Just back from Mexico on the Sapphire Princess

[Tom O.]

Just got back Saturday from a 7 day cruise to the Mexican Riviera on the Sapphire Princess. This was the shortened version, with the only ports being Puerta Vallarta and Cabo.

I will have to say I preferred this cruise to previous ones that also stopped at Mazatlan.

The reason being that staying overnight in Cabo was a real treat. We arrived there at 12 noon and stayed until 2pm the next day. Normally you only get a half day there, and there was always a rush to catch a tender back to the ship in time. Staying overnight allowed people to take longer excursions and to enjoy some nightlife on shore. Being anchored offshore overnight resulted in a rather romantic setting, sitting on our balcony watching the harbor lights.

By the way, we were in Puerta Vallarta just two days before those Carnival passengers got robbed. But we didn't do any excursions there, we just hung out on the ship and shopped in the little adjacent shopping area.

This was my first cruise on a Princess Ship equipped with "Movies under the Stars" (MUTS). I will have to give a thumbs down on this. It would have been ok if they only operated it at night, but it ran all day and night. This made this nice pool area unusable to anyone not interested in the movie.

But overall we had a great experience.

[wizard-of-roz]

Tom, I'm curious, why was the pool area "unusable?" You can swim, lay out, drink and do just about everything you can when you have or don't have MUTS - How does having it change your pool experience. Is it because there are too many people watching the movie and there's no room for the pool peeps?

[JimmyVWine]

Tom, I'm curious, why was the pool area "unusable?"

 

Find answer here:

http://www.hark.com/clips/rwynklsyrw-all-the-noise

[wizard-of-roz]

Find answer here:

http://www.hark.com/clips/rwynklsyrw-all-the-noise

 

Noise? There's always noise around a pool area....it's why I don't try to read near a pool area.......too much distraction. I'd rather go to the Promenade Deck or a quiet lounge area. But, pool areas are made for noise. Whether it be from frolicking folks, a movie screen, children's laughter, or upbeat music, no matter it was made for noise & fun.

When I get bored, I walk out to the pool area and observe, always full of life, people and fun!

[JWJs]

Thanks for the report Tom O. We sailed on the Sapphire Dec 2011 for the 1st time and consider her to be one of our favorite ships.:)

Evidently Cabo is considered safe for tourists.

[Tom O.]

Tom, I'm curious, why was the pool area "unusable?" You can swim, lay out, drink and do just about everything you can when you have or don't have MUTS - How does having it change your pool experience. Is it because there are too many people watching the movie and there's no room for the pool peeps?

 

The biggest problem was the loud audio from the film. Also, the deck around the pool was crowded with people shoulder to shoulder in loungers watching the movie. I'm not a big "hang around the pool person" so I wasn't really affected.

I do like to have a pizza or burger lunch at those nearby tables occasionally. In order to avoid the movie audio I had to choose one of the tables near the door to the other pool.

But I think other people who would have liked to soak some rays ended up looking elsewhere, where it was a little more peaceful.

[wizard-of-roz]

The biggest problem was the loud audio from the film. Also, the deck around the pool was crowded with people shoulder to shoulder in loungers watching the movie. I'm not a big "hang around the pool person" so I wasn't really affected.

I do like to have a pizza or burger lunch at those nearby tables occasionally. In order to avoid the movie audio I had to choose one of the tables near the door to the other pool.

But I think other people who would have liked to soak some rays ended up looking elsewhere, where it was a little more peaceful.

 

Oh! That's the best part [i think] about cruising. There are lots and lots of different places one can go to. And, there are lots of people who are open and kind enough to share their space with you.

[srpilo]

Thanks for the Sapphire & MR update

 

 

 

 

Srpilo

[bdjam]

It was a nice quiet afternoon by the pool on Sea Princess a while ago sailing toward Mexico - the weather was warm, the drinks cool, the music was soft, people were talking with each other and enjoying the very pleasant afternoon.

 

Suddenly Princess decided to crank up MUTS and play "How to Train Your Dragon." If you're familiar with the film, the first five minutes is a very loud action sequence. It totally ruined what was a perfect afternoon. A lot of people got up and left - not everyone wants the TV blasting at them while they are on vacation.

 

Tom, I'm curious, why was the pool area "unusable?" You can swim, lay out, drink and do just about everything you can when you have or don't have MUTS - How does having it change your pool experience. Is it because there are too many people watching the movie and there's no room for the pool peeps?

[wizard-of-roz]

It was a nice quiet afternoon by the pool on Sea Princess a while ago sailing toward Mexico - the weather was warm, the drinks cool, the music was soft, people were talking with each other and enjoying the very pleasant afternoon.

 

Suddenly Princess decided to crank up MUTS and play "How to Train Your Dragon." If you're familiar with the film, the first five minutes is a very loud action sequence. It totally ruined what was a perfect afternoon. A lot of people got up and left - not everyone wants the TV blasting at them while they are on vacation.

 

I totally understand. It's kind of like the music at a wedding that plays way too loud so you have to scream at the person sitting next to you, just to be heard. Too bad! It would chase me away to find a more relaxing atmosphere too!

[Coral]

It was a nice quiet afternoon by the pool on Sea Princess a while ago sailing toward Mexico - the weather was warm, the drinks cool, the music was soft, people were talking with each other and enjoying the very pleasant afternoon.

 

Suddenly Princess decided to crank up MUTS and play "How to Train Your Dragon." If you're familiar with the film, the first five minutes is a very loud action sequence. It totally ruined what was a perfect afternoon. A lot of people got up and left - not everyone wants the TV blasting at them while they are on vacation.

