SDPadreFan

So for the introverts - one of the best spots on the Miracle is Gatsby's Garden on the 3rd Deck. All the way forward to the showroom. It's an indoor promanade that goes around the outside or the showroom. Lots of seating and plenty of large windows to look out. Usually quiet as a library. A hidden gem on all Spirit Class ships (but others have different names).

September is definitely rainy season in Alaska so be prepared. Heading north from San Francisco will find you heading smack into the southbound winds and southbound Alaskan current. Want to know how strong that Alaskan current. The pictures below will show you the water around Southern Baja (Cabo San Lucas) in October and again just a few weeks ago. It will stay rough for a couple of days until you get up towards your first port of call which looks like Juneau. You will be in open water until you get that far north and then you will head into the inside passage where it will be much calmer.

Generally speaking - the "required" Canada port visit for most cruise lines is usually pretty short and not always at the best time of day. Our stop in Victoria last year off Miracle was just a couple of hours. We got off the ship, walked around for an hour or two (got the t shirt) and went back to the ship.

It's there as a required stop and not really a feature of an Alaskan Cruise. The same way ships stop in Ensenada, Mexico as part of a 3-4 day out of LA or at the end of a Hawaii Cruise. Necessary evil more than a great port stop.

I would give serious consideration to getting (or borrowing) a transport wheelchair for this cruise. They are fairly inexpensive and can come in handy in many short duration situations where dealing with an electric scooter can be a huge hassle. We used one for my mother-in-law on a 5 day cruise and it was perfect. Because it folds up, it can take up less space that a full blown scooter. It was also useful when I would take her to doctor appointments, hair appointments, etc. It just requires an extra person to push it around.

Here is an example. We have a MedLine one also but was able to get it through Costco.

https://www.amazon.com/Medline-Lightweight-Transport-Wheelchair-Handbrakes/dp/B007WA1ZG4

As a comparison - here is October last year.

Agreed - the water is definitely colder now. This picture shows the movement of the Alaskan current as it moves southward every winter. It will stop it's southward trek and start receding northward sometime around April. Surprisingly (to tourists), the ocean temps in Cabo tend to be coldest around May/June before things start warming up again. By July - things start getting better and it stays that way for the rest of the year and even into Jan/Feb.

5 hours ago, gabbygal99 said:

I think we are on the same sailing! 12-night Pride on July 9, 2023 out of Dover? We booked a Vista on deck 4, I can’t wait!!!

Agree - we have our cruise air booked (Fly2Fun) as well as hassle free (we hope) Carnival airport transfers. All that's left is cruise port planning for a few shore excursions. Not doing the Berlin train run because it boils down to a lot of train time and a little time in Berlin. So we will just explore the local area for that port. We'll save Berlin for a land vacation at a later time.

Ship, itinerary, approx dates of cruise (for weather info) and whether you have done an Alaskan cruise before would all help us, help you. Range of activity level would also be helpful.

Understand that if the ship is offering a camel excursion, chances are you won't be able to book the same thing thru the same company because of non-compete contracts.

This website from TripAdvisor (CruiseCritics parent company) may help. The camel ride is offered in combo with other activities but you may be able to extract the information you need from the numerous reviews.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g152515-Activities-c61-t212-Cabo_San_Lucas_Los_Cabos_Baja_California.html

They are typically there, but every once in a while, they go somewhere else mysteriously. And then they are back.

If you want a more traditional experience, there is a place called Lolo's Spa that is near the Tesoro Hotel right on the Marina Walk. Never been there but understand that it is supposed to be good.

Our go-to place is called Eden's Spa but it is not close (probably 20-30 min walk) or about $12-$15 by taxi. For us, it's worth it and it's the place we go during our annual timeshare week in Cabo (and also on cruises)

Will also say that they can get sold out when ships are in port, so you either want to get there first, or pre-book an appt.

Understand that the Sand Bar is a NON-PRIVATE massage. It's nice, and high quality, but you probably won't want to get completely nekid. IE; it's a group setting on the upper deck at the Sand Bar with an open view to the bay.

2 hours ago, thelaw604 said:

How is Medano beach for water taxi drop off? Would it be pretty tough for young children?

 

We have children aged 2, 4, 6. We were thinking we might have to do water taxi for a tour of the arch, but back to the marina for a land taxi.

I think that would be the right call. At Medano Beach you could find yourself in knee-deep and the swells "could" come up to your waist. Not unusual to see someone loose their balance in the swells and take a full on dip. Hope the sea lions are on their stinky rock out at the arch (they normally are). Your kids will love that.

