Norwegian Star Mexican riviera trip journal

[easy22]

here is the journal ship is being refurbished over the next 6 months. it needs some TLC. service was outstanding. i never met so many wonderful waiters and cabin stewards etc

 

 

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINES 8 DAY TO MEXICO JANUARY 11, 2008

 

FIRST TIP I THINK IS TO REQUEST A STARBOARD CABIN. YOU GET

GREAT SUNSETS ALL THE WAY DOWN AND IN ACAPULCO THEN ON

THE WAY UP GREAT VIEW IN ZIHUATANEJO HARBOR AND YOU CAN

SEE THE CITIES ON THE SHORE AS YOU GO BY. OTHER SIDE SEES

OPEN SEA. SECOND TIP IS DO NOT EAT AT SOHO UPSCALE

RESTAURANT. IT WAS $25 PER PERSON AND FOOD AND SERVICE

WERE NOT GOOD.

 

WE ARRIVED AT THE PIER AT 11:30AM AND BOARDED ABOUT NOON

AFTER FAIRLY ORGANIZED BOARDING PROCESS. LINES MOVED

PRETTY FAST. WE THEN HAD LUNCH AND THEN WENT DOWN TO

SECURE OUR RESTAURANT RESERVATIONS FOR THE NEXT TWO

DAYS. WE LEFT AT 4PM AND STEAMED RAPIDLY FOR 2 3/4 DAYS TO

ACAPULCO. ONCE THERE, WE STAYED THERE FROM NOON TO

MIDNIGHT SHIP TIME. PROBLEM WAS, THAT’S 1PM SHORE TIME SO

WE MISSED THE CLIFFDIVERS SHOW. THEY DID AN EXTRA SHOW

LATER THOUGH BECAUSE SO MANY CRUISE SHIPS IN TOWN SO WE

DID GET TO SEE THAT. IT’S $7 TO GET IN TO STAND ON THE CLOSER

CLIFF TO WATCH OR JUST HAVE YOUR VAN DRIVER PARK ALONG

THE RAILING AND TAKE PICTURES FROM THERE FOR FREE. YOU

CAN’T CATCH THEM ON FILM ANYWAY, THEY GO SO FAST INTO THE

WATER. ALSO, CAN GET OUT AND AWAY FASTER THAT WAY WHEN

IT’S DONE. SOME PEOPLE FROM THE SHIP HIRED THE BOAT FROM

FISH R US www.fish-r-us.com AND THEY REALLY ENJOYED BEING

DOWN AT THE BOTTOM OF THE CLIFFS AS THE DIVERS CAME INTO

THE WATER. WE USED A PRIVATE VAN CALLED ARTURO’S AND WE

REALLY THOUGHT IT WAS A GREAT DEAL AT $20 EACH FOR 4 HOUR

TOUR, MINIMUM 6 PEOPLE. VERY COMFORTABLY SEATS 7 AND

WOULD SEAT 10 JUST FINE. AIR CONDITIONED AND ROMEO, OUR

DRIVER, SPOKE EXCELLENT ENGLISH. HIGHLY RECOMMEND

GUIASACAPULCO@HOTMAIL.COM.

 

WE HAD WINE IN THE SUITCASE BUT THEIR X RAY

CAUGHT THAT AND WE HAD TO PAY $15 PER BOTTLE CORKAGE FEE

OR THEY’D KEEP IT UNTIL THE END OF THE CRUISE AND THEN

RETURN IT. EVEN AT THAT, IT WAS CHEAPER TO BRING OUR OWN

WINE ON BOARD THAN ORDER THEIRS. THEY HAD EVERYONE WHO

HAD LIQUOR DETECTED IN THEIR LUGGAGE COME TO CLAIM IT AT

5PM THE FIRST DAY IN THE LIBRARY. THEY TAGGED THEM AS PAID AND THEN I COULD TAKE THEM.

 

THERE IS AN OXXO STORE WHICH IS LIKE 7-11

ABOUT 1 BLOCK DOWN TO THE LEFT AND ACROSS THE STREET ONCE YOU GET TO ACAPULCO SO YOU CAN BUY COKES AND WATER ETC. THERE IS A SHOPPING VILLAGE ON THE BEACH RIGHT

ACROSS FROM THERE. ALL THIS IS VERY EASY WALKING DISTANCE

FROM THE SHIP.

