SDPadreFan

In February, you will get to experience the Alaskan current. It is slowly creeping down the west coast right now. It will reach it's terminus sometime in mid April (right around Cabo San Lucas) and then slowly recede to the north until the next winter cycle when it starts all over again. So specifically for your cruise - you will generally have following winds and following seas as you head south. Because of that, it might be fairly pleasant on your first at sea day. Your port calls of Cabo, then Mazatlan, then Puerto Vallarta should be real nice. The only caution is that it could be cool in the evening so a light jacket/sweater is always handy to have. Heading north from PV you probably won't have many issues until you get close to Cabo. The ship will generally hug the Mexican coastline and then swing out as you approach Cabo heading home. At that point (sometime on Thursday, Feb 13), the weather will change significantly. As you clear the coastline of Cabo, you will head smack into the southward bound Alaskan current (along with the southward wind). So figure your last day will be spent within the confines of the ship. The captain will probably shut down most things on the Lido deck. If Panorama has a coverable swimming pool area then that area may stay open. So figure sometime on Thursday - things will change. The seas will get rougher because you will be sailing straight into the current and the wind will be no fun at all. But it won't be like being in a storm, but it will be rougher than when you first headed south.

Most storms come out of Alaska in the winter but there always are the stray sub tropical storms that wander as far north as Los Angeles but it is not typical. Just watch the forecast before you depart and you will have a pretty good idea if you might run into some rougher water that last night before you reach Los Angeles.

Done this route 5 times. Twice on the Elation, twice on the Spirit (further south run - Acapulco, etc) and once on Mariner of the Seas. All were great trips with a little rough water the final day.

Benefits (awards) are also different. Study them side by side to see which reward program suits you best. With RCCL, the top echelon of rewards includes a couple of free drinks a day (each day). Carnival does provide free drinks in their top tiers but I believe it's only on one day during a standard cruise (8 days or less). Carnival seems to push free laundry service with it's top reward tiers vice drinks.

But I'm sure other more experienced cruisers will chime in with their experiences. We're lined up for our 8th cruise but have been out of the loop for about 10 years due to my mother-in-laws health issues. Sadly - her passing this March at 92 has opened up our ability to travel a bit more now. We have the 15 night Mardi Gras repositioning cruise (New York to Port Canaveral) booked for next year.

We loved Spirit when she was home-ported in San Diego back in the early 2000's. Did (2) 8 day cruises on her. We've also done a 12 day Med Cruise on Brilliance (Radiance class ship) and we did Mariner back when she was home-ported in Los Angeles (San Pedro)

I would say to give them both a try and see which one fits you best. In a long term cruising life, loosing a week or three to try out different cruise companies won't hurt that much.

2 hours ago, Bostwick girl said:

I can only tell you the cost of a couple drinks I paid for on my November cruise on Liberty. I had a Bacardi rum and Diet Coke, it was $7.75 ( drinks include a 15% gratuity). Sometimes have a pina colada, runs about $9.50, same for Kiss on the Lips. My husband had 1 Bloody Mary and it was $12.50!  Anyway, hope this helps in your calculations. These prices are in US dollars.

Have you ever tried Diet Coke with Bacardi Limón. Quite tasty in my opinion.

20 minutes ago, KroozNut said:

 

Wow, a newbie... We've been going there since 1960! 😆

Back before the resorts on Medano Beach. Back when the tuna cannery was still there. That's the area where the new Breathless Resort is built. I even have an old photograph from when there was really no marina, no resorts, etc. Cabo has surely changed since then.

Breathless is another resort that started offering day passes. Breathless is closer and newer. Melia ME is more central to the main part of Medano Beach where the action is. RIU Santa Fe "might" offer day passes, but it is much further away. Still on Medano Beach - but in an area where the ocean is NOT swimmable.

We've been going to Cabo every year since 2002 (timeshare). "The Office" used to be great at one time but we stopped going years ago. But I understand that some still like it, we just found better options for us. On the Marina walk there is Solomon's Landing for great food a great people watching. Guy Fieri even did a show at Solomon's Landing promoting it. Also on the Marina is Tiki Bar. They have great fish & chips, sushi, and burgers. My fave is the fish & chips. If you get all the way around to the back side of the marina, there is another place that is worth the effort. That is El Herradero. They have great molcajete choices (Mexican stew served in a molcajete). It will still be bubbling when it is brought to your table. Chicken, Beef, of Seafood.

