easy22 Posted January 21, 2008 #1 Share Posted January 21, 2008 here is the journal ship is being refurbished over the next 6 months. it needs some TLC. service was outstanding. i never met so many wonderful waiters and cabin stewards etc NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINES 8 DAY TO MEXICO JANUARY 11, 2008 FIRST TIP I THINK IS TO REQUEST A STARBOARD CABIN. YOU GET GREAT SUNSETS ALL THE WAY DOWN AND IN ACAPULCO THEN ON THE WAY UP GREAT VIEW IN ZIHUATANEJO HARBOR AND YOU CAN SEE THE CITIES ON THE SHORE AS YOU GO BY. OTHER SIDE SEES OPEN SEA. SECOND TIP IS DO NOT EAT AT SOHO UPSCALE RESTAURANT. IT WAS $25 PER PERSON AND FOOD AND SERVICE WERE NOT GOOD. WE ARRIVED AT THE PIER AT 11:30AM AND BOARDED ABOUT NOON AFTER FAIRLY ORGANIZED BOARDING PROCESS. LINES MOVED PRETTY FAST. WE THEN HAD LUNCH AND THEN WENT DOWN TO SECURE OUR RESTAURANT RESERVATIONS FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS. WE LEFT AT 4PM AND STEAMED RAPIDLY FOR 2 3/4 DAYS TO ACAPULCO. ONCE THERE, WE STAYED THERE FROM NOON TO MIDNIGHT SHIP TIME. PROBLEM WAS, THAT’S 1PM SHORE TIME SO WE MISSED THE CLIFFDIVERS SHOW. THEY DID AN EXTRA SHOW LATER THOUGH BECAUSE SO MANY CRUISE SHIPS IN TOWN SO WE DID GET TO SEE THAT. IT’S $7 TO GET IN TO STAND ON THE CLOSER CLIFF TO WATCH OR JUST HAVE YOUR VAN DRIVER PARK ALONG THE RAILING AND TAKE PICTURES FROM THERE FOR FREE. YOU CAN’T CATCH THEM ON FILM ANYWAY, THEY GO SO FAST INTO THE WATER. ALSO, CAN GET OUT AND AWAY FASTER THAT WAY WHEN IT’S DONE. SOME PEOPLE FROM THE SHIP HIRED THE BOAT FROM FISH R US www.fish-r-us.com AND THEY REALLY ENJOYED BEING DOWN AT THE BOTTOM OF THE CLIFFS AS THE DIVERS CAME INTO THE WATER. WE USED A PRIVATE VAN CALLED ARTURO’S AND WE REALLY THOUGHT IT WAS A GREAT DEAL AT $20 EACH FOR 4 HOUR TOUR, MINIMUM 6 PEOPLE. VERY COMFORTABLY SEATS 7 AND WOULD SEAT 10 JUST FINE. AIR CONDITIONED AND ROMEO, OUR DRIVER, SPOKE EXCELLENT ENGLISH. HIGHLY RECOMMEND GUIASACAPULCO@HOTMAIL.COM. WE HAD WINE IN THE SUITCASE BUT THEIR X RAY CAUGHT THAT AND WE HAD TO PAY $15 PER BOTTLE CORKAGE FEE OR THEY’D KEEP IT UNTIL THE END OF THE CRUISE AND THEN RETURN IT. EVEN AT THAT, IT WAS CHEAPER TO BRING OUR OWN WINE ON BOARD THAN ORDER THEIRS. THEY HAD EVERYONE WHO HAD LIQUOR DETECTED IN THEIR LUGGAGE COME TO CLAIM IT AT 5PM THE FIRST DAY IN THE LIBRARY. THEY TAGGED THEM AS PAID AND THEN I COULD TAKE THEM. THERE IS AN OXXO STORE WHICH IS LIKE 7-11 ABOUT 1 BLOCK DOWN TO THE LEFT AND ACROSS THE STREET ONCE YOU GET TO ACAPULCO SO YOU CAN BUY COKES AND WATER ETC. THERE IS A SHOPPING VILLAGE ON THE BEACH RIGHT ACROSS FROM THERE. ALL THIS IS VERY EASY WALKING DISTANCE FROM THE SHIP. YOU CAN TAKE A BOAT TO LA ROQUETA ISLAND FOR ONLY $4 ROUND TRIP FOR A NICE BEACH AND SNORKELING OR GLASS BOTTOM BOAT TO THE ISLAND FOR $8 BUT THEY SAID IT’S NOT WORTH THE EXTRA MONEY. DON’T SEE MUCH ANYWAY. IF I’M EVER THERE AGAIN, I’LL DO THAT. I THINK I’LL JUST HOP IN A CAB AND TELL THEM TO TAKE ME TO THE GLASS BOTTOM BOAT PIER. IT’S A BIT FAR TO WALK FOR ME BUT NOT OUT OF THE QUESTION IF YOU WANT TO WALK. JUST TURN RIGHT AS YOU LEAVE THE SHIP. LAST TIME WE TOOK THE BUS TO PIE DE LA CUESTA FOR 35 CENTS. THAT WAS VERY VERY FUN. AND WE TOOK A SMALL BOAT AROUND THE NATURE PRESERVE THERE AS WELL FOR $10 EACH FOR AN HOUR. