LorbriK Posted October 20, 2006 #1 Share Posted October 20, 2006 We have a choice between two cruises in April, 2007. The price between the two isn't great enough for the decision to be easy. The first is on the Golden Princess from Acapulco to San Francisco and the second is on the Diamond Princess to/from Los Angeles. My husband thinks it's going to be cold when we return and therefore we should take the Diamond as we'll be in Los Angeles where it will be warmer than San Francisco. I've never even been to California so I have no clue. To help us decide, please list your pros/cons of each cruise. Thanks for your help everyone! :confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sueandkent Posted October 20, 2006 #2 Share Posted October 20, 2006 So the Golden cruise is one way, not round trip? We've done the Diamond out of LA and really liked it. The first and last days are definitely cooler than the time in Mexico although by April it's definitely starting to get warmer. If the port times in Cabo are longer on the Golden than the Diamond then that's a plus. Cabo is a great port and the time there is too short on the Diamond LA cruise. They are fun ports on this itinerary though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Druke I Posted October 20, 2006 #3 Share Posted October 20, 2006 San Francisco is certainly a prettier port than Los Angeles, but that of course is subjective. I for one prefer Sun class vessels to Grand class (Dawn is of the Sun class, and Diamond is a modified Grand class). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaliforniaAC Posted October 20, 2006 #4 Share Posted October 20, 2006 If airfare to Acapulco isn't a consideration, I think the Golden itinerary is offering more. Acapulco and Zihuatanejo are fun. The first day after Cabo, the weather should still be nice. The last day it will be cold. But- the biggest plus (to me) is that if you can stretch your vacation out and spend until Sunday in San Francisco, I think you would have a great time! San Francisco is my favorite city, and San Francisco in April is beautiful. No matter what the weather is like, there is a lot to do there. I grew up near LA, and April is still jacket weather there too. If you're thinking about stretching your time in that area, Disneyland is less crowded in April than in the summer. It will not be warm enough to spend a day at the beach yet, besides, you will have nice beaches in Mexico to look forward to! Have a great cruise! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kerrydee Posted October 20, 2006 #5 Share Posted October 20, 2006 i think you need to consider the airfare. round trip to LAX is sure to be less expensive than home to acapulco....SFO to home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA Dave Posted October 20, 2006 #6 Share Posted October 20, 2006 Given the option of sailing under the Golden Gate and docking at SF vs San Pedro, I would definately choose SF and I live 50 miles from there. I never tire of the beauty of that city. Also, if you have time after the cruise, there are a lot of close by SF icons to visit, some within walking distance or a bus or cable car ride. DZ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cancruiseforever Posted October 20, 2006 #7 Share Posted October 20, 2006 You didn't mention where you were from so I don't know what your meaning of cold is. I live in the bay area and the weather in April is about the same in both areas. Being familiar with both choices I'm sure you will love either one. My only consideration would be the cost of airfare. It could be rainy and cool in April (50ish) or beautiful, but being from the northeast cold doesn't exist here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
csunshine Posted October 21, 2006 #8 Share Posted October 21, 2006 Hi, my husband and I have also booked a cruise on the Diamond Princess, March 3,2007. We have been on many cruises and am looking forward to this one. One question I have is that we have a late flight out of LAX, does anyone know if there is a tour on disembarkation in and around LA and then brings us to LAX. On other cruise lines there was always one offered. I would appreciate any info on this. Also we are arriving at LAX on Feb 28th and am in hopes someone could give us some info on where to stay before our cruise, Long Beach, LAX or where ever. I had friends who took this cruise in March and said weather was just beautiful. Thanks csunshine:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vickie_bernie Posted October 21, 2006 #9 Share Posted October 21, 2006 just got off the Dawn that sailed out of SF in Oct for 11 nights, the first 2 days at sea were cool, by the 2nd day late afternoon it was warmer and we got sunburns! Same with the sailing home, last 2 days were too cool to sun tan. SF was a great port to sail out of, but their pier facilities are the worst i have ever seen in all my cruises. But SF is a great city to visit. Haven't been to LA since the 70's so I can't comment. Acapulco is not my favorite city in Mexico, way to busy and dirty and very poluted. I don't think I've helped, but I am sure you will enjoy whatever you choose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrivesLikeMario Posted October 21, 2006 #10 Share Posted October 21, 2006 I've been to all those Mex. Riv. ports and my favorite by far is Acapulco. We didn't find it any dirtier than any other Mex. Riv. port. It is very big, modern and has some terrific things to do. We did 3 shore excursions and loved each one of them. Zihuatenajo & Manzanillo were also terrific unusual ports! It was warmer in all 3 of these ports than the usual Mex. Riv. ports of Cabo, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta. Also, having been to San Fran. & LA, I'd choose San Fran. any day over the ugly & industrial Port of LA. Passing by the Golden Gate bridge is a great experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dolfan95831 Posted October 21, 2006 #11 Share Posted October 21, 2006 I'm with you Lady Jag. I think that some people like to just be negative nellies and will find something bad with everything. LorbiK, SAN FRANCISCO! You must sale under the Golden Gate bridge and you can't beat this city. In my opinion it's one of the best cities in US. The is huge coming from a person that love NYC. I grew up in Jersey and love going to NYC,but San Francisco can't be missed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsawyer Posted October 21, 2006 #12 Share Posted October 21, 2006 We are booked on The Golden Princess on April 12, 2007. It is a 10 day roundtrip cruise out of San Francisco. 4 ports (Acapulco, Zihuatenajo, Puerta Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas) and 5 sea days. This will be our first trip to the Mexican Riviera and we are looking forward to all the ports. We are especially looking forward to sailing under the Golden Gate Bridge. This will be the last year Princess sails to the Mexican Riviera from San Franciso. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smoothdancer Posted October 21, 2006 #13 Share Posted October 21, 2006 You have posted two of my most favorite places to start a cruise from. I am a very visual person, I like to see.... I always look at hotel pictures, ect... Let me give you a few links. The first is San Francisco. This is our personal website and it is picture review.. Will give you a great idea as to what you can do. We have been to SF in April and it is nice sweater weather. http://www.justcruisin-sv.com/California/CA%20Page%20one.htm We sailed starting in Acapulco thru the Panama Canal on Princess... Loved the pre stay we did at the Princess Hotel. I think this was the first time I was not anxious to get to the ship, I loved the hotel so much. Acapulco was somewhere I always wanted to visit, and all of my expectations were met... Here are some pictures of Acapulco. Hope the "visuals" help! http://travel.webshots.com/photo/1101049602051395705FIOTDp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robtulipe Posted October 21, 2006 #14 Share Posted October 21, 2006 We have a choice between two cruises in April, 2007. The price between the two isn't great enough for the decision to be easy. The first is on the Golden Princess from Acapulco to San Francisco and the second is on the Diamond Princess to/from Los Angeles. My husband thinks it's going to be cold when we return and therefore we should take the Diamond as we'll be in Los Angeles where it will be warmer than San Francisco. I've never even been to California so I have no clue. To help us decide, please list your pros/cons of each cruise. Thanks for your help everyone! :confused: Again as another poster wrote, we don't know where you live and are flying from or if you are comparing cruise with air pricing or cruise alone but from southern Ontario both LA and SF are easier and cheaper to get to and from. I can easily get direct and inexpensive flights to both cities. This week we leave on a Panama Canal cruise from San Juan to Acapulco and I have to take three different flights to get back to Buffalo since prices for flights out of Toronto were unreal and Detroit was not much better. If you are close to a major American hub you may do better but all the flights to the eastern US I saw for my return date had to go thru Mexico City. The only good thing about this is that the cruise was not selling well so last week I booked a higher catagory inside cabin for this 10 night cruise on selloff for $501US each with all port charges,taxes and fees included for cruise only. This older but still nice Princess ship offers few balconies cabins (only 30% of outside cabins have these) so this option was not available. With air we are paying around $950 US each. If you are flexible as to your travel date you could get a real bargain. I knew which cruise I wanted and was flexible as to the travel date and as it turned out we got this fantastic deal on the first cruise date with this itinerary out of the Oct/06 to Feb/07 possibilites. I also agree that SF is better than LA to visit and cruise out of. You also should look at cruises out of San Diego as cruises from here typically give more time in and/or extra ports like Los Cabos resulting from the shorter sailing time to get to/return from and is also a very nice area to visit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vickie_bernie Posted October 21, 2006 #15 Share Posted October 21, 2006 I'm with you Lady Jag. I think that some people like to just be negative nellies and will find something bad with everything. LorbiK, SAN FRANCISCO! You must sale under the Golden Gate bridge and you can't beat this city. In my opinion it's one of the best cities in US. The is huge coming from a person that love NYC. I grew up in Jersey and love going to NYC,but San Francisco can't be missed. you many want to reread my post, I am hardly negative, I am stating my opinion -- Acapulco is my least favorite port -- I am tired of people on these posts complaining when someone gives their opinion that is what these posts are for. I love SF and travel there lots, but the port is in need of upkeep... as many many other posts have stated. If I had to choose be SF and LA again I would choose SF because of the city and sailing under the Golden Gate Bridge. But temp. are cooler than LA. Enjoy whatever cruise you choose, I am sure it will be great -- wouldn't want to sway you with my opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smoothdancer Posted October 21, 2006 #16 Share Posted October 21, 2006 Of course everyone has thier own opinions. Just look at any cruise review. You will have 2 people on the same ship and have a completely different experience. When we were in Acapulco in 2003 I loved it. But most of our time was spent in the Princess resort, which could be a completly different experience then a port of call stop. We did venture out in the evening to dinner on the balcony of the Cliffdivers... (was great) I did however notice that even though the beaches and cliffs were breath taking, the town was dirty like you say..... On the upside the taxi and tour guide drivers were just incredible. They treat you very good. Each to your own experiences, I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLC@SD Posted October 21, 2006 #17 Share Posted October 21, 2006 Given the option of sailing under the Golden Gate and docking at SF vs San Pedro, I would definately choose SF and I live 50 miles from there. I never tire of the beauty of that city. Also, if you have time after the cruise, there are a lot of close by SF icons to visit, some within walking distance or a bus or cable car ride. DZ Returning to SF you would be sailing under the Golden Gate about 5 AM to 6 AM in the dark. It is best to leave and sail out in the late afternoon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nancyquilts Posted October 31, 2006 #18 Share Posted October 31, 2006 How about the Dawn Princess on an 11 day round trip from San Francisco? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunviking82 Posted November 2, 2006 #19 Share Posted November 2, 2006 We took the 10 day out of SF in 2004 on the Sapphire. Loved the trip, but it was very cool the first day out and the last two days on the way back. SF ports are awful and is one reason that Princess is not going to continue this trip after this year. Love the Sun Class ships, but the Sapphire's design is much improved over the original Grand Class and we found we liked it almost as much as the Sun Class. We are taking the Diamond (Sapphire's sister) out of LA in January and can't wait. Either trip or ship you will enjoy, it does get slightly warmer in January / February in SF so it won't be too bad. Just expect the embarkation in SF to be a nightmare! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLC@SD Posted November 3, 2006 #20 Share Posted November 3, 2006 How about the Dawn Princess on an 11 day round trip from San Francisco? We recently sailed out of SF on the Dawn Princess.......great trip. One potential problem with SF is the fog......you can sail out and not even see the bridge......:) . We were fortunate and had a beautiful sailing under the bridge......cold and windy......but beautiful....:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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