Ncl- beach resort getaway

We will be in Mazatlan in a April on NCl. They are offering a beach resort getaway as an excursion.. I called and it's at them Ramada Resort Mazatlan. Anyone been there before ? Thoughts...

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We will be in Mazatlan in a April on NCl. They are offering a beach resort getaway as an excursion.. I called and it's at them Ramada Resort Mazatlan. Anyone been there before ? Thoughts...

 

 

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I've never been there but you could check out Trip Advisor for reviews and photos.

The reviews are fine, but mostly of people who stayed at the hotel. Wondering if anyone has ever booked and done this excursion at the Ramada? IF so, please do tell how it was.. :)

Thanks!

JUST AN OPINION:

Truly, no need to book an expensive beach day through the cruise line.

All of the Hotels in the Golden Zone, along with other beaches, will welcome you.

No cover charge. Ask a driver at the pier ( best prices are outside the gates of terminal) to take you to the Ramada, or any other hotel that you may do research on. We go toEl Cid.

If you know when you want to be picked up, he will be there waiting for you.

If you are comfortable negotiating, please do so.

The Hotel will have food, drinks, etc. Just ask an attendant for loungers and shade.

So long as you buy from them you are golden.

Be forewarned: Beach Vendors are everywhere.

Water sports, jet skis, parasailing, banana boats, anything you can think of is right on the beach.

Again, if you are comfortable, all is negotiable.

In our 10 Riviera cruises, we have never had an issue with drivers, beaches or activities.

With Carnival excursion, you are locked in to wherever they take you.

If you want the taxi to get you in 2 hrs to go shop, he will.

If you want a tour of Mazatlan on way to beach or back to ship, he will.

I often offer $75 for the day, and it is accepted.

Hope this helps.

Thank you for sharing your experience .. yes it does help. [emoji3]

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JUST AN OPINION:

 

Truly, no need to book an expensive beach day through the cruise line.

All of the Hotels in the Golden Zone, along with other beaches, will welcome you.

No cover charge. Ask a driver at the pier ( best prices are outside the gates of terminal) to take you to the Ramada, or any other hotel that you may do research on. We go toEl Cid.

If you know when you want to be picked up, he will be there waiting for you.

If you are comfortable negotiating, please do so.

The Hotel will have food, drinks, etc. Just ask an attendant for loungers and shade.

So long as you buy from them you are golden.

 

Be forewarned: Beach Vendors are everywhere.

Water sports, jet skis, parasailing, banana boats, anything you can think of is right on the beach.

Again, if you are comfortable, all is negotiable.

 

In our 10 Riviera cruises, we have never had an issue with drivers, beaches or activities.

With Carnival excursion, you are locked in to wherever they take you.

If you want the taxi to get you in 2 hrs to go shop, he will.

If you want a tour of Mazatlan on way to beach or back to ship, he will.

I often offer $75 for the day, and it is accepted.

 

Hope this helps.

This helps a lot! In fact I am going to follow this to a T while in Mazatlán next month! Thanks so much!

JUST AN OPINION:

 

Truly, no need to book an expensive beach day through the cruise line.

All of the Hotels in the Golden Zone, along with other beaches, will welcome you.

No cover charge. Ask a driver at the pier ( best prices are outside the gates of terminal) to take you to the Ramada, or any other hotel that you may do research on. We go toEl Cid.

If you know when you want to be picked up, he will be there waiting for you.

If you are comfortable negotiating, please do so.

The Hotel will have food, drinks, etc. Just ask an attendant for loungers and shade.

So long as you buy from them you are golden.

 

Be forewarned: Beach Vendors are everywhere.

Water sports, jet skis, parasailing, banana boats, anything you can think of is right on the beach.

Again, if you are comfortable, all is negotiable.

 

In our 10 Riviera cruises, we have never had an issue with drivers, beaches or activities.

With Carnival excursion, you are locked in to wherever they take you.

If you want the taxi to get you in 2 hrs to go shop, he will.

If you want a tour of Mazatlan on way to beach or back to ship, he will.

I often offer $75 for the day, and it is accepted.

 

Hope this helps.

This helped a great deal! Thank you so much. I will stop debating over hotels and just get the kids and I over to El Cid. I appreciate your response.. :)

Me again:

So glad this info has helped.

To clarify:

Taxis: in Mazatlan you will debatk in an industrial area. You will board a tram to main terminal.

As you walk out, there is shopping, food etc.

Continue out to where you will be bombarded with taxi / tour hustlers.

By all means, enjoy the circus if you so desire. However cheapest rates are available if you continue out the gates that are very visible.

You will see lots of taxis lined up.

Here is where you must use your intuition skills.

TALK to a cabbie, make sure he UNDERSTANDS english.

Then when you are satisfied, explain what you want to do, negotiate a price and enjoy your day.

The better speaking drivers are inside the gate. If you get a price you are happy with, along with your desired plan of where to go etc. then by all means hire him.