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THAT AS WELL. WONDERFUL LUNCH ONLY $5 A WHOLE BBQ RED SNAPPER AND RICE, BEANS AND TORTILLAS. $1 BEERS AND HAMMOCKS TO LAY IN. WE RETURNED TO THE SHIP ABOUT 6PM AND HAD DINNER AT LA TRATTORIA ITALIAN RESTAURANT. MAKE A RESERVATION FOR WHEN YOU’RE IN ACAPULCO BECAUSE IT IS ON DECK 12 PORT SIDE AND OVERLOOKS ACAPULCO HARBOR ALL LIT UP. REALLY BEAUTIFUL. NO EXTRA CHARGE FOR THIS RESTAURANT AND VERY GOOD FOOD. NEXT DAY WAS ZIHUATANEJO. DID SOME SHOPPING, HAD A PINA COLADA $3 AND A $1 BEER. THE FARTHER YOU WALK TO THE RIGHT OF THE MAIN DOCK, THE CHEAPER THINGS GET. THEN TOOK THE FERRY TO LAS GATAS BEACH. IT’S $3.50 ROUND TRIP TO GO THERE FROM THE MAIN DOCK OR YOU CAN TAKE THE SHIP TOUR ON SAME BOAT FOR $80. ONCE THERE, THERE ARE RESTAURANTS AND CHAIRS AND UMBRELLAS FOR HIRE. THEY DON’T CHARGE FOR THOSE IF YOU ORDER FOOD AND DRINKS FROM THEM. THERE IS A TENT ON THE BEACH WHERE THEY DO MASSAGE FOR ONLY $20 PER HOUR. I’VE DONE IT TWICE AND THEY ARE REALLY VERY GOOD. NOT JUST RUBBING AROUND BUT DIGGING FOR THE SORE SPOTS LIKE THEY ARE ACTUALLY TRAINED. ANYWAY, IT FEELS REALLY GOOD AND YOU CAN HEAR THE WAVES ROLLING IN. WE HAD TO BE BACK AT THE SHIP BY 1:30 IN THIS PORT SO WE DIDN’T HAVE MUCH TIME THERE BUT YOU CAN TAKE THE BUS TO IXTAPA. RUNS REGULARLY EVERY FEW MINUTES AND IS ONLY ABOUT 40 CENTS AND TAKES 10 MINUTES. PEOPLE WHO WENT OVER THERE SAID IT’S JUST ALL HIGH RISE MODERN HOTELS SO I’M JUST AS GLAD WE DIDN’T WASTE TIME GOING THERE. ZIHUATANEJO IS A CHARMING LITTLE PLACE. NEXT PORT WAS PUERTO VALLARTA. WE GOT THERE 8AM. WE HAD TO LINE UP AT THE SHORE EXCURSION DESK TO GET TENDER TICKETS TO GET OFF THE SHIP. I WAS IN LINE BY 7:45 SO WE GOT ON THE FIRST BOAT. WE THEN TOOK THE BUS TO CENTRO PUERTO VALLARTA. THERE ARE TWO BUSES THAT RUN DOWN THERE, BOTH BLUE AND WHITE. WHEN YOU EXIT THE PORT, TURN LEFT AND THE BUS STOP IS ON THE CORNER RIGHT THERE. YOU CANNOT SCREW THIS UP. ONE SAYS TUNEL AND GOES THRU A TUNNEL IN THE MOUNTAINS AND AROUND THE PERIMETER OF THE CITY BEFORE ENDING UP IN TOWN. THE OTHER GOES DIRECT TO CENTRO. BOTH ARE MARKED ON THE WINDSHIELD. WE TOOK TUNEL ON PURPOSE TO GET THE LONGER RIDE. IT LEFT US OFF AT SENOR FROG’S ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RIVER FROM THE CRUISE SHIP WHICH WAS GREAT AS THAT IS THE START OF THE MALECON FROM THE OPPOSITE END OF WHERE THE THUNDERING HERDS WERE COMING. WE HAD THE PLACE ALL TO OURSELVES FOR A LONG TIME. LOVELY STROLL ALONG THE BOARDWALK. THEN STOPPED FOR A $1 MARGARITA OR BEER AT VILATERRAZZA RIGHT UNDER THE CHEEKY MONKEY. REALLY NICE PLACE WITH GREAT VIEW AND THE DRINKS WERE NOT WATERED DOWN. A NICE RESTING PLACE ABOUT ½ THE WAY ALONG THE MALECON. WE WERE TOLD ABOUT PLACES TO EAT ON THE ISLAND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RIVER AND IT WAS BEAUTIFUL THERE BUT EXPENSIVE AND NOT MEXICAN ENOUGH. TOO FANCY. SO WE ASKED A POLICEMAN AND HE SENT US TO EL TORITO RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET FROM SENOR FROG’S. EXCELLENT LUNCH. BEST BEER BATTERED FISH AND CHIPS EVER AND TONS OF FOOD FOR $7. GREAT FRENCH FRIES AND TORTILLA CHIPS. NOTHING WAS GREASY. WERE PERFECTLY FRIED. THE COMBO MEXICAN PLATE WITH TACO, TOSTADA