quincytoo

We board this Saturday as well  it’s our first cruise since 2019 (Emerald) 

We were on the Royal when it was full so expecting the same thing next week 

Just looking forward to getting out of the wind, snow and cold 

3 hours ago, SantaFeFan said:

 

Street tacos - also know as traditional Mexican tacos - don't have fried shells. They are tacos that have a soft tortilla that isn't fried. 

 

  

I agree after 20 years of eating tacos from amazing taco stands in Puerto Vallarta 

not a crispy taco shell ever 

1 hour ago, roadster08 said:

When I read this, I gasped. 

Me too and now I want that cake 

I am on Discovery next week and will order it to see if I get cake not pudding 

Thank everyone who responded 

I certainly learnt a lot 

One more week to go before we cruise 

Expecting snow next week so we will certainly happy to be on our first post COVID cruise 

this is my 13 princess cruise and so excited that we are going on a cruise again 

24 K Margarita along with a slice ( or 2😳😊) of pizza poolside 

It is my OMG I’m starting a cruise moment 

Our first cruise since COVID reared it’s nasty head 

Last cruise was Emerald Princess 2019

i think we use to tip $5.00 per suitcase?

What is an appropriate tip 2023?

1 large suitcase, 1 carry-on 

I will keep one carry - on with me with our documents, medication, etc, etc. 

Discovery Princess out of LA Feb 25 

45 minutes ago, f1jon said:

Thanks, but MDR is not typically open for lunch on the first day of cruise.

My last 5 cruises they were indeed open for lunch 

Going on our first cruise since Covid 

It will be our 13 Princess cruise 

Mexico out of LA Feb 25 7 day cruise 

Discovery Princess 

watching several you tube videos it appears that the first night dining in the MDR’s wasn’t great 

should I make a reservation at a specialty restaurant the first night ?

Any updated menus available?

so looking forward to cruising again ❤️

Going on our first cruise since Covid 

It will be our 13 Princess cruise 

Mexico out of LA Feb 25 7 day cruise 

Discovery Princess 

watching several you tube videos it appears that the first night dining in the MDR’s wasn’t great 

should I make a reservation at a specialty restaurant the first night ?

Any updated menus available?

so looking forward to cruising again ❤️

7 hours ago, Ken the cruiser said:

By the way when I saw this thread, I thought to myself cruising is definitely back, as I haven't seen a "noro" thread since before cruising started back up! 😂

Yup me too 

I buy beans at the shop that Hank posted every land or cruise trip we go to PV. I always buy a liter of Orlando vanilla extract every trip. I love to bake and Orlando Vanilla is amazing until I can get my own homemade extract from those beans I buy from that shop.

Right now ' been sitting on my own Vanilla extract for 2 years it's amazing

We did a 4 night repo cruise Oct19 2018 Vancouver to LA

We had our usual cappuccinos  before we disembarked the ship

Emerald Princess 

6 minutes ago, SandraH said:

It is in the Wheelhouse pub.  I went to and from Hawaii earlier this month on the Emerald and we went to the Salty  Dog once.  It was really good - I loved the hamburger.  I thought the Salty Dog was good value for the money.

Mr.QT loved the hamburger and I'm still drooling over the Lobster Mac and Cheese. We also thought it was very good value for the money.

We just got off a 4 day cruise and The Salty Dog was busy every night. We certainly enjoyed it.

We were on this cruise as well. Mr.QT convinced me to do carry on and must say I will do it again. I think we were one of the first ones on and then off the ship.

We ate in the dining room then first day and my salmon was raw  in the middle, not a game changer and I just ate around it and thought the vegs were great.

We really did luck out with the weather didn't we? So nice except for the first sea day but even that wasn't bad.

Mr.QTactually didn't like any of the menus offerings from the MDR so we ended up eating at The Salty Dog (really good , loved the lobster Mac and cheese, Share (this was incredible) and eating Tapas and sushi at Vines.

I do agree that warmer cruises are also my more style.

Had never been on the Emerald before but liked the smaller ship.

We just had it for our 4 night Emerald coastal coast and Mr.QT maxed it out twice. Loved it for the SP water, fresh OJ and special coffees. We felt it was a good deal just for those perks as they do add up.

I love the CB on Princess and ordered it often in the past.

I actually make it here at home and the middle is always chiller than the outside as you cook it in a water bath in a low set oven then put in fridge until ready to sprinkle with sugar and flame the top.

I always think of CB like a Baked Alaska (which I also love)....inside chilled, out side browned to a sweet toffee crust..

I am a huge fan of Princess Spaghetti and meatballs and have often ordered it from the children's menu. I didn't know about the dessert ( I love Banana Splits) YUM

BTW, if comfort food includes spaghetti and meatballs, they are actually always available in the main dining rooms, as they are on the kiddies menu, and what is served IMHO is delicious. It is the same spaghetti and meatballs that is one of the entrees on Italian night. There are other comfort foods on the dining room kiddies menu, and I am willing to endure the gentle smiles of the waitstaff when I order off of it on occasion. In fact, I tend to laugh with them.

