Just back from Carnival Miracle 4/4/15-4/11/15

[Joker440]

Monday and Tuesday were spent in Cabo San Lucas. We were here three years ago and this is our favorite port. I'm going to upload 43 pictures from the two days. Monday, we used our FTTF passes to quickly get on a tender. We rode to the marina on really smooth water.

 

At the marina, our group split up. I went with the in-laws in a land taxi to a place called The Office. It's a restaurant/bar on Medano Beach. FIL has dual prosthetic legs, so the water taxi is not an option for him. The rest of the group piled into a water taxi and met us there.

 

At The Office, we proceeded to order countless buckets of Corona. I ate carne asade tacos, which were excellent. I then went with DW and our friends for a walk down the beach. We wanted to check out some of the all-inclusives for a future land vacation. We checked out Las Palmas and really liked it.

 

DW, MIL, and the kids then went for a ride on the banana boat. It was only $10 each and lasted around 15 minutes. My friend's daughter and another newfound friend went parasailing. Most of the day was spent relaxing under the umbrellas at The Office, drinking beer, and eating the great food.

 

First, some pictures from the ship:

 

 

 

 

 

[Joker440]

 

Tender numero cuatro

 

 

 

 

[mykeb14]

Loving the review so far!

[Joker440]

Thanks!!

[Joker440]

 

 

 

 

[Joker440]

 

 

 

 

[Joker440]

 

 

 

 

[Joker440]

The locals have a sense of humor :)

 

 

I was a little under the influence when I asked to take this picture

 

 

But not drunk enough to ride this thing!

 

 

Do YOU have your own yacht with a shrink wrapped helicopter on the back?

 

[Joker440]

After a relaxing day hanging out at Medano Beach, we headed back to the ship. We cleaned up and headed to dinner. The two days in Cabo kind of ran together, and I don't remember which night we had which dish. Here they are combined:

 

Spicy Alligator Fritters (not bad, worth the try)

 

 

Spaghetti Carbonara appetizer

 

 

Fried Chicken

 

 

BBQ pork ribs

 

 

Nachos while still on shore, forgot the name of the restaurant

 

[Joker440]

After dinner, we checked out Dr. Frankenstein's Lab

 

 

 

Found this little guy in our room when we returned

 

 

Finally went to bed to get some rest.

[Joker440]

Woke up early on Tuesday to go shopping in Cabo. My buddy was pretty hungover and the in-laws were tired, so they didn't join us. We used FTTF to get on a tender quickly and headed to the marina. Right next to the marina is a flea market. We walked through and bought some trinkets and such.

 

We then walked through the endless mass of locals trying to sell us water taxi rides and excursions. Close by, we found the dolphin experience. We walked through and watched as the dolphins played. We then continued walking around the marina and saw some live performers

 

Here's a link to the video since I don't know how to do it right

 

Edited April 14, 2015 by Joker440

[Joker440]

After watching the performers, my daughters decided to return to the ship with my friend's wife and kids. DW and I walked all around, visiting Cabo Wabo, Squid Roe, and a few other places.

 

We then returned to the marina and boarded a tender back to the ship. On the way, a sea lion was swimming around and playing in the bay. Our tender pilot slowed down so we could watch. While the sea lion was playing, a fishing boat approached. Just before it reached the sea lion, the sea lion went under water. I cringed, thinking the boat likely hit the sea lion. We kept watching for it to surface. After a few seconds, it surfaced right behind the moving fishing boat and the sea lion jumped onto the deck on the back of the boat. The fisherman gave it something to eat and it stayed right there until I couldn't see it anymore. It was pretty fun to watch.

[Joker440]

Wednesday morning we awoke in Puerto Vallarta. The ship was already tied off before I ever got up. It was warm and humid outside. We didn't have any solid plans for this day except to explore the Malecon and Walmart.

 

Party boat going out

 

 

 

 

 

Pirates!!

 

[Joker440]

We got ready and exited the ship. First stop was the little flea market at the port. We walked through, bought some stuff, then planned on returning later in the day. We then walked across the very busy street to the mall. Although I'm not a fan of malls, it was interesting to see Puerto Vallarta's version. The temperature was rising and nearing uncomfortable. Inside the mall was a lot cooler. It was interesting to see they had a food court with McDonald's, Burger King, Starbucks, Pizza Hut, and other American Fare. This mall also boasts a theater and a casino. They even had a small train running around the second floor

 

 

After the mall, we walked to Walmart. It was a smaller version of a Super Walmart that I've been to in the states. We then walked back to the ship to drop off purchases and rest for a minute.

 

After relaxing and cooling down, DW and one DD went with me to the Malecon. We hailed a yellow taxi for the ride. Cost was $10 for the three of us. I'm sure I could have found a lower price, but it was worth it to get out of the heat and on to our destination. The driver dropped us off at the north end of the Malecon.

