8 day out of CA- Acapulco, Manzanillio...what do you think?

[apollobeach]

This Mexican Rivera cruise from San Diego was our first cruise in Janaury 2009 and we loved it. We really like the two sea days on both ends. We can recommend Tours by Van (Rudy) in Acapulco. In Manzillo, we took a cab to Las Hadas where we got a day pass for $30. (abou 300 pesos).

 

The food on Carnival is the best of any of the lines we have sailed on.

The Dining room was excellent in terms of service and quality of food.

The crew was friendly and the customer service was excellent.

 

We live in Florida but will someday take this cruise again.

 

FYI: We have good friends in Arizona who take this cruise aleast once

a year. They also do the other Mexican Rivera cruise offered by Carnival

out of Los Angles.

[calicruzr]

Just booked it.... can't beat the price. As far as it being dangerous..it is all relative... certain parts of Phoenix and Southern California where I live can be just as dangerous. Looking forward to 8 days of fun. We only live once and I refuse to let the bad guy win...

[goodml]

We're also booked on the Dec 6 sailing. I'm liking what I've read so far.:D

[Fourseventeen]

went to book it today and the price went up 100.00 per person for the same cabin. So I passed. if it goes back down ill book it, otherwise it wasnt meant to happen

[scampi]

We just returned last Sunday from the 8 day Carnival Spirit Exotic Mexican Riviera sailing. It was great!! Rosie of rosiesacapulcotours again was our independent tour leader. One group did the all day Acapulco tour and Rosie arranged a wonderful tour for my family at C.I.C.I. Waterpark there in Acapulco. Both tours concluded with seeing the night cliff diver show. In Zihuatanejo we took a watertaxi to Las Gatas beach & swam & snorkeled. In Manzanillo we filled taxis & headed to Las Hadas Hotel. The latter was fantastic with swim up bars, an excellent beach, terrific food. One of our group paid $30 pp for vouchers for food and drink. Our family paid $55 pp (half price for children & free under 6) for an all inclusive day at the hotel. We had wristbands for all the food, drink we wanted. The Spirit staff was fabulous & this was our second time on this cruiseship. BTW, we have always lucked out with good weather in Mexico in December.

[Pilot53]

We are booked on the Christmas sailing to Mexico on Spirit. Our first Carnival cruise. Did Mexico 10 day on Radiance of the Seas this past January, and it was great, also.

 

Why does most everyone dislike Acapulco?

[Fourseventeen]

From what I have read it seems Acapulco is the best port on this itenarary. I would really like to go see the cliff divers.

[woodey]

We did This Cruise last Year Great Price and a Great Ship......Book It!:)

[Jasperdo]

went to book it today and the price went up 100.00 per person for the same cabin. So I passed. if it goes back down ill book it, otherwise it wasnt meant to happen

 

Same here. I've been eyeing the Nov. 28 or Dec. 6 sailing on the Spirit due to the price. But the price just jumped up quite a bit. So I think I'll ride it out awhile longer and hope it comes down again.

 

As to your original post about the ports, I went to all three on the Carnival Holiday a few years back, and enjoyed them all. Yes, Acapulco is a large city, but my wife and I enjoyed it. If you're into history, there's a fascinating fort right across the street from the ship. Zihuatanejo is absolutely beautiful. It was our favorite of the three. Manzanillo is a lot like Mazatlan. A mid sized industrial city. But there's still a lot to do there as well.

[tharris0101]

We are booked on the Christmas sailing to Mexico on Spirit. Our first Carnival cruise. Did Mexico 10 day on Radiance of the Seas this past January, and it was great, also.

 

Why does most everyone dislike Acapulco?

 

Acapulco was my favorite of the ports and the main reason I want to do this cruise again. The best part is that the ship stays there until late at night.

[amc80]

Same here. I've been eyeing the Nov. 28 or Dec. 6 sailing on the Spirit due to the price. But the price just jumped up quite a bit. So I think I'll ride it out awhile longer and hope it comes down again.

 

 

I am booked on the 11/28 sailing, so I've been keeping an eye on fares. About a month ago, the same thing happened- they went up about $100, then back down to what I paid...seems to be happening again. I'd definitely keep an eye out...

 

Although, even at this higher rate, it's still a really good deal.

[CRUZBUDS]

We've been to Acapulco many times - The ships almost always leave at night - it is a beautiful horeshoe shaped harbor - fantastic at night.

 

We usually stay on board after going into the terminal to use the internet - the last time it was $4 per hour for high speed --- just a little better than the ship!

 

The Fort San Diego across the street has a first class museum. It was far nicer than we had expected.

[Jasperdo]

I am booked on the 11/28 sailing, so I've been keeping an eye on fares. About a month ago, the same thing happened- they went up about $100, then back down to what I paid...seems to be happening again. I'd definitely keep an eye out...

 

Although, even at this higher rate, it's still a really good deal.

 

Thanks for the info. That's what I'm hoping will happen. I agree that it's still a good deal at the higher price. But I just can't get myself to pay that extra $100 when I had just seen it for the lower price a few days ago. I'll keep looking...

[Phxbyny]

Big thumbs down concerning Acapulco. Only other port that hate more is Ocho Rios. But the good news is you will love Ixtapa/Zihua.

[scampi]

Acapulco was one of our favorite ports. So much to do and we loved being there in the evening. The cruise terminal is excellent & has some good prices on souvenir items. Plus their Kahlua was less than the duty free offering on the ship. A lot of our group, both young & senior adults, had a great time at the Carlos n Charlies which is right there by the dock as you exit the terminal to board the ship. It was all we could do to reign them in & get them on board by 11:30 p.m.

[deepnite10]

not with CCL..but, have the done the 8 day cruise of the MR with NCL..

Alcopolco is OK if you do a city tour that took in the cliff divers..otherwise Alcopolco is now becoming a city where you don t want to venture out

on your too much..

 

it s pretty bad when headless bodies start showing up on the beach.:eek:

 

the other ports though are great..seems that they really take tourist safety seriously around the port areas..

[bygjon]

Me and my DW are booked on the Dec.6 Spirit cruise. Our fares for this 8 day cruise are $40 cheaper than the 7 day cruise we took last year! I noticed that the price has increased lately but they might go back down. Keep checking.

[STEVENJAN]

We have sailed to Puerto Vallarta 3 times. So, when I saw this cruise and a great price I jumped on it.

I think Washington D.C. is more dangerous then Acapulco. I would go there again.

There are alot more places in the States you shouldn't travel at night. How about Detroit? 30 minutes from Ann Arbor U.M.

[goodml]

We have sailed to Puerto Vallarta 3 times. So, when I saw this cruise and a great price I jumped on it.

I think Washington D.C. is more dangerous then Acapulco. I would go there again.

There are alot more places in the States you shouldn't travel at night. How about Detroit? 30 minutes from Ann Arbor U.M.

 

Not to take things wayyyyy of topic but I had to jump on this one:D. I live in Canada about 30 mins from the border at Windsor/Detroit. We go to Detroit all the time. Downtown is great and the casinos and Greektown have done a lot to revitalize the area in terms of attracting business and nightlife. Ford Field is great, Comerica Park, the Detroit Opera House, the Science Centre, Mexican Town - there's a lot to offer downtown these days.

 

Are there areas in the city where we don't travel? Absolutely - like most other cities - but this is not the Detroit of decades ago.

 

There hasn't been a single headless body on the riverbanks this week.:D