Majestic Princess Jan 22 and Feb 19, 2022 live report

[mlgb]

"--NCL has some advantages, like the huge forward observation area, Broadway shows, dedicated comedy club, Cavern Club with Beatles cover band, nice outside bar/dining/walking promenade close to the water, incredible beer pub, and more comprehensive buffet with things I love like crepes, scoop ice cream, and multiple Indian dishes. " Don't forget that they have been providing free pierside testing on embarkation. No running around trying to get an appointment.  Even the sailaway categories were giving $50 off shorex, too. 

 

Agree that you really need the specialty dining on Bliss. Especially if you like seafood. On a long cruise the NCL food gets really monotonous. For the 5-day Mexican Riviera I was happy with Indian, Indian, Jamaican , carved turkey breast, Indian, Indian,... LOL. And ice cream! I told the Executive Chef that the only reason I was back was for his Indian food.

 

Trying (unsuccessfully) not to hijack the OP's report too much. But he has been on both and as a single so I think not too bad.

Edited January 26, 2022 by mlgb

[dhanakorn]

Let’s continue on Day 4. We’re doing reversed itinerary on this cruise so Puerto Vallarta is our first port day. I usually booked port-intensive cruises, after 2 days I couldn’t wait to get off the ship. 
 

When I woke up, we started pulling into the harbor. I think it’s around 7:30am. Carnival Panorama already docked there. 

 

I went up to the buffet for a quick breakfast. 

 

View of the terminal from my room on the port side. Princess docked at the same berth as the Bliss used on my cruise here last month. 

 

On the starboard side, you’ll see the view of Walmart in the distance. 

 

We had mariachi band playing some music to welcome us at the terminal. 

[dhanakorn]

This’s my third time to PV so I didn’t book any excursion. My rough plan was the city tour in the morning and the beach in the afternoon. I got out of the terminal and walked right to the bus stop. I’m a big fan of public transportation but only get a chance to use it during vacation.
 

You can catch any bus that goes to “Centro”. The fare is 10peso ($0.5). If you don’t have peso, I think you can pay with $1 bill. The bus is reasonably clean - cleaner than public bus in LA. 

 

 

It took about 15-20min from cruise terminal to the PV town center. I got off at the last stop which is one block away from malecon. 

 

After got off the bus and walked toward the ocean, you’ll see this huge bronze sculpture. 

 

And the malecon just next to the sculpture. 

 

The obligatory photo of colorful Puerto Vallarta sign. It’s quite busy this morning with 2 ships. Many tours were already here. 

[dhanakorn]

My next stop was the Church of our lady of Guadalupe. Many group tours were already here. The church just celebrated 100th anniversary last year.
 

 

[dhanakorn]

From the church, it’s about 10min walk to the Elizabeth Taylor house. It’s allegedly the  most famous place in PV during Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton scandal. 

The Lover Bridge. 

 

Now it becomes Casa Kimberly hotel. They have the sculpture of Richard Burton kissing Elizabeth Taylor to signify the history of this place. 

 

Then I walked to Gringo Gulch and crossed the bridge to Isla Cuale. 

 

The famous Isla Cuale flea market was relatively quiet. I think most tourists know better nowadays. 

 

The bridge crossing the Cuale river was still under reconstruction from the hurricane damage. I think it’ll take a few more months to complete. 

 

Elizabeth Taylor is very popular in PV. 

[dhanakorn]

From Isla Cuale, I walked further south to Zona Romantica. 
 

A walking bridge crossing the Cuale river. 

Muelle de Playa Los Muertos Pier

 

The beaches on both sides of the pier are very popular. 

 

[dhanakorn]

After exploring Zona Romantica, I crossed the bridge to get back to Centro area. I stopped by a bank to exchange some pesos. You get slightly better rate at the bank (today $1=19.60pesos) - passport required. I usually carry my passport card while on a cruise. 
 

This bakery seems to be very popular. I saw many customers going in and out to buy some Mexican breads. 

 

 

After walking for the whole morning, I started to feel hungry. I wanted to try some food that locals eat but not tacos or typical Mexican food we have in US. So I walked around and randomly picked one that had locals waiting for table in the front. 

