Mexican Riviera Itinerary ... good or bad experience?

[slavearlen]

Never cruised the Mexican Riviera on any cruise line. Have the Caribbean memorized so we're looking at other options. Decided on Bermuda, 8 day but then RCCL dropped it, looked at Celebrity and they don't have anything scheduled past 2004 ........ SO, looked at Norweigen and they have several options. Didn't want Norweigen but if RCCL and Celebrity don't offer it, it may become the only option.

 

So, the question is, is the itinerary in the Mexican Riviera worth the trouble? What types of passengers onboard, i.e., elderly, college, younger kids, or a mix?

 

Sell me on the Mexican Riviera or talk me out of it!!!

 

Thanks for your comments!

[Bunt]

We love going to the Mexican Riveria - been there several times. We went on the Vision of the Seas twice. There are many things to do in each port. And, the Vision is a beautiful ship. Think you should check it out and give it more thought. Look up the excursions on the RCL site.

 

Any questions, just ask.

[New KAJO]

Hello Bunt,

 

 

Can you confirm that the Mexican Riviera is as nice as the Caribbean ?

Do you feel the same paradise-atmosphere over there ? ( blue water, white sand, palm trees, ... )

 

Thank you !!

[m00k3y]

My DW and myself took this itinerary for our Honeymoon and absolutely LOVED it!

 

Puerto Vallarta we took an excursion that took you around the countryside showing you farms and villages. While an adrenalin rush this is not, it was nice to see some of the countryside of the area. It includes several stops that were very nice. Including a church that was very old. We had table mates that took the Tequilla factory tour and loved this. After we got back from our excursion, we took a cab to Senior Frogs and had a blast! One tip here, if you get drunk, your cab ride wont be as scary LOL. There is also a Internet access place right as you get off the cruise ship here that has great air conditioning and $1 corona's!

 

Mazatlan: we took a shopping and beach excursion here. They drop you off in the "Gold District" (been a while, think that is what it is called) and you shopped your way down to a resort on the beach where you could spend the afternoon at the pool or beach (right next to each other) and included a couple of drinks and a buffet lunch. They had a steel drum band. We really enjoyed this port a lot. On a side note, there is a shop down the main strip that sells sea shells, it is air conditioned and is a very neat place to shop and cool down in! Senior Frog's give you free shots of tequilla when you walk in!

 

Cabo San Lucas: Cabo Wabo BABY! too bad they don't stay late in this port so that you could really party with the famous live music here. The food is very good at Cabo Wabo and you can buy some of Sammy's famous Tequilla here too. (they have a souvenier size bottle too).

 

Hope this helps you some! We loved it and would take it again! Just realize in the summer it is going to be VERY hot. Bring lots of sun screen and stay well hydrated!

[themob]

I did not enjoy the Mexican Riviera . we left LA in June and it was cold on the pool deck the first day people were wrapped up in towels @ pool . The ports were average at best, Cabo was great but only got to spend a few hours there.I have been on 8 cruises and this was the worst one by far, in my opinion the carribean is a ten and Mexican is 4 @ best

[Tatka]

Never cruised the Mexican Riviera on any cruise line. Have the Caribbean memorized so we're looking at other options. Decided on Bermuda, 8 day but then RCCL dropped it, looked at Celebrity and they don't have anything scheduled past 2004 ........ SO, looked at Norweigen and they have several options. Didn't want Norweigen but if RCCL and Celebrity don't offer it, it may become the only option.

 

So, the question is, is the itinerary in the Mexican Riviera worth the trouble? What types of passengers onboard, i.e., elderly, college, younger kids, or a mix?

 

Sell me on the Mexican Riviera or talk me out of it!!!

 

Thanks for your comments!

Mercury is sailing there from San Francisco and San Diego 10 and 11 days cruises. Check icruise.com There are some pretty good prices. :)

[lorimay]

We were on the Rhapsody from LA to Mexican Riviera a couple of years ago. The cruise is fun but I am not thrilled with the ports. Cabo was a lot of fun - we got off the ship and negotiated with a boat driver to take us on a tour and drop us off at the beach. He came back to get us later. We just stayed on the beach with our kids, but there are lots of bars and restaurants and you could get food and drinks. We didn't go into town but it's supposed to be nice.

 

Mazatlan is a dump. It's a dirty, old town with no charm. To get to the Gold Zone (where the fancy tourist hotels are) you have to drive through the old part of town. We went to the El Cid and used the beach (recommended by cruise employee) and it was all right, but there was constant hawking of cheap goods and even gum by vendors. Worse than any place I have ever been in Mexico. I would not get off the ship there again.

