CA_Cruzing

Safe is better than sorry. It might be easier depending on your bag size to check it and have it delivered.

We've done both, checked bags and self-carry. Self-carry means you'll have to fend of crowds due to elevator congestion.

It all depends how much you want to enjoy your vacation, hassle free, or lug your own gear.

IMO, you're on vacation. Let things go, hit the bar, have a drink and relax. But that's how we roll; we're on vacation and our biggest decision is, "what are we ordering for dinner tonight?"

On 2/14/2019 at 9:03 AM, Bernardo62 said:

Somewhere I saw Spa cabins get 20% (1) 30% (2) 40%(3) discount on any spa packages...…

This 20% for Valentines Day is not bad. But if we get this much off I will wait.

I've seen and had this offer pre-sail on just about every cruise regardless of Spa cabin or not.

Here's the skinny on Spa cabins from Carnival directly:

https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1167/~/cloud-9-spa

Depending on the seas when you travel, thendering can be choppy at times. There are Carnival crew who will be able to assist you both on and off the tender.

if you are able to assist with your mobility you should be fine both loading off your ship, loading off the tender in port (those waters are usually very calm as the port is protected and more shallow) and reloading back onto your cruise when you leave port.

Cabo’s port is well developed and paved which should also make your travels easy too. 

Carnival also just annouced that all new ship pools will have step entries and existing fleet will be retrofitted over time. This is all part of Carnival’s move to make their ships ADA compliant. 

First ships to have these step-in pools are... you guessed it, Panorama and Mardi Gras. 

I believe you get priority reservations but no special discounts. There are discounts offered by Carnival both pre and during sailing though. 

Personally, I’ve found it less expensive to get high quality massages on land than on ships. That’s just my experiences though. 

We book spa cabins to enjoy the retreat aspect of the spa and the t-pools and warming chairs. Added benefits are no kids allowed in the spa. 

6 hours ago, SeaScout said:

Will be Platinum before husband, does he get some benefits with me? 

 

That's up to you, but one would hope so. 

 

Just kidding. Yeah, as long as he is with you he will enjoy the benefits of being Platinum.  

BOOM! <drops mic> only you can decide what he gets or doesn’t get. 

Cabo, WWC, https://whalewatchcabo.com/

We'll be doing this in 4 weeks! We've had friends that took this tour and highly recommended them.

a backpack for shore excursions to manage personal items (buy whatever fits your budget and size needs): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OPOOPDK/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1

a lock for backpack: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073WGZT1D/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1

a cable for lock to loop through backpack (so you can swim without your bag growing feet and disappearing: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AW7P5NI/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1

cabin wall magnets: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01G96LB6U/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1

luggage tags to use at cruise porter dropoff: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017BVFA00/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1

a few tidepods: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=tide+pods&amp;ref=nb_sb_noss_1

rapid USB charger (no surge suppressor): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018S6X8N8/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1

portable USB charger so you never run out of power in the field: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MQSMEEE/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1

“Premium aged.” Whatever that is...

I wear clean underwear. Not that you asked but I thought it important to share. 

16 minutes ago, ragethjj23 said:

Thanks!  we've been trying and of course she gets pregnant right after I book a cruise to the ABC islands from our favorite port of san juan.  The whole government shutdown has me leery about that, especially because they take the old passport when you apply for the new one.

The State Dept doesn’t mess around. Check their website. They’ve always delivered ahead of schedule for us. Always. 

Big box store does headshots quick and easy too. Just sayin...

The walls are thin (if she’s a screamer). Could make for embarrassing cabin entires and exits. 

You can pay for expedited passport service which is 2 weeks, or regular passport renewal would be 6 weeks. Check US State Dept website for details. 

I only use use my passport so that is my frame of reference. 

Congrats on your good news!!!

51 minutes ago, coevan said:

 

 

No I'm not they know the time, they all have phones or watches. They stay in touch with Port Authority to know arrival times, late arrivals or customs hold ups. They definitely know the ships time vs land time. 

please, stop. please.

you have not answered what time ship time is versus local time. unless you can answer this precisely, please stop replying.

