6
Casino - deck 6		 Newlywed and Not So Newlywed Game
Newlywed and Not So Newlywed Game		 Newlywed and Not So Newlywed Game
Newlywed and Not So Newlywed Game		 g1/45/850245/3/118436345.kZmVivR2.jpg Sunrise approaching Cabo
Sunrise approaching Cabo		 Sunrise approaching Cabo
Sunrise approaching Cabo
Approaching Cabo San Lucas
Approaching Cabo San Lucas		 Approaching Cabo San Lucas
Approaching Cabo San Lucas		 Approaching Cabo San Lucas, the southern tip of Baja California
Approaching Cabo San Lucas, the southern tip of Baja California		 Cabo San Lucas
Cabo San Lucas		 Cabo San Lucas
Cabo San Lucas		 Cabo San Lucas from one of the ship's dining rooms
Cabo San Lucas from one of the ship's dining rooms
Cabo San Lucas
Cabo San Lucas		 Land's End, Cabo San Lucas
Land's End, Cabo San Lucas		 Brave adventurers at Cabo San Lucas
Brave adventurers at Cabo San Lucas		 Famous arch at Land's End, Cabo San Lucas, where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific
Famous arch at Land's End, Cabo San Lucas, where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific		 Famous arch at Land's End, Cabo San Lucas, where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific
Famous arch at Land's End, Cabo San Lucas, where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific		 Land's End, Cabo San Lucas
Land's End, Cabo San Lucas
Cabo San Lucas
Cabo San Lucas		 Donna waits to go ashore
Donna waits to go ashore		 Marina at Cabo San Lucas
Marina at Cabo San Lucas		 Pepe's - authentic Mexican food
Pepe's - authentic Mexican food		 Mmmm, carnitas burrito
Mmmm, carnitas burrito		 Pepe's - authentic Mexican food on the rustic side of downtown Cabo
Pepe's - authentic Mexican food on the rustic side of downtown Cabo
Variety of fish tacos at Taqueria Claros
Variety of fish tacos at Taqueria Claros		 Small grocery store featuring likeness of Che Guevara
Small grocery store featuring likeness of Che Guevara		 Bargaining at the street market
Bargaining at the street market		 Wares for sale
Wares for sale		 Local musicians
Local musicians		 Another open air market
Another open air market
Marina at Cabo San Lucas
Marina at Cabo San Lucas		 Child checks out the marina at Cabo San Lucas
Child checks out the marina at Cabo San Lucas		 Young man with a mahi mahi
Young man with a mahi mahi		 Mexican wrestling mask, anyone?
Mexican wrestling mask, anyone?		 Tableside serenade
Tableside serenade		 Seņor Frog's, Cabo
Seņor Frog's, Cabo
The vacationers
The vacationers		 Cabo pelican
Cabo pelican		 Leaving the marina at Cabo
Leaving the marina at Cabo		 Ship magician, who spun the head of his assistant
Ship magician, who spun the head of his assistant		 g1/45/850245/3/118436346.gdtu6Rhw.jpg Approaching Mazatlan at dawn
Approaching Mazatlan at dawn
Approaching Mazatlan at dawn
Approaching Mazatlan at dawn		 Approaching Mazatlan
Approaching Mazatlan		 Approaching Mazatlan
Approaching Mazatlan		 Approaching Mazatlan
Approaching Mazatlan		 Pacifico brewery
Pacifico brewery		 Nearly full moon
Nearly full moon
Mazatlan from the ship
Mazatlan from the ship		 Mazatlan from the ship
Mazatlan from the ship		 Mazatlan from the ship
Mazatlan from the ship		 El Faro Lighthouse, which sits atop Cerro Creston, Mazatlan's highest hill
El Faro Lighthouse, which sits atop Cerro Creston, Mazatlan's highest hill		 Mazatlan from the ship
Mazatlan from the ship		 Alan and friend
Alan and friend
Paolo, our excursion's first mate
Paolo, our excursion's first mate		 Norwegian Star at Mazatlan
Norwegian Star at Mazatlan		 Paolo and tour director Jorge taking us to Stone Island (Isla de las Piedras) via catamaran
Paolo and tour director Jorge taking us to Stone Island (Isla de las Piedras) via catamaran		 Local pelicans
Local pelicans		 One-hour catamaran tour preceded our Stone Island adventure
One-hour catamaran tour preceded our Stone Island adventure		 Bay views near Mazatlan
