Ashland

We've cruised the Mexican Riviera many times since the mid 1990's and I couldn't agree more with the comments above. Enjoy these extremely easy DIY ports.

As grandparents that cruise often with our grandkids under age 10 this refreshment package isn't necessary at all....Enjoy, you'll have an amazing time !!

Not sure I understand "with the way things are these days"...is there something you're concerned about with these ports ?

Do you have the email confirmation when you booked the cruise? That will confirm that you booked a cabin for four. Sorry I don't understand how a cabin for four has become one that will only accommodate three. Perhaps I'm missing something about your post.

We were in Hutalco during our RCI Panama Canal cruise this past October. Port times were decreased so not many excursions available. OP check with your cruiseline or ask on your roll call for suggestions on private tours.

Yes...they can. We'll be in a suite (again) on Navigator in January also.

My favorite perk with our suites is being able to order off the MDR menu. Breakfast is great and so is late night (before closing time) dessert and hot tea service.

Perhaps the policy is different for the TA's...sorry I was assuming a different itinerary.

The DL on many ships are a nicer venue. They can bring their SL drinks with them

No covid test required any longer.

Also the Radiance class has a nice two/bdrm/bath that was the old CL. We had extended family in one of those and it was a great cabin with suite perks.

Don't bother checking daily...you are way too far out. RCI has no set time for cruise planner items. You could start checking in 2023/2024 and remember things can change as far as what and when things are offered. I'm booked for Icon in May 2024 and won't even start checking this soon.

Just my personal opinion and lot's of experience with these ports. There will be many vendors offering excursions when you disembark. You'll do much better opting for these than a ship booked excursion.

You are so very welcome. So glad I was able to provide what we experienced as a great hotel choice for Port Canaveral. Happy, healthy, safe travels to you.

Were you assigned a cabin yet? This seems to be a factor I thought.

Not really surprised at all. I think trying to manage who will be allowed in the CL lounge on those ships that still have one has been confusing to many with it's inconsistency . Thankfully we as D+ are very close to Pinnacle and sail in suites so we won't be too impacted but in years past have felt that D+ has had the most loss to their C&A level status and here goes another one that will affect many loyal's.

Just like going to a restaurant in your home town during their open hours. Sometimes there's a wait sometimes not. You can also make a reservation.

FYI...Los Angeles is talking about a mask mandate again end of December if our numbers continue to rise based on data. This may impact your cruise out of San Pedro more than likely if we do....so keep checking and have masks with you just in case.

Agree with the Sheraton Old Town....don't confuse this one with the newer (Sheraton) that has a casino. It should be a quick easy taxi ride from the Pan American pier to this hotel. We've done the reverse many times.

Next up for us: January 20, 2023 Navigator 7 night Mexican Riviera.

Mazatlan...Take a taxi from just outside the port to the Central Market Mercado. Lot's of vendor's there. Easy to do and when you're ready to go back to ship...just flag down another taxi. We do this often as recently as last January and October and will be there again in January 2023. Sorry out of all the trips we've done at this port going to a movie at that mall isn't something we would do.

In Mazatlan take a taxi (safe,quick, cheap & easy to do) to the central market...Lot's of indoor vendors then take a taxi back to the port.

We have used Cruise Control. A very reliable shuttle company that provides transportation from MCO as well as picking up at some hotels then to Port Canaveral and back to MCO again after a cruise. Give then a call...(888) 416-8830... Corey the owner is very helpful at arranging your transportation needs. Enjoy your cruise.

Ashland here....We stayed at the Home2Suites and just loved this hotel and the rooms we had which included a kitchenette and the hot breakfast, pool and the hot beverage offering in the lobby made this a hotel we would definitely stay at again and recommend.

We had a sewage smell recently (on Jewel July 26 2022) in our OS that would come and go and our SL concierge offered us 20% off based on the cruise fair paid for that sailing. We didn't even ask (and only told our cabin steward)) but he and everyone onboard (from him to the hotel director to the LA to the concierge) seemed to know we were having a problem in our particular cabin and kept checking and doing everything they could. It came to a nice amount we then applied as an FCC to one of our booked 2023 cruises.