EllieinNJ

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.

Following.  We will be on her in five weeks followed by the Panorama.

So originally being from Brooklyn the only concerts we could afford to go to was Murray the Ks Christmas concert at the Brooklyn Fox.  After college and working in Manhattan I went to Madison Square Garden to see the first Rock and Roll revival with the introduction of Sha-Na-Na.  There were many doo- wop groups that were old men then.

42 minutes ago, ontheweb said:

Can I join the "I am 76 club"? I qualify.

You most certainly can.  I see you are from Monticello.  We went to different bungalow colonies and Hotels in the Catskills in the 50s and 60s.  Best times.

Complawyer, I accept your apology and we are indeed friends again.  I'm also 76 so we have that in common.

I guess we are all guilty of using the "p" word when we really mean annoyed.  NCL was always my cruise of choice but I got tired with the away ships and didn't want to fly anywhere.  We are not gamblers and do not drink so entertainment is important to us.  So when I heard that Donna was no longer available I overreacted.  It was the only big show on the Prima, not like the Viva that has two big shows.  I now hear it is back so am happy.

On 3/12/2024 at 10:34 AM, complawyer said:

cruisenyforlife.. taylor who? i wouldnt know a taylor swift song if she were sitting on my lap (sorry mr kelce) and personally serenading me .and elliennj, im not criticizing  any ones taste in music, i  was merely saying you were pissed that donna show has been taken off. regardless of which side of the bench i'm on, is that really a reason to get pissed, as she has been dead (as well as disco) for more than 40 years, and i dont think any station is still playing her music. sorry if i ruffled your feathers. that was certainly not my intention

Yeah, you certainly did ruffle my feathers.  I live in the NY/NJ area where we have plenty of oldie stations and disco is often played.  What really bothered me is telling me if I don't like it to cancel my booking on the Prima and go elsewhere.  This is something that is more in tune with a FB reply that a responsible Cruise Critic reply.  I thought you were better than that.