Copper Canyon Shore Excursion

[CuriousC]

We are doing HAL's Sea of Cortez sailing in February 2011 and are wondering about the Copper Canyon shore excursion. Has anyone done it and if so, what were your impressions? Is it worth the money (currently listed at $399 per person)? Any information would be much appreciated.

[tcook052]

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1316698&highlight=copper+canyon+excursion

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1230680&highlight=copper+canyon+excursion

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1087915&highlight=copper+canyon+excursion

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1032380&highlight=copper+canyon+excursion

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1018315&highlight=copper+canyon+excursion

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=924299&highlight=copper+canyon+excursion

[CuriousC]

Thank you tcook for all the links. Lots of information there. However, we're still undecided. We had initially considered a week long land tour out of Arizona but the company has stopped offering it this year so are thinking the ship's excursion may be our only chance.

[anniecat]

several years ago we did the HAL ship tour. I'd recommend it for folks who love trains, riding trains and a bit of adventure. Unfortunately there was not alot of time at the canyon AND it was raining, thunder and lightening (so we just enjoyed the view from the hotel). We found the trip very long and not very comfy seating (but that was in 2005). The escort of military with BIG guns was (sort of) reassuring. The 'restroom" facilities on the train....a seat with a hole onto the track. The snack on the train was so bad it was comical..but a great meal was provided at the canyon. (also was able to buy some great souvenirs out the train window at a short stop...bring $$)

All in all....we had a great time and yes it was 'worth it'. but it is a long day (15 hours for us...bus to train, train, an hour at the canyon, train, and bus back to ship). Take your sense of adventure!

[MightyQuinn]

We did the HAL Copper Canyon excursion a few years ago & I'd only recommend it with reservation. The excursion is both too long (getting to the summit) and too short (actual time spent there). Not just right!

 

It's a 2-hr bus ride, followed by a 6-hr train journey, just to get where you're going. The train ride is interesting at first but quickly becomes more of the same. Once arrived at the summit of the canyon, you grab a buffet lunch (average), watch a 30 min performance by indigenous people, hike down the canyon to see "real" life conditions, take a quick bathroom break & get ready to do it all again in reverse.

 

IMHO this part of the Sierra Madre is fascinating & deserves more then an 18-hr side excursion to do it justice. If seeing the Copper Canyon is on your bucket list and you don't see yourself doing it as a land trip, then go for it. Otherwise, I'd only recommend it with reservation.

[Nancyquilts]

If you go, sit on the right hand side of the train going up for views of the canyon. It will probably be dark when you descend.

[donaldsc]

We did a land OAT trip to the Copper Canyon. We had 2 full days there. Much better.

 

DON

[CuriousC]

Thanks everyone for your comments and advice. I've just learned that the number of Mexican Riviera cruises for 2012 are greatly reduced and there doesn't appear to be any Sea of Cortez sailings at all. Thus, not knowing when we will get the opportunity again, I think we will probably go for this excursion and for sure, treat it as an adventure and be prepared for a long day.

[anniecat]

I agree...if you don't plan for a longer trip and it's on the bucket list...do it!

[boards]

Do you know why Hal is reducing the cruises?

[Cruising-along]

Do you know why Hal is reducing the cruises?

 

Borden, we were at a local cruise show last weekend and spoke to someone from HAL. She just said that sometimes they change their schedules, and didn't give any more reason than that. She did say they will probably have Sea of Cortez cruises again in 2013, but as with most things, I'll believe it when I see it. I'm sure she didn't know for sure...but I hope so.

 

We were looking for a Sea of Cortez cruise in 2012 but now have decided to do the 14-day Alaska on HAL.

[boards]

Thank you for the information. I am looking for new cruises and closer to home to go on. Monica does not want to do the Alaska (to cold, she says). I have thought about the Canada/New England but that is too close. I am thinking of April 2012 on the Oosterdam, or Hawaii again and maybe even a veranda again with hope of another great upgrade. (oh ya, sure that will happen).

[RuthC]

I have thought about the Canada/New England but that is too close.

Years ago, when I suggested the New England/Canada cruise, my husband said "What do you want to do that for? You live there!". We did the cruise.

Turned out it was his last cruise, and a very nice one at that. It was fun to see my home area from a visitor's point of view. Even though I had traveled extensively in New England and Quebec, it was always by land. Doing so by sea was entirely different.

 

Don't rule this itinerary out. You might just like it, too.

[boards]

Thank you for your advice. Diffenently now we will consider it. Did you do the B2B or the the Montreal to FLL cruise? I was wondering what the Atlantic ocean would might be like in the time frame they schedule the FLL cruise? I know that is hard to predict, but since you live in that area, I am sure you have some thoughts about it.

[RuthC]

Did you do the B2B or the the Montreal to FLL cruise?

It was a 10-day NYC to Montreal itinerary that year, on the Veendam. I also did the same routing a few years later on the Rotterdam. Both cruises were relatively smooth, with some motion. It is ocean, after all!

The first time, we missed Halifax, as there was a plane crash off Peggy's Cove the night before, and our ship was pressed into service for search and rescue, later search and recovery. It felt that we were doing something important to help spot debris, and point, so the seamen could recover evidence. Later, there was a memorial service, and we sailed on. Very sad.

[califgary]

We did a land OAT trip to the Copper Canyon. We had 2 full days there. Much better.

 

DON

 

Yes we heard about the Copper Canyon while on this cruise in 2010 - decided it was WAY too long (leave at 4AM return 1030PM) so we took a land tour at christmas from Phoenix - spent the nite at the hotel on the summit every balcony has a view of the canyon - much better!!

[caltnl]

Just have to reply to this thread. I am wearing the T-shirt that I purchased at the hotel at the top.

 

Am a train buff so enjoyed the trip. Even with the armed guards.

 

My wife stayed with the ship. She said to long.

[donaldsc]

We did this land trip

 

http://www.gct.com/Trips/2011/Northern-Mexico-and-the-Copper-Canyon-2011.aspx

 

It was great.

 

DON