Any opinions on The Pride to Mexican Riviera?

[float'n fanatics]

My husband and I are in the process of planning what is becoming our annual May cruise for 2008. We've done the Eastern & Western Caribbean, both on The Glory. We're definitely looking for something different, because in 2009, we'll probably be doing the Eastern again with some of our CC roll call friends from this past cruise. We like the conquest class, but just looking to change it up a little.

We live on the east coast, and we're looking for opinions on flying into Long beach, staying on The Queen Mary and then cruising on The Pride to The Mexican Riviera.

Neither of us has ever been to California, so that in itself would be an adventure. It will cost a little more to fly into Long Beach, but we think it will be worth it to avoid LAX as well as the traffic associated with LA.

Would anyone like to offer any opinions, tips or advice?

Thanks in advance!

[SunnieD]

We did this cruise in March. It was our tenth anniversary and we too wanted something different. we flew out of Richmond, Va into LAX. It was not bad at all, either direction. We stayed on the Queen Mary the night before and met up with CC friends and family from California and had a great time. The Pride is beautiful, and very well laid out. That is one of the reasons we chose the Miracle for next summer. We had a great time in the ports as well. There is not the same blue waters as the caribbean, and we only walked in the ocean once, that was in Peurto Vallarta at the Nikki Beach Resort (Westin). We did see some whale activity, too. It was my DH first time on the West Coast at all. We enjoyed it very much. The rates were way better than on the East Coast too. Hope this helps.

[Cobra1365]

We were in the same boat (no pun intended) as you. East Coasters and had done East & West Carib and Canada. We wanted to do something different. But, we honestly consider this our least favorite Carnival cruise.

The ship while very beautiful, seemed extremely noisy to us both. All of the intercoms were turned up to full volume, the casino machines were all extremely loud, and even the guests seemed noisier than other ships!:confused: We asked some other guests and they said the same thing!

Also, there seemd to be a bigger push to sell stuff on this ship. Art auction announced what seemed like every half hour. And constant suggestions to tip over and above!!! Which really surprised me!

Again though, we were on a cruise so it's pretty hard for me NOT to enjoy myself!

I thought Cabo was great...even considered doing an all inclusive there.

Mazatlan, we did a beach break to an island and did some kayaking.

Puerta Vallarta, we did another beach break excursion but the boat ride to and from ate up most of the time.

We went in November and the cruise out of Cali until we got far enough South was pretty chilly, so at sea days were indoor days.

 

The cruise director did a skit where he brings up some people from the audience and has them act out a story he narrates...pretty funny stuff.

 

Again, a different cruise, we can say we did it, but won't do it again.

[molly361]

We are also interested in hearing from others that have done this. As you can see from our signature we are going on the Pride next April. We live in south Florida have done both Eastern and Wester numerous times so we would like a change. We already have tickets to fly into LAX, only because flying into Long Beach would involve two planes instaed of just one.

[dbrucern]

My husband and I are in the process of planning what is becoming our annual May cruise for 2008. We've done the Eastern & Western Caribbean' date=' both on The Glory. We're definitely looking for something different, because in 2009, we'll probably be doing the Eastern again with some of our CC roll call friends from this past cruise. We like the conquest class, but just looking to change it up a little.[/color']

We live on the east coast, and we're looking for opinions on flying into Long beach, staying on The Queen Mary and then cruising on The Pride to The Mexican Riviera.

Neither of us has ever been to California, so that in itself would be an adventure. It will cost a little more to fly into Long Beach, but we think it will be worth it to avoid LAX as well as the traffic associated with LA.

 

Would anyone like to offer any opinions, tips or advice?

Thanks in advance!

 

We also live on the East Coast and had never been out to the West Coast. We flew into San Diego (cheaper flight) - beautiful city and area spent a two days there going to Coronodo Island and seeing the hotel, had lunch at Old town and walked around Seaport Village and headed downtown to the Mall and for dinner, easy to get around by taxi and not that expensive ( taxi was round $11 - $13 for trips). We rented a car the next day and drove up the Pacific Coast Highway - great drive - beautiful area and beach towns just like on TV. Very easy to find our way around and straight into Long Beach and our hotel. We chose to stay at the Long Beach coastal hotel which just a short walk to the Queen Mary where we went for drinks and walked around. The hotel allowed up to keep the car there and supplied us with a transfer over to the ship and picked us up when we arrived back. Then we drove back to San Diego 1 1/2 hr drive on a Sunday and were at the airport in plenty of time for flight back. We walked around PV and also did the Pirate Excursion definently adult entertainment. We loved Matzalan took private tour of the area, ended up in the Golden Zone for shopping and ate at Poncho's great food and drink right on the ocean. Went parasailing $40 from the beach - was the most amazing thing. Our taxi driver that had taken us all over came back at the time and location he said he would be and took us back to the ship. Cobo, walked around the town went to Cobo Wabo and shopped next time we will go to a all inclusive for the day. Loved the cruise and the ports. You will have a great time, happy cruising.

