Crown Princess Mexican Rivera 12/5/15

[Matcodixon]

This was our first time on the Crown and the first time for this itinerary. In all it was a great cruise!

 

We arrived the day before and spent the night at the DoubleTree at the marina which was excellent with a nice surprise as they upgraded us to a suite.(I am a Hilton Gold member) We had driven there and they stored our car for the week and shuttled us back and forth to the cruise terminal. Great hotel and service including excellent free breakfast.

 

We got to the terminal just before noon and the process was quick and easy. We were on board and to our cabin where the luggage was waiting shortly after 1pm. We did not have any priority boarding. It could not have been quicker or easier.

 

The ship was in excellent condition and the crew was wonderful. They went out of their way to take care of any special requests or minor problems. Very nice Christmas decorations!

 

Food was very good at the MDR where we ate every night. Anytime dining worked very well as we were willing to share a table and arrived at about 6:45 each night. There was no wait and we met some great table mates during the week. Service was excellent. The only meal we had all week that did not impress us was the Pub Lunch we had one day. It just was not to our taste. On the other days we ate lunch at the IC and everything was very good. Breakfast was room service with the card put out each night. Special requests were written in and provided every day.

 

The shows were excellent especially the new "Magic to Do" By Stephen Schwartz. Really a step above any other musical show we have experienced on any other cruise. The singers and dancers were great as was the band. The band "Fusion" that worked at various events throughout was also excellent. The 70s disco party (Love Boat theme) on deck was a highlight.

 

The ports:

Puerto Vallarta

We did the Las Caletas private beach tour which consumed the day. It was great and well worth the cost. Everything was included. There are some detailed reviews an the Mexican Rivera ports board as well as some videos on you tube. Totally recommend this for all ages.

Mazatlan

We walked out and flagged down a Pulmonia (open taxi) and negotiated a wonderful 3 1/2 hour tour. Just the two of us and the driver. He stopped whenever we wanted and waited for us. We saw all of the sights and had lunch at an excellent restaurant by the beach in the Golden Zone.

Cabo San Lucas

Since it was a short day there we opted for a ship tour "Santa Maria cove sail and snorkel" This was also a great tour with a wonderful crew on a large catamaran. Thousands of fish and clear water. Snacks and drinks. Well worth the price.

 

Getting home and disembarking was also quick and easy. Well organized. Hotel Shuttle back to our car and the drive home.

 

Dixon:cool:

[Colo Cruiser]

Thanks for the comments...

 

We loved Las Caletas too!

[cvpends]

Thank you for your review. Sounds like a heavenly cruise :)

 

Sent from my XT1032 using Tapatalk

[Woobstr112G]

Thanks for taking the time to post your review. Sounds like you had a nice cruise.....:):):)

 

Bob

[gregjm]

Thanks for the review.

Edited December 14, 2015 by gregjm

[KikisDad]

Thanks for the review, we are sailing on the Crown on January 8.

[Keith1010]

Enjoyed your trip report.

 

Keith

[srpilo]

Welcome back to reality :)

 

 

Thanks

Srpilo

[Matcodixon]

Welcome back to reality :)

 

 

Thanks

Srpilo

 

Boy ain't that the truth!

 

Switching to "Getting ready for Christmas" gear... And the arrival of our family for the week!

[littlebeau]

Sounds like Caletas is a must do-was looking at it.did anyone do city highlights in Cabo-we were there before and went on a tour and to a nasty beach. Usually in PV we take a bus to town and mosey around but might take the Las Caletas tour. There is another tour in Mazatlan that looked interesting, the Golden Zone,lunch,,shopping. Any good ideas.

[riclop]

This was our first time on the Crown and the first time for this itinerary. In all it was a great cruise!

 

We arrived the day before and spent the night at the DoubleTree at the marina which was excellent with a nice surprise as they upgraded us to a suite.(I am a Hilton Gold member) We had driven there and they stored our car for the week and shuttled us back and forth to the cruise terminal. Great hotel and service including excellent free breakfast.

 

We got to the terminal just before noon and the process was quick and easy. We were on board and to our cabin where the luggage was waiting shortly after 1pm. We did not have any priority boarding. It could not have been quicker or easier.

 

The ship was in excellent condition and the crew was wonderful. They went out of their way to take care of any special requests or minor problems. Very nice Christmas decorations!

 

Food was very good at the MDR where we ate every night. Anytime dining worked very well as we were willing to share a table and arrived at about 6:45 each night. There was no wait and we met some great table mates during the week. Service was excellent. The only meal we had all week that did not impress us was the Pub Lunch we had one day. It just was not to our taste. On the other days we ate lunch at the IC and everything was very good. Breakfast was room service with the card put out each night. Special requests were written in and provided every day.

 

The shows were excellent especially the new "Magic to Do" By Stephen Schwartz. Really a step above any other musical show we have experienced on any other cruise. The singers and dancers were great as was the band. The band "Fusion" that worked at various events throughout was also excellent. The 70s disco party (Love Boat theme) on deck was a highlight.

 

The ports:

Puerto Vallarta

We did the Las Caletas private beach tour which consumed the day. It was great and well worth the cost. Everything was included. There are some detailed reviews an the Mexican Rivera ports board as well as some videos on you tube. Totally recommend this for all ages.

Mazatlan

We walked out and flagged down a Pulmonia (open taxi) and negotiated a wonderful 3 1/2 hour tour. Just the two of us and the driver. He stopped whenever we wanted and waited for us. We saw all of the sights and had lunch at an excellent restaurant by the beach in the Golden Zone.

Cabo San Lucas

Since it was a short day there we opted for a ship tour "Santa Maria cove sail and snorkel" This was also a great tour with a wonderful crew on a large catamaran. Thousands of fish and clear water. Snacks and drinks. Well worth the price.

 

Getting home and disembarking was also quick and easy. Well organized. Hotel Shuttle back to our car and the drive home.

 

Dixon:cool:

 

Thanks for your thoughts.

[shellbeachjim]

Dixon,

 

It was nice meeting you at the Doubletree prior to the cruise. One thing you didn't mention was the very rough seas on Friday night December 11th when we were returning from Cabo to San Pedro. Neither of us are terribly susceptible to motion sickness, but that was very rough and neither of us were able to eat much at dinner. I understand the surf was pretty rough along the Southern California coast that night and the Ventura pier suffered some damage as a result.

[DougH]

Glad you enjoyed the trip. I was on the Pacific Princess docked next to you in Puerto Vallarta. We looked like your little baby :)

 

We had an overnight in PV so I did the Rythums of the Night tour over on Las Caletas and it was fantastic. I'm not really a beach person but would be tempted to head back for the day like you did.