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Everyone's a Cruiser

Fun For All on Mexico’s Riviera

By Chris Millikan

Excited passengers embarked on Carnival’s Spirit, one of several new-generation cruise-ships modified for disabled travellers. Following along ramped gangways, my husband and I joined gents on scooters and gals in wheelchairs, some with walkers, others using canes. Planning an upcoming cruise to include my elderly mom and sister-in-law with bad knees, we scouted out possibilities … an inspiring undertaking!

In the lavish atrium-bar, party-drinks-of-the-day kick-started our get-a-way, an inaugural opportunity to use ‘sign-and-sail’ cards issued for identification and onboard purchases…all anyone needed for eight ‘cash-free’ days. In opulent splendour, glass elevators were whisking holiday-riders up and down 9-glittering-stories. Mini-maps in hand, we wandered past four swimming pools and five whirlpools. Over the next week, we often lounged on deckchairs, amused by poolside games and shenanigans. Walking the two-level promenade prompted searches for migrating whales along the horizon.

Settling into our spacious stateroom, cabin-steward Garth iced champagne on the counter. “Most of this ship’s 1062 cabins are ocean-view, or balconied cabins like this one,” he informed us. “It’s a great way to see Mexico’s Riviera!” I imagined mom breezy reading…or viewing port-stops…and maybe just lazy-gazing over Pacific sunsets. While Garth briefed us on cabin-services, the Spirit smoothly departed San Diego’s bustling embarcadero, heading southward with her 2100 cruisers. The daily newsletter listed a flurry of activities: trivia quizzes, card games, line dancing, scavenger hunts and more. From our private balcony, we watched seabirds swoop and wheel above the whitely foaming wake.

Locating the cozy Chippendale-styled library, we sent out ‘wish-you-were-here’ e-mails. Nearby craft-session-folks were creating unique souvenirs in the conference room: “We’re making petit point logos for our grandkids back home,” chuckled one oldster. The instructor chimed in, “ There’s different cool things each day…everyone’s welcome…” Over forty WWII buddies met there daily to reminisce during their annual reunion.

Live music floated from many intimate lounges encouraging us to linger. Introduced to feisty vets sitting at one of many ship-wide adapted tables, Rick asked how they managed ship-life. Jack said, “Andy and I are having a great time!  Ours is one of 16 special cabins on the Spirit. They’ve thought of everything. The wide door even has a low peephole. In the john, there’s grab-bars, roll in showers with seats and handy water taps.”

Strolling the wide, highly polished duty-free shopping mall plotting take-home purchases, we gossiped with window-shoppers about getting lost amid such luxury.  Resting on her walker-seat, one senior observed, “The crew always seems to materialize if you need help, though!” By the end of the cruise, we could locate every magnificent public room of this floating mega-resort with confidence …almost.

The night of the Captain’s Cocktail Party, we rode the elevator with neighbour Sadie, resplendent in a white-sequined gown, whose daughters had treated their disabled mother to a ‘girls-only’ holiday. Photographers stationed everywhere snapped us in our finery. Small children posed with parents and grandparents, charmingly spiffed-up in ‘Sunday bests’. Posted in the Gallery, delighted squeals or horrified groans accompanied searches for worthwhile mementos.

Carnival’s newer fun-ships offer around the clock noshing and cater to diverse tastes. Options ranged from a reservations-only-gourmet-supper-club; casual poolside breakfast and lunch buffets; New York-style delis; 24-hour frozen yogurt station and pizzerias; midnight-buffet...and room service.

Menus in the two-level Empire Restaurant teased every guest. “These succulent seafood dishes sure would please your sister,” I whispered. Seated in the 19th-century-French-style dining room, my hubby selected lighter, guilt-free spa-meals…before indulging in desserts, often sampling several. Loving gourmet coffees, we never turned down frothy cappuccinos or lattes delivered with cheery smiles. A table away, elderly couples toasted new marriages with sparkling wines.  Laughing merrily, one celebrating bride declared, “We’re real lucky… finding someone special again…and having such fun!” We recalled the beautiful wedding chapel with stained-glass windows right onboard.