[Ykgorbie]

We just returned from the Pride - went 09/09-09/16 and had a great time, although it was our first cruise so we have nothing to compare it to. I posted quite a lengthly review if you want to search for it - it's relatively new - use Ykgorbie to search....

[boaterette]

I am sailing on the Pride for the second time this coming Sunday. I really like the ship. It will be chilly the first and last sea day so bring a light sweater. The ship is beautiful. We had a great time the first time and am looking forward to this one.

[piggs]

We too choose the Pride to do something different. I loved the ship and found it quieter than the Conquest and the Valor. We really enjoyed the layout of having the back of the ship open instead of enclosed like the Conquest class. We were out there all the time too as that pool is adults only so it just seemed quieter there. The check-in by staying on the Queen Mary made this our favorite embarkation port. It is just WAY too easy!

As someone else posted you will not find the same beautiful blue carribean water, and the water activities in Cabo, it was cold in July! We had to wear wet suits to snuba. We did swim at a beach in the Golden Zone in Mazatlan, and the temp was great for playing in the water.

We flew in to LAX , all 17 of us, and had a shuttle pre-arranged. When someone else is doing the driving there is no traffic problem at all. We flew in on Friday. Saturday we hired a company to do an all day tour of LA, it was great. Many in the family had never been to California before so this was another reason we chose the Pride.

If you are looking for "different" this should do it. We are glad we did it once but coming from MI, and TN we will probably only do the extra expense this one time and go back to the carribean;) Unless we can talk the parents into Hawaii or the kids into seeing Alaska!!!!

[izzyvet]

We were on the Pride to Mexico a few years back, it was our first carnival cruise and one of our favorite cruises overall. We really enjoyed the ship and my DH still raves about David's supper club! Our room was really comfortable, the food was outstanding and the service excellent. We liked all the ports we went too as well. Did deep-sea fishing in Mazatlan, the zip-line tour in Puerto-Vallarta and hung out on the beach in Cabo.

 

We flew into LAX and took a shuttle into Long Beach. It was less hassle than I thought it would be. Hotwired a hotel in Long Beach, but would consider staying on the Queen Mary (especially now after having seen the Ghost Hunters episode about her) next time we are there. After the cruise we had a late flight out of LAX, so we rented a convertable and drove all over LA sightseeing. Had never been to LA so that was fun!

 

We are from Colorado, so flying to any port is pretty far, but CA is the closest for us. For us it was a very short trip and that's one of the reason's we would want to do this trip again.

[float'n fanatics]

Thanks so much to everyone for their opinions and thoughts! There certainly are a lot of things to take into consideration. lol

Thanks again!

[CALMOM]

I live in San Diego and have been to the Mexican Riviera but on the Elation during Spring Break. My family will be sailing on the Pride July 2008 to the Mexican Riviera. I cannot speak of the Pride but the Mexican Riviera will be a little chilly on the water in May so bring a sweater for the evenings. You are correct to avoid the traffic at LAX, it is extremely busy. The Queen Mary is very impressive but can be expensive. If you fly into San Diego it is about 75 minute drive to San Pedro, the ship's port.

 

The ports Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan & Cabo are very different ports. Puerto Vallarta is pretty much a partying port with lots of shops, bars and great snorkeling. Mazatlan has a lot of history and some of the most beautiful churches I have ever seen. Cabo is another partying port with some great parasailing.

 

When we went to the Eastern Caribbean on the Glory, the only difference I could see was the Eastern Caribbean had beautiful water. I thought both places had the same types hard selling as soon as you get off the ship. I would suggest avoiding the shops close to the ship as most of it is junk for high prices. Most important only drink bottled water to avoid a stomach virus.

We mainly cruise this initinerary because of the cruise ship not the ports.

 

Have a great time.

[Wennfred]

Been on the Pride twice, very nice ship, email me at wennfred@cox.net and I will send you a nice detailed review on the Pride including info on the Port of Long Beach, makes for fun reading.

 

 

Fred

[glrounds]

. . . have cruised the Mexican Riviera 10 times (2 on the PRIDE).

 

True, because the PRIDE is a Spirit-classed ship the aft Lido deck is open to the sea. This is by far my favorite place to "hang out". Open to the sea 270 degrees, afternoon burgers, bar, adult pool and jacuzzi with food right through the doorway to the buffet. :) The SPIRIT has 2 promenade decks, easy moving from one part of the ship to another. The art work is phenomenal IMHO and David's Super Club is just plain beautiful. (see my webshots below). The ship, in general, is immaculate and the service the best I've experienced on Carnival. This ship is, of course, local for LA so frequently filled with some of the "hippest" folks :rolleyes: and the disco runs 'til almost 4:00 every morning (except the last night when it seems everyone collapses).