 

YOU CAN TAKE A BOAT TO LA ROQUETA ISLAND FOR ONLY $4

ROUND TRIP FOR A NICE BEACH AND SNORKELING OR GLASS

BOTTOM BOAT TO THE ISLAND FOR $8 BUT THEY SAID IT’S NOT WORTH THE EXTRA MONEY. DON’T SEE MUCH ANYWAY. IF I’M EVER THERE AGAIN, I’LL

DO THAT. I THINK I’LL JUST HOP IN A CAB AND TELL THEM TO TAKE

ME TO THE GLASS BOTTOM BOAT PIER. IT’S A BIT FAR TO WALK FOR

ME BUT NOT OUT OF THE QUESTION IF YOU WANT TO WALK. JUST

TURN RIGHT AS YOU LEAVE THE SHIP. LAST TIME WE TOOK THE

BUS TO PIE DE LA CUESTA FOR 35 CENTS. THAT WAS VERY VERY

FUN. AND WE TOOK A SMALL BOAT AROUND THE NATURE

PRESERVE THERE AS WELL FOR $10 EACH FOR AN HOUR. I HIGHLY

RECOMMEND THAT AS WELL. WONDERFUL LUNCH ONLY $5 A

WHOLE BBQ RED SNAPPER AND RICE, BEANS AND TORTILLAS. $1

BEERS AND HAMMOCKS TO LAY IN.

 

WE RETURNED TO THE SHIP ABOUT 6PM AND HAD DINNER AT LA

TRATTORIA ITALIAN RESTAURANT. MAKE A RESERVATION FOR

WHEN YOU’RE IN ACAPULCO BECAUSE IT IS ON DECK 12 PORT SIDE

AND OVERLOOKS ACAPULCO HARBOR ALL LIT UP. REALLY

BEAUTIFUL. NO EXTRA CHARGE FOR THIS RESTAURANT AND VERY

GOOD FOOD.

 

NEXT DAY WAS ZIHUATANEJO. DID SOME SHOPPING, HAD A PINA

COLADA $3 AND A $1 BEER. THE FARTHER YOU WALK TO THE RIGHT

OF THE MAIN DOCK, THE CHEAPER THINGS GET. THEN TOOK THE

FERRY TO LAS GATAS BEACH. IT’S $3.50 ROUND TRIP TO GO THERE

FROM THE MAIN DOCK OR YOU CAN TAKE THE SHIP TOUR ON SAME

BOAT FOR $80. ONCE THERE, THERE ARE RESTAURANTS AND CHAIRS

AND UMBRELLAS FOR HIRE. THEY DON’T CHARGE FOR THOSE IF

YOU ORDER FOOD AND DRINKS FROM THEM. THERE IS A TENT ON

THE BEACH WHERE THEY DO MASSAGE FOR ONLY $20 PER HOUR.

I’VE DONE IT TWICE AND THEY ARE REALLY VERY GOOD. NOT JUST

RUBBING AROUND BUT DIGGING FOR THE SORE SPOTS LIKE THEY

ARE ACTUALLY TRAINED. ANYWAY, IT FEELS REALLY GOOD AND

YOU CAN HEAR THE WAVES ROLLING IN. WE HAD TO BE BACK AT

THE SHIP BY 1:30 IN THIS PORT SO WE DIDN’T HAVE MUCH TIME

THERE BUT YOU CAN TAKE THE BUS TO IXTAPA. RUNS REGULARLY

EVERY FEW MINUTES AND IS ONLY ABOUT 40 CENTS AND TAKES 10

MINUTES. PEOPLE WHO WENT OVER THERE SAID IT’S JUST ALL HIGH

RISE MODERN HOTELS SO I’M JUST AS GLAD WE DIDN’T WASTE TIME

GOING THERE. ZIHUATANEJO IS A CHARMING LITTLE PLACE.

