Year 5, Day 272 “Living the Dream”. Tuesday, 1/27/2026, Day 22 of 22 day California Zephyr cross country trip, followed by a California coastal drive, and then a 14 night Mexico Cruise -Day 7 of 6 night Cabo overnight and Ensenada Cruise from Los Angeles on Quantum of the seas. Disembarkation day Los Angeles California. Ensenada is only a dream.
The pool chairs are lonely. They are lined up and ready for some new warm bodies to bring life to them.
We are back in the good old USA. It is a beautiful sunny day 59 degrees Fahrenheit at 9:30am. At 8:15am we disembarked in Los Angeles at Pier 91.
Grabbed a porter who took us through customs facial recognition, walked us outside and down the sidewalk to Pier 92. Remember the best tip is to grab a porter whenever disembarking a cruise ship. With a porter you will get through customs and out of the cruise terminal much quicker. It is so worth the extra money. Uber pick up is at Pier 92. From the Los Angeles World Cruise center to John Wayne Airport the cost was $91.97 plus any tip. It took over one hour to get to the airport.
John Wayne Airport commercial airport serves over 11 million passengers. Its IATA code is SNA and it is located in Orange County. The day is long waiting in the airport. Numerous times I checked the electrical outages in our home area. Oh yes, we also were planning another cruise adventure.
We boarded our first flight traveling to Chicago, Illinois and are off at 3:55pm. We traveled at 37,000 feet for 3 hours and 38 minutes. That time was wheels up to wheels down. Traveling first class is how flying should always be. We had an exceptional experience on American Airlines flight 2212. We flew first class from John Wayne Airport, Orange County, California, to O’Hara International Airport, Chicago, Illinois. Here’s a brief synopsis of the experience. – ( Leaving California it is a sunny 72 degrees Fahrenheit and it is 14 degrees Fahrenheit in Chicago. NOOO – SAY IT ISN’T SO. OPEN THOSE DOORS I CHANGED MY MIND. We are in first class. Very comfortable nice seats. Before everyone else boarded we are offered drinks. It is so relaxing drinking a red blend wine and coffee while the rest of the passengers frantically board. First class is definitely nice.
Our Flight attendant is so sweet. The only thing I don’ t like about American Airlines is they serve Titos vodka. I am allergic to Titos, but I like vodka. That’s why the wine. The plane appears full. We are given hot towels to wash our hands. I also washed my phone. The towels are super hot. After our hands and in my case my phone are all clean. Hot mixed nuts arrive in little bowls. First class is definitely nice. I NEVER want to go back to economy. The space we are sitting in for two people would be three in economy. After take off we are served dinner with a cloth table cloth and real silverware. There is a choice of wheat, white, or sour dough rolls. Steve said the wheat and white were excellent. The salad looked wilted. The short rib was excellent. Just a little bit of extra fat.
Our Flight attendant is so sweet while providing exceptional service to 16 people. Not only is she excellent at serving, but she is constantly cleaning the bathroom.) Flight attendant Allison is amazing and deserves a huge credit for everything she did on our flight. What a great American Airlines representative she is. Stellar service from American Airlines.
Now it is time for a Review of the 6 night Cabo overnight and Ensenada Cruise from Los Angeles on Quantum of the seas from January 21, 2026 – January 27, 2026.
Embarkation: This was a back to back. First was breakfast. Then packed up our luggage and headed to the Music Hall on deck 4 at 8:30am. There wasn’t any complimentary beverages or pastries for the back to backers. Meanwhile the stateroom attendant moved our luggage to our new room. Items hanging in closet were moved on hangers. Easy Peasy for us. We quickly got our new room keys, walked off the ship through customs facial recognition and back on the ship. We did our muster station check in and headed to our new room.
Balcony stateroom 10628: Larger than the last two balcony staterooms on this trip. It was wider and longer. Balcony was less private though. Room was clean.
Casino: Excellent clean and not smoke filled. This cruise was one of a handful of cruises you could play a long time with your money.
Bars: We visited the Casino Bar, the NorthStar bar, and the Crown and Harp. Excellent service at all.
Crew: This ship has the best happiest nicest crew. They always are there with a smile.
Stateroom attendant: Pleasant but kept his distance. He kept the room clean and left us alone. Laundry service was great. We were provided a huge bag free because of being Diamond plus. No robes or shampoos/body wash were provided in our room.
Ports: We got off and walked around at both Ensenada, Mexico, and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Both good ports to walk around at. Ensenada is a much nicer comfortable port to walk around in. We had done excursions last week at both ports.
Disembarkation: Easy pick up of luggage and porter was excellent. Uber pickup good.
Dining: Windjammer service and food was excellent for breakfast and lunch. Dining room was good. Rolls were excellent and servers were superb. Sorrentos pizza again was disgusting. I could not even eat it. The Crown Lounge had good coffee and appetizers. Servers were great. The concierge lady was ok. Not the best I have seen.
Before I close out for the day I have to add this shout out again for American Airlines. We traveled first class on American Airlines flight 2212 today. We flew from John Wayne Airport, Orange County, California to OHare International Airport, Chicago, Illinois. Our flight attendant Allison was amazing and deserves a huge credit for everything she did on our flight. What a great American Airlines representative she is. Her smile, her mannerism, and her efficiency should be commended. Exceptional service. She served 16 people with the sweetest smile. She was excellent. Not only was she excellent at serving. She was constantly cleaning the bathroom.
Thought for today.
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