4 minutes ago, fuzzychop1 said:

WOW, thank you CA_Cruising! This is very helpful. We are so looking forward to a new port. We have family in Mazatlan and have been to PV several times so we know exactly what we are going to do at both of those stops. In Cabo we are just looking for a relaxing on our own day with good food, good drinks and good beach and hopefully some jet skiing!!!

have a great trip and make some memories! enjoy!!!

13 minutes ago, coevan said:

 

 

My son was a Captain in St. Thomas and took cruise passengers snorkeling and trips to BVI. The tour operators definitely know what ship time is. They will have docking info way before passengers even have a clue. This is what they do for a living over 300 days a year, sometimes twice a day. The biggest joke to the locals is the paranoia and confusion of the cruise guests. Think about it CA_Cruisin, they are going to leave 40 ppl on the dock and not make any money, silly. 

wonderful, except you ignore the main issue in that what time will the boat be in port boat time versus land time.

when a local tour, not operated by CCL says it leaves at 11AM, is that local time or ship time? you don't know, so don't answer with a blow off reply as you do and continue to do.

further MX implements DST at different dates than US does so that just adds another kink into March cruises to MR.

so until you can give definitive and actual data, please avoid genetically commenting. comment on what you actually know, not what you suppose or believe because you son ran tours on a different ocean in a different time zone at a different time of year.

if you don't like my replies, please feel free to not comment on them. the information you give out to people doesn't contain actionable data and wastes space and time.

thank you.

you can walk, but it'll be much faster via water taxi.

i highlighted in yellow you walk path and dark red the water taxi usual path.

we've walked and water taxi'd. walking back to the boat is nicer in that you can shop along the port where there's lots of stores (tequila, mexican art, mexican glassware, clothing and most importantly, margaritas, beer and amazing food).

we also always eat at The Office. it's a family tradition. their guac is amazing, food is top notch and margaritas STRONG.

along the beach in front of The Office you will find many vendors renting jet skis. you can negotiate some with them. be careful tho as some will try stick you with "damages" BS if they think you're abusing their jetski. as in, don't flip it over and waterlog it and don't hit other objects (other jetskis).

you'll be jetskiing in the same area near your ship. it's pretty cool to see how massive these cruise ships are while on a jetski.

just googlemaps The Office Cabo. Here's a zoomed out link so you can see your proximity from beach to ship: https://www.google.com/maps/place/The+Office+on+the+Beach/@22.884405,-109.9084171,2476m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x86af4ae2d8be41b9:0x70d020c18ede8679!8m2!3d22.8870473!4d-109.9050993

29 minutes ago, riffatsea said:

Please tell us where you found this level 4 advisory??

 On the official site I only see a Level 2 advisory which is the same as last year.

Here is the web site from the USA government that I used:

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/mexico-travel-advisory.html

In the exact link you posted, scroll down to:

Sinaloa state – Level 4: Do Not Travel

Do not travel due to crime.

Violent crime is widespread. Criminal organizations are based and operating in Sinaloa state.

Travel for U.S. government employees is limited to the following areas with the noted restrictions:

• Mazatlan: U.S. government employees may travel by air or sea only. U.S. government employees are limited to the Zona Dorada and historic town center, and must use direct routes when traveling to and from those locations and the airport and cruise terminals.

55 minutes ago, cherylandtk said:

Sorry, but we cannot recommend travel agencies or even mention their names, and that includes the big box stores.  That said, if you have the time to contact different agencies they can advise you on what sort of OBC they can provide.  

 

Good luck on getting your insurance filed quickly.  Take the time to read each requirement so as not to delay your refund.  Depending on which company processes the payment, they ask for different things, but start hunting down your proof of actual payment (TA invoice showing payment date, plus credit card billing or cancelled check). You will need to put together a little packet of documents with the claim form, copy it all and send it off to the insurance company.  Takes anywhere from two weeks to two months once all documents received, depending on the complexity of the claim, speed of the processing company and amount being claimed. 

THIS, EXACTLY. 

We like big box store TA and do our travel thru them. They’re just easier to deal with for us and deliver a great customer experience. 