 

NEXT PORT WAS PUERTO VALLARTA. WE GOT THERE 8AM. WE HAD

TO LINE UP AT THE SHORE EXCURSION DESK TO GET TENDER

TICKETS TO GET OFF THE SHIP. I WAS IN LINE BY 7:45 SO WE GOT ON

THE FIRST BOAT. WE THEN TOOK THE BUS TO CENTRO PUERTO

VALLARTA. THERE ARE TWO BUSES THAT RUN DOWN THERE, BOTH

BLUE AND WHITE. WHEN YOU EXIT THE PORT, TURN LEFT AND THE

BUS STOP IS ON THE CORNER RIGHT THERE. YOU CANNOT SCREW

THIS UP. ONE SAYS TUNEL AND GOES THRU A TUNNEL IN THE

MOUNTAINS AND AROUND THE PERIMETER OF THE CITY BEFORE

ENDING UP IN TOWN. THE OTHER GOES DIRECT TO CENTRO. BOTH

ARE MARKED ON THE WINDSHIELD. WE TOOK TUNEL ON PURPOSE

TO GET THE LONGER RIDE. IT LEFT US OFF AT SENOR FROG’S ON THE

OTHER SIDE OF THE RIVER FROM THE CRUISE SHIP WHICH WAS

GREAT AS THAT IS THE START OF THE MALECON FROM THE

OPPOSITE END OF WHERE THE THUNDERING HERDS WERE COMING.

WE HAD THE PLACE ALL TO OURSELVES FOR A LONG TIME. LOVELY

STROLL ALONG THE BOARDWALK. THEN STOPPED FOR A $1

MARGARITA OR BEER AT VILATERRAZZA RIGHT UNDER THE CHEEKY

MONKEY. REALLY NICE PLACE WITH GREAT VIEW AND THE DRINKS

WERE NOT WATERED DOWN. A NICE RESTING PLACE ABOUT ½ THE

WAY ALONG THE MALECON. WE WERE TOLD ABOUT PLACES TO EAT

ON THE ISLAND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RIVER AND IT WAS

BEAUTIFUL THERE BUT EXPENSIVE AND NOT MEXICAN ENOUGH.

TOO FANCY. SO WE ASKED A POLICEMAN AND HE SENT US TO EL

TORITO RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET FROM SENOR FROG’S.

EXCELLENT LUNCH. BEST BEER BATTERED FISH AND CHIPS EVER

AND TONS OF FOOD FOR $7. GREAT FRENCH FRIES AND TORTILLA

CHIPS. NOTHING WAS GREASY. WERE PERFECTLY FRIED. THE

COMBO MEXICAN PLATE WITH TACO, TOSTADA AND BURRITO WAS

ONLY $7 AND THE AZTEC SOUP (TORTILLA SOUP TO US) WAS

EXCELLENT AND FILLING AT ONLY $3.50 FOR A VERY LARGE BOWL.

WE REALLY LIKED THIS PLACE EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS NO

OCEAN VIEW THERE. WE THEN WALKED AROUND A LITTLE MORE

THEN TOOK THE BUS BACK TO THE SHIP. AGAIN, EASY TO DO. JUST

LOOK FOR THE BLUE AND WHITE ONES AND YOU CAN SEE THE PORT

BEFORE YOU GET THERE SO YOU KNOW WHEN TO GET OFF. THERE IS

A LARGE GROCERY STORE RIGHT WHERE THE BUS LEAVES YOU OFF

SO WE DID A LITTLE SHOPPING AND JUST LOOKING AROUND. MORE

COKES AND MARGARITA MIX. A REALLY NICE STORE. CAN GET

VANILLA THERE CHEAPER THAN ON THE STREETS AND SEA SALT.

 

THE NEXT DAY WAS CABO SAN LUCAS AND WE GOT THERE ABOUT

7AM. WE WENT DOWN TO THE GANGWAY AT 7:30 AND GOT OFF

ABOUT 7:40AM. WE WERE THE FIRST ONES OFF. IT WAS REALLYNICE

STROLLING AROUND WHILE IT WAS SO COOL AND BEFORE THERE

WERE ANY CROWDS. BY THE TIME IT STARTED GETTING CROWDED

ABOUT 9:30AM, WE GOT ON A WHALE WATCHING CATAMARAN TOUR

THAT WAS TERRIFIC. WAS PEZGATO DOCKED JUST TO THE RIGHT OF

WHERE THE CRUISE SHIP TENDERS LEAVE YOU OFF AT DOCK 4. LINE

UP ABOUT 9:30. IT WAS ONLY $30 FOR 2 ½ HOURS INCLUDING FREE

DRINKS OF ANY KIND. THEY MADE THE BEST BLOODY MARIAS OF

ALL TIME AND TEQUILA SUNRISES TOO. WHATEVER YOU WANTED.

