pulledporky

Maybe someone can answer this question:

If I book a 14 day while on board is there a $250 OBC available ?

We've got the $100 OBC a few times for booking 7 day cruises while on a cruise, but don't recall if they are tiered or not.

Be nice to pair that up the with the stockholder benefit and maybe another gift card bonus will come along.

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Cabo is pretty limited to tourist trinkets. Mazatlan doesn't have a lot of shopping near the port - a few stalls that have the basics. PV is your best bet. Lots of stuff and lots of competition. Go to the flea market by the river.

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Overnighted there on the Miracle in March of this year. Casino/shops closed but it is a GREAT opportunity to do Rhythm of the Nights, make sure to consider this excursion.

Boat's open all night long - come and go as you please.

Originally Cabo was 7:30am-3:30pm for my cruise on the 7th and the day switched to Monday from Thursday. I prefer the new times so we can go to breakfast and lunch before catching the tender into town.

We go the following week (the 14th). Checked our itinerary and Cabo is now from noon until 8. Never been to Cabo after about 3PM so that will be a first. Mazatlan shifted an hour later (arrival and departure). PV is still 8 to 8.

You mentioned the date change also, wonder if that's to allow for two days/three nights back to Long Beach due to the compromised propulsion (also explains the later arrival into Cabo).

No boat lunch for us tho. We'll make a b-line to Tacos Gus for tacos, tortas and pina agua. Now we'll need to find a good place for dinner.

Can you elaborate on this? :confused: So if my family went to a Sea Day Brunch in the MDR, we would have to sit at a long table with a bunch of other people? No private tables?

They will ask you if you want to sit with others, just tell them "no". It's not a problem at all. I would imagine most groups larger than two prefer not to share a table.

Make sure to try the brunch your first sea day. May be the best meal on the cruise.

Quite a few nude murals around the ship, remind the minions it's "art".

People use to talk about the Krystal all the time for massages. It's right next to the cruise port (easy walking distance). You might do some google searching for krystal massage Puerto Vallarta.

I've been to Hawaii more than 20 times. I'd never, ever do a cruise there. Definitely a destination vacation. Just couldn't imagine spending a few hours on one island. Going to kona in February and can't wait!!

I hear what you are saying, but a cruise is about the journey as much as it is the destination.

Last March there was no poolside theatre. Big sports bar tho. Early evening the taste bar is right out the door.

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What are the last two main courses shown?

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I don't remember seeing taxi's inside the security gates but it's been a couple of years since we were last there. The white busses are lined up to take passengers into town people either walk into town or take the bus.

Have you considered doing the blow hole excursion (not thru the cruiseline!)?

It's all bus ride there and back. I think it's a couple of hundred yards from where they park the bus to the actual blowhole. Lots of shopping/fish tacos right there. Then they drop you off in the downtown area where you can shop/eat some more then ride the shuttle back (or taxi). If you hire a taxi in town I remember you want to find the "taxi dude" (there's probably an actual name for his role). He's standing on a corner with taxis lined up. He arranges the taxi ride and will confirm the fare for you. I think it's only a couple of bucks back to the boat.

Ensenada is not a resort town, but they don't bill it as one either. We always have fun when we go there: go to the different shops, margaritas at Hussong's, walk next door and eat a plate full of good tacos (at Tacos Lindos).

That web cam shot definitely looks like La Paz. That would be a big disappointment.

Only been there once, we went into town and saw it in about an hour. Not at all a tourist destination for day-trippers.

Guide on the bus told us La Paz has the largest US population outside of the US.

I vote for Captain Tony's in Cabo. Best place to people watch and pretty good food. Flea market right next door (behind giant marlin sculpture). Often times there are sea lions on the docks, and look for the fishies in the water around the docks. Before you get to Capt Tony's you will pass by the dolphin aquarium. Might be able to take the little one in and look around.

Mazatlan for us is Stone Island. Walk out the terminal gate and go left to the end of the block. Make another left and you will see the water taxi stand down the path. When you get over to Stone Island, walk across the berm and you will be on the beach. There's a mile or so of palapa restaurants, we go all the way down to Victors. There should be some horses around there you can hire for an hour or so if you want. ATV's to rent, water toys, etc. If you don't want to walk down the beach as soon as you get off the water taxi there is an "open air taxi" (small pick up with bench seats in the back) that will take you down to Victors for a few bucks.

If you are using a stroller any of the beach options will be tough. Instead of Stone Island you can hire a pulmonia for about $20/hr. Last time we used one it was 3 hours for $50. Took us all over town, up on the hill, thru the golden zone, shrimp market, cliff divers, all the usual haunts. We even stopped at a wal mart to restock our supplies ;) You pay at the end so there's no worry the guy will abandon you. We had him drop us off at the water taxi to Stone Island.

It will be some work work with the little guy in tow but take your time and have fun. AND take lots of photos, as I get older these are more valuable.

Gorgonzola is a little strong for me also. Not sure they serve salad at the pizza bar anymore. It's across at the salad bar.

They usually will make anything you want as long as they have it. I tried bringing some Olives from the salad bar and he wouldn't take it across the counter, which is probably the right thing to do.

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Muster is around 4 to 430. Usually right before sail away (once they sailed during muster, kind of a bummer) From the Long Beach terminal the breakwater comes quick and then you're out to sea.

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carnival hasn't done the Mexican Riviera summertime cruises for a few years now. the Miracle is the only 7+ day boat on the west coast and they spend the summers in Alaska.

You could B2B the 3&4 day boat but Catalina and Ensenada are not the nicest beaches.

I believe the few other west coast lines are about the same.

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I had a "whoa" moment too.

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..... the front opens like a garage door and the bar top is almost on the sidewalk. Really good tacos there.

That would be tacos lindos. It's across the street from Pappa's I believe.

Mango mango used to be on the corner but I think someone else is in there now.

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No liquor at Costco? Bummer...

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Hussongs for 2f1 margaritas then walk next door to tacos lindos for a plate full of tacos.

What kind of lunch you looking for?

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There is a small liquor store inside the terminal building. Unless your wanting it as a souvenir from Mexico it's probably cheaper at your local Costco.

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There's a Soriana a block or two south of Hussongs.

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Then there's the bus option......

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Been to PV 8 times. All but once we tied up with the port side facing the dock. The exception had another ship already there so we tied up with the port side facing walmart (a third ship anchored in the middle and tendered passengers). They should pull in then turn 180 degrees so the bow is facing the open ocean.

If you are going to Mazatlan the starboard side will be against the dock but the port side will be facing stone island which imho is a much better view. As mentioned Cabo is at anchor and the port side will face the arch.

You picked the correct side !!

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Grab a pulmonia for a few hours to cruise around town (was $20/hr, not sure what it is today), then have him drop you off at the water taxi near the cruise terminal. As mentioned above, it's only a few bucks for the crossing then there's a mile of places to hang out, eat and drink. All of the typical beach activities are readily available: horses, banana boats, atvs, etc.

The guided tours will herd you around and tell you what to do and when to do it. This is fine for some folks.

We used J&S tours for an excursion in Cabo several years ago (La Isla). They're a clearing house for pretty much all the excursions on the Mexican Riviera, very professional, no problems at all. They do not provide the excursion, they just sell the ticket.

I prefer aft wraps, but will take a regular aft facing balcony. Don't want any other location on the ship. Not having either an aft wrap or aft balcony is a deal breaker for me.....

This ^