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Mexican Riviera next?


judyjbest

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We've been on six cruises with our seventh booked, and we're running out of new Caribbean ports to visit with Carnival. But, we've never been to the Mexican Riviera. We love the Caribbean ports ... can someone tell me how the Mexican Riviera compares to the Caribbean?

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Although I love Cozumel, I'm also getting tired of that route.

I haven't cruised the MX Riviera, but I have flown to Cabo San Lucas.....and it is breathtakingly beautiful! So much to do, and completely different from the Carib. I highly recommend Cabo.

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We did the Pride in June after 6 Caribbean cruises, and it was nice. Totally different feel though. PV and Mazatlan seemed so similar to me, but Cabo was absolutely beautiful.

 

I had my toddler along, so didn't do any excursions other than the dolphin swim in PV with my 9 year old. That was great!! For me, I enjoyed getting away and spending time without the distractions of home. It wasn't a "destination" trip to begin with. So, all that to say, my opinion most likely means nothing! :D

 

The Pride is a beautiful ship and you would really enjoy it...

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I sailed to the Mexican Riviera many years ago on the Jubilee....I can sum it up in one word...HOT!!! I was told by Carnival Personell onboard a Caribbean sailing that you "have not seen hot till you've done the Mex Riv"...and they were right!!

My biggest pearl of wisdom that I can share is DO NOT eat or drink any food or "non-bottled" beverages off the ship....I did, as well as several others on our sailing and let me tell you ....we really suffered for it! I ended up in bed (and the bathroom) for 24 hours with "Montezuma's Revenge" and was positive I was going to die! as you can tell by now though.... I did not...:D

I have not been back to the west coast of Mexico, but plan to again as it was very enjoyable!

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We did the Mexican Riviera in December. As the others have posted this was a very different cruise. We did less beach stuff and more tour stuff. The weather in December for us desert dwellers was a little chilly the first day out and the last day. There were people out on deck; I think they were from Canada or someplace way north. The ports were very nice and warm.

Now that we live in California I'm sure our last minute cruises will be to the Mexican Riviera. As for long term planning I'm sure those cruises will be to the Caribbean; the southern being our favorite.

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We've done the caribbean a few times and love it however, we just did the Mexican Riviera on Carnival's Pride last month and were very happy with the ship and the itinerary.

 

We live in Denver so it is much cheaper and much easier to fly to LA than to Florida so that is one reason we picked this cruise.

 

Puerta Vallarta and Maztalan were fine especially the excursions (Dolphin swim and Riding with Randi's horse) but Cabo was just beautiful-more like the Caribbean. I like days at sea and Pride has three of those on a 7 day cruise.

 

So does that help or just confuse things:)

 

Elise

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I really enjoyed Cabo, Puerto Vallarta, Aculpulco and Hautulco, but Mazatlan was a huge turn off for me. I would try to book one of the cruise lines/ships that skips the port. It is certainly different from St. THhmas, but it is quite nice. Sailing the Baja of California at certain times can make the weather interesting. The marine layer can factor in to the mix too. All 3 times I have been in the area, the last day was too cold to be outside.

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we have only done the mexican riviera trips and loved it, i could do without cabo but all in all it is great! and the pride is a lovely ship.

 

Why didn't you like Cabo... it is one of my favorite cruising stops... Americanized, but a whole lot of fun and very beautiful.

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I have a cruise planned aboard the Pride in November over Thanksgiving (with extended family). We have done only one other Mexican Riviera cruise, and although we ejoyed ourselves, I too prefer the Caribbean. Before you commit to a Mexican Riviera cruise, consider the following:

 

  • You can expect three days at sea - two days of cooler, windy Pacific weather. You begin with two full days at sea before you get to Puerto Vallarta and one full day at sea on your way back up the Pacific coast. I personally don't care for so much "down time", as acitivities (especially from October-May) are limited to indoor things like napkin folding, the casino, and port lectures.

  • The Pacific coast of Mexico is beautiful, but if you're into water sports (snorkeling or diving) you'll be very disappointed. Beaches are okay, but in the winter and spring, you can expect cool water. You won't see aquamarine seas in this part of Mexico.

