Jim_Iain - Solstice LIVE Mexico Riveria B2B - December 3 and 11

[Jim_Iain]

12/7/22. Mazatlan

 

I was up early for my Kayak adventure 

 

We were one of the first tours and our group of 14 were met by our guide and 18 passenger van

 

We headed among the promenade to Royal Villas Hotel. 
 

Time for a quick bathroom stop before boarding our short boat ride to Deer Island. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Jim_Iain]

We were fitted with a Life Vest and  were shortly on our 10 minute trip to the island.   As you can see the fog broke and turned out to be a perfect day with no winds and glass smooth waters.   Temperatures were about 75-80 F

 

We were offered water, juices, fresh fruit and pastries before we took off.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 7, 2022 by Jim_Iain

[Jim_Iain]

We were paired up and boarded our Kayak.   My kayaking partner and I had neither Kayaked before but quickly grasped the skills to not run into the other boats. 

 

We spent about 1 1/2 hour kayaking around the islands.   We all agreed we are going to feel it in our arms and forearms tomorrow.
 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 7, 2022 by Jim_Iain

[Jim_Iain]

Really good fit group and all agreed to hike up the mountain.   We couldn't go all the way to the to due to trail damage due the Hurricane that hit a couple months ago.

 

Great views and lots of bantering and helping others in the tough areas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 7, 2022 by Jim_Iain

[Jim_Iain]

 

We returned to the hotel for a rest stop as there are no facilities on Deer Island and then back to the ship.   The driver was a real character and decided to give us a tour of Old Town on the way back to the ship.    What a beautiful city.

 

I got back and about 12:15 and met up with Iain.    We grabbed a bite in OVC and then decided to walk back to town.   If we had chosen we could have caught a open air cab for $5 US

 

Our tour guide told me to just walk out of the terminal and follow the BLUE LINE.   BTW -  in Mazatland (very industrial port) they have a open air trolley to shuttle you from the ship to the terminal.   They run about every 3-5 minutes and are free.  

 

 

And THE BLUE Line. - Literally 

 

it is about a 1 mile walk (20 minutes) to the center of Old Town. 

 

 

 

Edited December 8, 2022 by Jim_Iain

[Jim_Iain]

Just some photos I grabbed on the way.  Iain doesn’t wait for me as I dwaddle.   I’m constantly jogging to catch up.   Things just catch my eye and I can’t resist taking a photo to share. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Jim_Iain]

Love impromptu moments.   I was shooting one of Iain and a lady came up and Photo bombed him then gave him a big hug.   We all had a good laugh. 
 

 

Edited December 8, 2022 by Jim_Iain

[JLMcruise]

52 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

Jim or anyone that's onboard right now. Do they still have a crab shack lunch? In the past it was in the Tuscan Grille sometime during the cruise.

I was on the Solstice for 3 weeks in October. They stated they weren't having the Crab Shack Lunch and not sure if it would ever come back... I loved the Crab shack lunch! Hopefully they will bring it back someday!.

[Cruising89143]

19 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

Love impromptu moments.   I was shooting one of Iain and a lady came up and Photo bombed him then gave him a big hug.   We all had a good laugh. 
 

Love Iain’s shirt…..

[cruzzzinma]

10 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

Last night they had Silent Disco in Retreat go hum

 

 

 

 

The ever popular Singh.  He is going home at end of cruise. 

Please wish him safe travels from the Willises who drank a very sweet lemon drop and a grey goose martini, straight up, with olives.

[Jim_Iain]

14 minutes ago, cruzzzinma said:

Please wish him safe travels from the Willises who drank a very sweet lemon drop and a grey goose martini, straight up, with olives.

Will send your well wishes to him.   He is a really superstar of a bartender.    Wonder who we will get next week.  

[Jim_Iain]

35 minutes ago, JLMcruise said:

I was on the Solstice for 3 weeks in October. They stated they weren't having the Crab Shack Lunch and not sure if it would ever come back... I loved the Crab shack lunch! Hopefully they will bring it back someday!.

Sorry to hear.   I have never done it but love crab.   On Edge pre-covid they held it on the Magic Carpet.   Sold out quickly.

[Jim_Iain]

34 minutes ago, cruisingator2 said:

Love Iain’s shirt…..

 

His sister bought that for him in Scotland.   It's amazing how many people stop him and comment about it.

[Jim_Iain]

I have to say most of the time StarLink is loading my uploads much faster than in the past. 
 

 

 

[Jim_Iain]

The main church in old town has a beautiful park in front of it. 
 

 

 

 

 

[Jim_Iain]

The routes to the port are everywhere. 
 

Just meandering our way back to Solstice by 3:00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 8, 2022 by Jim_Iain

[kwokpot]

1 hour ago, Jim_Iain said:

12/7/22. Mazatlan

 

I was up early for my Kayak adventure 

 

We were one of the first tours and our group of 14 were met by our guide and 18 passenger van

 

We headed among the promenade to Royal Villas Hotel. 
 

Time for a quick bathroom stop before boarding our short boat ride to Deer Island. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Looks like a lot of fun. Ship or private tour? 

[jagoffee]

4 hours ago, JLMcruise said:

I was on the Solstice for 3 weeks in October. They stated they weren't having the Crab Shack Lunch and not sure if it would ever come back... I loved the Crab shack lunch! Hopefully they will bring it back someday!.

Never knew that there was such a lunch.  I woukd have loved to try it.

[Jim_Iain]

11 hours ago, kwokpot said:

Looks like a lot of fun. Ship or private tour? 

 

Ships tour.   Most of the tours were reasonably price an about the same price as private tours.

[Jim_Iain]

We have a  4x4 Jeep tour today with a stop at a Mountain Villa.   Have to be dockside at 8:00 AM.   It makes it especially early as we lost an hour last night.    Luckily we gain it back tonight.

 

For some reason I thought Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta were on the same time zone.   I'll have to look on a map again.

[Jim_Iain]

As was mentioned tmw menu was one of our least favorite.    I did have the Chicken Liver custard and the Petite Filet from kids menu. 
 

Happy to say perfect size for me and very flavorful.   Much better than the NY that had little flavor. 
 

of course I had a baked potato to go with it
 

[Jim_Iain]

Beautiful morning in Puerto Vallarta. 
 

 

The crew are excited about this across the street

 

[abbydancer2003]

2 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

Beautiful morning in Puerto Vallarta. 
 

 

 

The crew are excited about this across the street

 

Yup.  You can even get a bus from downtown with the destination of Walmart,

[peanut head]

On 12/6/2022 at 9:00 AM, Jim_Iain said:

I have been told by a HR manager that if you leave additional tips by placing a person's name on the Additional Tip form it goes to the individual.  

Just caught up (again!) and I have to say,  you don't disappoint--pics and dialogue.

 

In regards to the earlier discussion on tipping, we went to fill out the form, while on the Equinox in October.   We were informed by guest relations that, yes, a tip of the amount you selected would be given to the specific crew member.  However, that individual wouldn't receive it for up to 2 weeks from the time the form was filled out and there is no mention of which guest issued the tip.  So, we decided to give out the cash tips in person and withdrew our OBC through the casino.

[LaCal]

Has anyone dined at Tuscan Grille yet? 

 

How was it?