Caution with Uber. The Taxi Cartel in Cabo is not happy with Uber invading their space. If you want to do Uber, just don't do it where there are a lot of Taxi's standing around. But Uber is great in Cabo. We used it just last week and a return trip to our timeshare was less than $5 where a taxi would have been $15.

For water taxi's you will exit the boat in knee deep water.

I think Breathless is the only resort offering a day pass right now. You could just take a water taxi, regular taxi, or Uber to where the beach bars are at on Medano Beach. Umbrella's and loungers are courtesy as long as you are eating/drinking. "The Office" is over-rated in my opinion, Sand Bar is great, Mango Deck if you want to party with drinking games.

You are doing better than us. Our last cruise was in 2010 so it will right at about 10 years when we board Mardi Gras for her 15 day Journey from New York down to Port Canaveral. Our excuse is I became a full time caregiver for my wife's mom. I took care of her from 2001 (stroke) until her passing at 92 this March. The last 10 years, because of her failing health - we had to limit our vacations to just one week a year. Those were our annual trip to our timeshare in Cabo San Lucas.

So we will again kick off our cruising addiction with the Mardi Gras. It will be our 8th cruise with many more to come. 2021 we will definitely be checking out the Panorama.

Don't really have an issue with this (yet). I can drink either. But I'm primarily a Diet Dr. Pepper drinker along with some Diet A&W Root Beer and Diet Sprite. For a 7-15 day cruise - I'll manage. I can be happy just bringing some Crystal Light Tea(s) to mix in water.

Mixed drinks may be an issue. I like Coke with my whisky or rum. And Diet Coke with Bacardi Limon is a completely serviceable lower calorie drink. I'll have to give Diet Pepsi a try with the Bacardi Limon (but not hopeful).

22 hours ago, coevan said:

 

 

The water will be much colder in Cabo, otherwise jet skiing is jet skiing

Winter time is when Cabo ocean temps are their warmest. They are actually coldest starting around late April. It has to do with the Alaskan current. In the winter, it moves slowly down the west coast, finally reaching Cabo in late April before receding north. By August, the water is warm again. But no real issues in the winter. One thing that can throw things out of wack briefly (couple of days) and that is a winter storm that gets too close to Cabo. The water is VERY DEEP around the tip of Baja so a storm that gets close enough can bring that colder deep water up to the surface for a couple of days. Otherwise, every thing is warm. Water, air, etc. Course the margaritas are always cold.

Important to note. LAX recently changed their Uber/Lyft pickup location away from the terminals. Some people have reported 1 Hr waits for pickup. Probably just growing pains as they sort things out but important to know right now.

Either would probably be good. I would look at the other activities offered at the locations and then pick based upon that. Cabo - desert/beach ATV's are an option as is snorkeling and desert ziplining (over a dry arroyo). Puerto Vallarta has rain forest type activities. Jungle ATV's, tree to tree ziplining, waterfall repelling.

Whales will start showing up in Cabo (guessing mid December) so whale watching is also an option. Not sure when they arrive in PV

For Mazatlan - maybe out on Stone Island. Other ideas would be to explore Old Mazatlan (downtown area).

For Puerto Vallarta - they probably have them there also. Another option would be tree-to tree zip lines. Look for tree to tree, because some are tree to valley.

They will definitely have them in Cabo. From the tender pier, probably best to just take a Water Taxi over to Medano Beach. There will be plenty of outfits right near the beach bars. You can get more information at the TripAdvisor Cabo Forum here.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g152515-i84-Cabo_San_Lucas_Los_Cabos_Baja_California.html

Other ideas for Cabo

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g152515-Activities-Cabo_San_Lucas_Los_Cabos_Baja_California.html

Going on the 15 day Mardi Gras 9-30-2020 sailing. Hoping they have the tour set up by then. We will be on the 4th sailing of this brand new ship. Did the tour on Carnival Spirit about a decade ago.

I think a 12 top is the largest I ever saw in the main dining room. And as jimbo5544 said, even when the table gets that large, you really won't be able to have a conversation with anyone other than people right next to you. There is just too much background noise. We generally try to get assigned to a table with 6-8 people so we can talk to everyone.

This is great news!! Thanks for the update.

 

I was looking forward to Cabo on my upcoming Panama Canal cruise.