I love the Spaghetti and Meatballs and yes I get the gentle smiles when I order it off of the children's menu. YUM

Had to think about this :). There are several ways to access the island (for Oscars) and nearly all involve quite a few steps. The closest access is via steps from the pedestrian bridge on the Malecon (it is over the Rio Cujale). There is also a set of stops that go down to the island from Ignacio Vallarta (the west side of the street). And finally there are steps down to the island from Insurgentes (these might be the easiest steps,,,,but they are several blocks from Oscars. But there is a "secret" way to get to the island without steps. There is a rope bridge that runs from the Calle Encino over to the island and another that goes to heaven knows where in the Romantic Zone. I once dared DW to try the rope bridge...and after one step she quit. It is a flimsy structure and sways back and forth. I do not know of anyone that recommends using the Rope bridge :).

 

I should mention that Oscars is not a restaurant we ever recommend. It looks beautiful....but you might notice that its generally empty of diners. There is no way that place has survived on its food business....and some folks have their theories of how that place continues to exist. I had to laugh at one TripAdvisor review from folks who like Oscars and are puzzled why they have never seen more than 10 people in the restaurant. DW and I did dine there a few years ago (with friends) and resented getting a Time Share spiel with our meal.

 

Hank

The only time I could ever cross that rope bridge was after one or two of Fox's margarita's LOL Is Café Roma's the same now that Fox and Foxy have sold?

Yea, we also heard the same thing about Oscar's and I think you have seen more people in there than we ever have. I heard a rumour years ago that Glaza Blanca was built with the same type of funding :(

Sea Monkey has our vote too, DH likes the ice cold Pacificos through he laments I will insist on ordering from the more expensive drink menu. SM's fish tacos are a good nosh as well :)

I contacted Hotel Krystal and am very disappointed in the response. They said I had to contact them 2 days before and they would tell me whether they could accommodate me or not. We used there beach and chairs in Feb. 2015.

Carol

Actually this is very normal, if the hotel or resort are booked at 100% then they can not offer day passes. I certainly would not want to be staying at a resort which was 100 % booked out to find out they were still offering day passes.:eek:

FYI on Playa Los Muertos in PV: It gets hot and CROWDED with many locals! Get ready to pay for chairs.. umbrella slightly more... Lot's of vendors selling food and stuff. Also a great spot to for water sports/rentals. Just be prepared for the crowds. We were just there in July.

I have never had to pay for a chair or umbrella at any of the Los Muertos restaurants I have chosen to spend the day at. As long as I am buying food and drink those items have always been free.

Are you talking about one of the beach clubs? Swell or the Vista Grill one (forget the day name but at night it's the Vista Grill.

In all of my 25+++ visits (last one was this May) chairs and umbrellas are free for patrons at restaurants.

Crowds are larger than normal :)

We really like the small cove at Mismaloya. Lots of restaurants (with restrooms) to choose from.

It's about 20-30 mins from the cruise dock, depending on traffic and taxi driver.

I believe we paid around 200 pesos each taxi to and from Mismaloya.

We always go to the first restaurant when you cross the bridge or small water path. I forget the name but they have been there for many many years. Clean (but rustic) banos and they have a great massage hut :)

Food and service are great, I think we paid 120 pesos for a whole extremely fresh incredible red snapper complete with rice, beans, salads and tortillas.

DH had a bucket of 6 beer for around 60 pesos and I drank large Cazadore Margaritas for 80 pesos.

Love walking up the path to where they filmed Night of the Inguana (my favourite movie )

Yes!!! the green mussels...love them too.

 

I also really like the assorted cheeses, olives, cured meats, etc in the late afternoon/early evening to make up an antipasto. Great with cocktails on the balcony before dinner...somewhere between afternoon tea and the Elite lounge cocktails and snacks. OMG...I'm on the Regal one month from now and NEED to lose 8-10 pounds asap.

Yes to all of the above. I also love the salad bar at the HC.....I have made many a salad meal that is worthy of booking the next cruise right there.:eek:

We also really like the warm breakfast sandwiches they make at IC....for us on a port day our morning starts with us (Me actually) going down and getting 2 lattes, 3 sandwiches ( 2 for Mr.QT, 1 for moi), and a yogurt parfait for me. I use the tray on our room to bring this feast back and we dine on the balcony waiting for our port day to begin.

I really like the chicken salad at IC too.

This usually doesnot work at allin hotels since quests need a bracelet there. Yes you can eat in restaurants of many of the other hotels but that certainly doesnot always give you the right to use the pool, towels or beach.

I agree with Ine and have read a review from Punta Minta Four Seasons where a reviewer went for brunch then tried to use the pool, towels and beach chairs, it didn't end with a happy ending at all.