AND BURRITO WAS ONLY $7 AND THE AZTEC SOUP (TORTILLA SOUP TO US) WAS EXCELLENT AND FILLING AT ONLY $3.50 FOR A VERY LARGE BOWL. WE REALLY LIKED THIS PLACE EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS NO OCEAN VIEW THERE. WE THEN WALKED AROUND A LITTLE MORE THEN TOOK THE BUS BACK TO THE SHIP. AGAIN, EASY TO DO. JUST LOOK FOR THE BLUE AND WHITE ONES AND YOU CAN SEE THE PORT BEFORE YOU GET THERE SO YOU KNOW WHEN TO GET OFF. THERE IS A LARGE GROCERY STORE RIGHT WHERE THE BUS LEAVES YOU OFF SO WE DID A LITTLE SHOPPING AND JUST LOOKING AROUND. MORE COKES AND MARGARITA MIX. A REALLY NICE STORE. CAN GET VANILLA THERE CHEAPER THAN ON THE STREETS AND SEA SALT. THE NEXT DAY WAS CABO SAN LUCAS AND WE GOT THERE ABOUT 7AM. WE WENT DOWN TO THE GANGWAY AT 7:30 AND GOT OFF ABOUT 7:40AM. WE WERE THE FIRST ONES OFF. IT WAS REALLYNICE STROLLING AROUND WHILE IT WAS SO COOL AND BEFORE THERE WERE ANY CROWDS. BY THE TIME IT STARTED GETTING CROWDED ABOUT 9:30AM, WE GOT ON A WHALE WATCHING CATAMARAN TOUR THAT WAS TERRIFIC. WAS PEZGATO DOCKED JUST TO THE RIGHT OF WHERE THE CRUISE SHIP TENDERS LEAVE YOU OFF AT DOCK 4. LINE UP ABOUT 9:30. IT WAS ONLY $30 FOR 2 ½ HOURS INCLUDING FREE DRINKS OF ANY KIND. THEY MADE THE BEST BLOODY MARIAS OF ALL TIME AND TEQUILA SUNRISES TOO. WHATEVER YOU WANTED. NOT JUST PRE MIXED MARGARITAS OR BEER. AND CHIPS, SALSA AND GUACAMOLE. GOOD MUSIC TOO. WAS JUST A PERFECT DAY AND REALLY FUN THING TO DO. WE DID A LITTLE SHOPPING AT THE HANDICRAFT MARKET RIGHT THERE WHERE YOU GET THE TENDER BACK TO THE SHIP THEN WENT BACK ON BOARD. THIS WAS OUR FAVORITE DAY OF ALL. WE SAW 6-7 WHALES AND LOVERS BEACH AND THE FAMOUS ARCH UP REALLY CLOSE FROM THE BOAT ON THE WAY BACK. THE SHIP CHARGED $80 FOR THE SAME TOUR. IT WAS A VERY LARGE CATAMARAN WITH COMFORTABLE PADDED SEATING FOR ALL. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS. www.pezgatocabo.com OUR LAST NIGHT WE HAD A RESERVATION AT THE FRENCH RESTAURANT LE BISTRO. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS IF YOU LIKE FRENCH FOOD. WAS ONLY $15 AND WORTH EVERY CENT. CANARD A L’ORANGE, ONION SOUP, ESCARGOT, LOBSTER AND SCALLOP MARTINI, CREME BRULE, STEAMED MUSSELS AND GOAT CHEESE TART. EXCELLENT FILET MIGNON TOO. THIS WAS OUR FAVORITE MEAL OF THE TRIP. THE FOOD IN THE DINING ROOM WAS PRETTY GOOD THOUGH WITHOUT PAYING EXTRA BUT IT’S NOT LIKE IT USED TO BE. NOW IF YOU WANT THAT LOBSTER OR GREAT STEAK OR BEEF WELLINGTON OR RACK OF LAMB YOU HAVE TO PAY AT LEAST $15 UP TO $25 EXTRA. WE USED TO GET THOSE SAME DISHES IN THE MAIN DINING ROOM FOR FREE. THE TRATTORIA WAS ALSO NO EXTRA CHARGE AND WAS VERY GOOD. IF YOU LIKE ITALIAN FOOD, YOU COULD EAT HERE SEVERAL TIMES. THERE ARE ALL KINDS OF PASTAS, YOU MAKE UP YOUR OWN BY CHOOSING ANY PASTA AND ANY SAUCE. THERE ARE PIZZAS AND THEN THERE IS POLENTA AND RISOTTO AND TIRAMISU AND GREAT VEGGIES. ANTIPASTI AND SPINACH WITH GARLIC. I HAD VEAL AND SCAMPI. TOO FEW SHRIMP FOR ME BUT IT WAS TASTY. WE ALSO HAD THE CHICKEN DISH AND IT WAS VERY GOOD. LARGE PORTION THERE TOO. WE REALLY LIKED THE BLUE LAGOON GRILL ON DECK 7 OPEN 24 HOURS. HAD LUNCH THERE A COUPLE TIMES. FISH AND CHIPS AND BUFFALO CHICKEN WINGS AND HAMBURGERS AND HOTDOGS. FRIED RICE AND OTHER COMFORT FOOD. REALLY GOOD FRIES. THEY FRY TO