Ship time - local time in Puerta Vallarta

[the Black Hills Great One]

We are going on a Panama Canal Cruise in Oct of this year and are thinking about taking an independent tour up to San Sebastion out of Puerta Vallarta. Our tour will start at 8 am and last 7 hrs. Someone on another thread said Puerto Vallarta stays on ship time there which would be what? An hour ahead or an hour behind?

 

Also how safe is it to go up into the mountains? Has anyone felt afraid lately that has done a trip up into the mountains to see San Sebastion. Sounds like a beautiful area. Would love to see it.

[the Black Hills Great One]

Just a quick message as I forgot to tell you the ship - it will be Holland Anerica's Statendam. Am sure each cruise line will be different in the ship's time.

[the Black Hills Great One]

Message orginally must have gotten deleted by me. We are taking a Panama Canal cruise on the Holland America's Statendam in Oct. of this year. We are thinking about taking an independent tour to San Sebastion, up into the mountains. It starts at 8 a.m. and will last for 7 hours. Our time of arrival is 8 a.m. But is this ship's time or port time? Is ship's time an hour ahead or an hour behind?

[Ine]

On the list of the harbour Statendam is marked as 8.00 arrival time, which is local time. Often ships arrive a little earlier, but depending on customs who might have to clear the ship maybe disembarking is a fraction later.

Are you in a grouptour or a private tour? If private the driver will certainly wait for you and adjust the schedule if need be.

Yes we have been to San Sebastian various times. Nice drive through the mountains, often incl a short stop at a small tequila factory.

It is a small old miningtown, very friendly people. The road to get there is excellent. The last portion has coble-stones, the rest is paved.

It is absolutely safe, more cars and buses go that way.

[Keith1010]

Yes this will be local time.

 

Keep in mind you may not disembark right away and that sometimes it takes a few minutes to walk from the pier to the area where vehicles can pick you up and that varies based on where you are berthed.

 

Keith

[MSN-Travelers]

We are going on a Panama Canal Cruise in Oct of this year and are thinking about taking an independent tour up to San Sebastion out of Puerta Vallarta. Our tour will start at 8 am and last 7 hrs. Someone on another thread said Puerto Vallarta stays on ship time there which would be what? An hour ahead or an hour behind?

 

Also how safe is it to go up into the mountains? Has anyone felt afraid lately that has done a trip up into the mountains to see San Sebastion. Sounds like a beautiful area. Would love to see it.

 

A tour to San Sebastian is not offered by your ship. This typically indicates that timing for the tour doesn't work or too few people have taken the tour in the past. While I wouldn't have any safety concerns, I would be worried about the possibility that there could be traffic problems or a mechanical breakdown that would prevent you from getting back before your ship leaves.

 

I suggest you contact the tour operator directly. Tell them the ship you're on, date and scheduled arrival time. Ask if this tour would be something you could do while your ship is in port. They will know if this trip is a good fit for you or not.

 

I know that a tour to San Sebastian is offered by Vallarta Adventures. If this is the operator of the tour your are considering, they only do first class excursions and will give you straight information when you call/email.

 

Enjoy!