“Live” from the Royal on Mexican journey.

[KLM3164]

It’s official, I don’t like shore excursions that have a 7 am call time, especially when the sunrise isn’t until 7:30 am. It was still dark outside as we exited the ship with sleepy eyes and wandered down the pier to bus #3. Who picked this one…..lesson learned for future cruises.

 

Today’s port stop was Manzanillo which is a sleepy little town with a very large shipping port. Our excursion was called Best of Manzanillo: Colonial Colima. We visited the towns of Colima, Comala and the archaeological ruins at a place called La Campana.

 

The drive was really pretty as we drove out of Manzanillo with palm trees lining the highway for a good portion of the drive. It felt like we were driving through a palm tree forest. They were various sizes and very lush and green. Was happy to see the sunrise today as it was the first one I’ve seen on this trip. I’m a sunset girl and rarely see a sunrise.

 

Our first stop was Colima and it was a charming little town which reminded me of small towns I’ve been to in Europe. Since it was Sunday most shops were closed. We did visit 2 churches and saw a street procession going into one of the churches. They were celebrating the Patron Saint of Colima which is why they were having the procession in the streets.

 

 

 

 

 

Our next stop was the archeological site of La Campana. This wasn’t as impressive as other sites I’ve visited and the ground was crawling with large red ants so I just took a couple photos and got back on the bus. 

 

 

Next was a lunch stop at a restaurant in Comala where I met a very friendly kitty who was wandering through the open air restaurant. Food was good and I had a great Piña Colada.

Last stop was the town square of Comala which was a bit crowded. We just had 30 minutes here so we walked around looking for “cacahuates con sal y limón” which is peanuts with salt and lemon. We get them every time we come to Mexico. After 3 stores were out of them we finally found some at the OXXO.

 

Tomorrow will be another long day as we have a 7 hour excursion in Mazatlan. I’m happy the clocks go back 1 hour tonight and the excursion call time is a respectable 9:15 am.

[muffin]

We will be getting on as you leave. off to Hawaii, so lots of heat for out trip too! great to hear your thoughts and observations! Last night I found myself wondering about the bag of laundry deals onboard.    Do they have them? Cost.? Turnaround time?  Thx for any info  

[LadyL1]

Last night I went to the theatre to see the show  “The Secret Silk”. Quite avant gard for a cruise ship production, which was pulled off well with the technical challenges: much appreciated by the audience.

It has been quite a strange day after docking in glorious sunshine this morning. Lunchtime saw thick fog descend upon Mazatlan, the temperature plummeting. Folks who we spoke to got very cold out on tours, especially if they were on small boats. Fortunately this only lasted a couple of hours.

This evening we watched the Navigator of the Seas depart, which had been berthed directly infront of us, before a second visit to Sabatinis.

Cabo San Lucas tomorrow, and our plan is to find a lovely restaurant for lunch and have a lazy day in the sun, and wander around further back from the shore. This will be a tender port so 🤞that the ocean is kind or us.

 

@muffin asked about laundry. We are in a suite, left a bag of laundry yesterday morning which was returned this evening when cabin was serviced: this was just marked as regular and not “express”.

 

 

[Crown Cruiser]

I have read that some of the ships have a new menu for Sabatini's.  Has the menu changed on the Royal?

 

Thanks

[KLM3164]

10 hours ago, LadyL1 said:

It has been quite a strange day after docking in glorious sunshine this morning. Lunchtime saw thick fog descend upon Mazatlan, the temperature plummeting. Folks who we spoke to got very cold out on tours, especially if they were on small boats. Fortunately this only lasted a couple of hours.

Wow we missed all of this yesterday. We took a 7 hour excursion yesterday to a couple of old towns that were inland. We had bright, sunny weather for the entire day. It did feel cooler at the port Mercado when we were dropped off at 4:30.

[jwattle]

11 hours ago, LadyL1 said:

 

 

@muffin asked about laundry. We are in a suite, left a bag of laundry yesterday morning which was returned this evening when cabin was serviced: this was just marked as regular and not “express”.

 

 

They usually do that with suites; it's one of the perks 🙂 

[LadyL1]

7 hours ago, Crown Cruiser said:

I have read that some of the ships have a new menu for Sabatini's.  Has the menu changed on the Royal?

 

Thanks

As we have never been on Princess before I cannot comment, so here  are a few photos that might or might not seem new to you.

4 desserts

3 different mini lasagne 

Tiramisu

All delicious.

