lisakay927

I am SOOOOO happy to hear there is a rock band at Syd Norman's on the Escape! We were on the Breakaway in March and went to Syd Norman's three times! They were awesome! I knew there was a Syd Norman's on the Escape but wasn't sure it would be the same genre of music playing. Thanks for the info! 

Thank you again.

Sent from my Edge 😁

What about the Marriott Long Beach? I don't see that mentioned above.

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First know that Long Beach is a big city in and of itself--a population of over half a million. Also, there is a prime tourist section--the area immediately around the Convention Center--where you find the Aquarium of the Pacific, Shoreline Village, the Pike, the Queen Mary and a large number of restaurants...also tourist-focused shopping and a free public shuttle bus. Prime hotels in this area include the Hyatt Regency, the Hyatt Centric at the Pike, the Renaissance and the Westin. Close by are the Hilton, the Maya Doubletree and the Residence Inn Downtown. That is the area I always recommend staying in. It is the most convenient, close to the Carnival Terminal and has an atmosphere that makes you feel like your vacation has already started.

 

The Hotel Current is NOT in this area. It is clear across the City of Long Beach, several miles away. OTOH, there is nothing wrong with the hotel or neighborhood. It is on a busy street, but otherwise in a quiet residential area of Long Beach. Not a bad location, say, if you have a child attending Cal State University Long Beach and are there to visit your kid. But, for a pre-cruise stay, rather remote. It doesn't work out poorly, for example, for people driving in, arriving late the day before a cruise and getting a cheaper "park and cruise" rate who only want to get a good night's sleep, leave their car parked there to avoid high parking rates at the pier and take a shuttle to and from the cruise--though it is a rather long shuttle ride. And those people have their cars with them, so they can drive to dinner anywhere.

 

But, it is not a good location for people arriving by plane with no car and having more time than just the night's sleep.

 

The hotel itself is rather ordinary--It is a two story motel-style property built in 1968--centered around a parking lot and a small swimming pool. There is a restaurant adjacent and a bit of neighborhood shopping centers with a few small restaurants and several fast food joints all within a 6-10 block walking distance.

 

Personally, I would pay a bit more to stay in one of the first class hotels I mentioned above...but, for some people, they tend to think this is just fine. All depends on what you want.

Thank You. I appreciate your reply.

Sent from my Edge 😁

I keep hearing about the Hotel Current in Long Beach & thinking of staying here the night before our cruise. I've looked up reviews on other sites & they're pretty good. Any one stayed there before? Thoughts?

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I'm not new to cruising but am interested in some of your thoughts on this particular subject. In the past, I have taken advantage of prepaying the gratuities; however, not sure if this is the best option. Yes, it's convenient but what if you're not happy with the service/treatment you received upon departure? I don't think you can get a gratuity refund. :p Ha Ha Ha. Not that I would ask for my money back; just trying to make a point. I'm sure there are a plethora of opinions out there so please share. :)

I always get nervious when people ask about the "best" anything. It creates unreasonable expectations. Chipman term does have make point when pointing out that ship's excursions do provided door-to-door service and there is value associated with that.

 

An independently booked excursion will require you to make your own way from the port to the excursion operator's office and make sure you leave the ship in time to arrive at the office on time. For many people that can be a daunting task.

 

Carnival doesn't make it easy for people to book excursions independently. The time aboard ship rarely matches Puerto Vallarta local time so time management can be a problem for some people. Ask on the Carnival forum about ship's time vs. local time for this specific itinerary from recent cruisers. Time keeping policy has changed year-to-year.

 

Every excursion, through the ship or independently booked, is designed to afford you the opportunity to spend extra money on extra "stuff". Pictures & videos are common extras. And don't ASSUME you will be able to use your own camera on any zip line excursion.

 

The ship (Vallarta Adventures) offers two great zip line excursions with door-to-door service. US Vallarta regulars tend to encourage people to experience more of the city.

 

Enjoy!

Thank you Paul & Marilyn. Very helpful review indeed. I was looking into possibly booking with another reputable excursion company; however, after reading your comment about the "door-to-door" service and the value (not to mention piece of mind), I realized spending the additional $100 is probably worth it.

Any excursion where the actual tour operator in Vallarta Adventures MUST be booked thru the ship if the ship sells the same excursion. It's contract thing between the cruise industry & Vallarta Adventures.

 

The most popular independently book zip line excursion in Los Veranos. This can be booked through third party tour brokers or directly with the operator at: http://www.canopytours-vallarta.com/ There are a couple more zip line operators but Los Veranos seems to be very well regarded. (We've been there three times)

Thanks for the reply MSN. Very helpful and I see Canopy Tours is highly rated on Trip Advisor.That is reassuring.

