Puerto Vallarta - how soon can I get off the ship?

[HeyImOnABoat]

On the Solstice in the near future, with a stop in Puerto Vallarta. The ship schedule says 7am arrival. Realistically, what's the soonest I can be on the gangway if I am doing an independent excursion? Trying to time the start of my activity accordingly!

 

And how hard is it to get an Uber from that dock?

[TeeRick]

If the ship arrives at 7AM, expect it will take a minimum of 30 min to clear for passengers to leave the ship.  To be safe I would not plan anything before 8AM.

[sun bum]

Enjoy your cruise. Celebrity will not being doing that itinerary after this year.

[Kelownadon]

Do you know the reason why not?

[kwokpot]

19 minutes ago, HeyImOnABoat said:

On the Solstice in the near future, with a stop in Puerto Vallarta. The ship schedule says 7am arrival. Realistically, what's the soonest I can be on the gangway if I am doing an independent excursion? Trying to time the start of my activity accordingly!

 

And how hard is it to get an Uber from that dock?

I'm sorry I can't remember when you were first allowed off but I think it was around 7:30. Regarding Uber it's best that you exit the cruise terminal shopping area and go out to the public streets. There's a Shell gas station if you walk out of the main exit and you can order you Uber to pick you up around the gas station. Last week we ordered an Uber to take us to the start of the Malecon (you can choose Hotel Rosita or Winclub Casino) and it was about $5US. We walked the Maecon all the way and back to the starting point. When we tried to order an Uber back to the cruiseport no one picked up the ride. After 15 minutes we flagged down a cab. We had no  Pesos so asked about the rate in $ and it was $10. We took that and was dropped off right at the port shopping complex entrance.  

Edited February 27, 2023 by kwokpot

[kwokpot]

The red dot is where you exit and/or get dropped off by taxi. The blue dot is where we were told by the Uber driver to meet him. He picked us up on the curbside of the gas station on the main road(on the right hand side not visible in the photo) 

Edit: Google maps photos hasn't been updated. There's a huge shopping complex now right at the pier with shops and restaurants. You have to walk through it in order to get to and/or from the ship pier. 

Edited February 27, 2023 by kwokpot

[sun bum]

3 hours ago, Kelownadon said:

Do you know the reason why not?

Not really. We just got off the Beyond and was speaking with the Future Cruise rep about it. She said this was the last year. Also no sailings out of San Juan, PR after this year. 

[Georgia_Peaches]

5 hours ago, TeeRick said:

If the ship arrives at 7AM, expect it will take a minimum of 30 min to clear for passengers to leave the ship.  To be safe I would not plan anything before 8AM.

Do you happen to know if ship time is the same as local time?  I think there are a few time changes and we have an 11 AM excursion and I don't want to be early/late bc we got confused about the time change...

[Arizona Wildcat]

5 hours ago, Kelownadon said:

Do you know the reason why not?

There are several places in Mexico and Central America with increasing security issues.  Gangs and drugs mostly with the follow on crimes involving pickpockets and grabbing purses, necklaces etc. 

[kwokpot]

26 minutes ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

Do you happen to know if ship time is the same as local time?  I think there are a few time changes and we have an 11 AM excursion and I don't want to be early/late bc we got confused about the time change...

For the Mexican Riviera itineraries the ship is on local time in each port of call. 

[Rtowncruiser]

8 hours ago, Kelownadon said:

Do you know the reason why not?

The Solstice was never planned to be on the West Coast. It's original itinerary was to be in Japan and Asia. But with Covid, that was canceled. They repositioned the Sosltice to Los Angeles until the pandemic passed. They will be doing the Asia routes after summer in Alaska. 

[Rtowncruiser]

Busses can take you to the Malecon for 10 pesos. (50 cents) if you are more adventurous 🙂

[Mark_K]

17 hours ago, sun bum said:

Not really. We just got off the Beyond and was speaking with the Future Cruise rep about it. She said this was the last year. Also no sailings out of San Juan, PR after this year. 

Summit is sailing out of San Juan for the 2024/2025 winter season.

[Hlitner]

If you are truly docked at 7 you would likely be able to get off around 7:30.  As to Uber, they are not allowed into the port (nor are the local taxis) since that area is restricted to a special group of "federal" taxis (who are not allowed to pick-up anyone outside of the port).  So, if you want Uber you will need to walk outside the port and set-up a meeting spot with the Uber driver.

 

I will not show you a map because, here in Puerto Vallarta, we have three cruise piers (all within the the same port) that have different exits.  Your ship could be docked at any of the 3 piers depending on what else is in port and the decision of the Port Captain.

 

Hank