SDPadreFan

I guess one of the benefits of my 24 years in the Navy was learning to sleep through almost anything. Hard to imagine being lulled to sleep with jets taking off and landing on the flight deck just 1 deck above your berthing area but it's just something you get conditioned to. Stuff being dropped on the flight deck - no biggie, Blue shirts or brown shirts dragging tie down chains across the flight deck - no biggie. The one exception would be the alarms (general quarters, collision, fire). I would always wake to those. Again - just a conditioned response. So I still sleep through just about everything these days. Wife likes the bedroom TV on all night sometimes, no problem, I sleep right through it. Light earthquake (under @ 5.4) - I'll sleep right through it.

That's what we've done as well the last couple of cruises. We just ask the room steward to log those in as our free bottles. May involve a little extra work on their part but we always tip above the daily gratuity rate (in cash) so we are comfortable with our request.

Great review. We had a B2B scheduled on Magic in a Spa Balcony but that got canceled due to a "certain pandemic". We'll get back to her eventually. With regard to the tripping hazard and leaving the bathroom light on, we bought these magnetized night lights on Amazon and they now go with us on every cruise. They stick right on the metal walls. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MHVTHQS Because they are motion sensing, the first night, you just have to figure out where they work best and don't automatically trip on every time you move around in bed. Once that is set, everything is good to go. BUT REMEMBER to take them with you when the cruise is over. They are easy to forget on debarkation morning. We actually have a little "post cruise" packing list so we don't leave anything behind. Someone also mentioned magnetic hooks and we have those as well. They are great for hanging, hats, jackets, etc. on the wall to reduce clutter. Some people like those over the door organizers. We use one of them on "some" cruises, but with STRONG magnetic hooks, we can hang it on a wall vice the bathroom door. I mention STRONG magnetic hooks because the rating is for pulling them OFF the wall, not for horizontal strength (what keeps them from sliding down the wall). So strong is better. On an Alaska cruise, you might have a heavier jacket to hang on those hooks. These are the ones we have. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08F55SKST For the door organizer, we went with this one. Again - only used for certain cruises. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HH6NLQ4

We've done it both ways - and we've liked both. I always decide which way to go based upon the cruise schedule. For the OP - if you are doing the 7 day Panorama in July then you could go with the early "set time" dining if you wish and not have a problem. Only 1 day (Puerto Vallarta) has extended port hours (9pm) where you might miss your dinner time (easy to do the buffet that night if necessary). Easy to be back onboard in Mazatlan in time for dinner for most people. We have a 6 night'r on Firenze coming up in August (It's going to be HOT in Cabo) and we have scheduled Early (set time) dining for that cruise. We are looking at a couple of B2B cruises on Panorama towards the end of the year and will probably do Early (set time) for those as well. For us - we really like the "set time" (early) for most cruises. We like talking to other people at the table about their day, etc. While "Your Time" does have the option to request a shared table, we have almost always been seated at a "2 top" regardless of our request in the app. For port intensive cruises, "Your Time" is generally the better option. We've done two 12 day Europe cruises and for both of those, "Your Time" was definitely the better choice, because at least for us - we wanted to maximize our time ashore in Europe. Alaska is also another cruise where "Your Time" is the better choice because of the extended port visit hours (sometimes as late as 10pm). Our experience with "Your Time" and the app has been this. If you like your wait staff, and request to be seated in their area each night, then you need to request your table as soon as the app opens up for dinner. If you wait awhile (till all the tables in your preferred area fill up), then you could very well have an extended wait to be seated until one of the tables in your preferred area opens up. If you are content to be a floater each night, then you will probably be seated faster as they can put you at any table in the dining room (even on either deck).

Taxi's are VERY EXPENSIVE in Cabo so that would be an expensive trip just for the taxi. You could do Uber and it might be easier to get a return trip that way (and much cheaper). Personally - I would just bite the bullet and get on one of the many catamarans that offer tours there. But make sure you know where they are going. Some also just go to Playa Santa Maria Cove instead. On the plus side - most offer drinks and a lunch on the way back (included). All of those companies I listed above also offer snorkeling trips.