There’s no printed menu. Server told me what they had today but only Spanish. I heard the word pollo so I just chose this one. It’s some kind of Mexican chicken curry served with rice, bean, and tortilla. This meal together with soup only costs 65peso ($3.25). It’s very cheap and tasty. Although probably not a recommended choice if it’s your first time in Mexico. 

[dhanakorn]

After lunch I walked along the malecon. You can see the Church in the distance. 
 

Afternoon is a better time to take photo of the PV sign after all the tour groups have left. 

 

Many beautiful sculptures along the malecon. 

 

 

 

Edited January 27, 2022 by dhanakorn

[caribill]

What camera are you using for all your great photos?

[dhanakorn]

Then I took the bus back to Walmart. I just want to get the Activia yogurts. Walmart here is very popular for both locals and tourists. I think it’s a main attraction in itself for cruise passengers. 
 

Carnival Panorama docked just right across the street from Walmart. 

 

They don’t allow you to walk inside the terminal but they have a trolley to take you back to Princess terminal. 

 

I still had a couple hours before all aboard time. So I went to Playa de Oro or the Golden beach. This’s is just a short walk from terminal building. It’s a very nice beach I could spend the whole day here instead of going to the town. 

 

 

 

The beach is close enough that you don’t need to worry about getting back in time. 

 

Walking back to the ship from the terminal building. 

[dhanakorn]

My reward after a long walk today. Back home I don’t usually drink alcohol, maybe a glass of wine occasionally. I blame this on NCL that got me addicted. A few years ago they started to have the beverage package included in the cruise fare. All you can drink cocktails while you’re on the ship. It’s supposed to a short term promotion but it got so popular that they’ve never stopped. Other cruise lines starts doing the same thing. Princess now offers the Princess Plus package.

 

View of the town from the aft. 

 

We left the port after the sunset. I have the beautiful view of sunset in the earlier post. 

 

[dhanakorn]

Tonight I tried the wine flight at the Vine bar. Panji was kind enough to bring some snacks to accompany the wine tasting. 

 

I forgot to take picture of MDR menu but I got the seafood medley for starter.

The chilled soup

 

Grilled seafood for the main. The size of the shrimps and scallops on Princess MDR is even bigger than the size on NCL specialty restaurant. Overall I’m impressed with the seafood options here. 

 

Italian trio with Irish coffee.

Day 4 main entertainment was the magic show by Naathan Phan. Most of his tricks are the usual classic ones so he mixed them up with the singing and comedy. Overall I think it’s very entertaining. 

[dhanakorn]

33 minutes ago, caribill said:

What camera are you using for all your great photos?

Just my iPhone. I like the convenience of point, shoot, and share without having to carry another camera with me. Cell phone camera is pretty good nowadays. 

[caribill]

1 minute ago, dhanakorn said:

Just my iPhone. I like the convenience of point, shoot, and share without having to carry another camera with me. Cell phone camera is pretty good nowadays. 

 

Your's certainly is.

 

Thanks for all the great photos.

[KLM3164]

7 hours ago, dhanakorn said:

 

 

This looks delicious! What is it? Love the Princess Plus package.

[cruise.gal]

On 1/25/2022 at 9:06 AM, KathyJ said:

Try a Toasted Almond Martini!!! they go down much too easy however!

Oh...thanks for the reminder!  They are the best...will be on Feb 5th Majestic.

[leet102]

Thank you for the detailed trip in PV.  I hope to follow that same plan when I'm on in a few weeks.  Much appreciated!

[trishbk]

On 1/27/2022 at 12:26 AM, dhanakorn said:

Then I took the bus back to Walmart. I just want to get the Activia yogurts. Walmart here is very popular for both locals and tourists. I think it’s a main attraction in itself for cruise passengers. 
 

Carnival Panorama docked just right across the street from Walmart. 

 

They don’t allow you to walk inside the terminal but they have a trolley to take you back to Princess terminal. 

 

I still had a couple hours before all aboard time. So I went to Playa de Oro or the Golden beach. This’s is just a short walk from terminal building. It’s a very nice beach I could spend the whole day here instead of going to the town. 

 

 

 

The beach is close enough that you don’t need to worry about getting back in time. 

 

Walking back to the ship from the terminal building. 

Thank you for such marvelous photos. Which iPhone are you using and which setting? 

