need advice on taking a cruise ship to Mexico

danger boy

Been tossing around the idea of taking a cruise from LA to Mexico and back later this year.

I have friends who have nothing but good things to say about the couple cruises they have taken. What should i know about any hidden costs or fees? What is the best cruise line to use? What about things on a cruise you don't need but cruise lines try to get you to buy? How about cabin selection? should I splurge and get the room with a deck or just save my $$ and get a less expensive cabin and spend the money I save on other things?

finally... how long are you usually docked in a port?

my trip is a toss up between this cruise and just flying to Puerto Vallarta and spending a week at a resort. i need some help tipping the scale in one direction. I am split right down the middle right now.

BottomFeeder

We've been on a few cruises - 2 to Mexico - and stayed in PV as well. Cruising or staying put is, of course, completely different, so you have to figure out what you want most. Although, either way, you're going to have a blast.

Cruise: We've been on Norwegian & loved it both times. We like being able to choose to eat whenever we want to, instead of having a set time every night, as other lines do. We had a "no view" room and a room w/a porthole & vastly preferred the view. The view, even though small, was nice (saw dolphins) AND when you wake up, you can actually tell that it's light outside. W/o the porthole, waking up was like waking up in a closet. Weird, but it mattered to us.

The food. Oh, the FOOD! Everybody goes on about it & w/good reason. It really is terrific. Breakfast, lunch & dinner, absolutely amazing. & If you cruise, some advice for you: don't just order 1 meal, order 2, even 3, every time (They don't mind & often encourage it). For dinner, I'd order 2 soups, 2 salads, 2 entrees & 2 desserts. Each portion is a little smaller than usual and you don't have to eat it all, but wow, every meal is an event!

As far as hidden costs, we didn't encounter any, although you'll want to remember to tip your stewards AND that alcohol costs tons! Another piece of advice, research and get any "excursions" that you want online. You'll pay waaaay less than the ship will charge you.

As far as being docked, we usually docked some time at night, spent all or most of the day in port, then left at night for the next port. They want you to have as much time in port as possible, so try to sail at night.

One other thing, we loved that there was soooo much to do, even on the ship. There were movie theaters, multiple great restaurants, all kinds of sports, concerts, musicians, magicians, entertainers, gambling, pool & slide etc., etc. You could also just sit on your duff & do nothing.

Staying in PV: We loved this too. Tons to do - it's really a great town. Be sure to hang out on the Malacon, a walkway that runs along the coast in the south of town, and check out the nightlife. The place just hops! Tons of great restaurants, charming shops etc., etc! Great town. Only thing we didn't love - being pestered constantly by people trying to sell stuff. We got used to it, well, at least I did. Oh, don't go to PV in the summer unless you love high temps and high humidity.

So there you have it! I don't know that I've helped you at all, but really Al, you'll be happy either way. If you've never been on a cruise, I'd try to push you in that direction. We had some friends talk us into going on one & are so grateful that they did.

superjunior

wife and I drove down to florida (I won't get on a plane) with 2 other couples and went on a cruise to the caribean. we went with carnival and it was probably the funnest thing I've ever done. as bottomfeeder said their really isn't TOO many hidden cost if you plan ahead. one of our excursions (for the boys while the girls went shopping for the day ) was an offshore fishing trip out of st. thomas that I had booked months prior to the cruise. they give you a ship credit card for alcohaul purchases,gifts, ect.. I think our ship card bill at the end of a week for the wife and I was around 1500. get a room with a deck! trust me on this. our 3 rooms were connected by the deck outside but without it I could see feeling a little clostrophobic. plus it was just nice walking out the door and relaxing on your own private little deck. if you felt the need for some fresh air and did not have a deck your in for a little (or long) walk. we had 3 stops, puerto rico, st. thomas and st. john. each one was pretty much a full day so plan ahead of time, do the research so you know exactly what you'll be doing before you even get there. we're planning another one here soon and will probably go with carnival again. oh, did I mention the topless funnell deck?

TNRabbit

Ditto to the above posts. Remember that after you book, there's usually port charges, so the price you first see listed isn't the total cost.

We usually take some old shampoo bottles & clean them out to add our liquor as you can run up one helluva bill for alcohol (you aren't allowed to bring alcohol onboard, at least not in the original containers).

My fiance` & I are Platinum members on Royal Carribbean & we love them. They are top notch in our book.

exalted512

My wife and I went on a cruise with Royal Caribbean. We both loved it. We knew someone that has been on several cruises and said RC and Norwegian are the best.