Lou Reed - Walk On The Wild Side (1973)

Usually the tour companies offer both a morning and an afternoon time. Good companies that operate catamarans include Pez Gato (our favorite), SunRiders (also a favorite), EcoCat, La Princessa, and Rissalena. Also - there are many sailboats available for private or group charter that could customize your timeframe. Parent site of CruiseCritic: TripAdvisor has a forum board just for Cabo and can provide additional info. https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g152515-i84-Cabo_San_Lucas_Los_Cabos_Baja_California.html and also https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Products-g152515-t12052-zfg11865-Cabo_San_Lucas_Los_Cabos_Baja_California.html

In Cabo - there is a place called Taco's Gardenias that we've been going to since 2002 (that's 22 years). We own a timeshare in Cabo and even though we do our resorts optional AI, it's still mandatory for us to visit Gardenias for what we consider the best fish tacos in Cabo. And sometimes we also go there from a cruise. From the tender drop off, it's a bit of a hike at about 2km (about 30 minutes walking). Other options include taxi (very expensive), Uber, or a pedicab. If you request an Uber - DON'T do it next to a Taxi Stand. If you do walk - it's basically down the main drag, hang a right BEFORE McDonalds (or after still works). Then walk a block and hang another right. https://maps.app.goo.gl/Fxyosh4tHVRXPj7Y9 I think that menu I'm showing is from 2020 so can't verify it's still the same but this link seems to suggest it is. https://www.tacosgardenias.com/our-menu/ On the marina walk (closer) there are a couple of restaurants that are all excellent. Solomons Landing (one of our favorites), Captain Tony's, and the Tiki Bar (another favorite). Tiki Bar is known for their excellent sushi and my favorite - the Fish & Chips. I don't know if any of them serve octopus, but they might.

A Carnival PVP is certainly the easiest way, but any TA can get it credited through Carnival. I've done it both ways.

February is the perfect time for whale watching. We think Cabo is best for that.

Pricy massage. We have a timeshare in Cabo (and also go there on cruises). Our local favorite there in Cabo is 90 min massage for $60. Called Eden Spa. Walkable, but a hike (figure 30 min) or a quick Uber (cabs are pricey in Cabo).

It's been a couple of years since we were last there (2009 on Carnival Spirit), but at the time, we just did a resort day at Las Hadas Resort just sitting by the pool. Las Hadas is where they filmed the movie "10" with Bo Derek & Dudley Moore. Don't know if that's still an option - but it was a nice day just sitting by the pool. Also - in the park with the giant blue marlin is another famous resident. I'll leave it to you to discover.

Sometimes boredom can create learning opportunities. If you were just to go to the old town AKA Centro area (walkable via the "Blue Line") your teens could see the Catedral Basílica de la Inmaculada Concepción (Cathedral). While there, you could challenge them to find the thing that this Cathedral has that no other Cathedral in the world has (hint - it's in the stained glass windows). After that, you could walk over to the Mercado Pino Suarez Mazatlán (central market). Take them all the way to the far back corner for a real eye opener (it's where the butchers display their offerings). We're not talking rib-eye's and boneless chicken breasts here. Then, maybe a walk over to the Malecon to watch the cliff divers. Granted - it's not the famous Acapulco ones, but good enough. On the way back to the ship, if you still have enough energy, you can climb the steps up to the old light house for a great view. You can always save your legs a little by grabbing a Mazatlan Pulmonia (another completely unique experience) to get from place to place. You can also look at Johann & Sandra Mazatlan for some of those heart pounding tours. They have a great reputation.

Pretty sure Vallarta Adventures bought (or at least leased) the Las Caletas site thus becoming the sole source provider of tours there. I agree with Ine that you probably cannot book independently if you are on a cruise ship. I'm betting most of the major cruise lines have exclusivity contracts with Vallarta Adventures. In the past - you could book independently, but I don't think that's the case anymore because Vallarta Adventures now controls the site. But the nighttime show IS FANTASTIC, and I think that even if you are able to book it with your ship, you will find it to be worth the cost. A tip or two. #1 - Being out on the water at night can be cool so a light jacket or windbreaker can be handy. #2 - Sturdy shoes are also a good idea. Hiking sandals are ok, but I wouldn't really recommend flip flops. Oop's #3 - wouldn't really pay for any upgrades to the show. All the seats have a pretty good view.

Both Cabo and Puerto Vallarta have a WalMart within walking distance. The one in downtown Cabo is pretty new. If you do the one in Puerto Vallarta, there is not much else there in the area except a Sam's Club. So you would walk there, and then walk back to the pier, and then go do your sightseeing, or you could walk there and then catch a cab to the tourist areas. With Cabo - because the new one is right in the heart of downtown Cabo, you will see most of the tourist area as you walk there and back. Costco in Cabo is NOT WALKABLE and a pretty expensive cab ride there and back. Uber is available (and much cheaper) but DO NOT REQUEST AN UBER NEAR ANY TAXI STAND.