We we do use the spa on port days. Usually when arriving back on the ship and at pre-dinner which is when the spa is near empty. It’s the best way to chill out before the evening. 

If you’re into using the spa, you’ll usually find ways and make time. We like it because it’s less crowded than other ship areas and find it rejuvenating. A little bubbly to drink before the spa and it only get better. 

Feel free to to post any more questions you have. Hopefully this all wraps up quickly for you and you can get your vacation in. 

Cabo overnights require the cruise ship to leave the Sea of Cortez and sail out to the ocean. So it’s not a true overnight but rather two port days in Cabo. 

Having done the MR 3x now and about to do the 4th, 9Mar2019, we prefer the three port itinerary of Cabo, Mazatlan and PV. 

PV is a fun and culturally traditional town (Old Town) with lots to see and explore. The foods in PV are great. The beaches are okay, as not Caribbean quality, but still nice. 

On our our upcoming PV stop DW and I will be spending the day at Secrets Resort, os a similar resort. We’re doing this because we want to relax, eat, drink, pool and ocean all in the same place and really just unwind.  We’ve done the touristy stuff in PV so this is our choice this time around. 

Cabo is basically like California but in Mexico.  Prices are the same as California so the deals aren’t that great but the tequila shopping is worth it, you’re also in whale watching season on this trip and Cabo has the BEST whale watching from all my research. And we’ve booked a whale watch excursion this trip.

were booked in a Spa cabin and the Slendor has a great spa.  This was THE reason we booked MR again and chose a spa cabin.  It’s money and time well spent for us. 

I doubt your kids will want to use the spa unless that’s their thing. It’s usually very adulty in the spa.  Check the prices for a single person pass for the weeks spa access. It might be around $119. 

Hipe this info info helps you in making your decision.

Head to The Office on the beach. Jet skis run around $130-175 for an hour (iirc from my trip in 2016 to Cabo). Cash, USD. 

color me guilty (OP). my DW laughs at me for bringing 3 pairs of flips on vacation; nice leather ones for dressy occasions (black and clean ones), and these are not daily wear for me in CA; casual dressy with a nice print on the straps (everyday wear but not beach or for getting dirty; and pool/beach/boat/car wash/bathing suit wear flips for trashing and wearing everywhere.

when i'm on vacation, my feet are too. i have to wear loafers, oxfords, and dressier shoes while working and meeting clients in my real life.

vacations are for fun. i work too hard to play dress-up when on a cruise. what i wear on formal nights is the same as i wear to a high end steak house or nice restaurant. if i need to dress things up, i'll bring a nice dinner coat that's sporty and fun.

the suits? i leave those for weddings and funerals.

come as you are for formal nights, just please shower and look presentable. that's about all anyone will ask of you on Carnival.

Choose wisely. 

One is bueno and one is no bueno. 

Without sounding ageist, are this who are now dissatisfied in the 55+ age bracket?

We personally haven’t sailed Princess in some fear of being on the younger side of the demo. 

We we are experimenting with Celebrity as our non-Carnival brand. Carnival has always been good to us as a couple and family. Even when sailing with 3 generations on a cruise. 

As for midnight buffets, the only one I attended was on the Oceaninic back in the early 80’s sure the spread was incredible but we couldn’t fathom eating that much that late anymore. 

And weve tried to avoid the gluttony of modern cruising. After a while, all food is gross, even when staying at high end resorts. 

Thanks for sharing your experience. Perspective is always appreciated. 

we fly in day-of from NorCal and it's never been an issue (Southwest Airlines, direct flights only).

you can take an Uber or Lyft from LAX to the terminal in LB.

i'd recommend you take your Uber or Lyft to a Trader Joe's. there you can score some wine and pop, although TJs doesn't really sell name branded pop (we don't drink soda or pop so I don't recall which brands TJs sells). just search google maps for a location that works for you near LB or in LA.

as for wine, TJs has a great selection at value prices. it's hard to go wrong with a wine purchase there.

https://www.icruise.com/c/deckplanViewLarge.php?SailDate=&WMPHShipCode=679&DeckNumber=4