Lorabelle

I was reading elsewhere about taking a water taxi from the pier at Playa Los Muertos to Las Animas to spend a few hours and have lunch.  Has anyone done this?  Is it difficult to find a water taxi to get back?  I just want to make sure we're not setting ourselves up to be stuck, since the only transportation from there is by water.  

Also, I am assuming from what research I've done is that the Playa Los Muertos pier is the closest place from the cruise ship dock to catch a water taxi? 

Any recommendations on which restaurant to go to once we get there?  

Hlitner, had to smile at your story of the negotiations.  I often negotiate a price down low and then I give them more anyway.  Haha.  For instance, the last time we went to Playa Los Muertos, I negotiated our cab fare to $10.  (He started at $15)  There was a lot of traffic that morning, and it took us a bit to get there.  We gave him $15 anyway, and he was very appreciative.  I felt like it was worth the $15, and the traffic was cutting into his opportunity to grab another fare and make more money that day.  Times have been tough for them without many tourists for so long.  

These vendors actually have their own labor union (they wear all white) and are a vital part of our local culture.  If you are not interested simply smile and say "No Gracias." 

Thank you for mentioning that.  Hubby and I have wondered why they are always all wearing white.  Now I can tell him!  

And yes, they can be a nuisance at times, but they are always polite.  

2 hours ago, Hlitner said:

I guess my only tip, aimed at those who have yet to book a day pass at the Westin, is that if you want to see and experience some of Mexico and its wonderful culture DO NOT book a day pass at any resort!  :).  The Westin is a classy resort with very nice facilities.  But it is similar to fine resorts located anywhere in the world (including in Arizona).   Inside the Westin you would not even know you are in Mexico except for some hints from the decor.

 

Hank

I totally agree.  There are nice beaches at each of these ports where you can relax on the beach, eat some local Mexican food, have some authentic cocktails and immerse yourself in Mexico.  You can mingle with vacationing Mexican nationals and ex-pats.  You can get a feel for what the area is really like.  You are never going to get that in a gated resort.  I'm sure it will be wonderful, but as Hlitner said, you may as well be anywhere, because there's nothing authentic about it. 

We brought water onboard, but we purchased it in the cartons that are specified as acceptable.  (Brand was Flow Alkaline Water)  It was in the tote with the cans of soda.  We didn't bring on any plastic, because it was specifically outlawed even before they disallowed bringing on soft drinks, so we didn't want for that to create a problem. 

We did bring our empty stainless water flasks as well, and they could easily be filled with water and ice from the Lido if you wanted.  Water there tasted good.  

We go to Playa Los Muertos when we want a beach day in Puerto Vallarta.  The whole beach is lined with restaurants that have tables and loungers in the sand.  You are welcome to sit and enjoy their beach furniture as long as you are buying food and beverages. 

Walk outside the port area and hail a cab on the street.  Negotiate fare before you get in.  My advice would be to start on the south end of Playa Los Muertos and walk your way back toward town if you'd like.  We go to Langostino's down by the pier.  We spend a few hours there, eating and having a cocktail, and typically we take a dip or two in the ocean.  When we are ready, we walk north up the beach and usually stop at one or two more beach restaurants for another beverage or a snack.  We do that until we are back in the main downtown Malecon area, then if we want to shop, we can.  Typically we just grab a cab back to the ship at that point.  

Cab fare should be about $10 from the Malecon back to the ship.  To get to the pier at Playa Los Muertos it's around $12-$15 usually.  As I said, ask before you get in.  Many of the drivers will start too high, so you can negotiate until it falls in the right range.  

Most of the restaurants at the beach are cash only, though.  They will take US dollars or Mx pesos, but be aware that they can set their exchange rate to what they want.  Most are in a "fair" range, but it is cheaper to pay with pesos.  Since we cruise this itinerary often, we usually buy a large batch of pesos from our bank and use them over a few cruises before we need to replenish.  If you aren't going to be cruising again anytime soon, you're probably just better off taking the hit on your exchange.  I think on our roughly $40 bill at Langostino's a few weeks ago, it would have been about $3 or $4 more to pay in USD.  

We were on the 10/24 sailing and luggage drop off was not an option.   We walked over to the port from our hotel.  Everyone was lined up outside the gate in the front parking lot.  No one was allowed to enter the port area until check in began at 1:00.  I asked 3 different members of the port staff and each one told us that we could not drop our luggage.  We arrived there about 11:30 and we wanted to drop our stuff and then go relax somewhere until time to board.  Everyone in line had their luggage with them. 

