cohnhed

Sorry I didn't see this until today to put in my 2 cents and maybe change your mind. We have done this cruise every New Years Eve since 2011. The weather at the ports is so warm in December/January. We did a discover scuba in Cabo a few years ago and it was fabulous. We did have to wear wet suits.

In PV there is a great beach right by where the ships dock with every water sport you could want, except maybe snorkeling. We have rented paddle boards and jet skis there and gotten massages on the beach. The water is wonderful with the hot air. No taxis or travelling involved,

Stone Island in Mazatlan is a beautiful, relaxing beach and it's easy to ignore the vendors.

Jvillegal- you may be appalled but this works for them. I was only trying to help other people. My dad has mild dementia, I don't know what gave you the idea that i described him as bad as you think. He looks forward for months for each cruise. And why would you think that an 86 year old mentally sharp, incredibly physically fit woman shouldn't be on a cruise? If this is something you would never do that's your choice. Please don't judge my parents, especially based on the little bit of information I gave.

I hope this isn't too late to be helpful. My mom is 86 and my dad is 88. He has had Alzheimers for about for about 6 years and in that time they have taken about 5 cruises a year. (They have close to 90 overall and are usually the most traveled people on their cruise)

Some things that have worked for them - My mom gets up early and goes to the gym and has breakfast, then she goes and gets my dad up and takes him to breakfast. They sometimes do activities together and sometimes my dad sits in the international cafe (they always go on Princess) with a coffee and looks out the window and waits for my mom.

They always get a cabin in the same place on the ship, no matter what ship they are on they are on Plaza level right by the international cafe. That makes it easier for my dad to find his way back because it's always the same. And she always puts the same red bow on the door so he knows what to look for.

My mom is very social and meets people at breakfast and lunch and activities. They always have a table for 2 at dinner because it would be too difficult with other people. My dad has eating issues so my mom always orders pasta along with whatever else she gets for him because he'll always eat that. One reason my mom wants to keep cruising is because he eats a lot.

And they have done 7, 10, and 15 day cruises. I wouldn't necessarily rule out a long cruise.

He has gotten lost a couple of times and every time they cruise my mom says it may be the last. But they just got off one in November and have one booked for January.

Hope this can help someone. And there will most likely be other people with dementia on the cruise.

Has anyone done excursions on their own and not through the ship? Anyone done the dolphins without going through the ship? We will have young children with us.

We have done a dolphin excursion in Cabo on our own. You will need to go to San Jose del Cabo which is about a half hour away. We booked ahead of time and were picked up at a hotel near the tender pier. My kids loved it and it was a lot cheaper than doing it through the cruise. I don't remember the name of the company but I think there is only one in San Jose del Cabo.

We have the same issue in Miami and are doing the Hop On Hop Off through Carnival. It includes transfer to the airport.

I would love information on an inside cabin ( we will have 4105) with French doors on the Carnival Miracle. Can you open the door and will it provide enough daylight? Are the lifeboats extremely close?

Would love to hear about the experience. I hear conflicting stories: some people told me they could open the door, but others said they couldn't.

I just booked this room for next December. How was it? I am considering switching to 4111.