As we live in Northern California, a cruise out of Long Beach is a very convenient departure point for us. The ports of call - Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas - are all very enjoyable. I just miss the Caribbean Sea, as we are divers.

 

Good luck.

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Well P.V. is my favorite port on the Mexican Riviera. We did the "Off the Beaten Track Tour" which was one of the excursions on both Princess & RCCL.

It is amazing. You get to see all kinds of beautiful homes, with magnificent views. When I first arrived in Mazatlan I was thinking it wasn't going to be so great, however it turned out fantastic. We did the Colonial Villages Tour which is 5.5 hours and worth it. Once you get out of the city and into the country Mazatlan is VERY NICE. Cabo we always go to San Jose DeCabo.

We are again sailing the Mexican Riviera in October on the Sapphire Princess.

Should be super!

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Why didn't you like Cabo... it is one of my favorite cruising stops... Americanized, but a whole lot of fun and very beautiful.

cabo is ok, but if i wanted to go to a mall , i can down the street. also they have very american prices there. but like i said, it is ok........

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We also have been on several Carribean cruises and love them but decided to try the Mexican Riveria...we have booked the Pride for Sept 2005 and have 5 cabins so far...looking for more...we are taking our mothers (their birthdays are the same day 9/8) for their birthdays and their first cruise

 

The Palmers ~ Cheri & Lloyd

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We went to Mexican Riviera last October (not on Carnival because we live an hour from S.F.) and loved it. The end of this month we are taking the grandkids on Pride and are going to do Randi's Happy Horses (the rest hasn't been decided). Then DH and I are again doing that other ship out of S.F. for 11 days in October. It also goes to Monterey and Catalina Island which is really nice. Since I don't like to fly I am going to Mexico and Alaska - until I get my nerve up again. You will like Mexico.

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We went to Mexican Riviera last October (not on Carnival because we live an hour from S.F.) and loved it. The end of this month we are taking the grandkids on Pride and are going to do Randi's Happy Horses (the rest hasn't been decided). Then DH and I are again doing that other ship out of S.F. for 11 days in October. It also goes to Monterey and Catalina Island which is really nice. Since I don't like to fly I am going to Mexico and Alaska - until I get my nerve up again. You will like Mexico.

try the canopy tour in PV it was alot of fun.......

http://www.canopytours-vallarta.com/

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Did it once. I was enticed by the price. It was OK. I hated losing two days for the cold (and this was MAY!), and then hot as hell with high humidity. All this in Mexico, where there is not a hint of blue water nor white sand. Did I say Mexico?

 

I'm glad I tried it, but I probably would have prefered a repeat of the Western Caribbean.

 

Would you consider goring transpacific to Hawaii? Now that's a trip!

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Glad to be hearing so many positives on the Pride and the Mex Riv.

 

We are palnning on taking that trip in Jan 2005.

 

Seeing we live in frigid New england, we will probably be some of those people up on deck on those "chilly" days *LOL*

 

 

i also have to agree the the Western Caribbean is beautiful. I really loved Cozumel and Grand Cayman

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Yo-

 

We are doing the Mexican Riviera for the third time this coming December on the "Spirit"-

 

We chose this cruise 'cause

 

#1 it was VERY reasonably priced-

 

#2 it Does NOT go to Cabo-but it DOES go to Zihuatanejo and Manzanillo-

 

#3 it leaves from San Diego with two sea days down and two sea days back-

 

#4 we are sharing it with our "Crown" buddies Rich and Connie-

 

#5 and most important - IT'S A CRUISE!!!!

 

Happy Cruisin'

 

Mike

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Mexico is quite different than the Carib. The Carib water is clearer and warmer and the cultures are completely different with a significant European influence vs a latin culture. The people of Mexico, however, are some of the warmest, nicest people on earth. PV and Mazatlan are similar, and agreed with everyone else, Cabo is beautiful. Many familiar restaurants are in Mexico so drinking and eating isn't as dangerous at it was 20 years ago. Try Mexico. I think you will be pleasantly surprised. Be prepared. If you travel in summer, expect hot and humid with almost daily thundershowers, somewhat like Hawaii.

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