HAL Ryndam for Mar. 5, 2009

[jandjboo]

We were scheduled for this cruise this past March, but went to a wedding four days before departure and picked up a nasty gastro-intestinal virus and had to cancel. We are trying again and will avoid all crowds for two weeks ahead of time. We were looking forward to snorkeling in Loreto with sea lions (not through ship), and renting a car in Cabo to drive over to the Pacific coast to Todos Santos on our own. Also had reserved a tour to Copola and Concordia from Mazatlan. We'll try to arrange those same tours. We still haven't decided what to do in Topolobampo. A boat tour out to Farallon Island (called the Galopagos of the Sea of Cortez) to see all the marine life and snorkel looks good. but is not on HAL's offerings. I saw it described on http://balderramatours.mexicoscoppercanyon.com. , but they don't book directly, only through cruiselines. Maybe if several customers request it, HAL will offer it. We'll have a full moon the night we cross the Sea of Cortez to Loreto. Hope we have clear skies! That would be a great time to see whales. Would love to hear from anyone else going on this same cruise.

[lacurtis]

Hi- We are on the Ryndam leaving on Nov. 11.

Here's our preliminary itinerary when we are there. I will be sure to post a review when we return so I will let you know what we find. Topo is a tricky one. We have heard recent travelers saying there is still "damage" from Norbert which hit in mid-October. Don't know what affect this will have on Farallon or the beaches.

 

Cabo San Lucas (2 ships) 10:00 - 6:00 Thursday 13th :

Melia Beach Resort at Medano Beach with Family

Kayak trip in the afternoon with DH (leaves from Medano Beach) http://www.cabosanlucastours.net/Cabo-Kayaking-Tour.htm

 

Loreto 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. Friday 14th :

Snorkeling on Isla Coronado- renting a panga from the beach http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g150772-i879-k2067732-Loreto_Bay_panga_boat-Loreto_Baja_California.html

 

Guaymas 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Saturday 15th :

Snorkel with the Sea Lions: http://www.desertdivers.com/OSSC_2008_Price_List.htm

 

Topolobampo 5:30 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. Sunday 16th :

Maviri Beach on the free shuttle or a day on the ship (reports of recent hurricane damage in this area may not be so good for the beach) or Los Mochis Free Shuttle for shopping (I have not read anything too positive about this place)

 

Mazatlan 12:00 - 8:00 p.m. Monday 17th :

Stone Island- with Horseback Riding (the tours all run in the morning but this is easily accesible from the ship via Water Taxi) http://www.mazatlantours.org/stone-island-tour.htm

 

Puerto Vallarta (2 ships) 9:00 - 11:00 p.m. Tuesday 18th :

Las Caletas http://www.vallartaonline.com/tours/Caletas/

[lacurtis]

If HAL does not offer the Farallon tour, do you know of another way to get there? Perhaps there are pangas that could take you over from Maviri Beach. This would be a fun place to go!

[jandjboo]

Hi- We are on the Ryndam leaving on Nov. 11.

Here's our preliminary itinerary when we are there. I will be sure to post a review when we return so I will let you know what we find. Topo is a tricky one. We have heard recent travelers saying there is still "damage" from Norbert which hit in mid-October. Don't know what affect this will have on Farallon or the beaches.

 

Cabo San Lucas (2 ships) 10:00 - 6:00 Thursday 13th :

Melia Beach Resort at Medano Beach with Family

Kayak trip in the afternoon with DH (leaves from Medano Beach) http://www.cabosanlucastours.net/Cabo-Kayaking-Tour.htm

 

Loreto 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. Friday 14th :

Snorkeling on Isla Coronado- renting a panga from the beach http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g150772-i879-k2067732-Loreto_Bay_panga_boat-Loreto_Baja_California.html

 

Guaymas 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Saturday 15th :

Snorkel with the Sea Lions: http://www.desertdivers.com/OSSC_2008_Price_List.htm

 

Topolobampo 5:30 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. Sunday 16th :

Maviri Beach on the free shuttle or a day on the ship (reports of recent hurricane damage in this area may not be so good for the beach) or Los Mochis Free Shuttle for shopping (I have not read anything too positive about this place)

 

Mazatlan 12:00 - 8:00 p.m. Monday 17th :

Stone Island- with Horseback Riding (the tours all run in the morning but this is easily accesible from the ship via Water Taxi) http://www.mazatlantours.org/stone-island-tour.htm

 

Puerto Vallarta (2 ships) 9:00 - 11:00 p.m. Tuesday 18th :

Las Caletas http://www.vallartaonline.com/tours/Caletas/

 

Thanks for the good links. We'll be very interested to hear all about your trip!

[HALFans]

jandjboo, we're on this cruise too, and started a roll call for this in the Holland America Roll Call boards. The link is http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=862392

 

Doesn't seem to be many Cruise Critic folk on yet...

 

Good thread! Thanks.