Carnival and the Mexican Riviera

[ronandannette]

The good news for the west coast is that cruise lines are returning. NCL, HAL, Celebrity and Princess are all doing Mexican Riviera or California Coastal cruises. Even Royal is returning to the west coast with a handful of sailings.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

 

Which ships and when? Could you point me in the right direction please, Tapi? FWIW, the 4-day itineraries Princess has run this spring (alternating San Diego, Santa Barbra & Catalina along with a standard stop in Ensenada) have been hot sellers with prices going WAY up during the final weeks. I soooo wish I'd been able to make one of the dates work!

 

I bet if they offered a year round that alternated ports and length, they would get more bookings. There is more to the west coast of Mexico than PV, Cabo and Ensenada.

 

The bottom fell out of the route when all ships abandoned Mazatlan due to security concerns. All the ships deployed to the MR at that time changed their 7 intineraries to a stop in Puerta Vallarta and an over-night in Cabo. Just a dreadful, boring itinerary. Gradually the cruise lines ran out of people who were willing to book it even "just to be on a cruise" and the prices plummeted. Not surprising that everybody, even finally Carnival, eventually abandoned it. As for now though, I imagine there's enough pent-up demand from West Coasters that at least a few 7 day sailings a year would sell really well again (see my remarks about the Princess 4-day-ers). One can only hope...and I believe the travel advisory to Mazatlan may have been lifted now also.

 

P.S. - My first cruise all those years ago was the Carinval Jubilee to PV, Mazatlan & Cabo!

[n6uqqq]

Carnival stopped going to Mazatlan citing security concerns. I find this claim dubious after a Carnival sponsored tour was robbed at gunpoint in Puerto Vallarta and they are still going there. I believe the cancellation of Mazatlan has a lot more to do with the surely large fuel savings for Carnival by not having to criss cross from PV to Mazatlan and then back to Cabo. Mazatlan wasn't the nicest port but I did enjoy going there.

[WindsorFred]

DH and I enjoyed the Carnival Spirit to Acapulco a few years back. It was great sailing out of San Diego.

 

Did the same itin in 2009. Also on the Splendor out of Long Beach in 2010 to different ports. Both were great cruises with perfect weather.

Edited March 20, 2014 by WindsorFred

[omar151]

Did the same.

 

 

Did that cruise also. It was great staying at the Holiday Inn right across the street from the port waking up and seeing the Spirit right in front of our room.

[Tapi]

Which ships and when? Could you point me in the right direction please, Tapi?

 

 

There are only a handful of sailings aboard the Jewel of the Seas slated for Sep-Oct 2015. The first two are roundtrips from LA along the Pacific Coast and Mexico (Ensenada, Monterrey, Santa Barbara and San Francisco). After that, the ship will perform a 15 night Panama Canal cruise ending in San Juan.

 

VERY limited offerings, but from what I've been reading on the Royal board, people are thrilled to have the opportunity to sail on Royal from LA again.

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[WindsorFred]

Did that cruise also. It was great staying at the Holiday Inn right across the street from the port waking up and seeing the Spirit right in front of our room.

 

 

Wow we did also. Spent a couple days pre cruise seeing the sights.

Edited March 20, 2014 by WindsorFred

[MEOWSMURPHY]

Zihuatanejo -- is our favorite port. We miss it very much. :(

 

 

Definitely with you on this one..it is a BEAUTIFUL port..we had a great time the 2 times we sailed there.

[ronandannette]

There are only a handful of sailings aboard the Jewel of the Seas slated for Sep-Oct 2015. The first two are roundtrips from LA along the Pacific Coast and Mexico (Ensenada, Monterrey, Santa Barbara and San Francisco). After that, the ship will perform a 15 night Panama Canal cruise ending in San Juan.

 

VERY limited offerings, but from what I've been reading on the Royal board, people are thrilled to have the opportunity to sail on Royal from LA again.

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

 

It'll be popular. Princess has at least one trip like that this year also...the fares are VERY high. Funny how none of the other lines have thought about going north up the coast before now (except for repositioning). I'm not saying the itinerary could support year-round activity, but definitely something that would work 2-3 times a year for each line. FWIW, probably my favourite port EVER of any of the cruises I've taken is Monterrey Bay. What a beautiful place!

[omar151]

It'll be popular. Princess has at least one trip like that this year also...the fares are VERY high. Funny how none of the other lines have thought about going north up the coast before now (except for repositioning). I'm not saying the itinerary could support year-round activity, but definitely something that would work 2-3 times a year for each line. FWIW, probably my favourite port EVER of any of the cruises I've taken is Monterrey Bay. What a beautiful place!

 

 

I know I would be thrilled if the West Coast has more cruise options. Just seems it is always Florida that has them and also the newer ships also.

[cdamion]

Carnival stopped going to Mazatlan citing security concerns. I find this claim dubious after a Carnival sponsored tour was robbed at gunpoint in Puerto Vallarta and they are still going there. I believe the cancellation of Mazatlan has a lot more to do with the surely large fuel savings for Carnival by not having to criss cross from PV to Mazatlan and then back to Cabo. Mazatlan wasn't the nicest port but I did enjoy going there.

 

I don't know if it was mentioned previously, but NCL is going to Mazatlan now. Looking forward to it next spring.

 

I was on the Splendor itinerary right after the PV robbery and was scared about an overreaction. While people on board certainly talked about it (with some even not getting of in port), we had a wonderful time in Puerto Vallarta.

[ronandannette]

I don't know if it was mentioned previously, but NCL is going to Mazatlan now. Looking forward to it next spring.

 

I was on the Splendor itinerary right after the PV robbery and was scared about an overreaction. While people on board certainly talked about it (with some even not getting of in port), we had a wonderful time in Puerto Vallarta.