[mlgb]

Looking forward to your report on Mazatlan!

 

[dockman]

On 1/23/2022 at 4:22 PM, dockman said:

some good football games on the big screen...

 

.and speaker leo rossi ex tour manager of fleetwood mac is a very entertaining man with some fantastic stories of his days with the who beach boys fleetwood mac and many other big bands/names

Leo is also on again for the jan 29 cruise ...today he did presentation on beach boys 50th anniversary world tour which he ran....some great stories from a guy who was there...

 

[dockman]

For those going to mazatlan...when u get off the ship they have a little free trolley car that takes u less than 5 mins ride to the main gate of the terminal...from there if u want to just walk round a bit there is a BLUE line built into the sidewalk and all you have to do is follow the blue line and it will lead you on a short walk to Old Mazatlan Machao Square etc...very nearby is the ocean front malecon of the old town with several decent coffee shops/restaurants like Ricos...the main tourist area with high rise hotels etc is a bit further south....between the ship and the square i passed by about ten or so armed police standing on the street corners but saw no problems at all...pleasant neighborhood....so if all u want is a short walk off the ship to see a bit of the town this might be a sufficient stroll...the terminal is also full of bars/shops/etc if that is what u like.

[1emerald1]

35 minutes ago, dockman said:

For those going to mazatlan...when u get off the ship they have a little free trolley car that takes u less than 5 mins ride to the main gate of the terminal...from there if u want to just walk round a bit there is a BLUE line built into the sidewalk and all you have to do is follow the blue line and it will lead you on a short walk to Old Mazatlan Machao Square etc...very nearby is the ocean front malecon of the old town with several decent coffee shops/restaurants like Ricos...the main tourist area with high rise hotels etc is a bit further south....between the ship and the square i passed by about ten or so armed police standing on the street corners but saw no problems at all...pleasant neighborhood....so if all u want is a short walk off the ship to see a bit of the town this might be a sufficient stroll...the terminal is also full of bars/shops/etc if that is what u like.

Would you say this is a safe walk for a solo female?

[trishbk]

3 hours ago, dockman said:

For those going to mazatlan...when u get off the ship they have a little free trolley car that takes u less than 5 mins ride to the main gate of the terminal...from there if u want to just walk round a bit there is a BLUE line built into the sidewalk and all you have to do is follow the blue line and it will lead you on a short walk to Old Mazatlan Machao Square etc...very nearby is the ocean front malecon of the old town with several decent coffee shops/restaurants like Ricos...the main tourist area with high rise hotels etc is a bit further south....between the ship and the square i passed by about ten or so armed police standing on the street corners but saw no problems at all...pleasant neighborhood....so if all u want is a short walk off the ship to see a bit of the town this might be a sufficient stroll...the terminal is also full of bars/shops/etc if that is what u like.

You can also hike up to El Faro, the lighthouse at the entrance to the Mazatlán harbor. We did it on our own a few weeks ago. No cost to climb it. You can pay a $1 at the top if you want to walk out on the sky deck at the very top or pay $1 to use the bathrooms at the bottom of the hill. Princess offers an excursion but you can do it yourself. Just be sure to wear sturdy tennis shoes and leave your flip flops on the ship.

[dockman]

5 hours ago, 1emerald1 said:

Would you say this is a safe walk for a solo female?

yes..i saw no problems at all

[dhanakorn]

Let’s continue with Day 5. Today we docked in Mazatlan. Like @dockman mentioned earlier, you need to take a free trolley from the ship to the terminal since it’s an industrial port you aren’t allowed to walk inside. Picture below is the trolley waiting right by the ship. 

 

There’re many shops and restaurants in the terminal so you don’t actually need to leave the terminal area if you don’t want to. I was in Mazatlan less than a month ago so this time I plan to do the excursion by myself. Old Town and beach is again my plan for today.
 

When you get out of the terminal gate and cross the street, you’ll see the sign to follow the Blue Line next to the convenient store OXXO. This blue line painted on the street will lead you to the Old Town. 

 

There’re volunteers wearing blue t shirt handing out the map and will help you with the direction.

 

You’ll also see a few tourist polices along the blue line. The presence of police gives you some sense of security. It’s very safe to walk in this part of town.