Our room had an 'obstructed view' which wasnt that bad. I wouldnt waste the extra money for the deck. Be warned...these rooms are small. The showers are TINY.

We did have a formal dinner every night...but you didn't have to go. Food was always amazing. They charge extra for cokes. My wife and I got the coke package...which they give you a little star on your charge card (Which is also your room key) and a cup. I gave my wife the cup and I would just use their regular glasses and show them the sticker on my card

They have a lot of duty free stuff on the ship...clothing, jewelry, smokes and alcohol...but they wont let you have the alcohol or smokes until the last day. You cant pay for anything on ship with cash or your credit card...everything goes on the charge card.

We did a few excursions...we felt they were the funnest things we did. We bought them on the ship though and they get expensive, but we thoroughly enjoyed it. We took a jetski trip and swam with dolphins and stuff...but this was in the caribbean. Thats all I can think of.

And take an extra suit case for all the crap you buy!
-Cody

superjunior

I think the deck cost us an extra 100 bucks or so and I would have gladly paid double that. my wife gets sea-sick and being able to open the door and step out into the fresh air really made a difference. in fact it probably saved our vacation. we left the door open most of the time to enjoy the warm ocean breeze.

maximillian

Leave the wife at home.

danger boy

superjunior wrote: »

I think the deck cost us an extra 100 bucks or so and I would have gladly paid double that. my wife gets sea-sick and being able to open the door and step out into the fresh air really made a difference. in fact it probably saved our vacation. we left the door open most of the time to enjoy the warm ocean breeze.

extra $100 per the entire trip or per night extra charge for the deck room? I have been reading that a typical room is only like 150 square feet. small. but how much time do I plan on spending in the cabin? not much other than sleep and shower.


thanks everyone. some really great info here.

Looking at either Oct or early Dec. roughly what would a typical 7 day cruise run for two people? 2k, 3k, 4k+
i seriously have no idea. Yeah i do understand that the flight is not included..

superjunior

danger boy wrote: »

extra $100 per the entire trip or per night extra charge for the deck room? I have been reading that a typical room is only like 150 square feet. small. but how much time do I plan on spending in the cabin? not much other than sleep and shower.


thanks everyone. some really great info here.

Looking at either Oct or early Dec. roughly what would a typical 7 day cruise run for two people? 2k, 3k, 4k+
i seriously have no idea. Yeah i do understand that the flight is not included..

it was about 6 years ago, just asked the wife and she thinks it was around 400 extra for the 7 day trip. so maybe 55 per night give or take. I thought it was well worth it, best place on the ship to be when you need a little r-n-r. that cruise was 1800. than there was the excursions, booze, gambling, gifts, tips, ect..we probably spent around 3800.

Talweh

xcapri79 wrote: »

Do at least one cruise in your life with your wife. It will be memorable.

+1

Our family (myself, wife, 13yr son, and 12yr daughter) took a 4 day to Cozumel last year, and it was one of the most awesome experiences of my life. For the record, I totally DIDN'T want to go. I spent the preceding few weeks griping about my upcoming "torture"
But once we were under way, I started exploring the ship and all it had to offer, and surprisingly (only to myself) had a fantastic time. I was mostly griping that we would only get 9 hrs in Cozumel, and the rest of the trip would be a boring waste of time on a boat, but seriously I was never bored. And the staff -everyone, and I do mean every one I met- went out of their way to make me feel like they lived expressly for the purpose of making me happy.
We didn't know about booking excursions beforehand, and found them a bit too pricey on board, especially after I lost most of our money at the casino...
But when we docked, we hopped in a cab, and asked the driver to take us where the locals go to shop and eat, and we had a fabulous time "on the cheap"
We went on Carnival Inspiration From Tampa. Most people consider Carnival to be a lesser grade of cruise because of the fact they are usually cheaper. But I have to say that even being the grumpy **** that I am, I had NOTHING to complain about. And as soon as my wife graduates from her nursing courses, we're going on another. And if I have my way, every year after that too

George Grand

"Need advice on taking a cruise ship to Mexico."

Al, there not gonna let you in with a whole one of those.

hearingimpared

Scott toilet tissue comes in 24 packs now. You may wan't to consider taking a pack with you!:D

danger boy

Hey Sal, which cruise line are you going on?