Later passengers gravitated to Pharaoh’s Palace, the grand 1200-seat three-deck-high show-lounge. There, singers and dancers entertained with two spectacular Vegas-style musicals, backed by a talented ten-piece orchestra. A Mexican Folkloric show dazzled with elaborate costumes, masks, music and regional dances.

Sitting with newfound friends after the Gala Dinner, the air buzzed with port-tales. All agreed that morning talks simplified our self-guided tours and excursions, including helpful-hints for those with disabilities.

Jack told us his Acapulco adventure. “I wheeled from the ship with Andy, along old Acapulco’s waterfront to the peaceful zocalo and Our Lady of Solitude. Overcoming high curbs, we came back on a shaded walkway leading to a famous home-gallery.  We saw hundreds of ceremonial masks, all hand-carved.” We had admired these colorful dramatic masks as well, some evoking fascinating mythology.

“We ended up at Fort San Diego, Spanish-built in 1616 to protect treasure-laden galleons from marauding pirates. We loved the air-conditioned display-rooms built right in the fort’s walls. There were artifacts from when Acapulco was the Pacific’s only trading-center between Spain and the Orient.  We made it back using a steep ramped walkway and crossed the street to the ship.”

Rick reported on our jaunt crisscrossing lively street-mazes to Mercado municipal, where we’d haggled for several wooden fruit-bowls. Sadie and her daughters had taken a taxi to La Quebrada to watch famed cliff-divers plunge into a narrow cove covered with only 11 feet of water.

I summarized our wonderful Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa experience. Edging from Zihuatanejo, our tour bus swept through Ixtapa’s luxury beachside resort to Playa Linda seven kilometers away. Gingerly wading into gentle surf, we scrambled onto canopied boats and zoomed offshore to Isla Ixtapa. There, we explored Playa Coral’s reef-reserve in crystal waters and relaxed in palapa-shaded lounges. I mentioned how a vision-impaired fellow joined his pals on this junket, taking beach walks along quiet shores, catching breezes in open-air beach-shacks.

My account of returning to picturesque Zihuatanejo prompted shopping tales galore.  Everyone bargained for silver trinkets, T-shirts and hand-painted ceramics in family-owned stalls lining Paseo del Pescador. Some wiled away the afternoon in sun-drenched patio-cafes or strolled cobbled streets lined with rustic inns and low-rise-hotels. I recalled the ‘ Shaw Shank Redemption,’ where Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman had always daydreamed of ‘ the good life in Zihau,’ this sleepy Mexican hide-away.

Sadie said her family had taken a later tender to Zihau, viewing Virgen de Guadelupe Church before enjoying a Mexican fiesta complete with mariachis. We’d spied her near the winding brick pathway along the beach, sporting a newly purchased floppy-straw hat. Armed with ice cream she awaited her shopping-daughters relaxing in her wheelchair, chuckling,“ This really IS the life.”

Many described the historic tour leaving from Manzanillo to colonial Colima and some recently discovered pyramids. Others searched out beaches like the gorgeous one popularized in Bo Derek’s classic movie ‘10.’ Our bus swept us away from the busy port and off on an eco-adventure and turtle escapade.

We updated everyone on the preservation of endangered turtles, iguanas and crocodiles at El Tortugario. “Following a wonderful boat trip sighting a range of wildlife in a long lagoon, we learned about its resident reptiles, which are largely turtles.  The center staff rescues eggs from raiding predators and poachers who sell them as aphrodisiacs. I watched children release the tiniest of turtles into foaming surf,” I smiled.

It sounded like we’d all had lots of fun!  Andy toasted, “Here’s to meeting again on another voyage!”

“Maybe next time you’ll meet our folks!” I beamed.

“Great!” acknowledged Sadie, “you know, these days anyone can be a cruiser!”

Carnival offers Mexican Riviera Cruises setting sail from San Diego.  This eight-day cruise included the friendly port of Acapulco, Ixtapa and Manzanillo.  Details: www.carnival.com

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