EllieinNJ

We are on the Panorama now in Cabo.  We have eaten breakfast every day in the MDR and liked the service.  Today we had an excursion at 6 30am and the only thing opened before was light fare at the buffet.  You would have assumed that the would open dining earlier but no.

5 hours ago, Cruising_Addict said:

Totally agree! My recent trips have been an Alaska cruise, a Norway cruise and a trip to Vegas from the east coast. The long flights kill me. Just booked our BOS-TPA flights for December. Nonstop, just a bit over 3 hours. What a difference! I would love to sail out of California again, but it’s such a trek from the east coast to the west.  

We took United from Newark to LA.  Can't sleep on a plane so was expecting to watch a few movies.  We flew to Europe with them last May and it was good but now we find out they took away the backseat movies and you have to use your cellphone.  I'm a little hard of hearing and can't get the volume up enough so it was 6 hours of just doing nothing.  Make it 8 because there was maintenance problems and we sat in the plane for two hours before we even left.  Ugh!!!

We are on the Panorama now but only 7 days so no La Paz.  Tomorrow will be our first stop PV.  Enjoying your review.

We stayed at the Queen Mary for convenience.  I did not like it.  Too stark with no amenities.  You couldn't control the AC from the room so it was freezing over night.  Easy walk though especially coming off the Carnival Radiance the day before.  

We embarked the Panorama yesterday when you disembarked.  We had a 11am boarding time.  When we got to the terminal at that time no one had as yet embarked.  We waited and waited with no one telling us what was happening.  Finally about 12pm they started embarking.  We were having Guys burgers about 12 45.

Looking forward to more.

We just stayed in a regular balcony on the Venezia on deck 6 just above this area.  We could see everything on the patios below so not much privacy.  But the walkway was seldom used.

We are on the Panorama in two weeks in the same area.  There should be more activity on the walkway because there is a pool which the Venezia did not have one.

What a tragic thing to happen.

Saw a really cheap excursion on Viator for the glass bottom boat to the Arch and it says meeting up place is Dock D Marina.  Is this near where you get off the tender?  I know you can book them once you are on shore but would like to know anyway.  Thanks.

Prices for the Internet just became available for both my Odyssey and Symphony sailings next year at $21.99/day.  I paid $19.99/day for my Liberty sailing in September.  Do you think the price will come down later in the year?  And if I book it now and use my OBC will Royal return the OBC for me to use if I cancel and rebook?

If I book a Mexican bus tour through Viator, do they charge a foreign transaction fee on your credit card if that card does not have the foreign transaction exemption?  I called them but got someone whose accent was hard to understand.

Got it.  Thanks.

Don't criticize her.  JustSam won American Idol a few years ago.

16 minutes ago, Beamafar said:

No deck 17 on any MSC ships as Italians are superstitious about the number (the way the number 13 is by others). It comes from an anagram, in Latin, of the number 17 in Roman numerals XVII. The anagram in question is VIXI which means "I HAVE LIVED" (perfect tense), implying "my life is over" or "I AM DEAD" 

Oops!  It was the lounge/bar overlooking the pool area.

Before my Miraviglia cruise last October there were discussions here and on FB about a certain ethnic group that was being obnoxious, cutting lines, reserving seats in theater, etc.  I found it wasn't too bad on my cruise.

The ceiling and stairs get old pretty fast.  The only quiet place to sit was in the piano bar on deck 17.  The MDR food wasn't too good.  I did not like a set dining time either.

But the shows were great.  Also enjoyed the after hours pizza and snacks.

Can you tell us about the ports you visited?  We are going next month but on another cruise line.

We were just on the 12 day Journey cruise on Venezia.  Breakfast only on port days and some days breakfast only and some days brunch on Sea days.

8 minutes ago, Hlitner said:

I will be honest and say that, although we live in Mexico 10 weeks a year, we do our best to avoid Walmart!  That being said, Walmart is known as having one of the better exchange rates (US Dollars to Pesos).  Since I have not used US currency (in Mexico) in nearly 20 years I have no clue whether you can ask for change in Pesos and/or dollars.  

 

There is a back story to that Puerto Vallarta Walmart (across the road from the port).  A few years ago, Walmart built a new (and much nicer) store about 2 miles from the port.  When the new store was being constructed, the "word" was that Walmart planned on closing the old store (the one near the port) which is not all that popular.  For whatever reason, they did not follow-through and have kept both stores.  If I had any reason to ever go to Walmart in PV, I would go to newer (and nicer) store.  I have long wondered why cruisers would come to Mexico and spend their time shopping at Walmart, but that is another issue.  I can tell you that when DW and I have cruised to PV (that has happened a few times) we certainly do not waste our time at Walmart.  We love living in Mexico because of the wonderful Mexicans, terrific places to eat, and great weather.  Going to a foreign land to visit Walmart, Mc Donalds, Subway, Burger King, etc. is just not our scene :).

 

Until a few short years ago, both Walmart and Sams (both across from the port) were quite popular in PV.  But then Costco opened a new store which many of us find much nicer than the Sam's Store.  And close to the large Costco (about 1 1/4 miles from the port) is a relatively new Le Comer Supermarket (the nicest supermarket in the PV area).  There is just little reason for most locals (and expats) to go to that olde/smaller Walmart.

I only mentioned Walmart so I can get some pesos to use for the bus to Centro.  Too much trouble getting them in advance from my bank or finding one in Mexico.   For anything bigger I will use my credit card.  Thought maybe I could buy a candy bar or bag of chips, give $5USD and get back change in pesos.

Another perspective is maybe if they serve less variety maybe people would stop taking everything that is put out.  I've seen many people filling their plates sky-high (pun intended) and then just taking a few bites of of each.  A lot of wasted food.

10 hours ago, Hlitner said:

Officially, No!  But this is Mexico.  If you get a nice bus driver, he/she might help.  But the drivers are no longer supposed to provide change, and their electronic fare boxes are designed to only accept Pesos.  A nice driver might try to use other passengers to make change.  But other drivers will not help (or are just too busy).  My advice is that folks have Pesos (either coins that can make 10 pesos per person or a $20 Peso note (which is equal to two fares).  These days, a driver would be crazy to accept a Dollar for two fares.  I did see one driver (in 10 weeks) actually take a US Dollar for a fare (that is really worth 60 cents) and then the driver paid the fare in Pesos (from his own pocket).  That is the exception.  And paying 1 dollar for a 60-cent fare is not a good deal for the cruiser.  

 

Speaking of the "$" sign, this is used for both Pesos and Dollars...which confuses some folks.  

So will Walmart accept my US$ and give me change in pesos?

16 hours ago, mkcurran said:

I'll wave at you as I get off that day. 🙂

We get off May 4th I hope or I might have to change my air reservations. 😆

Can you use US dollars on the bus?

This might be the one she mentioned.

https://www.mazatlantours.org/

WOW.  Can't believe the prices you are quoting.  I purchased for Liberty on Black Friday for $19.99 and thought that was high.

Hi Kim.  We will be on the Panorama 5/27.  From what I read it will be easier to catch an Uber if you walk to the Queen Mary or a park about 1/4 mile away.  That's what we are going to do.