Bay views near Mazatlan
Bay view near Mazatlan
Bay view near Mazatlan		 Bay view near Mazatlan
Bay view near Mazatlan		 Bay view near Mazatlan
Bay view near Mazatlan		 Bay view near Mazatlan
Bay view near Mazatlan		 Bay view near Mazatlan
Bay view near Mazatlan		 Bay view near Mazatlan
Bay view near Mazatlan
Tractor and cart take us to Stone Island beach
Tractor and cart take us to Stone Island beach		 An old Massey Ferguson
An old Massey Ferguson		 Stone Island
Stone Island		 Beach property entrance
Beach property entrance		 Tour director Jorge and little friend
Tour director Jorge and little friend		 Donna relaxes at the beach
Donna relaxes at the beach
Our humble beach-front resort
Our humble beach-front resort		 Amelia's oysters-in-the-shell cart
Amelia's oysters-in-the-shell cart		 Young L.A. women on an ATV
Young L.A. women on an ATV		 Our beach
Our beach		 Horses for rent
Horses for rent		 Stone Island scene
Stone Island scene
Coconuts
Coconuts		 Our beach resort
Our beach resort		 Horse and old Corona ad
Horse and old Corona ad		 Norwegian Star
Norwegian Star		 Controlled entry to Mazatlan from the docks
Controlled entry to Mazatlan from the docks		 Pilot boat
Pilot boat
Bay view near Mazatlan
Bay view near Mazatlan		 Back on the ship - the grand atrium
Back on the ship - the grand atrium		 Donna and staircase
Donna and staircase		 Acrobat/dance performers
Acrobat/dance performers		 Acrobat/dance performers
Acrobat/dance performers		 Acrobat/dance performers
Acrobat/dance performers
Acrobat/dance performers
Acrobat/dance performers		 Acrobat/dance performers
Acrobat/dance performers		 Don't try this at home
Don't try this at home		 g1/45/850245/3/118436347.peOm39Gd.jpg Norwegian Star directory decks 4-9
Norwegian Star directory decks 4-9		 Norwegian Star directory decks 9-14
Norwegian Star directory decks 9-14
Docked at Puerto Vallarta
Docked at Puerto Vallarta		 Docked at Puerto Vallarta
Docked at Puerto Vallarta		 Leaving docks for Las Caletas excursion
Leaving docks for Las Caletas excursion		 Heading to Las Caletas
Heading to Las Caletas		 Our daytime tour director David
Our daytime tour director David		 Approaching Las Caletas resort
Approaching Las Caletas resort
Arriving at Las Caletas resort
Arriving at Las Caletas resort		 Ahhh, tropical paradise
Ahhh, tropical paradise		 Resident parrot
Resident parrot		 Tourist pirate ship in the distance
Tourist pirate ship in the distance		 Donna the snorkeler
Donna the snorkeler		 Donna the snorkeler
Donna the snorkeler
Paella cooking demo
Paella cooking demo		 View from one of four resort dining areas - food included in excursion
View from one of four resort dining areas - food included in excursion		 Open bar
Open bar		 Donna and others bond with sea lion
Donna and others bond with sea lion		 Donna and new friend
Donna and new friend		 Donna and friend make a face
Donna and friend make a face
On site photographer
On site photographer		 Nature walk
Nature walk		 Resident spider
Resident spider		 Resident orchid
Resident orchid		 View from the tropical forest
View from the tropical forest		 Local blossom
Local blossom
Our beach
Our beach		 Our beach
Our beach		 Our beach
Our beach		 Our beach
Our beach		 Heading back to the ship, view of the rain forest around Las Caletas
Heading back to the ship, view of the rain forest around Las Caletas		 Puerto Vallarta from our catamaran
Puerto Vallarta from our catamaran
Puerto Vallarta from our catamaran
Puerto Vallarta from our catamaran		 'Bienvenido' - Our return to Las Caletas for dinner and show
'Bienvenido' - Our return to Las Caletas for dinner and show		 Donna and Alan pose with 'Rhythm of the Nights' performers
Donna and Alan pose with 'Rhythm of the Nights' performers		 Las Caletas musicians
Las Caletas musicians		 'Rhythm of the Nights' performer
'Rhythm of the Nights' performer		 Our most romantic dinner view ever!