I am still planning mine for Oct this year. Looks like fun. People say that going on a cruise is really a good bang for your buck. so i'm excited about it all.

Willow

We have yet to take a cruise. We are headed back to Mexico this March for a snorkeling trip. We are staying in a beachfront condo. Only 3 stories high we are on the 3rd as we get a balcony and terrace. This time we are gone for 10 days and will stay in Akumal. Last time we went, we stayed in Tulum at the Dreams resort an AI. The only other time we've not done the AI was when we went to Costa Rica. We like changing it up everyonce on a while. This way we can mingle with the locals.

But we will take a cruise in the next couple years, might go with my mother inlaw.

hearingimpared

Willow wrote: »

But we will take a cruise in the next couple years, might go with my mother inlaw.

:eek::eek::eek::D

Willow

hearingimpared wrote: »

:eek::eek::eek::D

She'd stay in her own room. She's not super healthy and I think she could use a trip. She has not gone anywhere in at least 20 yrs. Think of the brownie points could score..... It'll make it that much easier when I say " I think I'm going to buy a new sub" if she hesitates I'll use the mother inlaw card!

hearingimpared

Willow wrote: »

She'd stay in her own room. She's not super healthy and I think she could use a trip. She has not gone anywhere in at least 20 yrs. Think of the brownie points could score..... It'll make it that much easier when I say " I think I'm going to buy a new sub" if she hesitates I'll use the mother inlaw card!

I love it when a plan comes together!:D

dkg999

They now have the freighter cruises! The big merchant ships are now selling their extra cabins. The one I saw was an around the world freighter cruise for $2300. All the pirates you can swashbuckle and make walk the plank included at no extra charge!

danger boy

dkg999 wrote: »

They now have the freighter cruises! The big merchant ships are now selling their extra cabins. The one I saw was an around the world freighter cruise for $2300. All the pirates you can swashbuckle and make walk the plank included at no extra charge!

that does not sound like a fun vacation to me.. :eek:

doggie750

pork dishes will kill yah unless it's fully cooked and fried but grilled..no way.:cool:

Sami

danger boy wrote: »

my trip is a toss up between this cruise and just flying to Puerto Vallarta and spending a week at a resort. i need some help tipping the scale in one direction. I am split right down the middle right now.

What, my rental prices weren't good enough to tip the scale?

I've been to one cruise but that was 10 years ago. It was fun but you didn't really get to see that much. Food was great and the world was still spinning a week later we got off the boat.

seeclear

superjunior wrote: »

oh, did I mention the topless funnell deck?

Pics, or it didn't happen.:D:D;);)

lightman1

Make sure it has a propeller, Al. And DON'T bring the wife.;):D

superjunior

seeclear wrote: »

Pics, or it didn't happen.:D:D;);)

at the bottom of the stairway leading up to the funnel deck there was a big sign saying "no cameras beyong this point - tops are optional". we went up to get some sun:D and I almost sh@t when my wife took her top off in front of hundreds of people. ballsiest thing I've ever seen her do!

danger boy

ok.. so our Mexico cruise is only two month's away.. Yay, yippee! otherwise known as the booze cruise

there is still time if anyone from here wants to join us :eek:

Sherardp

Whatever you do, be sure to take the most gorgeous woman you know. Get the nice stateroom and enjoy bro. Make sure you have insurance, bring at least one suit or Tux for ball night. Everything else just regular clothes will work. Some spending cash of course for shopping, etc. Cruises are fun and a great way to relax.

danger boy

well, our Mexico cruise is only 25 days, 10 hours and 50 minutes away now!

Woo Hoo!

I'll be thinking of you all as I'm sipping fruity drinks by the beach with the little umbrellas

So far we've booked a 14 platform zip lining tour, a mule ride and ATV'ing throug the jungle

Next up in the following port, tequila tour!!

bobman1235

Ha, I did most of those on my last cruise as well (zip lining in Antigua, and ATV in Barbados). You'll have a blast.

danger boy

well, the time is almost here. next weekend we fly to Long Beach and board our 3000 passenger cruise ship and party for 7 days on the ship and in Mexico!

We will be doing the zip lining excursion as well as riding some ATV's through the jungle.. and lots of beach time.. mixed in with some great Mexican food and beers. 2 for 1 shots of tequila too

Ricardo

Sounds like lots of fun. Enjoy!!!!

lightman1

Hey Al...is your wife still going with you?;)Have fun bud and post some topless pics of you and your sweetie.:D