YOUR ORDER SO IT IS HOT AND CRISP. DISEMBARKATION WAS A TOTAL ZOO ON THIS SHIP. I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN SUCH A MESS. THEY GAVE OUT COLORED TAGS FOR WHAT TIME YOU WANTED TO LEAVE BUT THEN THEY ANNOUNCED ALL TAG COLORS COULD LEAVE AT 8:30 WITHOUT REGARD TO TIME SO EVERYONE WAS CROWDING IN LINE TO GET OFF FROM 4 DIFFERENT LINES AND THE ELEVATORS KEPT OPENING AND LETTING PEOPLE OUT AT THE FRONT OF THE LINE SO WE WERE GETTING NOWHERE. ALL THESE PEOPLE HAD TO GO THRU 1 LITTLE DOOR WHERE THEY SWIPE YOUR CARD. IT WAS RIDICULOUS. I WOULD SUGGEST THAT YOU DO THE EXPRESS DISEMBARKATION WHERE YOU ROLL YOUR OWN LUGGAGE OFF THE SHIP AND DON’T LEAVE IT OUTSIDE YOUR DOOR THE NIGHT BEFORE AND GET OFF THE SHIP AT 7:15AM BEFORE ALL THE CROWDS. WE THOUGHT WE’D AVOID THE LINES BY EATING BREAKFAST FIRST AND NOT LEAVING THE SHIP UNTIL 9:30AM. THAT WAS A HUGE MISTAKE AS IT TURNED OUT. THE WORST THING ABOUT THIS CRUISE WAS THE BEDS. THEY WERE REALLY AWFUL. SO MANY OF US COMPLAINED OF BACKACHES AND NECKACHES. THE MASSAGE IN ZIHUATANEJO WAS REALLY NEEDED. COMPLAINED TO HOUSEKEEPING AND THEY SAID THEY ARE CHANGING TO ALL NEW BEDS AFTER WE GET OFF THE SHIP. GREAT. ANYWAY, MAYBE THE BEDS WON’T BE BAD NOW. OTHER THAN THAT, WE REALLY DIDN’T HAVE MUCH TO COMPLAIN ABOUT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoreless Posted January 21, 2008 #2 Share Posted January 21, 2008 Thanks. That was really informative. We have a starboard side cabin booked for Feb 20. I wonder if the new beds will be on by then. I especially appreciate the advice about booking La Trattoria when we're at Acapulco. I've added a reminder to my calendar.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loverboy Posted January 21, 2008 #3 Share Posted January 21, 2008 here is the journal ship is being refurbished over the next 6 months. it needs some TLC. service was outstanding. i never met so many wonderful waiters and cabin stewards etc NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINES 8 DAY TO MEXICO JANUARY 11, 2008 FIRST TIP I THINK IS TO REQUEST A STARBOARD CABIN. YOU GET GREAT SUNSETS ALL THE WAY DOWN AND IN ACAPULCO THEN ON THE WAY UP GREAT VIEW IN ZIHUATANEJO HARBOR AND YOU CAN SEE THE CITIES ON THE SHORE AS YOU GO BY. OTHER SIDE SEES OPEN SEA. SECOND TIP IS DO NOT EAT AT SOHO UPSCALE RESTAURANT. IT WAS $25 PER PERSON AND FOOD AND SERVICE WERE NOT GOOD. WE ARRIVED AT THE PIER AT 11:30AM AND BOARDED ABOUT NOON AFTER FAIRLY ORGANIZED BOARDING PROCESS. LINES MOVED PRETTY FAST. WE THEN HAD LUNCH AND THEN WENT DOWN TO SECURE OUR RESTAURANT RESERVATIONS FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS. WE LEFT AT 4PM AND STEAMED RAPIDLY FOR 2 3/4 DAYS TO ACAPULCO. ONCE THERE, WE STAYED THERE FROM NOON TO MIDNIGHT SHIP TIME. PROBLEM WAS, THAT’S 1PM SHORE TIME SO WE MISSED THE CLIFFDIVERS SHOW. THEY DID AN EXTRA SHOW LATER THOUGH BECAUSE SO MANY CRUISE SHIPS IN TOWN SO WE DID GET TO SEE THAT. IT’S $7 TO GET IN TO STAND ON THE CLOSER CLIFF TO WATCH OR JUST HAVE YOUR VAN DRIVER PARK ALONG THE RAILING AND TAKE PICTURES FROM THERE FOR FREE. YOU CAN’T CATCH THEM ON FILM ANYWAY, THEY GO SO FAST INTO THE WATER. ALSO, CAN GET OUT AND AWAY FASTER THAT WAY WHEN IT’S DONE. SOME PEOPLE FROM THE SHIP HIRED THE