My understanding is there are no "private beaches" in Mexico. The government does allow beach businesses (resorts, restaurants, bars, etc.) to cordon off a small area for their guests use, but I don't think they actually own the beach.

All of the beach bars/restaurants will have chairs/loungers/umbrellas free to use as long as you are eating/drinking (not constantly). So have lunch and a couple beverages, then maybe a small afternoon snack and you should be good to go. "The Office At The Beach" used to be a standout (back in the early 2000's) but now it's just pretty much like all the others. Mango Deck has more of a party crowd atmosphere. We like "The Sand Bar" now. They have the advantage of having an upper deck that offers NON-PRIVATE massages for a really good price. Many years ago - the Sand Bar had a deal "Get Hammered while you get Nailed" = Alcohol+Pedicure. Not sure if they still have that.

No towels however, you will have to bring your own. Amazon sells these thin microfiber towels in bath sheet size. Very compact and will work in a pinch. The NCL board can probably tell you about shipboard towels.

This area right here is where the hawkers will take you to get a taxi or pedicab, or you can walk it yourself.

https://goo.gl/maps/M2LdpqNNuWwAYVDr6

The pedicabs may only get you close to the beach area because the areas around the beach bars/restaurants are kind of hilly. Cabs could get you closer.

https://goo.gl/maps/3QKDayzfDKZRBvhA8

Right after you leave the tender pier (control area), there will be hawkers offering you virtually every service. But if you like, walk around the Marina walk for a bit (it's wide, smooth, and flat). You'll get to see all the fishing boats as well as some very nice yachts. There will also be taxi's, etc at the end. Figure about a 15 minute walk (longer if you stop to look at things).

https://goo.gl/maps/yEhUZBBeaYgujhZm6

Not really necessary for small purchases. American dollars will work just fine (ABSOLUTELY NO AMERICAN COINS). Smaller bills are your best choice (1's, 5's, 10's). You will lose a little on each transaction because most small businesses will give you an exchange rate less than the official rate. A peso is worth about a nickel so you could lose 5-10 cents on every dollar you spend. Just consider it as a transaction (or convenience fee) because those shopkeepers have to make weekly/daily trips to the bank to convert your American dollars to peso's.

54 minutes ago, SuzieQ521 said:

 

Also, if we decided to do land transportation to Medano from the Marina instead, is a Pedicab or regular Cab an option?

 

Thanks 

Both are an option. Guessing @ $12 for a regular taxi (each way). FYI - cabs are very high in Cabo. The taxi cartel controls the city.

Using U.S. cash in Mexico is fine, but there is a small disadvantage. When you pay for something in dollars, most small businesses will give you a slightly less favorable exchange rate in converting to pesos. So if the official exchange rate is say 19.50 pesos to 1 dollar, the business might exchange your dollars at say 19 or 18.50 per dollar. So you lose a little on that side of the transaction. Then - when you get change, 99.9% of the time you will be getting pesos back at the same lower exchange rate so you lose a little more. It's not a big deal when you are just there for a day, but if you are there for a week or longer, then it can start to add up. We always try to pay in a countries currency (pesos in this case) as a sign of respect. We are fortunate to live less than 25 miles from the border so it's easy to get pesos.

Also know that Mexico uses the same $ that we use so a $200 price on a t shirt probably is in pesos (@ $11 US).

On 1/13/2023 at 12:53 PM, Eli_6 said:

I agree. Teenage and pre-teen boys have to be about the worst smelling creatures on this planet even with frequent showers and deodorant. I am a *** when it comes to hygiene enforcement and my older son still frequently stinks. The stinch would bother me way more than the close quarters. 

Thank you for keeping it real. I'm wiping tears from my eyes you had me laughing so hard. You could do a standup routine in Carnivals comedy club.

Also realize that they are recovering from COVID too. No income for a long time and they want to feed their families.

Just realize, that if you are trying to negotiate a one way fare FROM Lover's Beach, the boat operator will have the upper hand in negotiation.

30 minutes ago, lgonquin said:

I don't think this specific question was answered.

 

If you chose to jump out at Lover's and hangout for an hour, how do you get to Medano?  Do you pay (again) for any random water taxi that pulls up at Lover's?  Will they let you jump in?  

See post #8.

When first going to Lover's Beach, you can negotiate a round trip price that ends at Medano Beach (you will have to remember your driver and boat because they all look pretty similar). You will pick a set time for pickup (only pay half the fare). The other option is to catch one of the loitering water taxis when you are ready to leave. New fare, new price.