NOT JUST PRE MIXED MARGARITAS OR BEER. AND CHIPS, SALSA

AND GUACAMOLE. GOOD MUSIC TOO. WAS JUST A PERFECT DAY

AND REALLY FUN THING TO DO. WE DID A LITTLE SHOPPING AT THE

HANDICRAFT MARKET RIGHT THERE WHERE YOU GET THE TENDER

BACK TO THE SHIP THEN WENT BACK ON BOARD. THIS WAS OUR

FAVORITE DAY OF ALL. WE SAW 6-7 WHALES AND LOVERS BEACH

AND THE FAMOUS ARCH UP REALLY CLOSE FROM THE BOAT ON THE

WAY BACK. THE SHIP CHARGED $80 FOR THE SAME TOUR. IT WAS A

VERY LARGE CATAMARAN WITH COMFORTABLE PADDED SEATING

FOR ALL. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS. www.pezgatocabo.com

OUR LAST NIGHT WE HAD A RESERVATION AT THE FRENCH

RESTAURANT LE BISTRO. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS IF YOU LIKE

FRENCH FOOD. WAS ONLY $15 AND WORTH EVERY CENT. CANARD A

L’ORANGE, ONION SOUP, ESCARGOT, LOBSTER AND SCALLOP

MARTINI, CREME BRULE, STEAMED MUSSELS AND GOAT CHEESE

TART. EXCELLENT FILET MIGNON TOO. THIS WAS OUR FAVORITE

MEAL OF THE TRIP.

 

THE FOOD IN THE DINING ROOM WAS PRETTY GOOD THOUGH

WITHOUT PAYING EXTRA BUT IT’S NOT LIKE IT USED TO BE. NOW IF

YOU WANT THAT LOBSTER OR GREAT STEAK OR BEEF WELLINGTON

OR RACK OF LAMB YOU HAVE TO PAY AT LEAST $15 UP TO $25

EXTRA. WE USED TO GET THOSE SAME DISHES IN THE MAIN DINING

ROOM FOR FREE. THE TRATTORIA WAS ALSO NO EXTRA CHARGE

AND WAS VERY GOOD. IF YOU LIKE ITALIAN FOOD, YOU COULD EAT

HERE SEVERAL TIMES. THERE ARE ALL KINDS OF PASTAS, YOU

MAKE UP YOUR OWN BY CHOOSING ANY PASTA AND ANY SAUCE.

THERE ARE PIZZAS AND THEN THERE IS POLENTA AND RISOTTO AND

TIRAMISU AND GREAT VEGGIES. ANTIPASTI AND SPINACH WITH

GARLIC. I HAD VEAL AND SCAMPI. TOO FEW SHRIMP FOR ME BUT IT

WAS TASTY. WE ALSO HAD THE CHICKEN DISH AND IT WAS VERY

GOOD. LARGE PORTION THERE TOO. WE REALLY LIKED THE BLUE

LAGOON GRILL ON DECK 7 OPEN 24 HOURS. HAD LUNCH THERE A

COUPLE TIMES. FISH AND CHIPS AND BUFFALO CHICKEN WINGS AND

HAMBURGERS AND HOTDOGS. FRIED RICE AND OTHER COMFORT

FOOD. REALLY GOOD FRIES. THEY FRY TO YOUR ORDER SO IT IS

HOT AND CRISP.

 

DISEMBARKATION WAS A TOTAL ZOO ON THIS SHIP. I HAVE NEVER

BEEN IN SUCH A MESS. THEY GAVE OUT COLORED TAGS FOR WHAT

TIME YOU WANTED TO LEAVE BUT THEN THEY ANNOUNCED ALL

TAG COLORS COULD LEAVE AT 8:30 WITHOUT REGARD TO TIME SO

EVERYONE WAS CROWDING IN LINE TO GET OFF FROM 4 DIFFERENT

LINES AND THE ELEVATORS KEPT OPENING AND LETTING PEOPLE

OUT AT THE FRONT OF THE LINE SO WE WERE GETTING NOWHERE.