BOAT FROM FISH R US www.fish-r-us.com AND THEY REALLY ENJOYED BEING DOWN AT THE BOTTOM OF THE CLIFFS AS THE DIVERS CAME INTO THE WATER. WE USED A PRIVATE VAN CALLED ARTURO’S AND WE REALLY THOUGHT IT WAS A GREAT DEAL AT $20 EACH FOR 4 HOUR TOUR, MINIMUM 6 PEOPLE. VERY COMFORTABLY SEATS 7 AND WOULD SEAT 10 JUST FINE. AIR CONDITIONED AND ROMEO, OUR DRIVER, SPOKE EXCELLENT ENGLISH. HIGHLY RECOMMEND GUIASACAPULCO@HOTMAIL.COM. WE HAD WINE IN THE SUITCASE BUT THEIR X RAY CAUGHT THAT AND WE HAD TO PAY $15 PER BOTTLE CORKAGE FEE OR THEY’D KEEP IT UNTIL THE END OF THE CRUISE AND THEN RETURN IT. EVEN AT THAT, IT WAS CHEAPER TO BRING OUR OWN WINE ON BOARD THAN ORDER THEIRS. THEY HAD EVERYONE WHO HAD LIQUOR DETECTED IN THEIR LUGGAGE COME TO CLAIM IT AT 5PM THE FIRST DAY IN THE LIBRARY. THEY TAGGED THEM AS PAID AND THEN I COULD TAKE THEM. THERE IS AN OXXO STORE WHICH IS LIKE 7-11 ABOUT 1 BLOCK DOWN TO THE LEFT AND ACROSS THE STREET ONCE YOU GET TO ACAPULCO SO YOU CAN BUY COKES AND WATER ETC. THERE IS A SHOPPING VILLAGE ON THE BEACH RIGHT ACROSS FROM THERE. ALL THIS IS VERY EASY WALKING DISTANCE FROM THE SHIP. YOU CAN TAKE A BOAT TO LA ROQUETA ISLAND FOR ONLY $4 ROUND TRIP FOR A NICE BEACH AND SNORKELING OR GLASS BOTTOM BOAT TO THE ISLAND FOR $8 BUT THEY SAID IT’S NOT WORTH THE EXTRA MONEY. DON’T SEE MUCH ANYWAY. IF I’M EVER THERE AGAIN, I’LL DO THAT. I THINK I’LL JUST HOP IN A CAB AND TELL THEM TO TAKE ME TO THE GLASS BOTTOM BOAT PIER. IT’S A BIT FAR TO WALK FOR ME BUT NOT OUT OF THE QUESTION IF YOU WANT TO WALK. JUST TURN RIGHT AS YOU LEAVE THE SHIP. LAST TIME WE TOOK THE BUS TO PIE DE LA CUESTA FOR 35 CENTS. THAT WAS VERY VERY FUN. AND WE TOOK A SMALL BOAT AROUND THE NATURE PRESERVE THERE AS WELL FOR $10 EACH FOR AN HOUR. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THAT AS WELL. WONDERFUL LUNCH ONLY $5 A WHOLE BBQ RED SNAPPER AND RICE, BEANS AND TORTILLAS. $1 BEERS AND HAMMOCKS TO LAY IN. WE RETURNED TO THE SHIP ABOUT 6PM AND HAD DINNER AT LA TRATTORIA ITALIAN RESTAURANT. MAKE A RESERVATION FOR WHEN YOU’RE IN ACAPULCO BECAUSE IT IS ON DECK 12 PORT SIDE AND OVERLOOKS ACAPULCO HARBOR ALL LIT UP. REALLY BEAUTIFUL. NO EXTRA CHARGE FOR THIS RESTAURANT AND VERY GOOD FOOD. NEXT DAY WAS ZIHUATANEJO. DID SOME SHOPPING, HAD A PINA COLADA $3 AND A $1 BEER. THE FARTHER YOU WALK TO THE RIGHT OF THE MAIN DOCK, THE CHEAPER THINGS GET. THEN TOOK THE FERRY TO LAS GATAS BEACH. IT’S $3.50 ROUND TRIP TO GO THERE FROM THE MAIN DOCK OR YOU CAN TAKE THE SHIP TOUR ON SAME BOAT FOR $80. ONCE THERE, THERE ARE RESTAURANTS AND CHAIRS AND UMBRELLAS FOR HIRE. THEY DON’T CHARGE FOR THOSE IF YOU ORDER FOOD AND DRINKS FROM THEM. THERE IS A TENT ON THE BEACH WHERE THEY DO MASSAGE FOR ONLY $20 PER HOUR. I’VE DONE IT TWICE AND THEY ARE REALLY VERY GOOD. NOT JUST RUBBING AROUND BUT DIGGING FOR THE SORE SPOTS LIKE THEY ARE ACTUALLY TRAINED. ANYWAY, IT FEELS REALLY GOOD AND YOU CAN HEAR THE WAVES ROLLING IN. WE HAD TO BE BACK AT THE SHIP BY 1:30 IN THIS PORT SO WE DIDN’T HAVE MUCH TIME THERE BUT YOU CAN TAKE THE BUS TO IXTAPA. RUNS REGULARLY EVERY FEW MINUTES AND IS ONLY ABOUT 40 CENTS AND TAKES 10 MINUTES. PEOPLE WHO WENT OVER THERE SAID IT’S JUST ALL HIGH RISE MODERN HOTELS SO I’M JUST AS GLAD WE DIDN’T WASTE TIME GOING THERE. ZIHUATANEJO