Cruise Ships in Cabo

[atdahop]

Has anyone ever been in Cabo when there were three ships tendering on the same day?  Was wondering how crowded it would be and also how long the lines for the afternoon tenders back to the ship would be.  I am traveling with someone who is mobility challenged.  I wouldn't want him to have to stand in long lines waiting to board the return tender.

Thank you

[donswife]

When we have been there each ship had their own tenders, so 3 ships shouldn't affect it. The port itself might be crowded, especially if it is busy season for resort tourists. Tender lines will more be a function of what size ship you are on, how many people actually get off, and what time you want to return. It is often more crowded close to all aboard time.

[jasbo49]

I remember being the fourth ship to arrive in Cabo once. It seemed like it took forever to tender in because we were sooooo far away.

 

I don't think it matters as much on your return trip to the ship. Each ship has its own load to manage.

 

Jim

[cr8tiv1]

The Royal Princess has many more passengers than her smaller sisters.  I would think there's going to be a long wait regardless.

 

[tailspintom]

We have been there a number of times with 3 cruise ships in port.  The port area does get crowded, but handles the people adequately.  We have never noticed any delay caused by the other ships' tenders. The marina offers quite flat, accessible walking areas where mobility issues can be mitigated.

 

On a side note, the marina area has a whole different feel when ships are not in. There are less street hawkers and a quieter atmosphere in the restaurants. The port has changed quite a bit over the years, as all popular tourist areas do.  Not necessarily bad, just different. You may want to try the area on a land tour sometime.

[Colo Cruiser]

We have found the return line in Cabo are crazy long.

Especially if it is an early departure.

 

[Mike45LC]

When a ship is at Cabo from 7 am to 1 pm, the line for the tender to return to the ship is "crazy long."  And it is often in the direct sun with no shade.   If your ship is in port on this schedule, I'd recommend that you get in line for the return to the ship by 11:30, to avoid the huge lines.  By noon, they are "crazy long."  

 

Princess has re-scheduled, and the seven day Mex Riv now has Cabo as the first stop, and from 11 am to 8 pm (off the top of my head).  Lots of people will return to the ship before dinner (and/or before dark), so the returns are staggered, avoiding the huge lines.  And lots of people will be enjoying the clubs and bars, so they will be staggering themselves.

 

As TailSpin pointed out, the marina walk is pretty level and smooth, so your mobility-impaired friend should find it reasonably easy to walk.

 

[deultgen]

One additional suggestion

 

We were on Ruby last January on a Mexican Riviera cruise including Cabo.  For our cruise, between the many (hundreds) people who were scheduled for ship sponsored shore excursions and the many (hundreds more) who were "elite", we knew we were likely to be among the last to depart the ship on a tender.  We stayed on the ship and booked the day in the Sanctuary.  Between the view of the city and the view of Pelican rocks, we had one the best days ever on a cruise.  

[CineGraphic]

8 minutes ago, deultgen said:

One additional suggestion

 

We were on Ruby last January on a Mexican Riviera cruise including Cabo.  For our cruise, between the many (hundreds) people who were scheduled for ship sponsored shore excursions and the many (hundreds more) who were "elite", we knew we were likely to be among the last to depart the ship on a tender.  We stayed on the ship and booked the day in the Sanctuary.  Between the view of the city and the view of Pelican rocks, we had one the best days ever on a cruise.  

This is a perfect example of how to turn a bad situation into a good one, and enjoying your cruise.

[Qcruise]

Our last Mexican riviera run back in April aboard the Royal,  we were the last ship to arrive that morning around 10:30am with a total of three in all.  We chose to stay aboard and enjoy the ship sans crowds around the pool that day.  Turned out to be a very good choice on our part.  While it's true each ship has it's own tenders along with the local ones contracted,  the tender loading/unloading area is going to be very congested.  

[Mike45LC]

59 minutes ago, Qcruise said:

Our last Mexican riviera run back in April aboard the Royal,  we were the last ship to arrive that morning around 10:30am with a total of three in all.  We chose to stay aboard and enjoy the ship sans crowds around the pool that day.  Turned out to be a very good choice on our part.  While it's true each ship has it's own tenders along with the local ones contracted,  the tender loading/unloading area is going to be very congested.  

I have never seen any problem with congestion at the tender dock because of multiple ships in port -- each ship gets its own queue, so that the crowds are organized.