Mike45LC

If you want to use the bus, bring pesos. It makes it much easier for everyone. [Also, it might help to have 10 peso coins just in case -- public bathrooms require 10 pesos for their coin-operated turnstile. Also carry a roll of TP. For years, I have carried those pocket sized packets of Kleenex.] I won't use the public bus. Standing around to catch one, crowded, maybe non-airconditioned, to save about $13 US? No, thanks. PV, from the Puerto Magico (or whatever it is called), using a federal taxi, I was quoted $20 to Playa Los Muertos. I instead walked to the OXXO at the corner and paid $15.

I tip the cocktail servers for two reasons: (1) because I find the beverage service to be underwhelming and I am bribing for better service. (2) because my drinks are usually free on the casino's Drinks On Us programs and I am afraid that there is no gratuity for the staff if I don't give one. As a Vegas local, I am used to tipping the cocktail staff, and I just keep my usual practices in place on board.

I've been denied three times, and approved twice. So 40% approval rate. The discounts were worth giving up the stockholder's OBC!

I am not a fan of teppanyaki style restaurants. I don't care to share the table with strangers. I don't enjoy the cook's antics, throwing shrimp extremes into his hat, etc. My mom taught me too well "don't play with your food." However, ... My last Teppanyaki on Carnival was on the Venezia. We were seated with 8 other passengers, four couples traveling as a group. The four women were all from the same college sorority many years ago. They were delightful. We had been given a bottle of wine and we shared it at this dinner. I do find the food palatable. I don't eat any seafood, but they have steak and chicken. I suggest you try it, and enjoy it!

Gosling Black Seal Rum, yes!

Off topic, but just in case you want to know, Carnival Panorama and Venezia both carry Gosling's Ginger Beer in their bars. Cost is approx $4 (+18%) per can. They add lime juice to their Dark and Stormy, which addition I do not care for.

I agree with VWrestler, there is no need for a commercial excursion to Stone Island. I was in Mazatlan off of the Panorama last week, but I'm sorry to say that I have no idea what time the ship cleared. I've done this itinerary too many times to rush off the ship. I had a leisurely breakfast and wandered off the ship around 11, spent time in the flea market and then went back to the ship to meet my wife for lunch. We took a pulmonia to the Cathedral but it was closed for repairs. First time I've seen this.

I am usually on a Drinks On Us package. I also don't drink any booze. So I rarely interact much with any bartenders. I tip a $ or two (cash) for every soft drink I request to improve the service. It can take a long time for a Cocktail Waiter to show up in the casino, but after I've tipped about $5 for a couple of cans of soda on the first night in the casino, I find that the CWs check up on me frequently.

When my wife wants to eat at the Steakhouse and I don't, we will sometimes eat in the main dining room and she can order the Surf and Turf from the steakhouse for $23 plus 18%. She does not get the extra service and such, but it is a compromise.

Too late for me to edit. Stone Island, search in: Mexican Riviera Cruises Q&A: Find Tips & Recommendations - Cruise Critic Message Board Forums

Because of school calendars, we did this cruise last August. Brutally hot, very humid. My recommendations: Take it VERY slow. Bring those water bottles with battery-powered fans. Parasols and big floppy hats. Beaches: Cabo, Medano Beach. Mazatlan: Stone Island. Seach this forum for instructions. Not a water taxi but a regular run "ferry" a short walk from the ship. Puerto Vallarta: Playa Los Muertos.

I carry my camera in my backpack, and I rarely change memory cards in mid-trip. When I've "lost"/had snatched cameras, I lost all of the photos from that trip. So I understand that losing a backpack can be painful. But there is no way to blame the cabin steward, and there is nothing any of the Forum members can do to help the OP other than sympathize. And Venezia does have Cabin 2400, per one of the deck plan sites.

I had "social", which turned out to be worthless for me. All I need to do with WiFi on board is to check (and maybe respond to) my email. Social does not allow that. It was a complete waste for me. I had bought Premium for my spouse, which worked reasonably well. Blessed, don't forget time zone changes, your daughter will need to get her dorm selections in as early as possible!

Thanks, Sonny. I doubt I've ever seen it being played, because as a craps player, I would almost certainly have noticed people rolling dice!

This had struck me as a very dangerous move. Bringing refugees on board one at a time, using life boats to ferry them to the mother ship, seems far more sensible. Who knows what weapons might be hidden away in the foundering boat, ready to be used to attack the rescue ship? I'm glad there seem to have been no adverse consequences.