IS A CHARMING LITTLE PLACE. NEXT PORT WAS PUERTO VALLARTA. WE GOT THERE 8AM. WE HAD TO LINE UP AT THE SHORE EXCURSION DESK TO GET TENDER TICKETS TO GET OFF THE SHIP. I WAS IN LINE BY 7:45 SO WE GOT ON THE FIRST BOAT. WE THEN TOOK THE BUS TO CENTRO PUERTO VALLARTA. THERE ARE TWO BUSES THAT RUN DOWN THERE, BOTH BLUE AND WHITE. WHEN YOU EXIT THE PORT, TURN LEFT AND THE BUS STOP IS ON THE CORNER RIGHT THERE. YOU CANNOT SCREW THIS UP. ONE SAYS TUNEL AND GOES THRU A TUNNEL IN THE MOUNTAINS AND AROUND THE PERIMETER OF THE CITY BEFORE ENDING UP IN TOWN. THE OTHER GOES DIRECT TO CENTRO. BOTH ARE MARKED ON THE WINDSHIELD. WE TOOK TUNEL ON PURPOSE TO GET THE LONGER RIDE. IT LEFT US OFF AT SENOR FROG’S ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RIVER FROM THE CRUISE SHIP WHICH WAS GREAT AS THAT IS THE START OF THE MALECON FROM THE OPPOSITE END OF WHERE THE THUNDERING HERDS WERE COMING. WE HAD THE PLACE ALL TO OURSELVES FOR A LONG TIME. LOVELY STROLL ALONG THE BOARDWALK. THEN STOPPED FOR A $1 MARGARITA OR BEER AT VILATERRAZZA RIGHT UNDER THE CHEEKY MONKEY. REALLY NICE PLACE WITH GREAT VIEW AND THE DRINKS WERE NOT WATERED DOWN. A NICE RESTING PLACE ABOUT ½ THE WAY ALONG THE MALECON. WE WERE TOLD ABOUT PLACES TO EAT ON THE ISLAND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RIVER AND IT WAS BEAUTIFUL THERE BUT EXPENSIVE AND NOT MEXICAN ENOUGH. TOO FANCY. SO WE ASKED A POLICEMAN AND HE SENT US TO EL TORITO RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET FROM SENOR FROG’S. EXCELLENT LUNCH. BEST BEER BATTERED FISH AND CHIPS EVER AND TONS OF FOOD FOR $7. GREAT FRENCH FRIES AND TORTILLA CHIPS. NOTHING WAS GREASY. WERE PERFECTLY FRIED. THE COMBO MEXICAN PLATE WITH TACO, TOSTADA AND BURRITO WAS ONLY $7 AND THE AZTEC SOUP (TORTILLA SOUP TO US) WAS EXCELLENT AND FILLING AT ONLY $3.50 FOR A VERY LARGE BOWL. WE REALLY LIKED THIS PLACE EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS NO OCEAN VIEW THERE. WE THEN WALKED AROUND A LITTLE MORE THEN TOOK THE BUS BACK TO THE SHIP. AGAIN, EASY TO DO. JUST LOOK FOR THE BLUE AND WHITE ONES AND YOU CAN SEE THE PORT BEFORE YOU GET THERE SO YOU KNOW WHEN TO GET OFF. THERE IS A LARGE GROCERY STORE RIGHT WHERE THE BUS LEAVES YOU OFF SO WE DID A LITTLE SHOPPING AND JUST LOOKING AROUND. MORE COKES AND MARGARITA MIX. A REALLY NICE STORE. CAN GET VANILLA THERE CHEAPER THAN ON THE STREETS AND SEA SALT. THE NEXT DAY WAS CABO SAN LUCAS AND WE GOT THERE ABOUT 7AM. WE WENT DOWN TO THE GANGWAY AT 7:30 AND GOT OFF ABOUT 7:40AM. WE WERE THE FIRST ONES OFF. IT WAS REALLYNICE STROLLING AROUND WHILE IT WAS SO COOL AND BEFORE THERE WERE ANY CROWDS. BY THE TIME IT STARTED GETTING CROWDED ABOUT 9:30AM, WE GOT ON A WHALE WATCHING CATAMARAN TOUR THAT WAS TERRIFIC. WAS PEZGATO DOCKED JUST TO THE RIGHT OF WHERE THE CRUISE SHIP TENDERS LEAVE YOU OFF AT DOCK 4. LINE UP ABOUT 9:30. IT WAS ONLY $30 FOR 2 ½ HOURS INCLUDING FREE DRINKS OF ANY KIND. THEY MADE THE BEST BLOODY MARIAS OF ALL TIME AND TEQUILA SUNRISES TOO. WHATEVER YOU WANTED. NOT JUST PRE MIXED MARGARITAS OR BEER. AND CHIPS, SALSA AND GUACAMOLE. GOOD MUSIC TOO. WAS JUST A PERFECT DAY AND REALLY FUN THING TO DO. WE DID A LITTLE SHOPPING AT THE HANDICRAFT MARKET RIGHT THERE WHERE YOU GET THE TENDER BACK TO THE SHIP THEN WENT BACK ON BOARD. THIS WAS OUR FAVORITE DAY OF ALL. WE SAW 6-7 WHALES AND LOVERS BEACH AND THE FAMOUS ARCH UP REALLY CLOSE FROM THE BOAT ON THE WAY BACK. THE SHIP CHARGED $80 FOR THE SAME TOUR. IT WAS A VERY LARGE CATAMARAN WITH COMFORTABLE PADDED SEATING FOR ALL. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS. www.pezgatocabo.com OUR LAST NIGHT WE HAD A RESERVATION AT THE FRENCH RESTAURANT LE BISTRO. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS IF YOU LIKE FRENCH FOOD. WAS ONLY $15 AND WORTH EVERY CENT. CANARD A L’ORANGE, ONION SOUP, ESCARGOT, LOBSTER AND SCALLOP MARTINI, CREME BRULE, STEAMED MUSSELS AND GOAT CHEESE TART. EXCELLENT FILET MIGNON TOO. THIS WAS OUR FAVORITE MEAL OF THE TRIP. THE FOOD IN THE DINING ROOM WAS PRETTY GOOD THOUGH WITHOUT PAYING EXTRA BUT IT’S NOT LIKE IT USED TO BE. NOW IF YOU WANT THAT LOBSTER OR GREAT STEAK OR BEEF WELLINGTON OR RACK OF LAMB YOU HAVE TO PAY AT LEAST $15 UP TO $25 EXTRA. WE USED TO GET THOSE SAME DISHES IN THE MAIN DINING ROOM FOR FREE. THE TRATTORIA WAS ALSO NO EXTRA CHARGE AND WAS VERY GOOD. IF YOU LIKE ITALIAN FOOD, YOU COULD EAT HERE SEVERAL TIMES. THERE ARE ALL KINDS OF PASTAS, YOU MAKE UP YOUR OWN BY CHOOSING ANY PASTA AND ANY SAUCE. THERE ARE PIZZAS AND THEN THERE IS POLENTA AND RISOTTO AND TIRAMISU AND GREAT VEGGIES. ANTIPASTI AND SPINACH WITH GARLIC. I HAD VEAL AND SCAMPI. TOO FEW SHRIMP FOR ME BUT IT WAS TASTY. WE ALSO HAD THE CHICKEN DISH AND IT WAS VERY GOOD. LARGE PORTION THERE TOO. WE REALLY LIKED THE BLUE LAGOON GRILL ON DECK 7 OPEN 24 HOURS. HAD LUNCH THERE A COUPLE TIMES. FISH AND CHIPS AND BUFFALO CHICKEN WINGS AND HAMBURGERS AND HOTDOGS. FRIED RICE AND OTHER COMFORT FOOD. REALLY GOOD FRIES. THEY FRY TO YOUR ORDER SO IT IS HOT AND CRISP. DISEMBARKATION WAS A TOTAL ZOO ON THIS SHIP. I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN SUCH A MESS. THEY GAVE OUT COLORED TAGS FOR WHAT TIME YOU WANTED TO LEAVE BUT THEN THEY ANNOUNCED ALL TAG COLORS COULD LEAVE AT 8:30 WITHOUT REGARD TO TIME SO EVERYONE WAS CROWDING IN LINE TO GET OFF FROM 4 DIFFERENT LINES AND THE ELEVATORS KEPT OPENING AND LETTING PEOPLE OUT AT THE FRONT OF THE LINE SO WE WERE GETTING NOWHERE. ALL THESE PEOPLE HAD TO GO THRU 1 LITTLE DOOR WHERE THEY SWIPE YOUR CARD. IT WAS RIDICULOUS. I WOULD SUGGEST THAT YOU DO THE EXPRESS DISEMBARKATION WHERE YOU ROLL YOUR OWN LUGGAGE OFF THE SHIP AND DON’T LEAVE IT OUTSIDE YOUR DOOR THE NIGHT BEFORE AND GET OFF THE SHIP AT 7:15AM BEFORE ALL THE CROWDS. WE THOUGHT WE’D AVOID THE LINES BY EATING BREAKFAST FIRST AND NOT LEAVING THE SHIP UNTIL 9:30AM. THAT WAS A HUGE MISTAKE AS IT TURNED OUT. THE WORST THING ABOUT THIS CRUISE WAS THE BEDS. THEY WERE REALLY AWFUL. SO MANY OF US COMPLAINED OF BACKACHES AND NECKACHES. THE MASSAGE IN ZIHUATANEJO WAS REALLY NEEDED. COMPLAINED TO HOUSEKEEPING AND THEY SAID THEY ARE CHANGING TO ALL NEW BEDS AFTER WE GET OFF THE SHIP. GREAT. ANYWAY, MAYBE THE BEDS WON’T BE BAD NOW. OTHER THAN THAT, WE REALLY DIDN’T HAVE MUCH TO COMPLAIN ABOUT. Thanks for your wonderful review. :) I don't see anywhere where the Star is being drydocked. Can anyone tell me where this information might be located? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tucsoncruisers Posted January 21, 2008 #4 Share Posted January 21, 2008 Thanks for the great port information. :D I totally agree about the beds, worse mattress ever! But the Star is great ship. We went in Dec and are returning again next month. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sacway Posted January 22, 2008 #5 Share Posted January 22, 2008 Thanks for the details, esp. the bus in Puerto Vallerta. What is the fare (pesos? or do they take US coin?) and did you also catch the bus long way round back to the pier? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nichal Posted January 22, 2008 #6 Share Posted January 22, 2008 thanks for your great review:) I was getting nervous after reading so many negitives on the star we sail Feb 12, getting excited Nicole & co Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DMRick Posted January 22, 2008 #7 Share Posted January 22, 2008 Great review with some really helpful info. I plan on putting some of it to use all next week. Thank you so much for taking the time to write it. PS I hope they changed the mattresses out right after you got off LOL!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruzeluver Posted January 22, 2008 #8 Share Posted January 22, 2008 Thanks for a great review. Really helps me to get excited for our Star cruise in April. The most common complaint seems to be regarding disembarkation. Sounds like a free for all! I have never had a bad experience getting off of an NCL ship. Wonder why they can't seem to get it together?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easy22 Posted January 22, 2008 Author #9 Share Posted January 22, 2008 Thanks for your wonderful review. :) I don't see anywhere where the Star is being drydocked. Can anyone tell me where this information might be located? they are not being drydocked. head of housekeeping said that over the next 6 months they are gradually updating things all over the ship, mattresses first due to so many complaints. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easy22 Posted January 22, 2008 Author #10 Share Posted January 22, 2008 Thanks for the details, esp. the bus in Puerto Vallerta. What is the fare (pesos? or do they take US coin?) and did you also catch the bus long way round back to the pier? the fare was 40 cents so we just gave $1 for two of us. a little over but who cares? as for return, the bus ran on the next main street up from the Malecon or anywhere you see the blue and white buses. just ask the driver "a Barco?" that means to the ship. they are very helpful. we took the centro back because it came first but would have taken tunel back if it was first. the centro was not as fun. just straight back to port in heavy traffic. but at least we got to see two different routes. I highly encourage this. It gets you right into the feel of being in Mexico immediately. There is absolutely no reason to take a taxi for $5 and sit in that traffic and be dropped off at the busy end of the malecon. at least if you do take a taxi, tell them you want to be dropped at the Rio Cuale. and then start the walk on the malecon from that end. have a great time. let me know your experience when you get back Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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