ALL THESE PEOPLE HAD TO GO THRU 1 LITTLE DOOR WHERE THEY

SWIPE YOUR CARD. IT WAS RIDICULOUS. I WOULD SUGGEST THAT

YOU DO THE EXPRESS DISEMBARKATION WHERE YOU ROLL YOUR

OWN LUGGAGE OFF THE SHIP AND DON’T LEAVE IT OUTSIDE YOUR

DOOR THE NIGHT BEFORE AND GET OFF THE SHIP AT 7:15AM BEFORE

ALL THE CROWDS. WE THOUGHT WE’D AVOID THE LINES BY EATING

BREAKFAST FIRST AND NOT LEAVING THE SHIP UNTIL 9:30AM. THAT

WAS A HUGE MISTAKE AS IT TURNED OUT.

 

THE WORST THING ABOUT THIS CRUISE WAS THE BEDS. THEY WERE

REALLY AWFUL. SO MANY OF US COMPLAINED OF BACKACHES AND

NECKACHES. THE MASSAGE IN ZIHUATANEJO WAS REALLY NEEDED.

COMPLAINED TO HOUSEKEEPING AND THEY SAID THEY ARE

CHANGING TO ALL NEW BEDS AFTER WE GET OFF THE SHIP. GREAT.

ANYWAY, MAYBE THE BEDS WON’T BE BAD NOW. OTHER THAN

THAT, WE REALLY DIDN’T HAVE MUCH TO COMPLAIN ABOUT.

[shoreless]

Thanks. That was really informative. We have a starboard side cabin booked for Feb 20. I wonder if the new beds will be on by then.

 

I especially appreciate the advice about booking La Trattoria when we're at Acapulco. I've added a reminder to my calendar.:)

[loverboy]

here is the journal ship is being refurbished over the next 6 months. it needs some TLC. service was outstanding. i never met so many wonderful waiters and cabin stewards etc

 

 

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINES 8 DAY TO MEXICO JANUARY 11, 2008

 

FIRST TIP I THINK IS TO REQUEST A STARBOARD CABIN. YOU GET

GREAT SUNSETS ALL THE WAY DOWN AND IN ACAPULCO THEN ON

THE WAY UP GREAT VIEW IN ZIHUATANEJO HARBOR AND YOU CAN

SEE THE CITIES ON THE SHORE AS YOU GO BY. OTHER SIDE SEES

OPEN SEA. SECOND TIP IS DO NOT EAT AT SOHO UPSCALE

RESTAURANT. IT WAS $25 PER PERSON AND FOOD AND SERVICE

WERE NOT GOOD.

 

WE ARRIVED AT THE PIER AT 11:30AM AND BOARDED ABOUT NOON

AFTER FAIRLY ORGANIZED BOARDING PROCESS. LINES MOVED

PRETTY FAST. WE THEN HAD LUNCH AND THEN WENT DOWN TO

SECURE OUR RESTAURANT RESERVATIONS FOR THE NEXT TWO

DAYS. WE LEFT AT 4PM AND STEAMED RAPIDLY FOR 2 3/4 DAYS TO

ACAPULCO. ONCE THERE, WE STAYED THERE FROM NOON TO

MIDNIGHT SHIP TIME. PROBLEM WAS, THAT’S 1PM SHORE TIME SO

WE MISSED THE CLIFFDIVERS SHOW. THEY DID AN EXTRA SHOW

LATER THOUGH BECAUSE SO MANY CRUISE SHIPS IN TOWN SO WE

DID GET TO SEE THAT. IT’S $7 TO GET IN TO STAND ON THE CLOSER

CLIFF TO WATCH OR JUST HAVE YOUR VAN DRIVER PARK ALONG

THE RAILING AND TAKE PICTURES FROM THERE FOR FREE. YOU

CAN’T CATCH THEM ON FILM ANYWAY, THEY GO SO FAST INTO THE

WATER. ALSO, CAN GET OUT AND AWAY FASTER THAT WAY WHEN

IT’S DONE. SOME PEOPLE FROM THE SHIP HIRED THE BOAT FROM

FISH R US www.fish-r-us.com AND THEY REALLY ENJOYED BEING

DOWN AT THE BOTTOM OF THE CLIFFS AS THE DIVERS CAME INTO

THE WATER. WE USED A PRIVATE VAN CALLED ARTURO’S AND WE

REALLY THOUGHT IT WAS A GREAT DEAL AT $20 EACH FOR 4 HOUR

TOUR, MINIMUM 6 PEOPLE. VERY COMFORTABLY SEATS 7 AND

WOULD SEAT 10 JUST FINE. AIR CONDITIONED AND ROMEO, OUR

DRIVER, SPOKE EXCELLENT ENGLISH. HIGHLY RECOMMEND

GUIASACAPULCO@HOTMAIL.COM.

