EagleRockers

Yes, Coke made in Mexico is sweeter and smoother. Almost like a Pepsi :rolleyes:

With all due respect to Joan Crawford, around my house we refer to Pepsi as the "P" word.

I really want to take this cruise, but my husband is adamant about not cruising with Carnival. The itinerary looks great! Any tips on convincing my hubby we would enjoy this cruise? His biggest concern is the food.

Alex, I agree! Coca-Cola does taste better in Mexico. My husband worked for Coke for 30 before retiring 5 years ago. Our house was never without Coke for those 30 years. I remember traveling to Mexico back in the early '80s and tasting a Mexican Coke for the first time...by gosh, it did taste better. My hubby said it must be the way the Coke syrup was mixed with the Mexican water. To this day, when I'm in Mexico, I always order Coke.

Looking forward to you next installment!

Return flight 10 a.m. out of L.A.? I doubt you will make that unless you're able to leave the ship very, very early.

We made it to the mall, too, and it was quite nice. The air conditioning helped a lot! We didn't get into town like you, but walked down to the Hilton Hotel to check it out. Long walk, very hot and exhausting! Isn't it nice to feel that first burst of air conditioning when you walk back on the ship?

I'm really enjoying your adventure with grandma! So then what happened?

Alex, I am so enjoying your review. You sound very mature and intelligent for your age, good for you! I was on the Ruby a few weeks after you with the same itinerary. Like you, I loved the Ruby!

How lucky for you to take your first cruise at 16 years of age. I was 22 when I took my first cruise and that was back in 1974! I fell in love with cruising then and have never stopped. When I think of it, my first cruise might have been on the big, white steamship that use to go to Catalina from San Pedro. My mom and I made that trip often when I was just a child in the late ‘50s and early ‘60s.

I’m looking forward to more of your review and pictures. Grandma looks like a sweetheart!

Not exactly gay friendly. I recall a charter stop there due to weather elsewhere, two guys got a lecture from a female cab driver about how sinful they were.

Not exactly gay friendly? Neither are most of the Caribbean islands, but I guess the lesser homophobic places are better than Jamaica. The bottom line is 'proceed with caution.'

Atlantis Events all-gay charter has Grand Cayman on it's stop next Jan 2016 so you can be reasonably assured that it's a safe stop. They wouldn't stop there if it wasn't safe unlike Jamaica or the Bahamas. Like most all Caribbean islands which are religiously conservative and where homosexuality is taboo - GLBT tourist shouldn't have any issues as long as you respect their customs and stay within the tourist areas or take a ship's organized tour. Never wonder off alone or go to unfamiliar areas or wear expensive jewelry, etc. Just use common sense.

Are the Bahamas 'off limits' also? Didn't know that. It's hard to avoid Nassau on many Caribbean cruises. Enlighten me!

IF your email (your username) is still a good one - I'll send you an email with the details - since I am not allowed to post the website referrals or facebook page here.

My username is no longer valid as an email address - wish I could change that.

I did a Google search and found the Bearracuda website. No mention of drag queens, just a lot of hunky, hairy men (OH my!). Are the drag queens a completely different group that's on the ship? Thanks for all the info.

This sounds right up my alley! Tell me about the bears and drag queens being on board.

My husband and I just did the same itinerary in April and really liked the Ruby. We'd do it again if there was lots of 'family' on board.

Thanks for this; the info is fascinating!

I'm not impressed with this sale. I priced two cruises I'm interested in and the pricing two weeks ago was better than what is offered as a sale. And they have eliminated the OBC. Thanks, but no thanks!

You won't find any cruise line going there. The drug cartels are very active in Acapulco.

The Norwegian Sun will be visiting Acapulco in September and October this year. The same applies for next year 2016.

I wouldn't get on that cruise just for the reason you mentioned. I plan my cruises when kids are in school.

I wouldn't be concerned whatsoever. Just got back from P.V. and had a great time!

My husband and I are considering this ship for a cruise to Bermuda in 2016. I look forward to hearing about your experience. It would be a 'big' trip for us as we live in California. Just the thought of sailing past the Statue of Liberty makes me want to go!

Thank you so much for the great pictures of the Ruby. We were on that cruise and I think I can make out my husband on the balcony in his orange shirt. At least I think that's him!

Loved having you as a 'neighbor' for the day!

Best wishes!

So sorry to hear you came down with noro. My husband and I were on the same cruise and managed to have a great time as did most of the passengers we observed.

Don't blame Princess; it was more than likely from a fellow passenger. Hope you're feeling better!

Since you will be across the river Cuale, most likely the fare in yellow cabs will be Pesos 100,-.

Ine, Thank you for taking the time to answer my question.

Two taxi services in Vallarta: White port taxis that only take people away from the port and charge per person in USD's AND yellow city taxis that operate throughout the city except on port/airport property. Yellow taxis charge per taxi ride with up to 4 passengers. You can find them just outside the port property. Rates for both taxi services operate on a zone boundary system. The Cuale River that separates El Centro from the Southside is a zone boundary.

 

The cost should be roughly $4-$5 USD per person for white port taxis. It should be roughly 80 pesos ($8 USD at taxi driver conversion rate) each way. I can't tell you the exact port taxi rate today as we don't use them but I have been lead to believe that the cost is the same for port/city taxis if there are just two people. The savings is realized with 3-4 people in the city taxis and gets better if you pay on pesos because the actual exchange rate is close to 15:1 right now.

 

And yes, USD's are welcome just abut everywhere in Vallarta. Just know in advance that you should not EXPECT to get USD's in change.

 

Enjoy!

As they say in Mexico, muchas gracias!

What would be the approximate taxi fare from the cruise port to Daiquiri Dick's (located on Los Muertos beach)? Would that be the same for the return fare?

I'm not planning on exchanging dollars for pesos. Is the American dollar still widely accepted in Puerto Vallarta?

Many thanks for your comments!

This sounds interesting. But what I'd really like to see is an itinerary out of L.A. (or maybe San Diego) that goes to Ixtapa/Z-town, Manzanillo and Acapulco. With the distance, it would probably have to be a 10-day.

 

People who cruise from the West Coast and/or vacation in Mexico have been to Cabo and PV so many times they need some fresh territory to get interested. At least I do. I like that some cruises are including La Paz and Loreto, just because it's something different, but I think Ixtapa, Manzanillo and Acapulco would offer a lot more in terms of beaches and attractions.

 

Jim

If I saw a cruise going to Ixtapa, Manzanillo and Acapulco I would jump on it. Getting a little tired of Cabo, PV and Mazatlan. They're all really nice, but something new would be appreciated.

I wish Princess would make a stop in Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo. Love that area!

Enjoy your cruise! My husband and I did this cruise a few years back and really enjoyed it, although I could have used more time in Hawaii. We'll be getting on the Ruby to Mexico the day you guys come back.