PV, Mazatlan, Cabo - what we did

[PattiPB]

Here is a portion of my review of the Panorama from 3/9-16/2024. Hope it helps you:

 

The port days

We did a little of everything in the ports. With disembarking both forward and aft, we had no lines, which was a pleasant surprise. Having done this cruise before, none of the ports were new to us, but all of them were new to M&J. Here is the rundown of what we did:

• Puerto Vallarta - Getting off the ship was easy, as was finding a taxi. For $5 a person, we were taken to the beginning of the Malecon for a nice walk in the beautiful weather. We walked quite a ways down, doing some shopping along the way. We enjoyed the sand sculptures and especially the rock towers on the beach. Very cool. Walking back, we chose a restaurant right on the beach and enjoyed a very authentic and inexpensive meal of fresh seafood. Taxi back that afternoon was $20 again, and easy to find.

• Mazatlan - Booking a private tour through www.Mazatlantours.com, we did a fantastic day at Stone Island. We were greeted at the port and directed to a waiting taxi. On the large, comfortable ship to Stone Island, we were offered drinks and given a great tour inside and outside the harbor. Upon arrival in Stone Island, we were taken to a great beachfront location. The open bar was already flowing, and we spent a few hours lounging on the beach, enjoying a great open-fire lunch, and enjoying the open bar. The tour we booked was only $40 per person, and included everything I mentioned above PLUS two activities per person. Activities included snorkeling, horseback riding and a banana boat! We found this 6 hour excursion a great value for the money and strongly recommend it.  

• Cabo san Lucas - With M&J never doing a seven nighter, we had to go whale watching in Cabo! We booked through the Panorama, so this tour was more pricey than a private option, but we were quite satisfied. The large ship easily help well over the 100+/- people on this tour, and we never felt crowded or had trouble getting a good view. Open bar (are you seeing my theme!) and fresh snacks were offered throughout the three hours, and the three levels of the ship included indoor and outdoor options, with excellent restroom facilities. And THE WHALES!!!! We had incredible views of whales, whale tales, and one whale that breeched over and over again for about half an hour. At $80 per person, the convenience of the tour, the open bar and snacks, the energy and customer service of the staff, and a captain who could find whales nonstop, we felt we got our money’s worth. 

[PattiPB]

Correction!!  Www.Mazatlantours.org is the correct  address.

[mexico8]

7 hours ago, PattiPB said:

Here is a portion of my review of the Panorama from 3/9-16/2024. Hope it helps you:

 

The port days

We did a little of everything in the ports. With disembarking both forward and aft, we had no lines, which was a pleasant surprise. Having done this cruise before, none of the ports were new to us, but all of them were new to M&J. Here is the rundown of what we did:

• Puerto Vallarta - Getting off the ship was easy, as was finding a taxi. For $5 a person, we were taken to the beginning of the Malecon for a nice walk in the beautiful weather. We walked quite a ways down, doing some shopping along the way. We enjoyed the sand sculptures and especially the rock towers on the beach. Very cool. Walking back, we chose a restaurant right on the beach and enjoyed a very authentic and inexpensive meal of fresh seafood. Taxi back that afternoon was $20 again, and easy to find.

• Mazatlan - Booking a private tour through www.Mazatlantours.com, we did a fantastic day at Stone Island. We were greeted at the port and directed to a waiting taxi. On the large, comfortable ship to Stone Island, we were offered drinks and given a great tour inside and outside the harbor. Upon arrival in Stone Island, we were taken to a great beachfront location. The open bar was already flowing, and we spent a few hours lounging on the beach, enjoying a great open-fire lunch, and enjoying the open bar. The tour we booked was only $40 per person, and included everything I mentioned above PLUS two activities per person. Activities included snorkeling, horseback riding and a banana boat! We found this 6 hour excursion a great value for the money and strongly recommend it.  

• Cabo san Lucas - With M&J never doing a seven nighter, we had to go whale watching in Cabo! We booked through the Panorama, so this tour was more pricey than a private option, but we were quite satisfied. The large ship easily help well over the 100+/- people on this tour, and we never felt crowded or had trouble getting a good view. Open bar (are you seeing my theme!) and fresh snacks were offered throughout the three hours, and the three levels of the ship included indoor and outdoor options, with excellent restroom facilities. And THE WHALES!!!! We had incredible views of whales, whale tales, and one whale that breeched over and over again for about half an hour. At $80 per person, the convenience of the tour, the open bar and snacks, the energy and customer service of the staff, and a captain who could find whales nonstop, we felt we got our money’s worth. 

For others cruisers you can get a yellow taxi at the port in Puerto Vallarta and if you pay in pesos you will probably only have to pay about 150 pesos  ($8 US) to go to the Malecon.  They charge per car and not per person (the white taxis seem to charger per person).  

 

Always best to ask the price before getting in the taxi.  You can also take a regular bus that only costs 10 pesos.   Look for sign in the window that says "Centro".  The bus stop is close to the port.

[LindaD22]

18 hours ago, PattiPB said:

 

•  

• Cabo san Lucas - With M&J never doing a seven nighter, we had to go whale watching in Cabo! We booked through the Panorama, so this tour was more pricey than a private option, but we were quite satisfied. The large ship easily help well over the 100+/- people on this tour, and we never felt crowded or had trouble getting a good view. Open bar (are you seeing my theme!) and fresh snacks were offered throughout the three hours, and the three levels of the ship included indoor and outdoor options, with excellent restroom facilities. And THE WHALES!!!! We had incredible views of whales, whale tales, and one whale that breeched over and over again for about half an hour. At $80 per person, the convenience of the tour, the open bar and snacks, the energy and customer service of the staff, and a captain who could find whales nonstop, we felt we got our money’s worth. 

Thank you for your review! I tried to find the whale watching tour through Panorama, but no luck. Did you book through Viator or directly? Do you perhaps have a website url that you could share? 

[PattiPB]

We had "Whale watching and coastal cruise" through Carnival.

 

When are you traveling? Whale watching is quite seasonal.

[LindaD22]

Just now, PattiPB said:

We had "Whale watching and coastal cruise" through Carnival.

 

When are you traveling? Whale watching is quite seasonal.

We are cruising through Royal Caribbean next March. Hopefully we catch the last of the whales!

[SDPadreFan]

Whale Watching season in Cabo "generally" runs from sometime in December to April. The whales operate on their schedule, but too early in December, or late March and on can get iffy. You may still see whales, but fewer of them. Personally - I think February is best, but just my opinion. Good companies in Cabo include Pez Gato (personal favorite), SunRider (also love them), La Princesa, EcoCat, and Rissalena. All of these have been in Cabo for many years and have great reputations. There are many more including both much bigger boats and smaller sailboats. There is even a pirate ship (so to speak). The companies I listed all have catamarans that can hold from 30 people to well over 100. There are also zodiac boats available for a high speed thrill but understand it limits your personal movement within the boat. They won't get any closer to the whales because there are restrictions on whale contact.

 

Because Cabo is a tender port, watch your time schedule to make sure you can get to your tour on time and look for an operator or booking agent that has a "no port, no pay" feature.