Oosterdam - Shore Excursions Mexican West Coast

[Waltzing Reg]

My wife and I are scheduled to travel on Oosterdam January 18, and we are uncertain about which shore excursions to book. I would appreicate any suggestions from those who have recently cruised the Mexican West Coast. Thanks.

[Crewmates]

Hi Waltzing Reg,

 

What are your ports?

 

Richard

[Ine]

What are you willing to do?

Boatrides, beach, jeeptours?

 

Ports are P. Vallarta, Cabo s. Lucas and Mazatlan

[JEBurton]

Tips to help you decide on tours:

 

Step 1 - read the shore excursion booklet provided in your cruise docs by HAL. Decide which tours you are interested in/capable of doing for each port.

 

Step 2 - check out the following sites:

 

http://www.cabosanlucastours.net

 

http://www.mazatlantours.org

 

http://www.puertovallartatours.net

 

I just returned from the M.R. cruise on the O, and used the above links to book a tour in each port. You must pay in advance - check out their cancellation policy before booking. Everything worked out fine for us. For example, the tour in PV was to Las Calestas, $102 charged by HAL, I paid $72; basically the same tour.

 

Also, go the the "roll calls" board for your particular sailing. Usually there is a lot of info posted by fellow cruisers.

 

good luck,

 

john

[Crewmates]

In PV, we highly recommend an evening adventure called the Rhythms of the Night. It was a definite highlight of our cruise. To learn more about it, go to:

 

http://www.vallarta-adventures.com/rhythms/index.html

 

We booked though the ship but have talked to others who booked direct. I am not sure if HAL lists this tour on the O. If so, it may be advantageous to book through the ship in case you encounter any delays in returning to the ship. At least they will wait for you. You have a 45 minute boat ride across Bandaras Bay to the site of the dinner and show. Then you have the return trip. By the way, the crew of the boat is half the fun. They are terrific.

[JEBurton]

Here's the link to a tour broker who sells the Rhythms tour. $76.50/pp.

 

http://www.puertovallartatours.net/rhythms-of-the-night.htm

 

 

I would think if you booked this tour independent of HAL, you'd be on the same boat as the HAL passengers returning to the marina after the show. Wouldn't make much sense to run two boats unless HAL prohibits not-HAL passengers on the HAL boat. Check with the tour broker first, to make sure they will get you back to the ship on time.

 

One important note: The local time in PV will be one hour ahead of the ship's time. The ship does not change their time when they arrive in PV. For example, 10 am on the ship is 11 am local time in PV.

 

Take something warm to wear on the boat - and take ear plugs if you don't like loud music!

[Crewmates]

When we did the Rhythms of the Night, they ran two boats. One was strictly those who booked from the Vision of the Seas and it headed out first. The second boat arrived at Las Caletas about a half hour to 45 minutes later than we arrived. I don't know where the passengers on the second boat came from. I don't believe they came from the Vision of the Seas. Our boat left first and the second boat, I think, left shortly after us (nothing left to do - show was over and the bars closed.

 

JEBurton is correct when the suggestion is made ot take a jacket. It does get chilly on the boat; especially the return trip.

[Waltzing Reg]

Thanks to all who responded. We have booked the Rhythm of the Nights.