 

WE HAD WINE IN THE SUITCASE BUT THEIR X RAY

CAUGHT THAT AND WE HAD TO PAY $15 PER BOTTLE CORKAGE FEE

OR THEY’D KEEP IT UNTIL THE END OF THE CRUISE AND THEN

RETURN IT. EVEN AT THAT, IT WAS CHEAPER TO BRING OUR OWN

WINE ON BOARD THAN ORDER THEIRS. THEY HAD EVERYONE WHO

HAD LIQUOR DETECTED IN THEIR LUGGAGE COME TO CLAIM IT AT

5PM THE FIRST DAY IN THE LIBRARY. THEY TAGGED THEM AS PAID AND THEN I COULD TAKE THEM.

 

THERE IS AN OXXO STORE WHICH IS LIKE 7-11

ABOUT 1 BLOCK DOWN TO THE LEFT AND ACROSS THE STREET ONCE YOU GET TO ACAPULCO SO YOU CAN BUY COKES AND WATER ETC. THERE IS A SHOPPING VILLAGE ON THE BEACH RIGHT

ACROSS FROM THERE. ALL THIS IS VERY EASY WALKING DISTANCE

FROM THE SHIP.

 

YOU CAN TAKE A BOAT TO LA ROQUETA ISLAND FOR ONLY $4

ROUND TRIP FOR A NICE BEACH AND SNORKELING OR GLASS

BOTTOM BOAT TO THE ISLAND FOR $8 BUT THEY SAID IT’S NOT WORTH THE EXTRA MONEY. DON’T SEE MUCH ANYWAY. IF I’M EVER THERE AGAIN, I’LL

DO THAT. I THINK I’LL JUST HOP IN A CAB AND TELL THEM TO TAKE

ME TO THE GLASS BOTTOM BOAT PIER. IT’S A BIT FAR TO WALK FOR

ME BUT NOT OUT OF THE QUESTION IF YOU WANT TO WALK. JUST

TURN RIGHT AS YOU LEAVE THE SHIP. LAST TIME WE TOOK THE

BUS TO PIE DE LA CUESTA FOR 35 CENTS. THAT WAS VERY VERY

FUN. AND WE TOOK A SMALL BOAT AROUND THE NATURE

PRESERVE THERE AS WELL FOR $10 EACH FOR AN HOUR. I HIGHLY

RECOMMEND THAT AS WELL. WONDERFUL LUNCH ONLY $5 A

WHOLE BBQ RED SNAPPER AND RICE, BEANS AND TORTILLAS. $1

BEERS AND HAMMOCKS TO LAY IN.

 

WE RETURNED TO THE SHIP ABOUT 6PM AND HAD DINNER AT LA

TRATTORIA ITALIAN RESTAURANT. MAKE A RESERVATION FOR

WHEN YOU’RE IN ACAPULCO BECAUSE IT IS ON DECK 12 PORT SIDE

AND OVERLOOKS ACAPULCO HARBOR ALL LIT UP. REALLY

BEAUTIFUL. NO EXTRA CHARGE FOR THIS RESTAURANT AND VERY

GOOD FOOD.

 

NEXT DAY WAS ZIHUATANEJO. DID SOME SHOPPING, HAD A PINA

COLADA $3 AND A $1 BEER. THE FARTHER YOU WALK TO THE RIGHT

OF THE MAIN DOCK, THE CHEAPER THINGS GET. THEN TOOK THE

FERRY TO LAS GATAS BEACH. IT’S $3.50 ROUND TRIP TO GO THERE

FROM THE MAIN DOCK OR YOU CAN TAKE THE SHIP TOUR ON SAME

BOAT FOR $80. ONCE THERE, THERE ARE RESTAURANTS AND CHAIRS

AND UMBRELLAS FOR HIRE. THEY DON’T CHARGE FOR THOSE IF

YOU ORDER FOOD AND DRINKS FROM THEM. THERE IS A TENT ON

THE BEACH WHERE THEY DO MASSAGE FOR ONLY $20 PER HOUR.

