The last time we took a cruise was in 2017, when we went to Alaska with college classmates. We hadn’t taken a cruise in seven years. At the end of 2023, we happened to see a trip from Los Angeles to Mexico. It was convenient and economical (cruise fare + taxes and fees = $1,606.32 USD), so we booked an outer cabin for a relaxing vacation.
We didn’t do any research this time but were lucky enough to choose a very new cruise ship. The Discovery Princess had its inaugural voyage on March 27, 2022. The ship houses 1,830 passenger cabins—81% of which have balconies—and 757 crew cabins. It has a maximum capacity of 5,800 people, including 3,660 guests and 1,346 crew members. The ship measures 145,000 gross tons, is 330 meters (1,083 feet) long, and has a beam of 38 meters (126 feet). It features 19 decks and sails smoothly, averaging 22 knots.
I’m prone to seasickness, but I didn’t feel uncomfortable at all, even without taking any medication.
Our itinerary was as follows:
| Date | Destination | Arrive Time | Depart Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024.01.27 | Los Angeles, California | 3 PM | |
| 2024.01.28 | at Sea | ||
| 2024.01.29 | Cabo San Lucas, Mexico | 2 PM | 8 PM |
| 2024.01.30 | Mazatlán, Mexico | 9 AM | 5:30 PM |
| 2024.01.31 | Puerto Vallarta, Mexico | 7:45 AM | 4:30 PM |
| 2024.02.01 | at Sea | ||
| 2024.02.02 | at Sea | ||
| 2024.02.03 | Los Angeles, California | 6:15 AM |
我們上一次坐遊輪是在2017年，與大學同學一起去阿拉斯加，有7年沒坐郵輪了，2023年年底剛好看到從洛杉磯出發到墨西哥的旅程，方便又經濟實惠 (郵輪票價 + 稅金 = 1606.32 美元)，就訂了外艙房，想坐船出去放鬆一下。
我們這次沒有做什麼功課卻很幸運選了一艘很新的船，尋夢公主號 (Discovery Princess) 的首航日期是2022年3月27日，船上設有1,830 間客艙，其中 81% 設有陽台，還有 757 間船員艙。它可容納 5,800 名乘客，其中包括 3,660 名客人和 1,346 名船員。它的總噸位為 145,000 噸，長度為 330 公尺（1,083 英尺），橫梁長 38 公尺（126 英尺）。它有 19 層艙面。它航行平穩，平均航速 22 節，像我非常容易暈船的，不吃藥也沒有感覺不舒服。
我們的行程如下:
| 日期 | 國家/城市 | 抵達 | 啟航 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024.01.27 | 美國 加州 洛杉磯 | 15:00 | |
| 2024.01.28 | 海上巡航 | ||
| 2024.01.29 | 墨西哥 卡波聖盧卡斯 | 14:00 | 20:00 |
| 2024.01.30 | 墨西哥 馬薩特蘭 | 09:00 | 17:30 |
| 2024.01.31 | 墨西哥 巴亞爾塔港 | 07:45 | 16:30 |
| 2024.02.01 | 海上巡航 | ||
| 2024.02.02 | 海上巡航 | ||
| 2024.02.03 | 美國 加州 洛杉磯 | 06:15 |
I don’t cruise often, so I can’t provide an insider’s perspective. However, here are some of my experiences and reflections on cruising for your reference.
我不常坐遊輪/郵輪，所以無法提供內行人的意見，但是以下是我的一點心得及感想，供你們作參考。
Point 1.
When choosing a cruise, there are several factors to consider—for example: the season (temperature, rainy season, typhoon/hurricane risk), who you're traveling with (age, interests, needs), length of the trip, budget, room type, cabin location, and more.
在選擇遊輪/郵輪時，可考慮幾個因素: 例如季節 (像溫度、雨季、颱風／颶風等等); 誰要一起去 (像年紀、嗜好、需求); 天數長短、預算、房型、艙位等等。
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| At the end of January and early February, the weather in Mexico is sunny and breezy. The temperature ranges from about 70° to 80° Fahrenheit (21° to 27° Celsius), which is very comfortable. We also booked an outer cabin, so we were very happy. 一月底、二月初，墨西哥的天氣，風和日麗，氣溫約是華氏 70-80 度 (攝氏 21-27 度)，非常舒服。我們又訂到一間外艙房，非常滿意。 |
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Point 2.