We saw hotel and airport shuttles arrive, and they were ushered through the gates, and came out without passengers, so I assume those folks were able to drop their luggage and stand in a separate line within the secured port area.  Not sure if they would have been allowed to leave the port area once they were inside, though.  

I just thought I would update this for anyone interested.  This is just my experience, and I'm not really wanting to debate whether bringing soft drinks onboard is right or wrong.

We saw a gentleman ahead of us in line take a 12 pack of Coke onboard with no issue whatsoever.  He hand carried it, put it through the xray machine, and carried it onto the ship.  

We brought a few cans of soda in our tote bag that we had leftover from our hotel stay in San Diego, figuring it was fine if they took them.  But, the tote was x-rayed, nothing was said, no one asked to see inside our tote and we were on our merry way.  

Of course, this is the Koningsdam on that particular sailing.  YMMV. 

It seems there is conflicting information as to whether soft drinks are still allowed to be brought on board at embarkation.  Has anyone who has recently sailed the Koningsdam taken soft drinks in cans onboard the ship?  I would like to bring a few, but don't want to go through the hassle if they are going to be denied.  

On 9/22/2021 at 2:06 PM, vswan said:

Has anyone gotten an upsell offer when booking a casino room. I got a free inside cabin but was not interested in upgrading at the time to a balcony. I wasn't interested in giving them any more money with covid still leaving things questionable and the cost to move up at that point was not a really good deal.

Yes, I am in the same situation.  Would love an offer for an upsell now that we are only 1 month out from sailing.  At the time we booked, the price to upgrade seemed pretty high, and like you, I was not willing to have more of our money out there when we weren't even sure the ship would sail.  

Also, another related question...has anyone ever declined an upsell and then received a complimentary upgrade after that?  

On 9/5/2021 at 2:48 PM, kwb101 said:

We were on a 14-day 3 nights in Denali land-sea Yukon trip in 2017, and most of the trip didn't  have much free time.

Day 1: Arrive Anchorage

Day 2: train to Denali, arrived about 4.30 pm.

Day 3: Tundra Wilderness tour, all day.

Day 4: Denali, on your own. 

Day 5: bus to Faitbanks, lunch, gold dredge 8. Maybe a couple of hours free in Fairbanks.

Day 6: charter fllight to Dawson, afternon free.

Day 7: Dawson riverboat trip, rest of day free.

Day 8: bus to Whitehorse, arrive about b 5pm

Day 9: bus to to U.S. border, train to Skagway, afternoon on your own. 

Day 10: Skagway on your own. 

Day 11: board ship late morning

Day 12: Glacier Bay

Day 13: Ketchikan, on your own

Day 14: Inside Passage

Day 15: Arrive Vancouver

Hope this helps, enjoy your trip.

How did you like the riverboat trip in Dawson?  Our particular itinerary does not include a tour in Dawson, but there are tours available for purchase.  Still haven't decided what we will do there. 

We are doing something similar next summer, only kind of in reverse.  We board the Volendam in Vancouver, then sail to Skagway.  We will disembark there and take the train to the top, and get on a bus to Whitehorse.

1 night Whitehorse, then bus to Dawson with a stop for lunch in Minto.

2 nights in Dawson, no included tours.

Fly to Fairbanks, spend 2 nights there with included Gold Dredge Tour

Bus to Denali.  2 nights with Tundra Wilderness Tour

Train to Anchorage, 2 nights there, no tours.

Train to Whittier, where we will board the Niew Amsterdam to do a full 7 day southbound back to Vancouver.

We've never done a cruisetour before, we always do land portions on our own, so it will be interesting to see if we enjoy this.  We don't generally like to have to work with a prescheduled situation, but this itinerary seemed unique and we wanted to give it a try.  I have also not found much information on this sort of tour as of yet. 

I am looking at one of these cabins with the larger balcony on Dolphin as well for a sailing next year.  So, to be clear...these cabins D701- D 710, have the larger balcony, but do NOT have the sofa?  

Thank you so much for the information!

If we want to charge slot play in the casino to our shipboard account, is there a fee for that?  