I’VE DONE IT TWICE AND THEY ARE REALLY VERY GOOD. NOT JUST

RUBBING AROUND BUT DIGGING FOR THE SORE SPOTS LIKE THEY

ARE ACTUALLY TRAINED. ANYWAY, IT FEELS REALLY GOOD AND

YOU CAN HEAR THE WAVES ROLLING IN. WE HAD TO BE BACK AT

THE SHIP BY 1:30 IN THIS PORT SO WE DIDN’T HAVE MUCH TIME

THERE BUT YOU CAN TAKE THE BUS TO IXTAPA. RUNS REGULARLY

EVERY FEW MINUTES AND IS ONLY ABOUT 40 CENTS AND TAKES 10

MINUTES. PEOPLE WHO WENT OVER THERE SAID IT’S JUST ALL HIGH

RISE MODERN HOTELS SO I’M JUST AS GLAD WE DIDN’T WASTE TIME

GOING THERE. ZIHUATANEJO IS A CHARMING LITTLE PLACE.

 

NEXT PORT WAS PUERTO VALLARTA. WE GOT THERE 8AM. WE HAD

TO LINE UP AT THE SHORE EXCURSION DESK TO GET TENDER

TICKETS TO GET OFF THE SHIP. I WAS IN LINE BY 7:45 SO WE GOT ON

THE FIRST BOAT. WE THEN TOOK THE BUS TO CENTRO PUERTO

VALLARTA. THERE ARE TWO BUSES THAT RUN DOWN THERE, BOTH

BLUE AND WHITE. WHEN YOU EXIT THE PORT, TURN LEFT AND THE

BUS STOP IS ON THE CORNER RIGHT THERE. YOU CANNOT SCREW

THIS UP. ONE SAYS TUNEL AND GOES THRU A TUNNEL IN THE

MOUNTAINS AND AROUND THE PERIMETER OF THE CITY BEFORE

ENDING UP IN TOWN. THE OTHER GOES DIRECT TO CENTRO. BOTH

ARE MARKED ON THE WINDSHIELD. WE TOOK TUNEL ON PURPOSE

TO GET THE LONGER RIDE. IT LEFT US OFF AT SENOR FROG’S ON THE

OTHER SIDE OF THE RIVER FROM THE CRUISE SHIP WHICH WAS

GREAT AS THAT IS THE START OF THE MALECON FROM THE

OPPOSITE END OF WHERE THE THUNDERING HERDS WERE COMING.

WE HAD THE PLACE ALL TO OURSELVES FOR A LONG TIME. LOVELY

STROLL ALONG THE BOARDWALK. THEN STOPPED FOR A $1

MARGARITA OR BEER AT VILATERRAZZA RIGHT UNDER THE CHEEKY

MONKEY. REALLY NICE PLACE WITH GREAT VIEW AND THE DRINKS

WERE NOT WATERED DOWN. A NICE RESTING PLACE ABOUT ½ THE

WAY ALONG THE MALECON. WE WERE TOLD ABOUT PLACES TO EAT

ON THE ISLAND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RIVER AND IT WAS

BEAUTIFUL THERE BUT EXPENSIVE AND NOT MEXICAN ENOUGH.

TOO FANCY. SO WE ASKED A POLICEMAN AND HE SENT US TO EL

TORITO RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET FROM SENOR FROG’S.

EXCELLENT LUNCH. BEST BEER BATTERED FISH AND CHIPS EVER

AND TONS OF FOOD FOR $7. GREAT FRENCH FRIES AND TORTILLA

CHIPS. NOTHING WAS GREASY. WERE PERFECTLY FRIED. THE

COMBO MEXICAN PLATE WITH TACO, TOSTADA AND BURRITO WAS

ONLY $7 AND THE AZTEC SOUP (TORTILLA SOUP TO US) WAS

EXCELLENT AND FILLING AT ONLY $3.50 FOR A VERY LARGE BOWL.

