Diamond Princess Mexico mini-review

[sprinkles]

Hi All,

 

Just got off the ship yesterday and still rockin. I was asked to post a review on here (posted on Mexico boards re ports), so here's a few thoughts on our cruise. This was our 9th cruise on Princess, live in Los Angeles so only had to drive there and park our car. Inside cabin (Dolphin 518) awesome quiet cabin only had neighbors on one side, never heard ANYTHING from the service area next to us. Plenty of room - except the smallest shower we've ever had on any cruiseline. Spent two nights on the miserable beds and finally asked our room steward for egg crates which really helped.

 

Signed up for the couples pass for the Sanctuary in the Spa, $109 for both of us for the week and it was worth the money to us. Check out this area on the first day. They have five heated stone beds to lay on (they were very popular, but we rarely had to wait for one) then several sauna's. We LOVED the stone beds, then the aromatherapy sauna. It was a great way to wind down the day then get ready for dinner.

 

Casino was fun, hit for $250.00 twice on quarter video poker. Once on the first night and then on the last night, all the time in-between the casino was tough.

 

Shows were good, don't miss Jim McDonald comedian - hysterical. Production shows, if you want to have a good seat you have to go EARLY. Check out the upper balcony seats on either side, we loved the view from here. Also completely enjoyed the head chef's show on the last sea day (we've never done it - very funny), galley tour was packed, but again fun to do, if you've never seen it.

 

Food was generally good. Tried all four restaurants in the personal choice, sorry didn't really have a favorite. Did not go to Sabatini's or the steak house. Never had a problem getting a table for two. Buffet was generally good as well.

 

Pools - First sea day was cold. Second, we spent out by the outside main pool, got there around 9:00am so had our choice of loungers. By 11:00am it was pretty packed. Last sea day, fell in love with the rear adult pool area. Had patience and finally got two loungers right by the back railing and spent about 3 hours just watching the wake and the horizon.

 

Most of the time we never felt like we were on a ship with 2600 people, they were scattered about (except for some of the shows). Signed up for express walk off on the last day. If you can carry your own luggage and don't have any Princess transfers or tours you can do this and MANY people did. We were supposed to be able to walk off first between 7:00am and 8:15 am. Ship wasn't cleared until after 8:00am, we were in our car by 9:15am. We heard several people freaking out about early flights. If doing independant air, I would not book anything before 1:30pm on this one, just my suggestion, but alot of things can happen with a ship this big.

 

Very enjoyable relaxing cruise, personally we still prefer smaller ships, however I would do this cruise again. Wrote about the ports on the Mexico board - LOVED Cabo!!!! If you're going, have a great time! Any questions feel free to ask.

 

Tammy

[tnkrbell13]

Thanks for your review! We are headed there in about 3 months!

Hope the comedian is still there in January. We were HAL and loved the food and beds, but the entertainment was weak.

 

Heading over to ports board to read your review there as well!:D

[Perky1]

Thanks for the review Tammy.... I am off to the Mexico ports board to read about the ports.... I will likely have questions.

[johnnaa]

Hi Tammy,

 

Thanks so much for posting the great review of your cruise. I leave on 10/7 on the Diamond. Do you happen to remember what night Island night was with the deck party?

 

Thanks again for taking the time to let us know how your cruise was.

 

Johnna

[Colo Cruiser]

Thanks! :)

[Matt143]

Thanks for the very informative post.

 

Did you notice if on formal nights, most people got dressed up(formally that is?)

 

Also, did you find you had enough time at each port?

 

Glad you had a good time!

[judyjudy56]

Was JJ the Cruise Director? We were on the Diamond repo right before your cruise and he was the CD. We were very disappointed in him.

 

Judy

[LAC2]

Thanks Tammy for the review. We're sailing in November, same cruise, same ship.

[survivor]

Thanks for the review.Going in November and this info. makes it more exciting.

Did you go on any Princess tours and if so how were they? I read that the Horizon Court has made some changes so it is easier to get to and not so crowded,how was it? What time did you go to the shows,early or late? We also like the casino so maybe you can send us some luck??? Glad you liked the cruise:)

[calikak]

Tammy, thanks for the review! We leave in 2 1/2 weeks and this really helps make the waiting easier! :)

[ScootRN2]

Hi All,

 

Just got off the ship yesterday and still rockin. I was asked to post a review on here (posted on Mexico boards re ports), so here's a few thoughts on our cruise. This was our 9th cruise on Princess

Tammy

 

HI TAMMY:

THANKS SO VERY VERY MUCH FOR THE REVIEW. WE ARE LEAVING THIS SAT OCT 7 FOR THIS SAME CRUISE.

TAKE CARE & HAPPY CRUISING

MYRA

[sonomaphil]

Sounds great! We'll be on the Decmeber 9th cruise!

[sprinkles]

Hi All,

 

Glad to help:

 

ANSWERS:

 

ISLAND NIGHT - We're pretty sure that Island Night was Tuesday after Puerto Vallarta (ours got moved inside due to rain).

 

FORMAL NIGHTS - Completely ran the gamut. DH wore his tux and was in the minority, but did not feel out of place (I did not feel out of place wearing a gown either). However, saw everything in-between down to people in the casino wearing shorts (I better not say any more on this before I get myself into trouble).

 

CRUISE DIRECTOR - Yes, it was JJ.

 

HORIZON COURT - Seemed to move well enough. We never had any problems just bibbing in and grabbing something. We actually ate our first dinner up there and the food was good.

 

SHOWS - After the first time trying to go to a show in the Princess theater and it was standing room only, we would go to the early shows and go at least 30 min early to save our seats. Anything in the Explorer's Lounge you want to see make sure you go EARLY. We missed out on the Newlywed/not so newlywed game as we got there 30 minutes early and it was standing room only already.

 

Have a great time everyone!!!!!

 

Tammy