America Through My Eyes – MEXICAN VOYAGE (Part 1)

America Through My Eyes

MEXICAN VOYAGE (Part 1)

Telugu Original : Dr K.Geeta 

English Translation: V.Vijaya Kumar

          In America, we have only experienced tours by car or plane, but never a sea voyage—specifically, a multi-day journey involving travel from one port to another on small boats or ferries. Whenever I read about Gandhi’s three-month voyage in his autobiography, I couldn’t help but wonder what such a sea trip would feel like.

          Cruise tours are immensely popular in America, representing a multi-billion-dollar industry. Prestigious cruise companies like Carnival and Disney operate massive ships, some as tall as ten-story buildings. 

          Despite my curiosity, I’ve always been hesitant to embark on a cruise. In the past, even short half-hour or hour-long boat rides have left me extremely seasick, often resulting in vomiting. This fear has kept me from considering sea travel again. No matter how much Satya tried to reassure me that larger ships don’t cause such sickness, I remained adamant in my refusal.

          However, Satya and the children had been eager to go on a cruise for years. Every time the holidays approached, they would ask, “Where should we go this time?” Eventually, I decided to give it a try. The summer months of June and July are vacation times here, and the demand for cruises begins as early as April. Most cruises don’t operate during the winter, so the summer months see a huge surge in bookings. Despite trying to secure tickets in April, we couldn’t find any availability for June or July. After extensive searching, we finally found a cruise for the first week of August. Since school resumes in the second week of August, we thought this would be a good compromise. Booking directly through the cruise website proved to be cheaper than using intermediaries like Costco, and it also offered better room options. We managed to secure a family room with a sea view, which was a step up from the most basic accommodations. The most expensive rooms come with luxurious amenities like private balconies and exclusive sections, but we opted for the economy package to keep costs manageable.

          Cruises in the United States typically operate in the Atlantic Ocean to the east, the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and along the Pacific Coast to the west. These voyages range from three days to several months, offering travelers the chance to explore various destinations.

          Since we live in the Bay Area, just an hour from San Francisco, a major cruise hub, we initially looked for a list of cruises departing from there. However, most of these trips were nine days or longer, which didn’t align with our work schedules or to our children’s school schedule. We could only manage five days off, so we shifted our focus to shorter cruises. After some research, we found a three-day Mexico cruise departing from Los Angeles that seemed perfect. This itinerary included a stop in Ensenada, Mexico, with a day to explore the town before returning. A four-day option also included a stop at Catalina Island, but since we’d already visited there, we chose the three-day cruise. Driving from our hometown to Los Angeles would take two days, so we factored that into our plans.

          One of our primary concerns before booking was the visa situation. Since Mexico is a neighboring country, crossing the border requires a valid visa to re-enter the United States. As temporary visa holders, we weren’t sure if we needed additional permissions or stamps to re-enter the U.S. after visiting Mexico. Despite researching online and asking acquaintances, we couldn’t find a clear answer, as most people we knew were U.S. citizens. We eventually reached out to the cruise ticket vendor’s support team, who confirmed that a “valid” visa meeting regulatory requirements would suffice. Still, we weren’t entirely sure if we needed to visit the consulate for additional documentation. Despite this uncertainty, we decided to book the cruise, hoping for the best. I’ll share more about how this visa situation unfolded later in the story. However, based on my travel experience, I’d advise green card holders and citizens to be cautious about such international trips.

          After accounting for insurance, tips, and other expenses, the total cost for our family of four came to around two thousand dollars. Yet, the thought of floating freely on the endless ocean, day and night, felt priceless to our adventurous spirits!

          The ship’s amenities and activities are so unique that no amount of online research could fully prepare us for the experience. We had to see it for ourselves.

          Our journey began with a flurry of preparations, including shopping for formal attire to wear during the ship’s dinners. Including the two-day drive to Los Angeles, our entire trip spanned five days.

          Traveling in early August meant we could enjoy the warm, pleasant weather. I packed light, comfortable clothing, along with swimwear and extra undergarments for the ship’s swimming activities.

          Since I wasn’t particularly interested in the ship’s scheduled activities, I brought along Bipin Chandra’s Sahavasi, a book gifted to me by a friend. I planned to relax on the ship’s deck and immerse myself in the story. During long drives, Satya and I often take turns reading aloud to each other, and this book became our companion both on the road and at sea.

          The ship was scheduled to depart at 5 p.m. on Thursday, with boarding starting at 1 p.m. Los Angeles is a five- to six-hour drive from our home, and the Long Beach port, where we would board the ship, is another hour away. However, traffic delays are common, so we decided to leave a day early to avoid any last-minute stress. Traveling with children made this decision even more practical.

          To save on parking fees at the Long Beach Port, we stayed at a Hilton Group hotel that offered free parking for cruise passengers with a one-night stay. This was a cost-effective solution, and it allowed us to start our journey relaxed and well-rested.

          The drive to Los Angeles was filled with funny and excitement, setting the tone for the adventure ahead. By arriving a day early, we were able to recover from the long drive and fully anticipate the cruise the next day.

*****

(to be continued)