Best Tips/Suggestions/Expectations for first timer on this coast please!

[RCmommy]

Been around the Carribean and traveled to Cali a few times, but I have never even really looked at the Mexican Riveria cruise before. Wanting something new and really liking the prices for the Panorama in January 2024. I’ve done some reading but I’m hoping other experienced cruisers of this itinerary have some advice/opinions, anything, on the 7 day in January in particular.

 

From what I have gathered so far it looks like the weather will be a bit cooler than the Carribean which is fine by me!  Also looks like the sailings may possibly experience a bit more motion in the ocean.  I’m aware of the travel advisories for Mexico and don’t have any real concerns as we usually stick to public areas and don’t stray too far.   
 

Honestly I’m also curious why this itinerary is priced much more affordably than what I’m seeing for the Carribean in January?  I know the ship can make some difference in cost but there are older ships sailing in the Carribean and the prices are much higher.  That makes me wonder what I don’t know?

 

I appreciate any comments!

[lasvegascruising]

I wonder the exact same thing.  I was searching for a December 2023 cruise and found the Carnival Panorama priced right for me.  I like cruising from Galveston but Carnival prices there are just too high at this time.  The only thing that comes to mind right now is that the first day and the last day of the Mexican Riveria cruise are on the cooler/colder side (when sailing Dec/Jan).  Maybe some folks don't want to be chilly on a cruise vacation and won't book pacific coast that time of year thus lower prices?

[RCmommy]

That could be.  The lower cruise costs helps offset the higher priced flights for me.

 

Cruise prices out of FL are much higher than I have seen in a long time.  We sailed out of Galveston for the first time last January.  It poured rain.

[ATSEAMYLIFE]

It's the weather.  Everybody on the east coast and Canada want to go to the Caribbean in January to warm up.  CA coast to MX won't be as warm as the Caribbean.  It's not bad if the sun is out, but if it's overcast and moving on the ship you won't be laying out on deck.  It will warm up after 2-3 days once you get to Cabo.  Panorama is a "turn and burn" ship for the LA crowd.  It's cheaper than most and gets a lot of use by people who don't really respect the ship.  Can we say, "party crowd?"  We live just south of San Diego and January is a nice time of the year.  But only if the sun is out and there's no wind.  You can expect air temp in the high 60's to low 70's.  Personally, if coming from Ontario I would look at going out of Galveston if the price is right.  We also have a place north of there and the January weather in TX is pretty nice.  Plus, I think the port stops are better.           

[SelectSys]

1 hour ago, ATSEAMYLIFE said:

if coming from Ontario I would look at going out of Galveston if the price is right

I think that's a good idea.  One might also consider New Orleans and Tampa as well.  Some of the older ships make more affordable cruises from these ports as well.

[ATSEAMYLIFE]

12 hours ago, SelectSys said:

I think that's a good idea.  One might also consider New Orleans and Tampa as well.  Some of the older ships make more affordable cruises from these ports as well.

I always overlook those two as we haven't ever done them.  I think Houston has a few also.  

[SelectSys]

4 hours ago, ATSEAMYLIFE said:

I always overlook those two as we haven't ever done them.  I think Houston has a few also.  

I have been on cruises from Tampa and Houston.  I liked my Tampa cruise better as the ports were outside of Mexico which I would rather visit via a land vacation.

[RCmommy]

My rule with cruising|travelling (others may find silly) is at least one place new.  It’s difficult once you have done a handful in the Caribbean.  I wouldn’t mind the cooler weather but my DH might not be overly happy.  I just thought a change of scenery would be nice.  I haven’t been to Aruba and Curaçao yet or Bermuda but they are priced well above my pay grade right now 😳

 

At least with New Orleans the last time I was there I was a teen and that was many moons ago, so kinda new lol.

 

I don’t mind cooler but I don’t want cold if you know what I mean?!

Edited October 5, 2023 by RCmommy

[RCmommy]

2 hours ago, SelectSys said:

I have been on cruises from Tampa and Houston.  I liked my Tampa cruise better as the ports were outside of Mexico which I would rather visit via a land vacation.

Always smaller ships though.  Darn bridge.

[ATSEAMYLIFE]

8 minutes ago, RCmommy said:

At least with New Orleans the last time I was there I was a teen and that was many moons ago, so kinda new lol.

Do NOLA and take a few days to sightsee and spend a day at the WWII museum, well worth it.   

[pinto18]

4 hours ago, RCmommy said:

I don’t mind cooler but I don’t want cold if you know what I mean?!

Have done this itinerary in Jan and Feb a few times. The first and last sea days will likely be overcast and chilly. Your days in port will be nice! ( I hate too hot...it should be warm but not humid) Give it a try! 

[RCmommy]

After overthinking per usual,  we are going to go ahead and book the MR itinerary.  I’m sure the cool weather will be nothing like the freezing temps back home!  

[LAKingsFan]

On 10/9/2023 at 8:24 PM, RCmommy said:

After overthinking per usual,  we are going to go ahead and book the MR itinerary.  I’m sure the cool weather will be nothing like the freezing temps back home!  

Have done January on Panorama the last two years. As said, mild to cool weather first and last day, warm when you get further south.

 

This is great time of year for whales down there. We saw a few from the ship this last January, saw a couple from the shore in Cabo and a couple while en route to the Rhythms of the Night tour which was a great time!