Our most romantic dinner view ever!
Las Caletas pyramid - where show took place
Las Caletas pyramid - where show took place		 One 'Rhythm of the Nights' photo before they asked that all cameras be put away
One 'Rhythm of the Nights' photo before they asked that all cameras be put away		 Back in our room - they always made cool formations out of our fresh towels
Back in our room - they always made cool formations out of our fresh towels		 g1/45/850245/3/118436350.381cvJc4.jpg In case of emergency
In case of emergency		 Alan in a fisheye mirror
Alan in a fisheye mirror
Navigation bridge - as seen through see-through portals on the deck above
Navigation bridge - as seen through see-through portals on the deck above		 Navigation bridge - as seen through see-through portals on the deck above
Navigation bridge - as seen through see-through portals on the deck above		 Navigation bridge - as seen through see-through portals on the deck above
Navigation bridge - as seen through see-through portals on the deck above		 'Trackpilot' map
'Trackpilot' map		 'Chartpilot' map
'Chartpilot' map		 The Spinnaker lounge, home of many shows, and the obligatory bingo
The Spinnaker lounge, home of many shows, and the obligatory bingo
On-board chapel
On-board chapel		 Sunning deck and pool
Sunning deck and pool		 Giant slide
Giant slide		 Part of on-deck outdoor lunch
Part of on-deck outdoor lunch		 One of eight hot tubs
One of eight hot tubs		 Top deck pool, etc.
Top deck pool, etc.
Ship leaves wake in blue sea
Ship leaves wake in blue sea		 Back of the ship
Back of the ship		 View from the seventh-deck's narrow walkway
View from the seventh-deck's narrow walkway		 g1/45/850245/3/118436351.kv9EV0mE.jpg Donna - luxury breakfast at the Versailles Restaurant
Donna - luxury breakfast at the Versailles Restaurant		 Morning at the Versailles Restaurant
Morning at the Versailles Restaurant
Breakfast at the Versailles Restaurant
Breakfast at the Versailles Restaurant		 Sunset at sea
Sunset at sea		 Sunset at sea
Sunset at sea		 Sunset at sea
Sunset at sea		 Crazy ship couples' competition
Crazy ship couples' competition		 g1/45/850245/3/118436341.PweQsxaq.jpg
Supplies for next cruise - one of many pallets of rice
Supplies for next cruise - one of many pallets of rice		 Supplies for next cruise - this is mostly just the produce
Supplies for next cruise - this is mostly just the produce		 Supplies for next cruise - mangoes
Supplies for next cruise - mangoes		 Big-time luggage mover
Big-time luggage mover		 Hills of San Pedro - back in L.A.
Hills of San Pedro - back in L.A.		 Final view of the ship
Final view of the ship
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comment | share
Guest 09-Dec-2009 05:53
I know we're a little late, but just discovered these photos once we finally got our computer hooked up!! Looks like a great, relaxing trip--next stop should be our place in Maui.... Love, Martha & Rob
The Willis' 21-Oct-2009 16:57
Great pics as always Al!! You should sell some of them to the cruise line!!!
Guest 20-Oct-2009 02:08
Dude, you should seriously find a way to market some of these photos to the places you've been. I really think they are that good. $$$ Photos for sale! Think about it...
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