Rosefloater

On 11/13/2019 at 11:58 AM, scottca075 said:

None of the rental cars have shuttles and I didn't mention Budget because they are awful.

Enterprise on Ocean Blvd. does shuttle people over to the port. They don't have shuttles, they use the rental cars. One time we were shuttled over in the car we rented and another time we shared an suv with another couple.

On 11/11/2019 at 5:39 PM, Mike45LC said:

In Mexico, there is a chain of stores names OXXO -- these are like 7-11s in the States.  I sometime pay for snacks/sodas at OXXO with a US$20 and take my change in pesos.  They use a "decent" exchange rate of 18 pesos per US$1.  Although the official exchange rate is about 19.10, OXXO is fee-free.  My US$20 is treated as 360 pesos, instead of 382, a cost to me of US$1.15 for the exchange.  The OXXO cash register is set up to work with US$.

 

If I want to change US$100, I use a money changer.  But OXXO is just as good.

 

OP - since your first stop will be Cabo, there is an OXXO just off the marina. When you get off the tender, turn right just before Senor Frogs and continue walking between the buildings. OXXO is at the end of the tunnel. I usually buy a bottle of water and/or an ice cream, pay in dollars and get change in pesos.

We like going to Las Guacamayas. It's on Lazaro Cardenas between Metamoros and Ocampo. 

No problem parking for the short cruises. We usually head straight for level 3 of the structure. I've never been lucky enough for finding a spot on 2.

In case you don't know, parking is $20/day. 

On 11/1/2019 at 5:24 PM, naxer said:

When we come in January, I think we're going to try the FlyAway bus to Long Beach.  Our hotel in LB is just two blocks from the bus terminal, and if I'm reading about it the right way, it looks like the FlyAway pick-up at the airport is right outside the terminal.

If you are at one of the higher number terminals, the FlyAway might be  full. If that is the case, head over to a lower number terminal to make  sure you get on. Yes, the FlyAway buses and all shuttles still pick up in front of the terminals.

The taxis seem to charge more going back to the ship than going to the malecon from the ship. We have learned to ask to be dropped off either at WalMart or Soriana and walk over to the ship.

11 hours ago, lardor said:

Thanks Moviegal and Rosefloater, I will look 4 these, it appears that no one knows about  fondas in the local Mercado...

I have never seen any mercado in the tourist area in Ensenada. Same in Cabo. 

I love going to the restaurants that are in mercados. We've gone to the ones in Mazatlan by the Cathedral, in La Paz (where everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at us) and have gone to two different mercados in Puerto Vallarta.

The following restaurants in Ensenada we were either the only non locals, or maybe one other table of tourists. El Parian on Castillo & 4th has food that you would expect at a Mexican restaurant. On Castillo & 3rd, there is a good bakery. We also like to go to Birrieria Guadalajara on Macheros between Lopez Mateos and 2nd. It is known for their stews and plancha. The other restaurant we like is Potrero Viejo on 2nd and Riveroll for gorditas and pozole.

10 hours ago, oregonian123 said:

Does the El Cactus Glass Factory (Blvd. Lazaro Cardenas, Local #15 Plaza Aramburo; Col. Centro.,) have Glass Blowing demos or is it just a shop? It looks like we could walk here.

I understand The Glass Factory (Boulevard Lazaro Cardenas Posada Local 6-A) has demos but it is too far to walk. 

I think it is just a shop. But it isn't that far of a walk. Maybe 15 minutes, depending on how fast you walk.

11 hours ago, justjan2 said:

Does Norwegian depart from San Pedro?   Thanks.

On 6/19/2019 at 8:42 AM, MrSchwump said:

Does Princess also go out of this terminal/port for Mexican Riviera cruises?

All cruise lines except Carnival depart out of San Pedro.

They've had POG for years. I usually add orange juice to cut the sweetness.

We usually go to those ports in February. The temps generally range between the mid-70's to the high-80's.

On 4/30/2019 at 6:10 PM, aaklang said:

Also, on the sea day, are there any activities on board such as wine tasting, mixology, martinis, etc? We are considering staying on the ship on the sea day but want to know what activities are available on board while in port.

I sure hope you're staying on the ship on the sea day!!😯

Activities are light on port days as most people are in port. There is usually a trivia game every hour and maybe some games (large jenga) at the casino bar area.

On 6/20/2019 at 7:00 PM, coevan said:

I, for one, enjoy the Grill over Guys, bigger juicier burger.

Us too. Prefer the fries at the grill. Only place on the ship where you can get chicken strips, grilled chicken breast sandwich and honey mustard sauce.

On 6/19/2019 at 4:56 PM, Mike45LC said:

Take golf cart from the ship terminal to downtown -- Cathedral and Grand Market, Theater, etc.  [You can walk instead, just follow the yellow brick road -- sorry, just follow the blue painted line on the roadway.  Lots of English-speaking expat volunteers along the route, willing to help you and keep you pointed in the right direction.  When I am tired of waiting for my wife to get ready, I will walk into town and meet her downtown.]

 

Spend an hour or two downtown, and then take another golf cart to the Golden Zone.   Spend a couple of hours there, check out the shops and beach, take a parasail trip, have a few drinks, and then take another golf cart back to the ship.