 

Puerto Vallarta is a nice town. Lots to see and do there. We hired a taxi to take us around and he stopped several places to show us the views.

 

One thing you have to remember is that Mexico is a very poor nation and it can be dangerous for tourists. We live in San Diego and hear stories every single day of tourists being robbed, kidnapped, or raped in Tijuana. I understand that not every town is as bad as Tijuana, but the police are corrupt and many times they are the ones that walk you to the ATM machine and make you take out money to pay a "fine". If you are going on a cruise just to cruise and the ports don't matter much, this is a fine cruise to take. If the ports are important than think again. Also, it IS cold on the ocean here most of the year round (jackets required) and is warmer once you get closer to Cabo, but our cruise in February was not the warm, sunny weather like you get in the Caribbean.

[PokrChick]

We absolutely loved these ports! We went on Princess, but I'm sure they all offer similar excursions. In PV we toured 2 tequilla factories, one modern and one traditional (lots of free samples and came home with a case!). Then hung out at a resort / beach in Nueve Vallarta. This was included in the excursion. In Mazatlan we did Randi's Happy Horses (booked privately) and it was amazing. You ride through a coconut grove to a 'local' beach and have lunch in an open air restaurant on the beach. Randi makes sure the vendors leave you alone. In Cabo we did sea kayaking to Los Arcos which was just unbelievable!!! We also snorkled at Lover's Beach, which was OK, but not great. The water is no way near as clear in the Mexican Riviera as it is in the Caribbean.

[wblynch]

We went on the Vision last year and it was GREAT !!!

 

Like others have resommended, we took Randi's Happy Horses in Mazatlan and the Jungle Canopy tour in Puerto Vallarta.

 

The crowd on the ship was wonderful. All very nice and sophisticated. We didn't notice chair hogs at all.

 

There aren't the fine jewelry bargains like in St. Thomas or St. Martin and of course the Pacific beached are different than the Caribbean but it's a great cruise, tons of fun, and worth it in every way.

[besito20]

Posted by lorimay:

One thing you have to remember is that Mexico is a very poor nation and it can be dangerous for tourists. We live in San Diego and hear stories every single day of tourists being robbed, kidnapped, or raped in Tijuana. I understand that not every town is as bad as Tijuana, but the police are corrupt and many times they are the ones that walk you to the ATM machine and make you take out money to pay a "fine".

 

Oh please!!! I've been to Mexico trillions of times and I have NEVER felt scared of any of the mentioned above...geez. I know this is YOUR opinion but aren't just being somewhat overly dramatic??? Mexico is a beautiful country in which MILLIONS of tourists from ALLLLLL over the world visit.

 

BTW, visually speaking, yes, the Mexican Riveria does not "look" like the Caribbean, but it is still beautiful and full of culture. I was on Vision of the Seas this past January and it was an amazing cruise.

[slavearlen]

We were on the Rhapsody from LA to Mexican Riviera a couple of years ago. The cruise is fun but I am not thrilled with the ports. Cabo was a lot of fun - we got off the ship and negotiated with a boat driver to take us on a tour and drop us off at the beach. He came back to get us later. We just stayed on the beach with our kids, but there are lots of bars and restaurants and you could get food and drinks. We didn't go into town but it's supposed to be nice.

 

Mazatlan is a dump. It's a dirty, old town with no charm. To get to the Gold Zone (where the fancy tourist hotels are) you have to drive through the old part of town. We went to the El Cid and used the beach (recommended by cruise employee) and it was all right, but there was constant hawking of cheap goods and even gum by vendors. Worse than any place I have ever been in Mexico. I would not get off the ship there again.

 

Puerto Vallarta is a nice town. Lots to see and do there. We hired a taxi to take us around and he stopped several places to show us the views.

 

One thing you have to remember is that Mexico is a very poor nation and it can be dangerous for tourists. We live in San Diego and hear stories every single day of tourists being robbed, kidnapped, or raped in Tijuana. I understand that not every town is as bad as Tijuana, but the police are corrupt and many times they are the ones that walk you to the ATM machine and make you take out money to pay a "fine". If you are going on a cruise just to cruise and the ports don't matter much, this is a fine cruise to take. If the ports are important than think again. Also, it IS cold on the ocean here most of the year round (jackets required) and is warmer once you get closer to Cabo, but our cruise in February was not the warm, sunny weather like you get in the Caribbean.

