Just back from first Mexican Riviera trip - Any questions?

[GrumpyMom1]

It's the bag and I love it! We used it alot on the trip!

Thanks! Did you get the mesh bag also? I'm trying to decide if I should pack a mesh bag for the beach.

 

[4campers]

Thanks! Did you get the mesh bag also? I'm trying to decide if I should pack a mesh bag for the beach.

oh gosh yes, and it was really nice to have. I had wished I had brought our other bigger one too. They come in really handy. I did pretty well with packing this trip, guess we do get better with age

 

[bcnb103]

thanks for the updates. I have been waiting.......... it seems like forever.

Becky

 

[marlinmike]

Did anyone do the Resort Pool Getaway in Cabo????????????

We have stayed at the Finisterra many times while staying in Cabo. They have nice pools - one with a swimup bar. There is also a nice view of the Pacific Ocean, however, because of the steep shoreline and undertows you'll want to stick with the pools. We have booked this excursion in Cabo - probably our least active excursion of the three ports. And, if it's too hot or not to our liking, it's not a very far walk DOWNHILL to the tender terminal. The cruise terminal, if it's where it used to be, is where the charter boats come in and you can see their sailfish, wahoo, marlin, etc.

Marlin

 

[Cheese Please]

JennyW and all the other Mexican Riviera Cruisers thanks for all the great information. Did any of you bring alcohol on board in Los Angels? I know it is not a problem in Port Canaveral and was not in 2005 in LA, but I also know Port of LA is run differently than the Port in Florida, so I was interested in hearing anyones experience with bring alcohol on board.

Thanks,
Dave

 

[traceye]

We brought beer on with no problem. I know others brought wine and hard alchohol. I'm not sure if theirs was packed in the luggage or if they carried it on. We brought a rolling cooler on ourselves.

Tracey

 

[4campers]

JennyW and all the other Mexican Riviera Cruisers thanks for all the great information. Did any of you bring alcohol on board in Los Angels? I know it is not a problem in Port Canaveral and was not in 2005 in LA, but I also know Port of LA is run differently than the Port in Florida, so I was interested in hearing anyones experience with bring alcohol on board.

Thanks,
Dave

I suppose I better answer this one

Well, yes, I did bring alcohol on board! We carried on 4 bottles of wine in a roller soft cooler (no ice). We also, checked a case of water and a case of beer No questions asked! Our room attd. was wonderful and kept the cooler full of ice each day!

cheers

 

[4campers]

We brought beer on with no problem. I know others brought wine and hard alchohol. I'm not sure if theirs was packed in the luggage or if they carried it on. We brought a rolling cooler on ourselves.

Tracey

Hey, we drank the wine together

Go figure, it's you and I answering this one

 

[traceye]

Hey, we drank the wine together

Go figure, it's you and I answering this one

That's funny. Although I was there with you and the wine...for some reason I never drank any that day. I was always SO FULL from eating that I couldn't think about drinking! I could use that wine right about now though!

Tracey

 

[sejejoemmiev]

We have stayed at the Finisterra many times while staying in Cabo. They have nice pools - one with a swimup bar. There is also a nice view of the Pacific Ocean, however, because of the steep shoreline and undertows you'll want to stick with the pools. We have booked this excursion in Cabo - probably our least active excursion of the three ports. And, if it's too hot or not to our liking, it's not a very far walk DOWNHILL to the tender terminal. The cruise terminal, if it's where it used to be, is where the charter boats come in and you can see their sailfish, wahoo, marlin, etc.

Marlin

Thank You. It is great to hear a good review. We are looking forward to our day in Cabo!

 

[gullyEARS]

How crowded was the boat this time? I'd imagine it will only get worse once school is out. We're going July 6.

Also...I saw Prince Caspian was running in the theater...what else was playing?

Thanks for all the reports!!

 

[JennyW]

How crowded was the boat this time? I'd imagine it will only get worse once school is out. We're going July 6.

I've read that every boat sails full, so it shouldn't matter if it is summer or not.

 

[dizneygirlz3]

We just got off the ship on 6/8. We did the Mazatlan beach escape. We had fun but I don't think I would book it again. We rode a bus to the hotel. It had a nice beach area and a nice pool. We could not go into the water because of the jellyfish so we stayed by the pool. After a good lunch we went back to the beach and the jellyfish were gone. A few in our group parasailed right off the beach, they charged $35.00. We also got towed on a banana boat around the bay, it was fun. Then they had a pinata. I thought we were going to take a bus back but we took taxi's, some were open.
On the ship that day they had another deck party. It was Wednesday at 4:00 or 4:30. It was called Minnie's fiesta. My DD11 went but I was too exhausted. Another note we had the character breakfast Monday at 8:15, but because of the time change it was in our minds 7:15. It didn't go to good, we were all so tired we felt like zombies. I don't recommend going if you have Monday early if your kids are young. Have Fun, I cannot believe it is over for us already....