In the VIP amenities, I noticed there is no mention of complimentary beverages while playing in the casino.  Have they done away with that with the push for getting passengers to upgrade to the higher level of booking that includes beverages, wi-fi, etc?  

In the past, we have always had complimentary beverages in the casino offered to us with these types of bookings.  

Nothing negative to say vs. the 7 day. 

Positives are extra sea days, which are always welcomed in my book.  

Sailing under the Golden Gate bridge is a wonderful memory!

Forgive me if this has been covered.  I did a search and read a lot of lido cabana threads, but nothing answered my question.

We just booked one for our Alaskan cruise next year.  I did read that some felt it was best not to be too close to the end where the Dive In is located.  I booked the St. Tropez, which is the last cabana on the other end.  Is there a reason that being on the end there will be less desirable than being in one of the center cabanas?  My thought was that with only having "neighbors" on one side, it might be quieter, but I guess that's really dependent upon what is on the other side of that curtain where the open space is.  I have never sailed this ship, so I have no clue if this is a walkway, a service area, or has tables for cruisers.  

Can anyone fill me in on that? There are still others available and I was told I can call and switch if I decide I'd like a different location.

I went ahead and booked it.  Based on the one photo, it looks like there will be SOME view, even if it is fairly limited.  It is a casino offer that is too good to pass up, so we'll just roll with it.  

Not even sure the cruise will happen, it's for next April.  Not counting my chickens just yet. 

25 minutes ago, johnlcruise said:

 

Have you looked at this site. Spend sometime at this site and you might get a better idea of your cabin,

https://www.cruisedeckplans.com/DP/deckplans/deckbydeck.php?ship=Koningsdam&deck=4   

I have, thanks.  It doesn't look like there are photos for that particular cabin on the site.  It won't allow me to view any of the photos unless I sign up to be a paying member.  

2 hours ago, rkacruiser said:

 

 

I repeat what I said earlier, if one does not require a veranda, this class of staterooms are quite acceptable.  I'd call them a "good value" for an outside type stateroom.  

The cabin is an obstructed veranda, so there is definitely a veranda.  I'm just concerned with how obstructed it actually is.  I've seen pics of a few of the other cabins available for my offer, and they are squarely in the center of a tender, so there is basically no view at all.  This cabin appears to have a break in between the tenders, so I'm hoping there will be some opportunity to see out.  

Thank you, VictOriann, the pictures helped.  I do think your pics are a decent representation of what this cabin will be like as well, and it looks as if there is enough of a gap between the two boats to be able to see some ocean.  

1 hour ago, Cruise Suzy said:

4145 pictures are on halfacts.com

Thank you.  Those are the only pictures I could find as well.  Unfortunately the photo of the view from the balcony is a pretty poor representation, and I still can't really tell what to expect as far as obstruction.  Was just hoping someone might have some more info.  

Thanks for your response, though!

We have an opportunity to get a pretty good deal on an obstructed verandah on the Koningsdam.  Wondering if anyone has sailed in 4145?  It looks like the cabin is situated in between two tenders, so we are hoping for at least some ocean view, unlike some of the other cabins that are squarely in the middle of a tender.  

I have done Google searches and have only found one photo and it's a very poor picture taken from inside the cabin.  Hard to tell what the view is really like.  

13 hours ago, MsSoCalCruiser said:

Hello, how much was it for you to upgrade to a balcony?  I’m thinking about doing that.

For our sailing it was $315 PP.  Yours may vary depending on the difference between an inside room and a balcony on your sailing. 

22 minutes ago, tawlaw1526 said:

My husband called to book our offer today but the guy that answered the phone for Princess was extremely confused.   I have a couple questions for those that have already booked this offer:

 

1) Were you able to book an upgraded cabin.   Example, my offer is ocean view, can I pay to upgrade to a balcony?   This guy told my husband that we had to book an ocean view or inside.   Then another team would call us back at a later time to upgrade.   Is this how it works?

 

2) We were also told we had to pay for port charges at the time of booking, is this true?

 

Thank you in advance!!!!

Yes, we had to pay all of our charges up front at the time we booked.  And we were advised that all of it is non refundable, so make sure you are booking what you want!  Our offer was for an inside cabin, we upgraded to a balcony, and we also had to pay the upgrade fee at the time of booking as well. 

There is also a $100 PP deposit that must be paid when you book.  That money will be posted to your shipboard account when you board.