I usually pick up drinks at a local store, buy him something too. Often buy him lunch too if we ask him to take us to his favorite place.

It is less expensive to hire cab to point A. Then another to point B and so on.

However, if you want a tour, sightseeing, lunch, beach break, shopping, and comfort of knowing he is right there waiting for you, then I believe it is $75 well spent.

SAVINGS:

Here is when using Pesos saves money.

Currently assume 20 pesos per dollar.

Know what you are willing to spend , say $75 for taxi

Offer 75 x 15 pesos = 1,125 pesos

You got 20 pesos per $ = 1,500 pesos

You just saved 25% for your taxi ride

The same will go for souvenirs, food etc.

Very very few vendors will be using 20 peso per dollar exchange rate.

This is a more recent fluctuation in their economy.

If you do not want to bother with pesos, just be a good American and offer a fair price in dollars that you can live with.

For negotiating beach fun: jet skis, parasailing etc.:

If you are trying to go at peak time when people are waiting their turn, negotiating will be tough.

Going early a.m. Or later day will greatly increase chances of getting deals.

Bottom line:

Negotiating is part of this culture, you are NOT being disrespectful ir UGLY AMERICAN.

Have fun. If you are comfortable with price, enjoy and remember:

Two Pacificos- $2

Two jetskis- $70

Memories- PRICELESS

MANY BLESSINGS,

Sam

Is there only one El Cid in Mazatlan? If not which one do you suggest?

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Castilla Beach

Hotel Playa Mazatlan is great if you have young ones / teens

It has a small zip line and rock wall. Right on beach!!

https://www.hotelplayamazatlan.com/mobi/mx/

Sam

Sorry

Hope this is better

https://www.tripadvisor.com/members/joannm433

I'd be keen on a Jetski tour but looking at the packages it is awkward as three kids 16, 12 and 10. If they would let the 16yo have his own ski (he's more than capable and has some experience) then it would be easy with mom and dad taking one young-un each.

Would it be possible to negotiate this at the beach/pier or will they also stick to the age limit (21?) to command a jetski?

My 16 yr old daughter rides solo.

You can negotiate great price for three rentals at a time.

Conversely: rent 1 fir an hour and split time riding.

Either way, have a blast!!

Cool that's good to know thanks. Do you just have a bit of fun blasting around off the beach or go on a tour? I'd quite like to do a tour - assuming you get to see some cool stuff and stop off at a remote beach for a rest/picnic etc?

By the way cruisinitaliano , who/where did you rent your jetskis?

We use vendors on the beach.

My guess is, as I have not done organized tours is this:

Google jet ski tours Mazatlan or Puerto Vallarta or Cabo.

Lots of options from which to choose.

Your other post regarding how much cash:

We add up in USD amount willing to spend e.g.:

Cabo:

water taxis $10

Food / drink $50

Souvenirs: $20

Banana boat:$20

Tips: $10

Total: $110

Do same for each port

Say total is $500 USD

I exchange $400 into Pesos.

I can pay remainder in USD, or get more Pesos.

I dont get stuck with large amount needed to reconvert.

I hope this is helpful

Many Blessings

Sam

Hi and thanks Sam - where do you get your Pesos?

I'm coming from NZ - probably can't get Pesos before I leave but can get the best exchange rate if I get my US$ before I leave.

It's all about the GOOGLE, and your CONFORT LEVEL.

Look at NZ currency rate to Pesos

Look at USD rate to Pesos ( about 20 )

Do math and do what is best for you.

My guess is:

You will lose cinverting to US then to Pesos vs straight NZ to Pesos.

I use AAA FOREIGN EXCHANGE.

Good rate, low fee, 2 day delivery.

Whatever you do , ask for currency 500 Pesos and smaller.

Could be difficult getting vendors to make change for larger bills.

GOOGLE exchange rates, try your bank

And make best choice for you

When and what cruiseline you going?

It's all about the GOOGLE, and your CONFORT LEVEL.

 

Look at NZ currency rate to Pesos

Look at USD rate to Pesos ( about 20 )

Do math and do what is best for you.

My guess is:

You will lose cinverting to US then to Pesos vs straight NZ to Pesos.

 

I use AAA FOREIGN EXCHANGE.

Good rate, low fee, 2 day delivery.

 

Whatever you do , ask for currency 500 Pesos and smaller.

Could be difficult getting vendors to make change for larger bills.

 

GOOGLE exchange rates, try your bank

And make best choice for you

 

When and what cruiseline you going?

Hi - Apr 15 Carnival Miracle... can't wait!

Wife, 2DD and myself on Miracle April 8.

Will say "Hi " as we come off ship.

Our 5th Miracle

3 Spirit

3 Splendor

1Holland

2 Celebrity

1 Princess

All to Mexico on various lengths

We fully enjoy Miracle.

We are not gourmet, high demand cruisers.

A week relaxing, no cooking, shows, comedians, ports, reading , relaxing......

Sad to read so many posts from stressed, upset folks.

I am cruising

I am blessed

Sam