TwinMamainMN

Getting my nails done every three weeks in my only self-care. I work in education as a paraprofessional. I’ve had minimal nail art (one tiny Mickey Mouse face - three tiny black dots no eyes - or a single palm leaf when on a cruise last spring.). I keep them about one-quarter or so inch past my finger and almond shaped. They are currently a blackberry color but I like to change the shades with the seasons (or travel) based on my skin tone.

Thanks! That's helpful and doesn't really surprise me. We're going to bring some pesos for small cash purchases and tipping.

Check YouTube for videos of Stone Island. It tells exactly where to walk from the cruise pier, where to buy the boat ticket (very small motor boat) to sail across the bay, and where to go once you get there to arrive at Stone Island. If we decide to do a beach day in Mazatlan, we will do it this way. Inexpensive, easy and casual.

@NoMoreRain - the raspberry mojito sounds good!

I had a few coconut mojitos from a specific bartender on Odyssey of the Seas (Royal ship). Coconut rum instead of regular rum. Amazing!

I would Google the ship name and accessible cabin to see if you can find a video or photos. We have sailed on Royal in accessible rooms (for our daughter) but not on NCL so far. When we sail with our kids, we do an accessible balcony cabin and the non-accessible room next to it. Across the hall when the ship layout works that way (or nearby) is also possible. I like using a trusted travel agent for situations like this just to be certain we book what we need. FWIW, the difference in price on our March 2023 trip on RCCL’s Oasis of the Seas the accessible balcony and neighboring standard balcony combo was only $200 more than accessible balcony and nearby interior. For the price and ability to open up the partial wall between the two balconies, we did both balcony rooms. It was perfect for us.

Search Baggalini. RFID and in lots of colors, sizes and styles.

Thanks @Hlitner and @MSN-TravelersSuper helpful. Pesos it is!

Which one do you prefer when traveling to the ports of Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo? Would it be easier or a better price to pay street vendors, small businesses and tip in pesos? I know many places will have credit card processing available, but for a couple of tacos and a beer from a street vendor it seems paying in pesos would be better.

The email we got from NCL says Ensenada is cancelled on cruises from February 11, 2024 through and including March 10, 2024. Outside of those dates, you would still visit Ensenada.

We are sailing on Bliss in March. Ensenada dropped off the itinerary last week, but we still have Cabo, Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan. Less time in Cabo and at less than ideal hours (6:45 am to 2pm), but longer in PV and Mazatlan by 2-3 hours.

I haven't done either of your options with a cruise, but I have been to both cities. I agree with @debenson0723, take the extra days at the end of the trip to see each city over at least 2 days. More days if you can do it. Both cities have gobs to see and giving them each 8 hours or less will mean no chance to actually enjoy either, and a long plane ride home when you are exhausted too.

Thanks @no1racefan1 for the ideas! I'm going to try the lace one with bell sleeves in navy for our nephew's wedding at a vineyard next October. For $66USD, it's worth a shot and returns are easy if I need to size up.

We are on a Bliss cruise to the Mexican Riveria. I’m not mad about missing Ensenada and we have longer times in both PV and Mazatlan, but we have a short time in Cabo. With tendering in Cabo, that’s going to be tough. Time will tell…

What are the individual port times? This would be a concern of mine, especially when travel is often required once in port to get to the actual things you want to see/do. What good is a port time of 11am-6pm while in Greece when it would already be hot and congested with other cruise passengers. How many ports are tender ports, and what are the port hours then? Tendering can really mess up a schedule. If Venice is "must do" in order to truly do it right, I would just take a train pre/post cruise and actually stay there 3-5 days and really soak it up. It's an amazing city and getting "lost" in all the streets is half the fun.

Since they have never cruised, they don't know how they like to cruise or what they would actually use/need/want. If you want something for them to open, luggage tag holders, a couple of magnetic hooks, a stretchy towel holder (easier to pack than the huge plastic clips!) would be enough IMO. Then you could just point them here to CC and let them figure out the rest. We've never wanted or needed an over the door organizer thing or a lanyard. Let them get excited about the trip and find the "sweet spot" on their own. That's part of the fun of cruising.

Have you researched the Bufadora? I have done some digging, and it appears its a 45-60 minute drive from port and also the amount of sea spray is totally dependent on the tide, etc. Google it and see if you can find some videos. I watched one of a RCCL employee that went on a shore excursion to see it (bus ride there and back) and it helped us decide against it. We are looking for other things to do instead. I hope you find something that works for your group.

Do you get a better exchange rate or lower prices paying in pesos? Just curious why you would want so much cash in local currency.

Agreed. Airline, departure time, arrival time and layover length (if any) are too many variables to leave to someone else or a computer. I don't want a red-eye flight if I can help it, nor do I want a 6 hour layover or a 30-minute layover in a huge airport.

Thanks for posting and sharing your review. We are doing the same trip in early March. I made a note of that Deck 19 tip and hope it's still a hidden gem then too. Do we need pesos to shop in Mexico from the small/independent vendors? We've always been able to use USD in the Caribbean and a Visa card at any brick and mortar store/restaurant. Thinking of a minimal amount for souvenirs, fresh fruit, shave ice, and so on where the vendor may not have credit card capabilities.

I’ve been wondering about the main dining room menus. We have the Free At Sea dining (which is 2 meals per person at specialty dining - I think), but I’d like to know what’s for dinner in the Main Dining Room to plan when we want to eat there and when we don’t. I wish this info was available in the app.

Yes to heels, but they are actually low heels or wedges. No to pantyhose or tights. I haven't worn either in over 20 years.

I bring 2 swimsuits, both tankinis. One has a black bottom and one has a navy bottom. I bring two cover-ups. I like being able to switch depending on what we are doing, and like many others, I refuse to put on a wet swimsuit. I never wear one to board and although we like to check out the pool area, we don't get in the pool on embarkation day.

We do not. Not sure we would spend the $ either TBH.

Have sailed on RCL in the past, and several of their ships have "bridge wings" which is a great spot to enjoy a sail away, especially departing port on the embarkation day. We are sailing on Bliss in March and I'm curious if there are any "hidden gems" for sail away viewing. We have a standard balcony room, so that's one option.