April 29, 2004

Visit romantic Acapulco, Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa and Manzanillo on
Almaden Times Weekly new Valentine’s 2005 group cruise

Romance your special someone on the Almaden Times Weekly Valentine’s 8-day Mexico cruise on the Carnival Spirit. Scheduled for Valentine’s week, Feb. 13-21, 2005, the cruise stops at Acapulco, Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa and Manzanillo.

The romantic Valentine’s cruise begins with Bon Voyage champagne and chocolates. Valentine evening activities include a cocktail party, dancing, a four-course dinner and a Las Vegas Style show. A special Times Newspaper Group party will be held aboard ship during the week in which special prizes will be awarded.

“This is our biggest cruise sponsored by the Almaden Times Weekly, and everyone is excited about our new itinerary,” said Times publisher William Bellou.

“We are more interested in our sponsored cruise, because we changed to a new itinerary and were able to hold 200 cabins at a very low discounted group rate, including balcony cabins for only $830 per person, plus tax,” said Bellou. “We are also giving away some great prizes before and after we board the ship, including a limousine ride to the airport and a free trip for two.”

Almaden Times Weekly readers may book this spacious balcony cabin for the 8-day Valentine’s Acapulco cruise.
The Travel Desk, located on Almaden Expressway (Almaden Plaza), is making all the arrangements for Almaden Times Weekly readers. According to Bellou, the sooner reservations are made with a $200 refundable deposit, the greater the chance of winning a prize. He anticipates there will be some free cabin upgrades on a space-available, first-come, first-served basis. Southwest Airlines is providing special group discounted airfares.

“February is one of the best months to cruise Mexico, when temperatures range from the low- to mid-80s,” said Eilene Jessup, owner of the Travel Desk.

“February is also a good month for whale and dolphin watching when the ship passes through Baja,” explained Bellou. “We will ask the captain to steer the ship close to Cabo so that we can spot whales and dolphins migrating from Alaska.”

Acapulco
Acapulco is a place where the rich and famous come to escape. Take the scenic highway for a striking panoramic view of the beaches and mountains, and note the beautiful homes and lush gardens as you pass through Las Brisas. Take time to see the thrilling cliff divers plunge into the waters of La Quebrada.

Zihuatanejo / Ixtapa
Ixtapa is a lively, modern infrastructure comprised of luxury resorts and residential areas residing on beautiful beaches along the Pacific coast. A photo stop at Playa Quieta, where you will be able to view the magnificent island of Ixtapa, is a must.

Zihuatanejo is a small bay and resort discovered by tourists in 1940. At the time, the only access to the village was by sea. Your visit to this small town will provide you with some of the most breathtaking sights, including the beautiful Sierra Madre Mountains as a backdrop.

Manzanillo
Highly praised for its diverse dive sites and exciting sport fishing, Manzanillo, Mexico is a resort town of wide, soft-sand beaches and groves of palm trees. With its balmy weather, year-round ocean breezes and verdant mountains rising along the shoreline, this is a perfect spot for vacationers looking to relax by taking in a round of golf, doing some deep-sea fishing or just basking in the warmth of a sun-kissed beach.

The California Gray Whale Migration
Every year California gray whales migrate from the Arctic waters of Alaska to the protected lagoons of Baja California to breed, calve and nurture their young. As the cruise ship passes through the area, especially in January and February, whale sightings normally occur, which makes for an exhilarating experience. Although whale sightings can never be guaranteed, a large number of sightings occur each season.

That’s the Spirit
The Carnival Spirit is a fast, state-of-the-art ship that can visit far off destinations and return to homeport in just over a week’s time. Among the ship’s many highlights is an elegant steakhouse-style supper club serving the world famous Joe’s Stone Crabs.

Located at the uppermost level of an 11-deck-high, glass-enclosed atrium, it is one of three restaurants on board.
Other dining venues include a two-level main dining room, along with a poolside restaurant featuring a 24-hour pizzeria, extensive breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets, a New York-style deli and Asian and America specialty areas. Sixteen lounges and bars, including a three-deck-high theater showcasing lavish Vegas-style production shows, a piano bar, a sports bar, a wine bar and a two-level dance club, are featured as well. Eighty percent of the ship’s staterooms offer ocean views with 80 percent of those featuring private balconies.

For reservations and information about the Valentine’s Cruise Special, please call the Travel Desk at (408) 723-0283.

—By Sean Eastwood