Almost 2015 in Mazatlan

[jrpend]

Greetings!

 

We are just off the Crown Princess from a mini code red new years cruise. Along with a NCL boat we were the last cruise ships into Mazatlan for 2014.

 

Wow. I think they are glad to have the Cruise Ships back.

 

We had a early excursion where we took a shuttle to the light house. The excursion itself was a fairly strenuous hike up trail to the lighthouse include 330 some odd steps.

 

We started at the base of the hill on which the el Faro light house sits. Apparently the local athletes use the hill for training. We were greeted by a high school (?) girls basketball team who had just finished the run. The kids were delighted to try their English out on us and even more delighted by a French couple who spoke Spanish and French to them.

 

My wife and I are not athletes - are in the late 50s and while it was strenuous for us, we made to the top without a lot of difficulties. The guide took great care to point out the spot where cruise critic junglejane on the previous cruise, broke her ankle (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2142378). Notably junglejane did not have anything bad to say about the response of her fellow passengers, the guide, the tour company, the local rescue or Princess - so we felt comfortable following in her footsteps - so to speak.

 

The view was worth the walk. We walked down and since it was a 1/2 day excursion, the guide gave us some local tips. One of the things he mentioned was the Stars of David in the stained glass in the local cathedral. This was apparently done in honor of a anonymous Jewish family's philanthropy in area.

 

Apparently in a attempt to woo the Cruise Ships back, they have a painted a blue line that leads from the cruise ship terminal to the old Mazatlan square. Along the way American and Canadian ex-pats have volunteered to guide people, answer questions and make sure the tourists have a wonderful time. they also had special armed Tourist Police who main job seemed to be wishing "Happy New Year" and stopping traffic whenever we need to cross the street.

 

Hey folks - it really is polite and sort of expected to remove your hat when entering an active church. Nobody said anything to folks that didn't but....

 

Anyway, following the blue line to and from the Cruise Ship, we had a wonderful time. And when the Crown Princess was sailing out of Mazatlan at the end of the day, people gathered on the last spit of land and on a catamaran party boat and cheered us.

 

I think they are very happy to have the Cruise Ships come back.

[sassyredhat]

Awesome. We were there last April, on another line, and we didn't see that. :)

 

Patti

[pulledporky]

Can you elaborate a bit more about the blue line? Starts right at the terminal? How far to the points you mentioned?

 

Really appreciate the info!!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[jrpend]

Can you elaborate a bit more about the blue line? Starts right at the terminal? How far to the points you mentioned?

 

Really appreciate the info!!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

The Blue line starts right outside the door of the Cruise terminal and continues all the way to the square in the old town. At that point we left the blue line after consulting a map in the town square went about two blocks to the cathedral. After the cathedral we walked back to the town square.

 

There were "blue shirts" at the cathedral as well.

[LPG27]

Thanks for the great info. We will be there on Wednesday Jan 14th on the Grand Princess cruise.

[lois1112]

Thanks for the great info. We will be there on Wednesday Jan 14th on the Grand Princess cruise.

 

I will be on the same cruise..........so looking forward to the return to Mazatlan

[thumpersmom]

We'll also be on the January cruise on the Grand....we can all walk the line :)

[cvpends]

You will love Mazatlán; it is a beautiful city, and the locals really love having visitors!