 

Well, as for the crime in Mexico, etc. The same thing happens to people here everyday. Life has risks everywhere. I think you use good sense and awareness in everything you do everywhere. I've been ti Tijuana, Nuevo Laredo and Acapulco and the risks there are all the same, but those risks exist on the streets of New York or Miami. Those things don't concern me. I try to always be aware of my surroundings but if you allow those risks to keep you grounded, you might as well stay in your house.

 

Thanks for the update on the things to do on the islands and as for the weather, I keep hearing it's not warm like the Caribbean. The unfortunate thing is I have the Caribbean memorized and need to venture a bit.

[newbiecruiser]

We went last year on the Vision, and loved the Mexican Riviera! Never been to the Carribean, so I can't compare the two - but we booked the Mexican Riviera cruise again in Jan because we had such a great time the first time around! We didn't like Cabo too much (too Americanized) but loved Mazatlan and PV.

The age group on our cruise - it was over Thanksgiving, so I don't know if it was typical, but there were quite a few kids (for the most part well behaved) and some seniors, but most people were in their 30's or 40's.

Good luck in your decision - I would go for it!

[lorimay]

I lived in South Florida so you don't have to tell me that parts of Miami (and Ft. Lauderdale) are just as bad as many parts of Mexico. I also lived in Washington DC for many years - talk about crime. I'm not trying to say that you shouldn't go to Mexico at all, but you need to be aware of your surroundings there. But crime does happen and it happens all the time there. It's like the discussion on Jamaica that has be ongoing - some people won't even get off the ship there.

 

I can give you a long list of crimes against tourists in Tijuana that have happened recently - including a string of rapes done by police officers in uniform.

 

I was just pointing out that Mexico is NOT like the US in any way, shape or form. Laws are different and the legal system is very different. If you go on an organized excursion or stay in the tourist area you'll be fine, but IN MY OPINION if you're an inexperienced traveler some of these ports, especially Mazatlan, are not the places to strike out on your own.

[besito20]

slavearlen,

 

I'm glad you are able to recognize that crime does occur in all places. Being from Los Angeles I can totally understand and I'm aware that we are not in the "safest" place and yes, we have to be aware of our surroundings.

 

Like I mentioned before, we cruised late January this year on the Vision and yes, the weather the first day was chilly and the last day coming back was also chilly. Weather once in Mexico was beautiful. Not too hot and humid. I would say mid 80s.

 

When we were in Mazatlan, we decided to take a taxi to "Old" Mazatlan. I personally like visiting the parts of cities in which you can visit beautiful cathedrals and Spanish-style plazas. The "Gold Zone" has your typical tourist traps and luxurious resorts.

 

In Puerto Vallarta, you can also visit the touristy areas and there are parts of PV that have beautiful cobblestone streets and old Spanish-style buildings.

 

Cabo in my opinion is beautiful but its very touristy and very much a "drinking" town. Its fun for drinking and for water sports.

 

Try the Mexican Riveria cruise...either way...you'll have fun cruising.

 

Now,

Since I'm familiar with the Mexican Riveria cruise and I've shared with you my thoughts and suggestions...maybe you can share with me suggestions for my Eastern Caribbean cruise that I'll be on next month. ;) Our ports of call are Nassau, St. Thomas & St. Marteen. :)

[slavearlen]

Thanks for your guided tour of the Mexican Riviera! Venturing is fun and I think we should all try to see as much of the world as possible. Not sure when but we will definitely head that way.

 

The Eastern Caribbean is very familiar to me. Been there more than anywhere. St. Thomas is the jewelry heaven of all ports. Shopping until you can't shop any more. Lots and lots of jewelry and crystal. Very busy! There is a restaurant not far from the port there named Herve's that is delicious and sits on top of a hill. You have to walk uphill to get to it. The view is of the bay at St. Thomas where the boats look like toothpicks in the water. I personnally love St. Thomas and can't imagine a cruise where St. Thomas isn't one of the ports of call. Walk around with your bloody mary and enjoy the shopping. St. Maarten is spitting distance from St. Thomas and in my personal opinion is merely a mini-St. Thomas. Same shops are there but just on a smaller scale. Enjoyable! Nassau did absolutely nothing for me. We stopped there while on the Sovereign of the Sea and that particular cruise was horrible, so that may have influenced my opinion of Nassau. But we saw no reason to even be there other than the Atlantis. That was awesome. Very pricey to get into and tour. It costs something like $35 to get in and see, but a man met us outside and handed us his bracelets that he paid for so we could go in free. Opps ... naturally we accepted. Sat at the bar and had a cocktail, walked all over the hotel, the grounds, toured the underground aquarium. Marvelous to see! Other than that, I would never go back to Nassau. Did nothing for me. The main attraction in the Eastern Caribbean is St. Thomas ... every woman's dream!!! We are cruising 10/15/04 on Adventure of the Sea and depart from San Juan. This is my 3rd San Juan trip and I just love the place. Good nightlife, decent shopping, good food but wonderfully nice friendly people. We've stayed at the Ritz Carlton which was dreamy ... oh, la la! The Wyndham Old San Juan was not my favorite personnally. Absolutely right in town, no view, decent bar and big casino. This trip we stay at the Wyndham El San Juan Resort right on the beach is Isla Verde. We spent the day only there once before and promised to stay there on the next visit. This trip we will be staying 2 nights. The hotel is very upscale, expensive but we budget for these trips one year in advance so splurging is definitely in order! Eastern Caribbean is my favorite but when the jewelry store in St. Thomas starts recognizing you and calling you by name, it's time to venture!!! Western Caribbean is mostly Mexico to me and being from San Antonio, we get alot of Mexico at home. The only thing in the Western Caribbean that seems to impress me is Key West. Even Grand Cayman is so-so for me.