 

The only problem with that is the ship - the Star is not one of their A-list vessels by any means. :( I sure wish there was some balance between ease of access, itinerary and wow-factor ships available to us out of California like there is in Florida. We won't be booking the Norwegian Star but we certainly would be tempted by the Pearl or the Gem. By far the "best" ships on the left coast right now are the Princess ones, but the Princess-brand isn't for everyone.

Edited March 20, 2014 by ronandannette

[omar151]

I don't know if it was mentioned previously, but NCL is going to Mazatlan now. Looking forward to it next spring.

 

I was on the Splendor itinerary right after the PV robbery and was scared about an overreaction. While people on board certainly talked about it (with some even not getting of in port), we had a wonderful time in Puerto Vallarta.

 

 

Puerto Vallarta is fun. I did the zip line out there and it was a blast !

[cdamion]

The only problem with that is the ship - the Star is not one of their A-list vessels by any means. :( I sure wish there was some balance between ease of access, itinerary and wow-factor ships available to us out of California like there is in Florida. We won't be booking the Norwegian Star but we certainly would be tempted by the Pearl or the Gem. By far the "best" ships on the left coast right now are the Princess ones, but the Princess-brand isn't for everyone.

 

I was actually booked on the Miracle, but then learned it was the first cruise out of a drydock. No way. I am looking forward to the Star, I don't need all the bells and whistles (although I would prefer either NCL ship you mentioned).

 

I would do Princess if they were doing the Mexican Riviera, but that week is a coastal California itinerary which I will never do via a cruise since I spent most of my life in southern California.

[tncap]

Yep, the other half of the five day cycle is the 9 day. Manzanillo, PV, Mazatlan, then Cabo (or La Paz). That there is a great cruise.

 

I loved that cruise on the Spirit!

[Fitzget]

Maybe you all should book the Nov 15 sailing to the Riviera on Miracle? ;) We've got a pretty slow roll call going so far. Let's make it a party! Come on, book it! (peer pressure)

[ccruisequeen]

We just booked the 4 day Ensenada and Catalina Inspiration sailing for May 12. $170/person. Can't beat that and couldn't pass that one up!

 

This will be my third time on Carnival and first time to both these ports. I'm looking forward to it.

 

I got the Imagination May 4 $204 single supplement on the casino rate. Even got the cabin I wanted!

 

 

[ccruisequeen]

I know I would be thrilled if the West Coast has more cruise options. Just seems it is always Florida that has them and also the newer ships also.

 

Had a Celebrity Pacific Coast cruise booked for this month but had to cancel. Princess is offering them again in Oct and Nov. I'd love a carnival Pacific Coast cruise.

 

[woodey]

I got the Imagination May 4 $204 single supplement on the casino rate. Even got the cabin I wanted!

 

 

 

nice ;)

now is the time to book these single cruises...

I hate to say it but it is stupid cheap right now.....

I just booked cruise number 2 this year and am already thinking and looking for after summer rates..

Edited March 20, 2014 by woodey

[purplekisses]

I don't know if it was mentioned previously, but NCL is going to Mazatlan now. Looking forward to it next spring.

 

I was on the Splendor itinerary right after the PV robbery and was scared about an overreaction. While people on board certainly talked about it (with some even not getting of in port), we had a wonderful time in Puerto Vallarta.

 

My family sailed a few weeks after the robbery and enjoys over $700 OBC and had a great time at the PV zoo and shopping. We really miss doing this itinerary right after school gets out for my kids, but alas not happening now.:(

[Fitzget]

Carnival stopped going to Mazatlan citing security concerns. I find this claim dubious after a Carnival sponsored tour was robbed at gunpoint in Puerto Vallarta and they are still going there. I believe the cancellation of Mazatlan has a lot more to do with the surely large fuel savings for Carnival by not having to criss cross from PV to Mazatlan and then back to Cabo. Mazatlan wasn't the nicest port but I did enjoy going there.

 

Mazatlan was, imo, a terrible port. That is one of the reasons I chose Carnival for my upcoming cruise over NCL, I had no desire to go back to Mazatlan. There is definitely a safety concern there, much more so than PV. I vacation in PV a lot, for 7-10 days at a time, and have never had an issue. Quite frankly, I wish they spent 2 days in PV over Cabo.

[omar151]

Mazatlan was, imo, a terrible port. That is one of the reasons I chose Carnival for my upcoming cruise over NCL, I had no desire to go back to Mazatlan. There is definitely a safety concern there, much more so than PV. I vacation in PV a lot, for 7-10 days at a time, and have never had an issue. Quite frankly, I wish they spent 2 days in PV over Cabo.

 

 

I have heard there are safety concers in Jamaica also...but Carnival still goes there...but i have never been there so I cannot verify this.

[Fitzget]

I have heard there are safety concers in Jamaica also...but Carnival still goes there...but i have never been there so I cannot verify this.

 

You are so correct, I felt completely unsafe in Jamaica, unless I was in Margaritaville or within the confines of the approved shopping area. Another port I would not go back to. So really not sure why they stopped going to Mazatlan. Maybe the port was just wildly unpopular, which is possible.

[maldenmusic]

Why has the cruise industry in general downsized their business on the west coast? It seems like it would be a money maker for them.

[omar151]

Why has the cruise industry in general downsized their business on the west coast? It seems like it would be a money maker for them.

 

 

I agree maldenmusic.....gosh my first cruise was way back in 1995 going to Enenada on the ship The Holiday.

[Fitzget]

Why has the cruise industry in general downsized their business on the west coast? It seems like it would be a money maker for them.

 

Because there aren't as many ports that people are as interested in as the Caribbean. We have very few ports on the west coast.