 

[TrojanJulez]

Hello! I have enjoyed reading your trip report. Thank you for being so forthcoming and generous with the information! And I loved your photos!

I was wondering if you can give me any details or prices about the photo packages?

Also, the possibility of booking a Palo brunch while onboard? (They are completely booked online...)

Thank you!

 

[traceye]

Hello! I have enjoyed reading your trip report. Thank you for being so forthcoming and generous with the information! And I loved your photos!

I was wondering if you can give me any details or prices about the photo packages?

Also, the possibility of booking a Palo brunch while onboard? (They are completely booked online...)

Thank you!

We were on the 5/25 cruise and we had no problem getting palo for brunch and tea while on board. I did get there early and went straight to the Rockin D bar to get Palo, they were booked for both brunch and tea, I was put on the wait list and was called that evening with a day and time. I was on board at about 12:45.

As for the photo packages, I may be a little bit off, but this is what I remember.
179.95 ish, 10 8x10's 10 6x8's
84.95 5 8x10's
84.95 10 6x8's

I can't remember the rest......I will say if you haven't read here already, DCL allows you to take every picture they take with your own camera. The Cast memeber will even take it for you if you are in the picture. I did not need to buy anything, I did spend $100 on pictures because we did the lifestyle portraits and I had to have one professional picture with Mickey. Even with the lifestyle portraits they let you take your own pictures so depending on your camera, you might be able to get a good shot yourself. For my point and shoot it didn't look good with the lighting. But all my character pics came out great.

I was a little hesitant about the asking the Cm's to take the pictures, but most of the time they just took my camera from me anyway. They really don't mind, that's what they are there for.

Have a great trip! Can't believe ours is over!

Tracey

 

[jfletcher]

We have stayed at the Finisterra many times while staying in Cabo. They have nice pools - one with a swimup bar. There is also a nice view of the Pacific Ocean, however, because of the steep shoreline and undertows you'll want to stick with the pools. We have booked this excursion in Cabo - probably our least active excursion of the three ports. And, if it's too hot or not to our liking, it's not a very far walk DOWNHILL to the tender terminal. The cruise terminal, if it's where it used to be, is where the charter boats come in and you can see their sailfish, wahoo, marlin, etc.

Marlin

I'm curious about this one. We wanted to go there, but I've read on here that it's a waste of money to pay for the excursion when you can just get off the boat and go there yourself. Is this true? Are the pools open to the general public? Is it convenient to get there from the ship without the Disney transportation?

 

[TrojanJulez]

Thanks, Traceye! That is all great info for me! I'm glad to hear that the cast members are willing to take a picture with your camera. I know that they do that at Disneyland with no problem, so it's nice that it carries over. The Disney "touch" is so great!

Thanks again - I really appreciate all of the details!

 

[gundo870]

Good questions. I wish I had known all this before we went. Turns out you have to sign up for a certain timed shuttle for the next morning. Sign up when you check in! We got on the first shuttle and we checked in late. No problems leaving the car. The parking spaces in the Doubletree lot are TINY, but I did see a real police car patrolling the lot. Then when you get back into port, just call the hotel (they give you a card) and they'll send someone for you. Took us about 10 minutes or so to wait. It's not close enough to walk.

Late Post but...

I'm sure the police car you seen was LAPD Harbor Division patrolling the DoubleTree Hotel. It is probably pretty safe for you car, but parking at the port would be safer.

It is a secure lot with security and Port Police patrolling the area. That is a much higher priority for Port PD (Homeland Security concerns) than LAPD patrolling the DT Hotel.

Also, it isn't the safest area to be walking around anyways.

 

[traceye]

Thanks, Traceye! That is all great info for me! I'm glad to hear that the cast members are willing to take a picture with your camera. I know that they do that at Disneyland with no problem, so it's nice that it carries over. The Disney "touch" is so great!

Thanks again - I really appreciate all of the details!

And I never knew that about Disneyland....I always dodge those cast members because I know I'm not buying the pictures. I guess I should let them take it and then ask for one on my camera as well. Good to know, we go there all of the time.

Tracey

 

[TrojanJulez]

And I never knew that about Disneyland....I always dodge those cast members because I know I'm not buying the pictures. I guess I should let them take it and then ask for one on my camera as well. Good to know, we go there all of the time.

Tracey

DH and I went to Disneyland last Christmas for my 30th birthday, and they have a new photo concept that's really neat! They have official park photographers stationed at various "photo spot" points around the park - such as in front of It's a Small World and the Castle. They probably had 15 or so between DL and CA. After the first one takes your picture, s/he scans a little card and gives it to you to keep. Then, you just hand your card to each subsequent photographer, and s/he scans the card and take your picture. The card has a barcode on it, and once you get home, you can see all of your photos online, and you can buy them if you'd like. It's a great idea! They also took a picture with our camera - no problem - but of course, their camera was already set up on the camera and perfectly focused, so some with our camera didn't turn out as good. Definitely look for them the next time you go!