 

LOTS and LOTS of golf carts everywhere, ready to take you and your group.  Overly aggressive, really, but a smile and "not now" [repeated to 100 different drivers] works.

 

We pay $5/$6 to go to the mercado in either a taxi or pulmonia (golf cart).

The Blue line (painted in middle of Carnaval Street and a few streets near the port) doesn't go to the Cathdral. Basically you are on Carnaval street. It stops at Plazuela Machado. From there you need to walk up another 2 or 3 blocks and to the right another 2 or 3 blocks to get to the Cathedral. The mercado is another 2 blocks past the Cathedral. Check google maps for the locations I mentioned. We usually grab a ride to the mercado and follow the Blue Line back.

We like to get a few tamales and an agua fresca in the mercado, then walk over to the plaza in front of the Cathedral and soak up the local scenery. We also like to get a raspado (snow cone) from the cart in front of the Cathedral. There are bees there, but they are more interested in the syrup than you. 

At the port, look for older people wearing light blue shirts. They are expats. They will tell you how to get to the beginning of the the Blue Line from the ship. The taco stand in the port has good food at reasonable prices.

You can also hire a pulmonia for a 1 hour tour for about $25. They take you to the lighthouse, cliff diver, Cathedral and mercado. For a 2 hour tour, they usually add the Gold Zone (where the all inclusives are). When we did a 1 hour tour, we told the driver to drop us off at the mercado.

In my opinion, the Gold Zone is similar to the Marina area in Cabo in that it is geared more towards tourists instead of the locals. We like the area around the Cathedral and mercado because we like to be where the locals eat and shop.

18 hours ago, lillulu said:

Thank you for the replies. Are these restaurants in walking distance? When I looked at the google sight, it looks like it would be quite a hike into town. Are there cabs? Or some type of safe transportation we could take? TIA

All the restaurants that SadieN mentions are close to port. El Charro is the farthest away at less than a mile. 

1 minute ago, coevan said:

not all Indian dishes are spicy

That's true, but the lentils usually have some heat to them.

13 hours ago, cruisingnewtoit said:

Try X the one Indian dish I had in the MDR had no heat or spice. It was disappointing.

It depends on the chef. Some like to add a lot of heat and others not too much. On the Inspiration last month, the Indian had almost no heat. The papadam was spicier than the vegetables. And one time on the Miracle, the meal was way too hot (like habanero chili hot).

I order Indian at least once a cruise. Ask the hostesses to see the menu for both the Veg and non-Veg (meat). You can go to the Maitre d' on embark day (listed in the FunTimes as to when the Maitre d' will be there) and ask about the non-Veg dish that night (might or might not  be able to have it prepared). You usually need to request the non-Veg 24 in advance.

Below is the Veg and non-Veg on the Inspiration 4 day cruise.

10 hours ago, sandi1967 said:

Sorry I have not read each reply.  But, for those who bought this did you like it and was it worth the money.  For our upcoming Elation cruise, it will be $79 per cabin.  We have a check-in time right now for 12:00.  Is getting the pass worth it since we seem to be getting on early.  We have never cruised where we were able to pick a time to check_in on the ship.

 

Thank you for your opinions......oh we are cruising with five other people.

 

Sandi

10 hours ago, sandi1967 said:

I should note that when I go to add it to our cart it gives us a time of check-in 12-1, our check in now without it is from 12-12:30.  Even with the check-in time of 12:00-12:30, would we still potentially be waiting in very long lines??

It is worth it if you need to be one of the first off at a tender port, need to debark the ship early to catch an early flight, or need to get access to your cabin to drop off your carry-ons.

If you don't need any of these things, then I don't think it is worth it. As to the Guest Services lines, we just go at off hours (early morning, late night or right after getting back on board after a day in port).   

On 6/5/2019 at 7:13 AM, NCTribeFan said:

And HAL has cabins ready when boarding begins. 

Same with Princess.

On 5/30/2019 at 4:13 PM, cbcruiser said:

We just booked Panorama for next April.  We have cruised out of Long Beach several times using the Parking garage and never had a problem arriving early before 11:00 AM.  Has the situation changed?  Does anyone know when they expect the garage expansion or if its being built as we speak?  Panorama is supposed to arrive this November so you would think work would be going on expansion.

We were on the Inspiration a few weeks ago. Ask the agents at the port and they have no idea what is happening with parking or if they are going to put in more elevators in the dome for when the Panorama arrives. We plan on waiting to book the Panorama until Carnival and the port figures out the parking situation.

In Mazatlan, Nidart Gallery is a good local artists shop. They sell jewelry, pottery and leather goods. Sis got a mask crafted out of molded leather. It is located on the Blue Line (Carnaval Street and Libertad), close to Plazuela Machado. https://nidart-gallery.business.site

Here is their phone number: (562) 495-1149. I would call them directly and ask. 

19 hours ago, Momma1980 said:

Do you mean you prefer sleeping on the sofa turned bed  vs the regular beds?  Just curious.

Yes. When there is of us in the cabin, I call dibs on the sofa. I find the beds to be soft. I like a firm mattress.