Mariner to Mexico - Our thoughts and impressions

[CruzinSuz]

Dave, those photo's are outstanding. The review was great too!

[caribbeanboy]

Thanks to all for the comments on the review and photos. We did have a great time. A lot of that was attributable to the great friends we traveled with.

 

 

 

Yes they were!

 

 

 

I don't believe so. I don't remember the name (Per Somethingnordic), but I remember hearing that the original captain left when the ship moved to Los Angeles.

 

Dave

 

Per Kristoffersen?

[vegasnine]

Yes it was Captain Per Kristopherson. Captain Johnny is only on 10 weeks vacation - I think they spell each other off as Captain Per indicated he too had a 10 week on 10 week off contract.

[pierces]

Yes it was Captain Per Kristopherson. Captain Johnny is only on 10 weeks vacation - I think they spell each other off as Captain Per indicated he too had a 10 week on 10 week off contract.

 

Thanks for the fill in!

 

Dave

[thetwins]

Thanks for the review, and GREAT photos! Leaving in just under 3 months, and can't wait!

[emen822]

...donated some money to the one-armed orphan relief fund down in the Casino Royale, including a Slot-Pull group activity organized by one of the participants in our Cruise Critic Roll Call.

 

Could you tell me how/what they did for the Slot Pull? We are hoping to arrange one on our cruise. Thanks.

[paradise08]

Dave:

What can I say yet another awesome review and your photos are amazing. I love all your comments and sense of humor about each photo some even make me laugh out loud. Glad you had a cruise close to home and on the Mariner. Sweet! Hope all is well with you and Kim.

 

Cheers!

Donna

[tahoemc]

Dave, thanks for the great review and wonderful pictures. Only made it through Tuesday; have to come back and look at the rest. DW and I hope to sail Mariner later this year or early next year.

[kerrydee]

Thanks for the fill in!

 

Dave

 

i enjoyed your review very much. any chance you have the "new menus" or the compasses?:)

[debshomespun]

We will be doing this cruise next April! Can you tell me if they did any parades down the Royal Promenade during this cruise? I always loved the parades, which were usually on the first and last night, later in the evening, down the Royal Promenade. Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed the cruise. Your pics are awesome!

[Fitnessmaniac]

Thanks for the great review. :) I loved your pics too.

We'll be on the Mariner on May 31st. We love the Mariner and have sailed her several times. :)

We've never done the Mexican R before though. We're looking forward to it.

Your review just got me even more excited! Thanks so much for sharing. :)

[espritkennels]

Dave thanks so very much for the review and the pictures. I am going in September so this gives me a peek into the future!!! Thanks!! I love the pictures.

[whchan]

Thanks for the review and pictures. It gave me a good idea and what to expect. I am now really looking forward to the cruise. I will be taking the cruise on 5/3, 4 1/2 more weeks to go:D Really want to get away from all the headache at work!!

[rubrrick]

Dave........great review and totally awesome pictures!! Sorry to hear about the food.:rolleyes:

 

Rick

[hcat]

Thank you. I really enjoy taking them and I'm glad others enjoy them too.

 

 

 

Cool in the evening and high 70°s to low 80°s. Rather chilly on the last sea day northbound.

 

 

 

Don't remember the name, but here's where it is, courtesy of Google Earth:

 

CLICK ON PICTURE FOR A LARGER VIEW

 

 

You get a great view of the Marina but can't see the arch or even the ship from the restaurant. A water taxi is probably the best bet.

 

You can see the rocks at Land's End but can't really see the arch itself from

where the ship anchors. You do get a good view on the way in.

 

Enjoy your trip!

 

Dave

 

Thanks Dave

Loved your photos--I have a Canon Rebel with lenses & a Sony but mine sure don't look like that!

[RCCL_NVcruiser]

Wow - your pictures were amazing!!!! Thank you so much for sharing them along with your review! :)

[pierces]

Dave:

What can I say yet another awesome review and your photos are amazing. I love all your comments and sense of humor about each photo some even make me laugh out loud. Glad you had a cruise close to home and on the Mariner. Sweet! Hope all is well with you and Kim.