 

The biggest problem was the loud audio from the film. Also, the deck around the pool was crowded with people shoulder to shoulder in loungers watching the movie. I'm not a big "hang around the pool person" so I wasn't really affected.

I do like to have a pizza or burger lunch at those nearby tables occasionally. In order to avoid the movie audio I had to choose one of the tables near the door to the other pool.

But I think other people who would have liked to soak some rays ended up looking elsewhere, where it was a little more peaceful.

 

I tend to agree. I will go along with it at night but during the day - it is irritating. And how many times do I have to watch that Tina Turner video :(

[Starlaker]

I agree also. Wish they would only show MUTTS at night. The screen is hard to see with the sun on it anyway. Impossible to sit at a table, have a burger or pizza and carry on a coversation with the audio blaring away during the day.

[lovevacadays]

Thanks for posting your experience aboard the Sapphire. I love the Sapphire and have cruised her many times. I look forward to seeing her upgrades. However, I'm with you. The one that doesn't appealis MUTS and I'm sorry to hear it is installed at the main pool area. There may be different types of noise by the pool area but I agree the one I don't want to hear on a cruise is a movie blaring. I didn't like MUTS on the Crown when we sailed her but at least on the Crown there was another outside large pool venue. The other larger pool on the Sapphire is the covered pool. I do like going there on the first and last sea day to Mexico but like the main pool area the rest of the week. I guess I will see when I cruise the Sapphire next if I will be able to tolerate MUTS.

[cinder465]

When you are in Cabo, which side of the ship is it best to be on to get this romanitc setting with the lights? I assume one side is better than the other? Our cabin is B524 and we leave Saturday...yes we are in coundown! :)

[RickEk]

When you are in Cabo, which side of the ship is it best to be on to get this romanitc setting with the lights? I assume one side is better than the other? Our cabin is B524 and we leave Saturday...yes we are in coundown! :)

 

This is kind of a crapshoot. The ship does swing around on its anchor but most likely the starboard side would be best in most cases... On our last voyage, the ship anchored with the bow toward the marina. On another voyage, she anchored the opposite way...

[wizard-of-roz]

Both sides are good. You can watch the paragliders and the boaters and the land from all directions.

The ship drops anchor and does a rotation while anchored so there is no bad side.

Go up to Horizon Court or Skywalkers and get a really good view.....unless you're just relaxing on your deck and aren't motivated to move more than a few feet to you veranda.

Aint life grand!

[jbobst]

We've done two Carnival cruises where we "overnighted" in Cabo, but we didn't really overnight, we actually just went off shore and sailed around out there all night. I have heard that is because once they are in international waters, they can legally open up the casino and shops. I thought it was unfortunate that we just couldn't stay in the bay all night long. Glad to hear Princess actually stays put in the bay. So do they just keep the Casino and shops closed all night then?

[Tom O.]

Sorry, my responses are delayed.

 

When you are in Cabo, which side of the ship is it best to be on to get this romanitc setting with the lights? I assume one side is better than the other? Our cabin is B524 and we leave Saturday...yes we are in coundown! :)

 

We were actually on the rear end (stern) of the ship. During the day we faced the open sea, at night, the wind changed direction and we faced the harbor.

 

We've done two Carnival cruises where we "overnighted" in Cabo, but we didn't really overnight, we actually just went off shore and sailed around out there all night. I have heard that is because once they are in international waters, they can legally open up the casino and shops. I thought it was unfortunate that we just couldn't stay in the bay all night long. Glad to hear Princess actually stays put in the bay. So do they just keep the Casino and shops closed all night then?

 

I believe the casino was closed, but I didn't go there during our Cabo stay, so I can't say for sure.

[mrsfuzzmo]

I can totally agree about the MOVIE playing during the day. So glad to hear that for my soon to be cruise on the Ruby, there are two seperated pools, one with the movie screen and one with music/band/entertainment. I can guarantee we do not want to watch a movie screen (or listen to it) while we are at the pool. Much more inclined to listening to some fun music, calypso, steel drum or even dance music, I don't care as long as it's not on a giant screen overhead.

[cruzsnooze]

It must be hard to find a chair in the pool area since you'll be in competition with the movie goers.

[WINEMANVISALIA]

My video homage to the sapphire princess...

[RickEk]

We've done two Carnival cruises where we "overnighted" in Cabo, but we didn't really overnight, we actually just went off shore and sailed around out there all night. I have heard that is because once they are in international waters, they can legally open up the casino and shops. I thought it was unfortunate that we just couldn't stay in the bay all night long. Glad to hear Princess actually stays put in the bay. So do they just keep the Casino and shops closed all night then?

 

Yes, the Casino and shops are closed during the Sapphire's overnight in Cabo.

[windsor26]

Tom, I'm curious, why was the pool area "unusable?" You can swim, lay out, drink and do just about everything you can when you have or don't have MUTS - How does having it change your pool experience. Is it because there are too many people watching the movie and there's no room for the pool peeps?

 

I too find MUTS intrusive during the day It is not always films they show but Circe soleie (sic) and other very noisy activities. I like to sit by the pool and read or snooze or do crosswords and this puts an ends to that as one cannot concentrate or even have a quiet conversation with a friend.:D

[KINGSFAN1]

Nice video Wineman, we were on that cruise also,really enjoyed it.

[Working 2 Cruise]

I too find MUTS intrusive during the day It is not always films they show but Circe soleie (sic) and other very noisy activities. I like to sit by the pool and read or snooze or do crosswords and this puts an ends to that as one cannot concentrate or even have a quiet conversation with a friend.:D

 

It is actually Cirque du Soleil... If you cannot have a quiet conversation there, there is the aft terrace pool, among many other options...