 

The Long Beach airport is a little closer than LAX, but since most arriving to cruise the PRIDE are arriving on Sat or Sun, traffic is not quite as bad on the dreaded 405 and the trip from LAX to the PRIDE should be relatively short (around 30 minutes vs. 15 minutes for Long Beach). All other things being equal, I would select Long Beach because its much smaller and less congested. I use it all the time to fly to the East coast to cruise for just this reason. Carnival cruisers used to get a reduced rate at the QUEEN MARY, which is berthed right next to the PRIDE. Whether you stay on the "Queen" or not, early check-in occurs here, so you can start as early as 9:00, get all your docs setup in the "Queen" and then board the PRIDE after doing the x-ray and embarkation pic. Best embarkation I've ever experienced with everything housed in the old Hughes "Spruce Goose" dome.

 

Cruising in May could be chilly at sea at first, but around noon on the first day at sea you'll be going past Los Cabos, well into Mexican waters, and it should be pleasant from there on. The Pacific along the coast is darker and colder because the current is coming from the North (Canada & Alaska). Currents moving up the East coast come from the South (think Gulfstream). Colder water has more plankton in it making it darker (whales love plankton :D).

 

I don't do excursions so I can't help anyone there. Prefer to hang with the locals, do little mom'n'pop 3 table cafes. In Puerto Vallarta I have always hit the NO NAME CAFE (owned by a Chicago sports fan with every kind of Bulls, Bears, and Cubs memorabilia, a rowdy sports crowd, and fun to be a Laker fan in here ) Lots of great leather shops and party central for this cruise.

 

If you like horses, don't miss Randi's Happy Horses as a local excursion in Mazatlan. Run horses down the deserted beach of Stone Island, have lunch at Victor's right on the beach (fantastic grilled shrimp) with Randi buying the first drink. Randi is great, has great helpers, gentle and healthy horses, and is very reasonable ($35 when I was there :eek:)

Mazatlan does have some beautiful cathedrals, beautiful old buildings, fabulous ocean resorts in the " Gold Zone" with the craziest of Senior Frog's. The Shrimp Bucket for lunch in the old part of the beach. Just terrific. The downtown market is not to be missed with the world's best horchata, a traditional Mexican drink similar in popularity only to our lemonade (if you like rice pudding you'll love this).

 

Many times in the past I never even bothered getting off the ship at Los Cabos. But now, of course, the entire port area has been redone and faster ships allow for a longer stay (used to be 4 hours) here before heading for home. Can't remember the name, but a great little restaurant right on the malecon with great fish tacos, $1 beer. You must do the Cabo Wabo (at least pick up a t-shirt :)).

 

Have a great cruise. Enjoy your stay in Southern California and tell everyone back home about the Left Coast. :D

[nrose6]

not sure if i can say airlines...but an airline with jets that are blue had $109.00 fares each way from TONS of east coast cities to long beach! i got form fort lauderdale to long beach for 218 (rt)

[Wennfred]

not sure if i can say airlines...but an airline with jets that are blue had $109.00 fares each way from TONS of east coast cities to long beach! i got form fort lauderdale to long beach for 218 (rt)

 

I dont think JetBlue is considered one of those T/A for booking cruises etc. so Im sure you can mention them on here.

 

Fred

[bacm]

We did the Pride in Dec 06 and it was one of the nicest cruises we've been on. Everyone on the ship could not have been nicer and the food was very good. Better quality than on any other carnival ship we had been on. After being on several caribbean cruises the ports were a breath of fresh air. We did the following excursions and I would recommend each one. They were all great!

 

Mazatlan - Sierra Madre Tour

PV - Mismaloya City Tour

Cabo - Sea Kayak Eco Adventure

 

As someone else has stated the water isn't as blue and it can be chilly the 1st and last days at sea, but even with that it was a great time. Enjoy.

[Wennfred]

Do not miss Rythms of the Night tour in P.V. you do this one in the evening, during the morning do the Dolphin Swim.

 

 

Fred

[skiorcruise]

Just a minor correction to clear up any confusion...

 

Someone up above mentioned that the Pride's Port is San Pedro. Not true. Carnival's ships (Pride & Paradise) both sail from the Port of Long Beach. This port is in Long Beach, right next to the Queen Mary. When driving, follow the signs to the Queen, you can't miss it. The other cruise lines use the Port of Los Angeles, which is in San Pedro. It is about 10 or 15 minutes drive time between the two ports, depending on traffic.

 

 

I had a TA set us up for a hotel in San Pedro for the Paradise. Long Beach would have been closer and easier. All of that said, either area works.