[KLM3164]

On 2/6/2023 at 10:18 AM, muffin said:

We will be getting on as you leave. off to Hawaii, so lots of heat for out trip too! great to hear your thoughts and observations! Last night I found myself wondering about the bag of laundry deals onboard.    Do they have them? Cost.? Turnaround time?  Thx for any info  

Princess doesn’t have any bag of laundry deals like they have on NCL. All laundry is per piece unless you are in a full suite or have elite status. The other option is go do your own laundry which I prefer. There is a laundromat on every deck that has aft cabins.

 

Also for your trip to Hawaii expect it to be chilly until you get to Hawaii. We’ve done Hawaii in

March and it didn’t get warm until a day before we got to Hawaii. Also once you leave Hawaii it will get cold again,

[KLM3164]

@muffinCurrent price list on the Royal for laundry service.

[KLM3164]

Yesterday our port stop was Mazatlan and we did another 7 hour tour. We had so much OBC this trip so we booked excursions in every port except Cabo. Our excursion in Mazatlan was called Concordia, Copala, & Golden Zone. 

 

We started with a drive along the waterfront which had several statues set up for Marci Gras. First stop was at the Golden Zone store. This was a big yawn for me and I’m glad we got it out of the way first. I looked at a couple items with fire opals and no clerk engaged me so I did what I know is best and walked out. 

 

Next we started our drive to the interior town of Concordia. We made some stops along the way at a brick making site and a pottery market. Then onto a little town called Malpica. Had the opportunity to watch a tile maker in action and I was selected to help with the design for the tile he was making. I wasn’t able to buy the specific tile but did buy one already complete for $4. It will make a nice trivet at home. Also stopped at a little bakery in Malpica for a snack. It was yummy.

 

Next stop was Concordia. Had some time to visit the government building, church and town square before for continuing onto Copala.

 

When we arrived in Copala we had time to walk around the small town before we had a decent lunch at a local restaurant. Copala is an old silver mining town which was established in the 16th century. Found the cutest kitten in Copala which was a great way to end the day before our drive back to the ship.

 

Next up is our last port stop in Cabo San Lucas.

Edited February 7, 2023 by KLM3164

[KLM3164]

Mazatlan 

 

 

[KLM3164]

Malpica

 

 

 

[KLM3164]

Concordia

 

 

[KLM3164]

Copala

 

 

 

[cr8tiv1]

7 hours ago, jwattle said:

They usually do that with suites; it's one of the perks 🙂 

 

Express Laundry:  In by 9 AM returned by evening turn down (between 7 - 8).

 

If not marked Express or isn't picked up until after 9 AM, it will usually be returned by the next day.

 

IF....your laundry bag is placed in the wrong bin by your steward (by accident), Laundry doesn't check to see if it was marked Express or regular, and will treat it as regular.  

 

Express Laundry is not available on turn around day.

[KLM3164]

Sunset last night in Mazatlan.

 

[muffin]

Thanks for the laundry info. Guess we will do our own with maybe one bag for ease!  Loving your photos and comments. 

[LadyL1]

Yesterday was our last port day in Cabo San Lucas, and of coarse this meant tendering. It was about 10 minutes to the cruise quay wending through multi million $$$$$$s of stunning motor yachts. 
My first impression is that it was far more cosmopolitan than where we had been elsewhere. The waters edge has dozens of restaurants and accommodations built that were not for the average local population. The famous rock configurations at the end of the Baja peninsula looked stunning. During the morning the Norwegian Joy joined us at anchorage, and those that walked around the port said that with 2 ships the town was heaving. Maybe one of the best activities here is going out in a sailing boat, many whales to be seen, and away from the crowds.

Last evening we stayed in the Crooners Bar; Funch a wonderful pianist and vocalist and his audience appreciative. 
This morning we have awoken to slight seas and sun. Tonight is a formal evening of “white and gold”. We had packed and left home weeks before this cruise, so when the email notification came we realised that we had no suitable ‘coloured’ attire! Oh well, I am sure we will have another great evening. 

 

[KLM3164]

On 2/7/2023 at 6:00 AM, Crown Cruiser said:

I have read that some of the ships have a new menu for Sabatini's.  Has the menu changed on the Royal?

 

Thanks

We haven’t eaten at Sabatini’s in years so don’t know if the Royal has the old menu or the new menu. Here are photos of the current menu.