Whale Watching season in Cabo "generally" runs from sometime in December to April. The whales operate on their schedule, but too early in December, or late March and on can get iffy. You may still see whales, but fewer of them. Personally - I think February is best, but just my opinion. Good companies in Cabo include Pez Gato (personal favorite), SunRider (also love them), La Princesa, EcoCat, and Rissalena. All of these have been in Cabo for many years and have great reputations. There are many more including both much bigger boats and smaller sailboats. There is even a pirate ship (so to speak). The companies I listed all have catamarans that can hold from 30 people to well over 100. There are also zodiac boats available for a high speed thrill but understand it limits your personal movement within the boat. They won't get any closer to the whales because there are restrictions on whale contact. Because Cabo is a tender port, watch your time schedule to make sure you can get to your tour on time and look for an operator or booking agent that has a "no port, no pay" feature.

Check your times for Cabo. Some ships are only there for a fairly short time. But if it works, I would suggest contacting "Rocky G" on the Cabo forum board over at TripAdvisor. He is very knowledgeable about golfing in Cabo and is also a Destination Expert on that forum. https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g152515-i84-Cabo_San_Lucas_Los_Cabos_Baja_California.html A thing to be aware of. Taxi's are VERY EXPENSIVE in Cabo. Would be worth it to use UBER at least one way. The reason I say one way is because UBER can deliver to the resorts, but not pick up at them. Cabo has a very powerful Taxi Cartel. Rocky could give you more details on your best options. For Mazatlan, I'm guessing the best choice would be at the El Cid Resort complex. The ship will tie up just to the south of the Centro District (aka Old Mazatlan). If memory serves, that course is fairly flat. https://maps.app.goo.gl/7MV6Z9wnXsfMcX6u8

Depends upon what you want to do. Maybe some early morning trinket shopping followed by a nice breakfast at Solomon's Landing right on the Marina Walk. Guy Fieri even did one of his shows from there. Another option would be Captain Tony's (also on the Marina Walk). Both are excellent, but Solomon's is a favorite of ours. https://maps.app.goo.gl/zemGamKFMs4GpPaE6 Tender ride is only about 10 minutes if memory serves. It's a pretty short ride.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/djDdC466JWN2BPL19

In Mazatlan, it's probably easier to use a Pulmonia (think open air VW Bug). It's a Mazatlan thing. If you do use a Pulmonia (or regular cab for that matter), ALWAYS KNOW the price (per person or per vehicle) before you get in. In Cabo - DON'T call for an UBER near a Taxi stand. The Taxi Cartel (yes, you read that right) is not at all happy with UBER cutting into their Golden Goose. Walk a block or 2 away from any taxi pickup location. Example of a Mazatlan Pulmonia

And a few other shots that I never would have gotten from the cruise ship. Harbor seals and their pups. The perfect shot. Baby catching some rays. I call this my "cruise ship iceberg" And finally, some waterfalls.

This one was a little better This was the iceberg after it flipped (that I missed).

We were on Miracle when she did a 10 day Alaska Cruise out of San Francisco in June of 2022. Probably our favorite excursion by far was the small boat Glacier excursion when the ship cruised Tracy Arm. The ship stops in Tracy Arm and you board a smaller boat to cruise further up the fjord to the twin Sawyer Glaciers. The small boat can get SO MUCH CLOSER to the actual glacier and we saw multiple calving's and my wife even got to see an iceberg FLIP. An extremely rare occurrence, given the short time we were there. The crew was so excited to be able to see it, even the boat captain (but I missed it). This is a pretty expensive excursion but absolutely worth it in our case. I will post a couple of pictures of the excursion, but understand - these were not taken by a cell phone but a Nikon DSLR with a fairly long lens 70-300mm. I'm not a pro by any stretch, but sometimes, just extremely lucky. I'm guessing these shots were probably taken at about 150mm-200mm because at 300mm I would have been just to close to catch the full scene. The excursion may be hard to find on Carnival's web site because it leaves from the water and not a port. On our sailing, it was actually listed under San Francisco (our departure port) for a long time. We signed up for it early and had no problem, but as soon as Carnival moved the listing to one of our ports (I think Juneau), it sold out immediately because it is that popular. For this first calving, I was zoomed in a little to close.

You said San Juan is your departure port of choice. Carnival doesn't currently depart out of San Juan. Jimbo was merely pointing that out.

Don't plan on doing anything in Victoria. Look at the time you will be there. Mostly, that stop is just to satisfy the Passenger Vessel Services Act of 1886. Most people glance at their itinerary and think yay, I'll get to see a little Canada. And then they look at the actual time they will be there and it's no longer "yay" Don't know your sailing date, but saw some, where Spirit was just there from 8pm to midnight.