There are several well-known American cruise vacation platforms (for example: Cruise Direct, Cruise Critic, Cruise Compete, and Cruise.com) that allow you to compare cruise options and sometimes offer good promotions or discounts.
Cruise tickets are usually cheaper and offer more room choices when booked well in advance. Ideally, you should book as early as possible. However, if you're unable to book six months or more ahead, it's recommended to book 60–90 days before departure. Sometimes, you may find discounts due to cancellations and reissued tickets.
Additionally, "Last Minute Deals" can be quite affordable, though they're more commonly available during the off-season. You can also look out for special drink and beverage packages. If you need internet access, check whether Wi-Fi packages are available.
有幾個美國知名遊輪/郵輪假期購買平台 (例如: Cruise Direct, Cruise Critic, Cruise Compete, and Cruise.com)，可讓你比較郵輪的資料，有時也有好的促銷或優惠價。
遊輪/郵輪船票通常越早訂越好，價格比較便宜，而且可選擇的房型也比較多。不過如果無法提早半年以年以上確定時間訂票，建議可以挑選啟航前 60-90 天，有時也會碰上別人退票，重新發售而有的一些折扣。
另外 Last Minute Deal 最後促銷也相對比較便宜，不過通常在淡季時比較可能發生。還可以留心喜歡喝酒，喝飲料的，有沒有特價的待遇包，需要網路的，也可留意 Wi-Fi package.
Point 3.
When choosing a cabin, consider the view, the ship’s stability, and its direction of travel. Depending on your preferences, you might want a cabin that offers views of the sunrise, sunset, port, or open ocean. Of course, these factors don’t apply if you're booking an interior cabin, which has no windows.
當要選擇艙房時，可考慮視野、船的穩定度，並考慮船行駛方向，根據您的喜好選擇可看到日出、夕陽、港口岸邊或外海。當然內艙房有些因素就不需要考慮。
Whether it's the clouds in the sky or the scenery of the harbor, it's very enjoyable to have an open and unobstructed view.
不管是空中的雲彩或是港邊的景致，能夠有一望無際沒阻礙的視野是很享受的事情。
Point 4.
To save time during the boarding process, it's best to complete certain preparations two to three weeks before your cruise. These include filling in required information, uploading a copy of your passport, and submitting a recent headshot.
Since the Discovery Princess is a MedallionClass cruise ship, ordering and receiving your Princess Medallion in advance will help you avoid long lines on boarding day. The Medallion—a quarter-sized wearable device—offers a range of personalized services, including:
- Contactless boarding (OceanReady™)
- On-demand delivery of items (OceanNow™)
- Event schedules on board (JourneyView™)
- Navigation and friend-finding (OceanCompass™)
- Keyless stateroom entry
- Simplified safety training
- Dining reservations (Dine My Way℠)
- Truly touchless payment (MedallionPay™)
- Family-friendly games (PlayOcean™)
You can also check information about ports and shore excursions in advance. Some popular activities have limited spots and can be booked ahead of time.
Additional items to prepare based on your needs include:
- Passport, visa, credit card, and cash (keep these on hand)
- Chargers and adapters for electronic devices
- Motion sickness medication and essential medicines (e.g., for fever, diarrhea, etc.)
- Sun protection gear: hat, cap, sunglasses, sunscreen, sun-protective clothing
- Jacket, windbreaker, or warm clothing
- Clothing and gear for swimming, sauna, sports, or other activities
- Outfits for formal dinners
為了節省登船的時間，在登船前的2、3個禮拜，有一些凖備事項: 預先填寫資料、上傳護照影本及最新的大頭照。
由於尋夢公主號是勛章假期 (MedallionClass) 的皇家級遊輪，提早預訂拿到公主勛章，也可省去登船當天大排長龍的辛苦。一款硬幣大小可穿戴式的公主勛章，提供了以下個人化服務:
- 快速登船 (OceanReady™)
- 隨心點單（OceanNow™）
- 互動式航行時刻表 （JourneyView™）
- 親友定位 （OceanCompass™）
- 自動解鎖艙房
- 簡化演習
- 餐飲預訂 (Dine My Way℠）
- 真正無接觸支付 （MedallionPay™）
- 互動遊戲 （PlayOcean™）
除此之外還可以查看港口與岸上觀光的資料，有些熱門的活動名額有限，可提早預訂。
其它零零星星視需求可凖備的東西包括:
- 護照、簽證、信用卡與現金 （隨身攜帶這些物品）
- 電子用品充電器、轉接頭
- 暈船或常備發燒、腹瀉等藥物
- 遮陽帽、太陽眼鏡、防曬霜等防曬衣物
- 夾克、風衣、保暖衣物
- 游泳、桑拿浴、運動或其它玩樂的行裝
- 正式晚宴的行頭
Point 5.