 

[KLM3164]

Fun day in Cabo yesterday. Our travel agency has a condo in Cabo with a lovely view of the ocean. They hosted a fiesta there yesterday with lots of great food and fairly weak margaritas. Enjoyed the mariachi music and meeting other people with our  group (166 total this trip). Next we took a taxi to Sammy Hagar’s Cabo Wabo Cantina. It was packed and we had a bit of a wait to get in. We just went for drinks and they were strong! Made up for the weak margaritas at the fiesta. Finally wandered through the Mercado near the pier before taking the water shuttle back to the ship.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[KLM3164]

Our cabin was in a great location for sailing away from Cabo yesterday. Had a great view of El Arco and the whales from the starboard side of the ship.

 

 

 

 

[LadyL1]

 

After 2 days at sea, this morning we arrived back in San Francisco. This has been a wonderful cruise,  being a  first to both Princess and Mexico.

I have tried to write on things as I see them and facts as they are around the ship.

Firstly, without exception, the crew has been so helpful: this makes for a good vacation. The forward facing  full suite we occupied, was huge and we certainly enjoyed this. Maybe if mobility is a problem or one suffers from “Mal de Mer” it might not be so accommodating. I can say that the daily step count was high, and good exercise. The Concierge Lounge staff were a credit to all.

The musicians on the ship have been tremendous, our favourites being Funch in Crooners Bar and Charlotte  Newman who played in locations around the ship (singing and guitar).

Claudio (Dir of Restaurants) is a formidable person for his position, and therefore the running of the eating  venues appears (to the pax) to be efficient and customer focused.

The disembarkation went smoothly and we were impressed how quickly we passed through customs; technology is a great thing when it works well. Whilst on the subject, how easy it is with the Medallion! Rather than signing chits for everything, this is a great customer friendly gizmo. I am aware that the elderly are not so keen, but nothing stands still now. We used it to the full checking locations of others, finding (at first) directions to where we wanted to go and of course ordering beverages/food etc.. And for those who do not want to view their statement on the App, there are devices to print these rather than queueing at the Purser’s desk.

No comment on the casino which always seemed busy, as we did not go there at all.

A couple of names for an extra special mention (not management), Everton in Sabatini’s, Claudia the Cincierge receptionist and Imade in the Concierge Lounge/Wheelhouse bar.

Will we travel Princess again? Certainly!

 

[CruzeQueen2]

16 minutes ago, LadyL1 said:

 

After 2 days at sea, this morning we arrived back in San Francisco. This has been a wonderful cruise,  being a  first to both Princess and Mexico.

I have tried to write on things as I see them and facts as they are around the ship.

Firstly, without exception, the crew has been so helpful: this makes for a good vacation. The forward facing  full suite we occupied, was huge and we certainly enjoyed this. Maybe if mobility is a problem or one suffers from “Mal de Mer” it might not be so accommodating. I can say that the daily step count was high, and good exercise. The Concierge Lounge staff were a credit to all.

The musicians on the ship have been tremendous, our favourites being Funch in Crooners Bar and Charlotte  Newman who played in locations around the ship (singing and guitar).

Claudio (Dir of Restaurants) is a formidable person for his position, and therefore the running of the eating  venues appears (to the pax) to be efficient and customer focused.

The disembarkation went smoothly and we were impressed how quickly we passed through customs; technology is a great thing when it works well. Whilst on the subject, how easy it is with the Medallion! Rather than signing chits for everything, this is a great customer friendly gizmo. I am aware that the elderly are not so keen, but nothing stands still now. We used it to the full checking locations of others, finding (at first) directions to where we wanted to go and of course ordering beverages/food etc.. And for those who do not want to view their statement on the App, there are devices to print these rather than queueing at the Purser’s desk.

No comment on the casino which always seemed busy, as we did not go there at all.

A couple of names for an extra special mention (not management), Everton in Sabatini’s, Claudia the Cincierge receptionist and Imade in the Concierge Lounge/Wheelhouse bar.

Will we travel Princess again? Certainly!

 

@LadyL1I totally agree with you about the formidable Claudio. He was seen in every dining venue, all day long, in May and September 2022. He was -  Everything, Everywhere - All At Once. 

[lbfluffy]

Thank you for the review. We will be on this ship on March 2nd. I’m not sure if you mentioned it, was there a winemaker dinner?

[LadyL1]

3 hours ago, lbfluffy said:

Thank you for the review. We will be on this ship on March 2nd. I’m not sure if you mentioned it, was there a winemaker dinner?

I did not see this, and would most likely signed for, if available. There was The Chef’s Table”.