 

Cheers!

Donna

 

Thanks Donna!

 

We're doing fine. A little underemployed at the moment, but irons are in the fire!

 

Say hi to mike for us.

 

Dave

[pierces]

i enjoyed your review very much. any chance you have the "new menus" or the compasses?:)

 

this was the latest in a long list of cruises...sorry to say that the Compasses no longer have any sentimental value for us and were "recycled" on the last day.:o

 

I wish i would have thought to photograph the menus. Mabe someone will read this and help you out.

 

Could you tell me how/what they did for the Slot Pull? We are hoping to arrange one on our cruise. Thanks.

 

Everybody put $12 in the "pot" and the moderator cashed it in for bigger bills. At the event she fed the machine set it for $3 max play and each participant got 4 pulls. when we got to the end of the list, what was left was divided up amongst the players. (We all got $5 back!:D)

 

Dave........great review and totally awesome pictures!! Sorry to hear about the food.:rolleyes:

 

Rick

 

The food wasn't bad...it just wasn't great. We enjoyed it.

 

We will be doing this cruise next April! Can you tell me if they did any parades down the Royal Promenade during this cruise? I always loved the parades, which were usually on the first and last night, later in the evening, down the Royal Promenade. Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed the cruise. Your pics are awesome!

 

They actually had two parades...both of which we missed!

 

 

Again, thanks to all for the kind comments!

 

Dave

[Leafpeeper]

Great review.

 

DH also was disappointed with RCCL food on our last two cruises because it was lukewarm. He likes his food hot and not just warm.

 

We sailed on Vision and would have enjoyed a newer ship like Mariner. I do wish the Mexican Riviera cruises included Manzanillo, Ixtapa/Zihuantenjuo, and Alcapulco because the ocean is so much warmer there since these ports are much farther south.

[Merion_Mom]

Great review.

 

DH also was disappointed with RCCL food on our last two cruises because it was lukewarm. He likes his food hot and not just warm.

 

We sailed on Vision and would have enjoyed a newer ship like Mariner. I do wish the Mexican Riviera cruises included Manzanillo, Ixtapa/Zihuantenjuo, and Alcapulco because the ocean is so much warmer there since these ports are much farther south.

 

.....which is why you won't see them on a 7 night cruise out of L.A. :)

[Merion_Mom]

Marvelous, marvelous work, Dave!

 

I look forward to my first real Mexican Riviera cruise in less than two weeks.

[GlenandVal]

Greetings fellow and future cruisers!

Just a note regarding the state of affairs and violence in Mexico. With most of the violence concentrating in the border towns and some southern regions, the ports we visited seemed unaffected except for a somewhat more noticeable presence of armed police and military. We didn’t feel threatened or uneasy in the limited places we went but would highly recommend against taking tours not sanctioned by the ship or Mexican Tourism.

 

Dave

 

so would going to Stone Island via the 2 dolalr local ferry and going to Victors still be safe ????

[saltsandknit]

Beautiful Pictures ! We just booked the Mariner for May 31st to celebrate our anniversary. This will be our first big ship.

[pierces]

so would going to Stone Island via the 2 dolalr local ferry and going to Victors still be safe ????

 

No guarantees...but the consensus is that most of the violence is actually between rival factions. That leaves kidnapping for profit which to me would target places a bit more upscale than Stone Island.

 

It sure seemed that the locals, whose livelihood depends heavily on tourism, were taking precautions with increased security but again, there're no guarantees. If you are concerned or uneasy, perhaps the extra $20 pp or so for the ship-sponsored Stone Island tour would be an option?

 

My 2¢...

 

Dave

[bruce-r]

Spot on review Dave and stunning photos. It was great meeting you.

 

so would going to Stone Island via the 2 dollar local ferry and going to Victors still be safe ????

I'd say yes.