Jump to content
Cruise Critic Community

When HAL sailed to 6 Mexican ports

billroddy

By billroddy,
in Holland America Line

Recommended Posts

dobiemom

dobiemom

Posted
Posted
Hal does have a 12 day cruise in Dec of next year that covers

SD

Cabo San Lucas

La Paz

Loreto

Guaymas

Topolobampo

Puerto Vallarta (2)

SD

Something to look into.

MS. Statendam on December 4th......sorry for butting in.

David

I'm definitely going to look into this one, thanks! ;)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
shandryl

shandryl

Posted
Posted

I agree!! Last time I went there was in 2003!! :eek: That place was scary!

 

I tire of the crime excuse. If it was as bad a some make out everyone would be dead. The most scary place I`ve ever been is Jamaica and HAL is pretty ok with going there.
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Krazy Kruizers

Krazy Kruizers

Posted
Posted
Yes, we on the East Coast get it about the long flights.

It is the same for us if we sail Alaska. LONG day of travel getting there and home.

It is unlikely I'll sail Alaska again because of the miserable travel days.

 

At Least you have direct flights from Boston to Seattle and etc.

 

We don't have any direct flights to anywhere. Now those are long days.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
cruz chic

cruz chic

Posted
Posted
At Least you have direct flights from Boston to Seattle and etc.

 

We don't have any direct flights to anywhere. Now those are long days.

We don't have a lot of direct flights either. We used on have them to San Diego but no more. There is no way you get to Fort Lauderdale directly either.

 

Seems like the only trips to Mexico (HAL) now are on ships that I have zero interest in sailing on. The Statendam tops that list for me. I will pick Princess for cruises to Mexico. They usually have the Sapphire for that trip and it's a nice ship.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
smileycruiser2007

smileycruiser2007

Posted
Posted

I absolutely loved this cruise and enjoyed every port, some more than others. Loreto, La Paz, and PV were lots of fun. I felt completely safe in every port just walking around, riding the local bus, etc. including Mazatlan.

 

Going to Mazatlan and Topolobampo does involve considerable distance, and if the new practice is to go slow to reduce fuel cost, that would be one explanation why this delightful cruise is no longer offered.

 

Echoing the sentiments of other posters, murders (sometimes several) in the city of Washington DC and surroundings are daily occurrences. I'm certain the same applies to LA, one port for this Mexican itinerary. There are some places in Mexico and Central America known for violence, but none of the ports on this itinerary falls into that category. I believe there has been a tourist fatality in Mazatlan. While this is very disturbing and sad, we have to remember that quite a few tourists from all over have been murdered in Miami, and no one shut down tourism there.

 

I would jump at the chance to visit the Sea of Cortez ports again. I have missed "accessible Mexico".

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Hlitner Excellent Advice! Rare

Hlitner

Posted
Posted

Guess we should have added that the State of California also did a lot to reduce their attractiveness to cruise lines by imposing their own large ship fuel requirements. These rules require ships calling at CA ports to use low sulphur fuels when they near the coast. For the many cruise ships that still burn fuels such as bunker crude this means they must carry separate fuel for just the CA ports and swith-over when many miles out to see. This costs additonal money for the cruise lines in a cruising area where its already difficult to demand high prices. Although this is certainly not the main reason cruise ships have cut-back on Mexican cruises it is a contributing factor.

 

Hank

Link to comment
Share on other sites
dobiemom

dobiemom

Posted
Posted
Do look into that, dobiemom. Mind you I would not get off the ship in Topolobompo - been there too often & nothing for me. Is it the Statendam? :)

By the time we got to Topolobampo, I was exhausted! So I will get off the ship next time. ;) Yes, it's the Statendam.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Murray's Pop Great Review Rare

Murray's Pop

Posted
Posted

One of the reasons we are trying out Princess for the first time this Sept (rather than our usual HAL) is the Mexico itinerary, including Loreto and La Paz, along with departing from San Francisco. No all day flight, just an easy drive.

 

We have done a number of Mexico cruises and have always felt safe. On the other hand, we will NOT cruise anywhere near the middle east as that area, IMO, is the least safe for any American.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
SwissMyst

SwissMyst

Posted
Posted
One of the reasons we are trying out Princess for the first time this Sept (rather than our usual HAL) is the Mexico itinerary' date=' including Loreto and La Paz, along with departing from San Francisco. No all day flight, just an easy drive.

 

We have done a number of Mexico cruises and have always felt safe. On the other hand, we will NOT cruise anywhere near the middle east as that area, IMO, is the least safe for any American.[/quote']

 

 

We are off to the middle east for the third time in the past several years. Perfectly safe as well as our experiences in Mexico too. Don't paint with too broad a brush because the Middle East is very, very diverse. The one place riddled with crime is the Caribbean, yet few mention staying away from there.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
solocanadian

solocanadian

Posted
Posted
Chips, salsa, cerviche and cerveza are always good reason to get off in any Mexican port.

 

(Please follow all due cautions for establishment sanitation and prior recommendations)

There is absolutely nothing at Topo. - never mind chips and salsa & Cerviche - only beer & that is not my cup of tea. The closet town is a dirty dump and the restaurant we chose of the two was not to my liking. :eek:

Link to comment
Share on other sites
realnurse2

realnurse2

Posted
Posted
We don't have a lot of direct flights either. We used on have them to San Diego but no more. There is no way you get to Fort Lauderdale directly either.

 

Seems like the only trips to Mexico (HAL) now are on ships that I have zero interest in sailing on. The Statendam tops that list for me. I will pick Princess for cruises to Mexico. They usually have the Sapphire for that trip and it's a nice ship.

Fortunately, there are still direct flights from Toronto Pearson, YYZ to Ft. Lauderdale, FLL! ;)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
KSCnCA

KSCnCA

Posted
Posted

We went to the beach when ported in Topo. (After our previous cruise when we took the train to the Copper Canyon) Had a nice, relaxing day at a quiet restaurant on the beach. Only drawback was that I was then on a one year restriction on blood donation because they said it was a malaria zone. :-(

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Boatdrill

Boatdrill

Posted
Posted
Some people paid really low fares and spent little on board from what I have read. Given the danger factor, it's not surprising they don't sail there now.

 

 

HAL stil has cruises to Mexico from San Diego. The Zaandam leaves tomorrow for the New Year's Eve cruise. And the ship is full. :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Belle

Belle

Posted
Posted

We went on Holland a few times to these

different ports. Really liked them. Nice to

see other/new ports.

 

Yes it's a shame.. Guaymas built a new area.

They had food and music to greet you. The

most stops were made by Holland. They lost

money on that.

 

Bring back the ports .

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • Special Event: Q&A with Laura Hodges Bethge, President Celebrity Cruises
      • ANNOUNCEMENT: Set Sail on Sun Princess®
      • Hurricane Zone 2024
      • Cruise Insurance Q&A w/ Steve Dasseos of Tripinsurancestore.com June 2024
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Cruise Critic News & Features
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...