I haven't been there in 30 years!! :)

If anyone knows about Medano Beach and specifically Tobasco's, there, please let me know. That's where I am heading when I get there! :D

 

Thanks.

Don

This link provides a current status of many businesses in Cabo. It is updated pretty regularly. Tobasco's is not currently listed but that does not necessarily mean that it's not in business (just not listed). Hardest hit areas were up on the tourist corridor between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo. That area took the heaviest hit as the eye swept up into the Sea of Cortez. Some of the Medano Beach bars/restaurants are open and back in business as are some of the marina restaurants.

We've been going to Cabo every year for the last 12 years (to visit our timeshare).

http://www.loscabosguide.com/blog/2014/09/updates-on-los-cabos-businesses/

My understanding (for the Outdoor Adventure) is that if you have a pair of old sneakers that you can throw away afterwards (back on the ship if necessary), then they will be perfect for this event. It's on my "bucket list".

Are the stores within walking distance from the ship at these two ports (Cabo & Acapulco)?

Definitely not in Cabo. Here is a map. Marina is at the bottom. WalMart is upper right. It's also important to note that where the "yellow line" starts is highway with only a dirt shoulder. In addition - it would be about a $15 cab ride (each way) so it's not really worth it. What are you looking to buy? I can give you some other ideas.

http://www.wikimapia.org/#lat=22.8913181&lon=-109.9106383&z=16&l=0&m=b

Here is Acapulco. The cruise ship terminal is on the far left (long, red roofed building). The WalMart is all the way on the other side of the bay. There is a Soriana which "might" be walkable. Soriana is fairly similar to a Super WalMart. They will have groceries, wine, soda, clothing, etc. You just follow the waterfront road to the right. It's before you get to Papagayo Park. Still might be a tough walk though because of the heat & humidity.

http://www.wikimapia.org/#lat=16.8543679&lon=-99.8805714&z=15&l=0&m=b

While WalMart may look the same as your neighborhood Walmart, they do stock many items you will never find back home as well as things you would. It has a huge selection of Mexican items, from food to housewares and souvenirs, candy, nuts and good prices on liquor, as well as a well stocked farmacia. Typical labor politics do not apply here as the Mexican labor laws are quite different and WalMart de Mexico adheres to them.

Generally, I would agree with you however nothing is ever perfect. I know the WalMart in Cabo had a brief (1-2 days I think) labor stoppage when the store first opened. Don't remember the exact reason, just that it did happen.

People go to the WalMart for a number of reasons. Souvenir shopping "can" be cheaper. It has a reliable pharmacy. It has good prices on Tequila.

On the tequila - it will have a good (but not great) selection, but for the casual drinker, it is enough. The average cruise shopper will think they got a good deal, and for that, it is good. For the discriminating Tequila drinker, we tend to look for brand first and price second.

Cabo San Lucas - Snorkel trip on a catamaran. Easy to book independently. Cost is about $35 - $50 per person. Duration is about 4 hours total. Lunch & drinks are provided (somewhat different depending upon the ship, each one is a little different). Pez Gato is our favorite. EcoCat is the newest cat in Cabo and is receiving good reviews. There are several other good companies - Rissalena, Tropicat, La Princesa.

Mazatlan - Randi's Happy Horses. More info can be found doing a simple search.

Puerto Vallarta - Marigalente Pirate Ship for pirate games, snorkeling, & day at the beach. May have to book this one through the ship (at a higher cost). Your ship may have an exclusive contract with the Marigalente.

Because of the time you are sailing (hurricane season). It is slightly possible that your ships itinerary could be altered and you could miss a port. The safest booking is through the ship because of this (but at a higher cost). The next best option is to book your excursions through a company vendor that offers a "no port, no pay" policy like Johann & Sandra who advertise here. You can also book directly through the company either through the web or when you get to the port you can check for availability. This would be easiest to do in Cabo for a catamaran snorkel/sailing excursion since there are several good companies I mentioned.

Other possibilities include the zip lines in Puerto Vallerta, Stone Island beach day in Mazatlan, and lastly, the Dolphin Encounter in either Cabo or Puerto Vallarta (but this is expensive)

"Tequila" was a number 1 hit (for 5 weeks) by "The Champs" back in 1958. It spent 16 weeks on the Top 40.

Lots of good "Mexico style" music was produced by Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass.