I'm having 2nd thoughts re my Mexican Riviera cruise...

[PACURN]

Luvz - It is a small world isn't it. I'm so happy that the elementries decided to change the calander, althougth there have been alot of complainers. Their compliant is "they can't take vacation in Aug". Who wants to. It's HOT and crowded. I love Oct. cruising. It's the best.

So I'm totally jealous that you get to do the Elation on the repo cruise. I so wanted to do it. Can't thought because it's in May and guess what, the kids are in school. I'm soooooo bummed.

Lava - I'm lucky that my kids are in Elementry, well actually one is, the other is in 6th grade but is in Special Ed. He has Down Syndrome. I did have to take them out for a week last Oct when we went to Hawaii, but it's wasn't so bad. They had packets to do and return. It's a whole differnt ball game in the upper grades.

So what have you decided to do?? I was wondering today since we haven't heard from you. Don't let people scare you off from Mexico. It's not a bad place just WAY different from Hawaii. It's just a different culture.

[rlkubi]

Lavawalker, we have now cruised 6 times and have never had a problem. I don't get seasick but my husband has had episodes in the past. We get the patch for him and he wore them the first few cruises and now doesn't even wear them. My sister in law also gets seasick but has never had a problem with the patch. She is now hooked like we are! You could also go on Carnival the first time since it would be cheaper than "thousands" of dollars for a cruise. I love Carnival and they are very "kid friendly". We took our children and one granddaughter two years ago. She was 3 and loved "Camp Carnival"! Have fun! Once you started cruising you will be hooked!

[OldCodger73]

Wow! It seems according to some I "stepped in it" with my comment that summer can be hot and very humid and then stated my favorite time for going. Anyway, I know the problem of vacations and kids in school as I was in education for many years and summer was the only time I could go.

[DaveWA]

If you're worried about Seasickness, get the patches from your doctor before you leave. They won't make you drowsy, and unlike pills, you don't have to keep them in your stomach if you are throwing up.

 

We took a short cruise to Ensenada in 2004/2005 (New Years cruise). We found a busy place called Papa's and Beer. We ordered nacho's and two huge Margaritas. It wasn't until we were sipping the last of the Margarita that it dawnws on us that they were chock full of crushed ICE. We sort of paniced for a bit, but the place caters to tourists and I'm sure they take precautions. Neither of us got sick. Certainly not suggesting that anyone consume copious amounts of water or ice, but if you are in a touristy place, you're safer than if you're off the beaten path.

 

Ensenada is very poor. RCCL does three and four day cruises on the Monarch. I think Ensenada is just a close port. There certainly isn't much there that would intice anyone to return. In fact, I found it somewhat depressing. I'm looking forward to Cabo, Mazatlan and PV.

[PACURN]

Wow! It seems according to some I "stepped in it" with my comment that summer can be hot and very humid and then stated my favorite time for going. Anyway, I know the problem of vacations and kids in school as I was in education for many years and summer was the only time I could go.

 

I believe that I was the one who started "the comment" since I was referring to kids being in school. I was not trying to be rude and I certainly don't think you "stepped in it". I was just making a comment. I'm so sorry if I offended you. Please accept my apology. To many people get mean and nasty on these boards. It's easy when you are hiding behind a computer screen. Anyway I wasn't out ot be mean. I'm sorry :o

[addictedtotravel]

Yes Mexico is alot poorer than Hawaii and the children may see that.That isn't necessarily bad. You can visit beautiful resorts in Mexico when the ship docks for a minimal cost if at all. We eat a large breakfast on board and a late lunch back on the ship after our day in port. You can grab apples to bring on shore. We did have a light lunch at the resort in Acapulco (ship excursion) and chips and guacamole in PV with no problems. I would not go swimming in the ocean as the water is often polluted. I always bring purcell. We've cruised lots with the kids and no one has ever been seasick. I think I'd feel too dopey with Dramimine especially if I wasn't sure it was necessary. Actually when I did get seasick it was in Maui on a catamaran sunset sail. Just make sure your cabin is more in the center of the ship. I don't know the ages of your children but if they're school age on board you may find you have more time with your husband as the kids have lots to do!

[OldCodger73]

Debbie, you didn't offend me one bit. I was afraid that it was I that had offended someone by suggesting a timeframe outside of the original question.

[PACURN]

Oh good. I'm glad. I don't like meanies.

I don't think anyone was offended by the time frame thing. We all travel when we can. At least I do :D . School just gets in my way dang it..

[lavawalker]

If you're worried about Seasickness, get the patches from your doctor before you leave. They won't make you drowsy, and unlike pills, you don't have to keep them in your stomach if you are throwing up.

I tried the patch once when we took my brothers sailboat out for a few days. I had the worst case of "cotton mouth" and a VERY sore throat from it. It also made me dizzy.... I think these are common symptoms, maybe I just get them worse...

[andynlala]

I agree with some of the others, if you're going to just worry about everything, you won't have a good time. We have been in Mexico many times to different areas, and have never gotten sick, unless a hangover counts;) . I too am a big fan of Hawaii, but for our vacation in March, I paid the same for the whole cruise for 4 as I would have paid for just the plane tickets to Maui. The kids love Mexico, but it is pretty poor. The people however have all been very nice, and hospitable. I like it as much, if not maybe a tad bit more than Hawaii. It's all what you make it. Don't cancel, go and have fun!!! When you're in Cabo, go to Tabasco's on the beach, great food!

[lavawalker]

You could also go on Carnival the first time since it would be cheaper than "thousands" of dollars for a cruise. I love Carnival and they are very "kid friendly"

I'm sure Carnival is very nice, but our family as well as the family we will be cruising with are die-hard Disney fans! We are Disney Vacation Club members and our teen dd wants to work at Disneyland during college. Being that we live here in Cali we figured this is a great opportunity to try out Disney Cruise Line without having to fly across country!

[mikaula]

I've been to Mexico 3 times now on a cruise and have never gotten sick from the food. I'm just careful not to eat in some "hole in the wall" place and only go to well established places. there are lots of tourist in the ports and the resturaunts and hotels want to cater to them and not have people going home and saying they got sick. Just don't drink any water from a public fountain etc.

 

I must say too that I am a bit jealous - I would love to go on a Disney cruise with my grandkids. Maybe I will someday!

[suziehmkr]

We have done this itinerary twice and we are going again for Christmas. This will be the first time DD has been on this itinerary. We LOVE Hawaii and will be returning for a land vacation NEXT Christmas, but we also enjoy the Mexican Riviera.

 

Seasickness... DH gets seasick on occasion. Spent one full day in bed on our way to Hawaii. On our way back from Cabo earlier this month, we hit a cold front and we had pretty big swells (we were even late getting back into port).... DH doesn't like to take meds... he found a great way to keep from being sick this time. The Casino! LOL Although Disney won't have one.

 

As far as the food..... we have never been sick from eating in Mexico.... we have eaten in PV twice, Mazatlan twice and Cabo once. No problems whatsoever. Not even a hangover from the VERY good moonshine tequila. ;)

 

Try something new - you might like it!

[suziehmkr]

You can grab apples to bring on shore.

Please remember that it is usually illegal to bring food from the ship to shore, especially fruit. The fines can be hefty. :(

[CruisinDivinEhlerts]

I would say don't cancel. There are precautions you can take for seasickness... But I personally don't even feel the motion. Also... I think people need to be smart about choosing where to eat and what to eat. Ask youself... Is the place clean. I have only cruised one other time but my inlaws have been on many, including a 100 day world cruise. They never got sick from food. But they used there better judgement. Hope it helps

[biggerbearmom]

cancel your cruise. Prior to taking two of our four children on a Mexican Riveria Cruise last Feb. as a family we had always done all inclusive resorts in Mexico and Condos in Hawaii. Since taking the cruise they are totally hooked and look forward to the next one. The cruise last year was the best family vacation we had ever taken (with the exception of Indonesia). I just wish that my two older college age sons had been able to go with us.

[tango4too]

I get car sick driving across town! The only time I got sick on our 7 day mexican riveria cruise was when we tendered to Cabo and the first night at dinner. The dinner hall was at the back of the ship and I could feel the waves going out of the port in LA. I did take the low drowsiness Dramamine pill the first day and did not take any the rest of the trip and I was fine. Have lots of fun on your cruise!

[Bucky3]

You might check the Ship Reviews Cruise Critic section to see if they have member reviews of the Disney ship that did this itinerary either last summer or the summer before.

 

We love cruising with our family. Our three grandchildren and their parents, along with us, are addicted to cruising! So be aware that once they have cruised, cruising may become their vacation of choice!

 

We all love Hawaii too. Have you thought about an NCL cruise that would be port intensive with no sea days? I know it's not Disney, but you'd get to try cruising in a place you know you love.

 

If the expense of flying is not a problem for you, I would always choose the Caribbean over Mexico. We cruise Mexico because we live in CA and it is so convenient to drive to the port, and we don't fly anymore.

 

Not many ships cruise Mexico from the West Coast during the summer. It does get very hot and humid and rain and storms can be a problem.

 

Whatever you decide, have a wonderful cruise. It's just the best family vacation ever in our opinion.

[AMPM]

Lavawalker, take that cruise. There is no better vacation in the world!!! My advice if you are afraid of seasickness.....get seabands. We swear by them. We tried Dramamine once and I think my husband slept throught the whole vacation. We now use those seabands (I got them at CVS). No drugs, no sleepiness and they work!

[mousey]

Lavawalker, I agree with AMPM. The sea bands worked great for us on a mediterraen cruise. :)