 

Hope this helps! Like everyone says, this is only my opinion based on my personal taste. Different strokes for different folks!

 

Enjoy your cruise .... life is short!!!

 

Lorimay, thanks for the warning on the crime in Mexico. Yes, Jamacia is a bigger concern from what I hear. Seems to be everywhere but to a different degree!!! Leave the good jewelry in the safe, right??

[cruisecrasy]

Perhaps u should consider this cruise - Hals Ryndam is 'doing' it for 2004 with Oosterdam taking over the 7 day itinerary for 2005. We just loved it as an alternative to the Mexican Riviera. It touches Loreto, La Paz and Cabo (tender)... Both Loreto (tender) and La Paz are smaller, quaint, quiet, clean with good food with warm, friendly, helpful people eager for tourists (but not intrusive like in a lot of other Mexican towns). If u want lots of action though wait until Cabo. Cabo is - well Cabo and great! The scenic cruising is wonderful in the Sea of Cortez itself - so smooth & clear.. We found the weather in Jan/Feb a bit chilly out of San Diego the first day but in the high 70's athru mid to high 80's thereafter.. Hope this provides an alternative.

[Avidcruiser]

We did the Mexican Riviera on the new Star Princes a in the spring of 2003. The ship was great and it's hard to complain about a cruise (as they say, even a bad day on a cruise is better than a good day at work), but I did not enjoy the trip as much as I have on the several Carib. cruises that we have taken. I didn't think that they ports were as nice and the weather was too cool when we were at sea. We did it because we wanted to go on the ship and were looking for a change from the Carib, but now we're back on RCCL scheduled for So. Carib. this fall.

[besito20]

slavearlen,

 

Thanks for the recommendations for the Caribbean...

 

Did you book the Mexican Riveria cruise?

[slavearlen]

Haven't booked the Mexican Riviera until we board RCCL in October. If we book then, we'll get the shipboard credit.

 

Can't wait... I'll let you know!

[vlnovak]

Since you have not booked yet I would recomend the Mercury out of san diego, the ship is great and the food is good. I would get a sky suite, you will thanks me later. I loved the 11 day and have done the carrib about 15 times. It is not the same, beaches are not as nice but you need to do different things. Swimming is ok but the water is nice south of pv. Probably depends more on what time of year. we were jan 16th. great whale wathching and views were great also. I would go esp if you have never been. Just remember you are NOT in the caribbean and it will be different.

[birdie16]

We loved it! What the others have said is true...it is much different than the Caribbean, which is what you are looking for, isn't it?

 

The cruise will be cooler, the water not as blue and there will be more poverty and begging children than the Caribbean side of Mexico but it is enjoyable in a different way. We loved our tours into the country, especially Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta! The small provincial villages are wonderful and once you get away from the tourist areas you don't see the begging children.

 

Depending on the time of year you can also see whales, something you don't see in the Caribbean.

 

 

I say, if you want a change...give it a try!

[Sailfish]

If you like tropical beaches and clear blue water you will NOT like the Mexican Riviera. As a diver, I can tell you the water visibility and temperature are NOT like the Caribbean. But PV and Cabo are great ports of call; Mazatlan is a dump. Going on a cruise is different than visiting the resort areas. We frequent PV - have for years, and love it. But going a cruise really does little to expose you to the culture or people or to the sites. Go for the cruise, and you'll have a great time. But you'll need more than a day to fully appreciate the ports of call.

 

The Caribbean is really well suited for the day tripper, where as ports in the Mexican Riviera seem to require more time to appreciate. Just my opinion.