My sons (14) & I are cruising to the Mexican Riviera at the end of June and I'm looking for more information regarding some of the shore excursions I've read about, particularly the zip-lining in PV. I've looked on the Internet and see Puerto Vallarta Tours, My Vallarta Experience, etc. and of course there is always reserving via the cruise line (which is more expensive). Can anyone give me some "personal" recommendations on which would be the best? :)

Cruising at the end of June to Mexican Riviera and would like some excursion suggestions for Puerto Vallarta & Cabo. I've researched the tours through the ship as well as 3rd party companies & it seems Carnival charges quite a bit more. Any suggestions on outside tour companies?

I have sailed twice on the Miracle with a third booked for September. I love the ship. If you plan on doing anything on your balcony (I like to have room service breakfast in the morning) get the extended balcony. I would go deck 6 or deck 7 as on deck 8 you are below lido. Deck 6 and Deck 7 you have other staterooms above and below. On my last cruise I stayed in 6220 which was toward the front. I had a large metal area that extended out that blocked my view of the front and I would not book that room again. If you stay in the middle section of the extended balcony's you would be okay.

Thank you John. I really appreciate the feedback.

Did you book any shore excursions for Cabo or Puerto Vallarta? If so, were they through Carnival or an outside company?

Pay close attention to the location of the balcony, regardless of size. Many balconies are positioned over the lifeboats, which (in my opinion) restricts the view. That's one complaint I have about this class of ship. Some balconies, either fore or aft, aren't over the lifeboats and as a result you don't have to look down onto a lifeboat.

 

The Miracle is a nice ship. The decor is a bit odd, but many of Carnival's ships suffer from the same Farcus fracas. There will be a LOT of kids and college types, but I predict if you go with that in mind, you'll have a good time. I love the Mexican Riviera, though prefer to cruise there in the winter. Have a great time and let us know how it goes!

Thanks for the response. One of the other cruisers recommended not to reserve a room near the end or beginning of the extended balconies so that's what I'm going to try to do. I'm traveling with my 14 year old twin boys so it sounds like they'll have a blast. I'd much rather travel in the winter too as I know how hot/humid it will be but with school, etc., it makes it difficult. I'll just plan to stay in the pool for a while. :)

Great ship! You can review my review of the Miracle from the Mexican Riviera cruise in November here:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2132496

 

Chef's table review from the Miracle as well:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2130964

 

She just got out of dry dock and is on her first sailing. I'm sailing on her in three weeks and will probably do another review.

 

Enjoy your cruise!

Thank you so much for your review; very helpful. Did you plan any shore excursions in Cabo or Puerto Vallarta? If so, did you book through Carnival or an external excursion company?

We just got off the Miracle. We were on the 8th floor on the aft. Loved it. Only 1 floor up to the Serenity deck and the buffet.

Thank you so much for your review. Did you plan any shore excursions in Cabo or Puerto Vallarta? If so, did you book through Carnival or an external excursion company?

Based on my location and the current price for flights, it looks like we may take the Mexican Riviera cruise in June via the Carnival Miracle. Any thoughts regarding this particular ship? I've scanned the Boards and it gets a decent rating from Cruise Critic members. Couple of questions: Is there a big difference between a regular balcony and an extended balcony? Should I pay the difference? Also which deck is better, the Panorama, Verandah or Empress?

Thank you all again for your input.

Thank you for your suggestions. :) Based on my location and the current price for flights, it looks like we may take the Mexican Riviera cruise via the Carnival Miracle. Any thoughts regarding this particular ship? I've scanned the Boards and it gets a decent rating from Cruise Critic members. Couple of questions: Is there a big difference between a regular balcony and an extended balcony? Should I pay the difference? Also which deck is better, the Panorama, Verandah or Empress?

Thank you all again for your suggestions.

HELP! :eek:

I'm looking for the best cruise to accommodate myself & my 14 year old twin boys. I'd like to cruise sometime early June because I know how hot/humid Mexico & the Caribbean can be, but can be flexible. I've looked at some Carnival & Royal Caribbean options but can't decide as there are a plethora of reviews & opinions. Any and all suggestions are appreciated.

We take Travelers checks with us and cash them at the ships Pursers Desks or the ships casinos with no problems. On every ship we have sailed.

Then we take the cash ashore in the ports for shopping in small bills.

On the islands, they will give you back their currency too often if you give them large bills.

For large purchases in stores, I use my charge card.

I always call my bank before leaving home and let them know exactly where I will be traveling, also for how long I will be away in case I use that credit card. Most times they ask for more details. ;)

Thank you for the information. Question: Does the ship charge a fee to cash Travelers Checks? If so, approximately how much?

Just wondering what everyone's opinion is regarding cash vs. traveler checks? I've never dealt with the checks before but have never been to the Caribbean before either. Some of the excursions I have booked only allow to pay in cash or travelers check, no credit cards. I'm not comfortable carrying around a load of cash but I know I will need a small amount for gratuities, cab fare, etc. Do most other places (restaurants, shops, etc.) accept credit cards and travelers checks? Any input will be greatly appreciated. :)