[RCmommy]

What type of whales?  Just curious.  I’ve seen many on various tours but the Orca keeps evading me.

Edited October 13, 2023 by RCmommy

[tootsiescurly]

5 hours ago, RCmommy said:

What type of whales?  Just curious.  I’ve seen many on various tours but the Orca keeps evading me.

Gray whales, pilot whales, and humpbacks.

 

 

[RCmommy]

Thanks.  Someday I will see an Orca in the wild!

[marden1970]

21 minutes ago, RCmommy said:

Thanks.  Someday I will see an Orca in the wild!

Have you cruised Alaska?  We've done whale watching there a few times and have seen pods of Orca's several times. Awesome sight!

[marden1970]

9 hours ago, marden1970 said:

Have you cruised Alaska?  We've done whale watching there a few times and have seen pods of Orca's several times. Awesome sight!

Hey Jersey Girl in AZ, I'm a Jersey Girl in NV.

[RCmommy]

23 hours ago, marden1970 said:

Have you cruised Alaska?  We've done whale watching there a few times and have seen pods of Orca's several times. Awesome sight!

Not yet.  Bucket list!  We did do a 3 hour whale tour out of Anacortes Washington some years back.  They had seen orcas everyday for nearly a year, but the tour we were on, not a one. Only Minke whales.

[karatemom2]

The Mexican Riviera is a very different experience than the Caribbean, but very fun and beautiful in its own right. The beaches are not white sand, but more golden and course and the water is cooler and more of a dark blue green as opposed to turquoise. The ports offer a wide variety of things to do from very active pursuits to more cultural types of tours and the prices are great. Food is amazing and the tequila is the best. The people are welcoming and friendly and you will find that while it is warm, it is rarely oppressively hot or humid, especially in the winter months which we find to be beautiful. You rarely need to worry about rain or storms disrupting your trip and the sunrises and sunsets are exquisite. You will see wildlife like dolphins, sea lions, and whales which are plentiful during peak months. We live in Southern CA so have been many times and love it every time. We are looking forward to our next cruise over New Year's. 

[Mike45LC]

@karatemom2:  in the summer, the Mex Riv is very hot and humid, oppressively so.  But from October through April, it is very nice.

[RCmommy]

23 hours ago, karatemom2 said:

The Mexican Riviera is a very different experience than the Caribbean, but very fun and beautiful in its own right. The beaches are not white sand, but more golden and course and the water is cooler and more of a dark blue green as opposed to turquoise. The ports offer a wide variety of things to do from very active pursuits to more cultural types of tours and the prices are great. Food is amazing and the tequila is the best. The people are welcoming and friendly and you will find that while it is warm, it is rarely oppressively hot or humid, especially in the winter months which we find to be beautiful. You rarely need to worry about rain or storms disrupting your trip and the sunrises and sunsets are exquisite. You will see wildlife like dolphins, sea lions, and whales which are plentiful during peak months. We live in Southern CA so have been many times and love it every time. We are looking forward to our next cruise over New Year's. 

Thanks for this!  We have booked for the very end of January and it sounds like the MR itinerary will be the exact change of pace we want.

Edited October 19, 2023 by RCmommy

[SbbquilterUT]

We did our first Mexican Riviera cruise last Jan and are repeating this Jan.  It was comfortably cool in LA - bring a light jacket.  Did experience a lady very upset at Customer Service be use she did not know it would be cooler than the Caribbean.  We used this. Raise to totally relax.  Catalina we just walked - to the Casino to see the Art Deco on the outside.  Then up to the botanic gardens (good hike to work up an appetite).  Then Mazatlan - walked the blue line into the town square.  The cathedral is lovely, walk along the ocean front be sure to see the Beatles Road - statues, bus, etc.  We were lucky that there was lots of decor for upcoming Carnival.  At Cabo and PV we just walked after reading from other bloggers about which way to head.  Also spent time on the top of the ship watching for whales!

[RCmommy]

I have read "walked the blue line" a number of times in relation to Mazatlan.  Can you explain what this means? 

 

I don't know anything about the Beatles Road so I will look in to that.  I keep seeing mention of the Malecon as well.  I'll admit that once the Panorama started to have issues, I stopped researching the ports so I am behind on my planning.  I think our cruise at the end of January should be good to go as planned.  Fingers crossed!

 

As for the cooler weather, we are fine with that.  Sounds like the perfect temperatures to walk around and take in everything without quickly overheating and having nothing but energy to sit at the beach. 

[Mike45LC]

"The blue line":  In Mazatlan, there is a mandatory free shuttle from the ship to the Cruise Passenger Terminal.  Once you are outside the Cruise Passenger Terminal area, across the street is an OXXO store (Mexican brand of 7-11).  Right on the surface of the street itself, there is a broad painted stripe (blue paint) headed away from the Cruise Passenger Terminal.  This blue stripe down the road is the so-called Blue Line.  (There are also some directional signs on the sidewalks.)  It leads from the Cruise Passenger Terminal to a downtown plaza, Plaza Machado, which has restaurants and shops.  Plaza Machado is a couple of blocks from the Cathedral Basilica and the Mercado Pino Suarez, which are two of the "must-do" stops in Mazatlan.  The Blue Line is a relatively pleasant walk.

 

There are blue shirted volunteers who are English-speaking ex-pats who hang around the Blue Line and give advice to tourists.  These are unpaid, and are not there for anything except to help tourists.  They have nothing to sell.  They are wonderful!