 

We began walking and came across the Cheeky Monkey. I had read about this place on Cruise Critic and remembered they offered one dollar beers. We went up the stairs and sat at a table overlooking the ocean. It was a great view. Pretty soon we had one dollar Coronas and a plate of nachos. The beer was very cold and almost immediately covered in condensation due to the humidity.

 

 

 

[Joker440]

We continued walking down the Malecon, checking out the sights as we went. We came across a fellow who balances rocks on the beach.

 

 

 

And statues

 

 

[Joker440]

 

 

 

Locals playing in the river

 

 

[Joker440]

We found a guy selling trinkets along the way. He told me he graduated from Oregon State University with a degree in History. He since moved back to Puerto Vallarta to be close to his family. I told him I wanted to find some good carne asada tacos and asked if he had any recommendations. He told me the best place was about three blocks off the Malecon. He then surprised me by offering to walk with us there. I was a little leery of leaving the main tourist area but, what the heck, you only live once.

 

We walked up the street a few blocks to a street vendor. I ordered three tacos, then bought a bottle of water across the street. The tacos were excellent. We walked back to the Malecon and watched as DD played on the beach for a little while. We then made our way back to the north end and hailed another yellow taxi. Again, $10 for the ride back to the ship. It was very bumpy riding on the cobblestone streets.

 

 

 

another new little friend waiting

 

[Joker440]

Once back on the ship, I met up with my friend and his wife. They wanted to return to the flea market to buy a shirt. They had also heard earlier that a lady would be there later in the day selling tamales. All three of us love fresh tamales, so we returned to the flea market.

 

I watched as my friend bartered for the better part of a half hour trying to get his price on two nice shirts. The vendor finally gave in and we walked away with the shirts. These aren't your typical tourist T-shirts. These were button up, thick cotton shirts. We both have the same type of shirts we bought three years ago and they are still in great condition.

 

We then walked around and found the tamale lady. She prepares her tamales in banana leaves. She had two types, chicken and pork. We each ordered one pork and one chicken. The pork had a mild red sauce and was very tasty. The chicken had a spicy green sauce. It burned a little, but was even better than the pork. I couldn't even finish two, which is odd for me.

 

We returned to the ship. My friends said they were skipping dinner tonight. The family and I got cleaned up and went to the MDR. I had the corn chowder for my appetizer and it was excellent. I ordered two entrees, even though I wasn't very hungry.

 

Grilled Jumbo Tiger Shrimp

 

 

Chateaubriand

 

 

Baked Alaska

 

 

Warm Chocolate Melting Cake

 

 

I was so full now!!

[lasvegascruising]

I'm sailing on the Miracle leaving on May 16. If it was hot when you were there, I think I will be really hot. Is the ocean water warm for swimming, splashing round or still pretty cold? The little letter in your suit case, if you had to do it different, what would you suggest?

 

Your review so far is terrific. Great pictures and I really appreciate all the information you are providing.

[Joker440]

It was pretty hot, and humid, especially in PV. The water in Cabo was absolutely fine. I didn't get in the water in PV. We talked to people on the ship. One was successful rolling their bottle in a towel. Another said Rum Runners have been 100% for them.

[Heartkrazy]

What a great review, thank you!! We set sail on the Miracle 4/25 and after reading your posts I'm way beyond excited!

[n6uqqq]

It was pretty hot, and humid, especially in PV. The water in Cabo was absolutely fine. I didn't get in the water in PV. We talked to people on the ship. One was successful rolling their bottle in a towel. Another said Rum Runners have been 100% for them.

 

The person who rolled their bottle in a towel and got it through was extremely lucky. Xrays will go right through the towel and the bottle will stick out like a sore thumb.

[SadieN]

Fyi.

 

For your next trip down. You can catch the Blue line train to downtown long beach. The blue line is accessible from a short 5 minute subway ride from union station. Cost per person to catch subway and blue line from union station to long beach is 1.75 . Looking forward to tour review . Sailing miracle May 23rd.

 

 

Little more complicated.

 

From Union Station

Take the Red or Purple line to the

Seventh St Metro Station

Transfer to the Blue Line to the Long Beach Transit Station.

If you're staying at the Maya, Queen Mary (should get you close to the Hilton)

Walk to the Free Long Beach Passport Bus at the Northwest (not quite the corner, in front of the tall white building).

 

Metro.net

Google Long Beach a Passport Bus.

 

Also need to purchase a TAP card for $1.

[ccruisequeen]

What did they do for Easter Sunday?

 

Sent from my KFSOWI using Tapatalk

[Joker440]

The person who rolled their bottle in a towel and got it through was extremely lucky. Xrays will go right through the towel and the bottle will stick out like a sore thumb.

 

That's what I was thinking, but that's what she said. A friend who went in February said they just stuck theirs in their suitcase and made it through. I think it's based on whether or not the x-ray guy is paying attention.