When you board the ship, there are a few important things to keep in mind:
- The ship will make announcements from time to time, including updates about emergencies, weather forecasts, special events, nearby dolphins or whales, and time zone changes.
- Be aware that the time zone may change depending on your location. Make sure to adjust your devices accordingly to avoid missing boarding times or scheduled activities.
Each day, review the daily schedule of activities. There are many options on board, including various classes, singing, live music, and different types of entertainment programs. Plan ahead for the activities you’re interested in. Some events have limited space, so it’s best to book early to avoid missing out.
There is usually a buffet available almost anytime. However, if you want to dine in the main restaurant or try gourmet specialty dining, be sure to reserve a time slot in advance so you can eat when it suits you.
當你上船後，可以注意以下幾件事：
- 船上不定時會播報訊息，像緊急事項、氣象、特別活動、海豚或鯨魚在附近、以及時區變更。
- 有些地方時區會變更，需留心調整時間，以免錯過登船或活動時間。
每天也當翻看當天的活動，船上活動種類繁多，各色各類的課程、唱歌、聽音樂、不同類型的娛樂節目都有，預先規劃好想去參與的活動，有些名額有限，早些預訂，才不會錯失良機。
通常船上有幾乎隨時可吃的自助餐，但是如果想到主餐廳用餐或享用老饕特色美食，早些預定時段，才能在想吃的時後享用美食。
Enjoying delicious food is a big part of taking a cruise.
享受美食是坐遊輪的一大重點。
It was such a lively celebration on the first day of sailing.
第一天出航，好熱鬧的慶祝活動。
January 28th happened to be the day of the AFC (Kansas City Chiefs vs. Baltimore Ravens) and NFC (Detroit Lions vs. San Francisco 49ers) championship games. The winners would go on to play in the NFL Super Bowl. Watching the games on a giant screen aboard the ship, surrounded by a lively crowd, was a rare and exciting experience. By the way, I was very happy that the Kansas City Chiefs won the Super Bowl on February 11, 2024!
1/28 剛好是 AFC (堪薩斯城酋長 vs 巴爾的摩烏鴉隊) 及 NFC (底特律雄獅 vs 舊金山 49 人隊) 的冠軍賽，誰贏了就可去打美式足球聯盟 (NFL) 的超級盃（Super Bowl）。在船上看超級大的螢幕，與一羣人感受比賽的緊張及興奮是難能可貴的經驗。順便說一句，我很高興堪薩斯城酋長隊在 2024 年 2 月 11 日贏得了超級盃冠軍。
Whether it's hitting the gym, walking on the upper deck, playing pickleball, or doing Zumba, there are plenty of ways to stay active on board and burn off some of those extra calories from overeating. There are also plenty of fun, educational activities and entertainment options to enjoy.
不管是去健身房、在頂樓健走、或打匹克球 (pickleball)、或跳尊巴 (Zuma) 船上有許多運動的選擇，可以消化一些過量享用美食的卡路里。也有許多有趣又可學習的活動以及娛樂節目。
I also love watching the pilot guide the cruise ship in and out of port. It's amazing how such a large vessel can safely dock in a limited space. I'm truly impressed by the pilots' skill.
我也很愛看領航員指導遊輪進出港。偌大的遊輪能夠安安穩穩的停靠在有限空間的港岸邊，領航員們的技術讓我佩服的五體投地。
References 參考資料
- 咕嚕美國通: 美國郵輪假期 Cruise 指南
- Princess: Princess MedallionClass®
- Princess: 公主遊輪勛章假期
Other Related Posts 其他相關的帖子
- Travel/POI: Discovery Princess 7-Day Mexican Riviera Cruise - 2 Cabo San Lucas, Mexico 尋夢公主號墨西哥沿岸8天遊 - 墨西哥卡波聖盧卡斯
- Travel/POI: Discovery Princess 7-Day Mexican Riviera Cruise - 3 Mazatlán, Mexico 尋夢公主號墨西哥沿岸8天遊 - 墨西哥馬薩特蘭
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