WE REALLY LIKED THIS PLACE EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS NO

OCEAN VIEW THERE. WE THEN WALKED AROUND A LITTLE MORE

THEN TOOK THE BUS BACK TO THE SHIP. AGAIN, EASY TO DO. JUST

LOOK FOR THE BLUE AND WHITE ONES AND YOU CAN SEE THE PORT

BEFORE YOU GET THERE SO YOU KNOW WHEN TO GET OFF. THERE IS

A LARGE GROCERY STORE RIGHT WHERE THE BUS LEAVES YOU OFF

SO WE DID A LITTLE SHOPPING AND JUST LOOKING AROUND. MORE

COKES AND MARGARITA MIX. A REALLY NICE STORE. CAN GET

VANILLA THERE CHEAPER THAN ON THE STREETS AND SEA SALT.

 

THE NEXT DAY WAS CABO SAN LUCAS AND WE GOT THERE ABOUT

7AM. WE WENT DOWN TO THE GANGWAY AT 7:30 AND GOT OFF

ABOUT 7:40AM. WE WERE THE FIRST ONES OFF. IT WAS REALLYNICE

STROLLING AROUND WHILE IT WAS SO COOL AND BEFORE THERE

WERE ANY CROWDS. BY THE TIME IT STARTED GETTING CROWDED

ABOUT 9:30AM, WE GOT ON A WHALE WATCHING CATAMARAN TOUR

THAT WAS TERRIFIC. WAS PEZGATO DOCKED JUST TO THE RIGHT OF

WHERE THE CRUISE SHIP TENDERS LEAVE YOU OFF AT DOCK 4. LINE

UP ABOUT 9:30. IT WAS ONLY $30 FOR 2 ½ HOURS INCLUDING FREE

DRINKS OF ANY KIND. THEY MADE THE BEST BLOODY MARIAS OF

ALL TIME AND TEQUILA SUNRISES TOO. WHATEVER YOU WANTED.

NOT JUST PRE MIXED MARGARITAS OR BEER. AND CHIPS, SALSA

AND GUACAMOLE. GOOD MUSIC TOO. WAS JUST A PERFECT DAY

AND REALLY FUN THING TO DO. WE DID A LITTLE SHOPPING AT THE

HANDICRAFT MARKET RIGHT THERE WHERE YOU GET THE TENDER

BACK TO THE SHIP THEN WENT BACK ON BOARD. THIS WAS OUR

FAVORITE DAY OF ALL. WE SAW 6-7 WHALES AND LOVERS BEACH

AND THE FAMOUS ARCH UP REALLY CLOSE FROM THE BOAT ON THE

WAY BACK. THE SHIP CHARGED $80 FOR THE SAME TOUR. IT WAS A

VERY LARGE CATAMARAN WITH COMFORTABLE PADDED SEATING

FOR ALL. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS. www.pezgatocabo.com

 

OUR LAST NIGHT WE HAD A RESERVATION AT THE FRENCH

RESTAURANT LE BISTRO. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS IF YOU LIKE

FRENCH FOOD. WAS ONLY $15 AND WORTH EVERY CENT. CANARD A

L’ORANGE, ONION SOUP, ESCARGOT, LOBSTER AND SCALLOP

MARTINI, CREME BRULE, STEAMED MUSSELS AND GOAT CHEESE

TART. EXCELLENT FILET MIGNON TOO. THIS WAS OUR FAVORITE

MEAL OF THE TRIP.

 

THE FOOD IN THE DINING ROOM WAS PRETTY GOOD THOUGH

WITHOUT PAYING EXTRA BUT IT’S NOT LIKE IT USED TO BE. NOW IF

YOU WANT THAT LOBSTER OR GREAT STEAK OR BEEF WELLINGTON

OR RACK OF LAMB YOU HAVE TO PAY AT LEAST $15 UP TO $25

EXTRA. WE USED TO GET THOSE SAME DISHES IN THE MAIN DINING

ROOM FOR FREE. THE TRATTORIA WAS ALSO NO EXTRA CHARGE

AND WAS VERY GOOD. IF YOU LIKE ITALIAN FOOD, YOU COULD EAT

HERE SEVERAL TIMES. THERE ARE ALL KINDS OF PASTAS, YOU

MAKE UP YOUR OWN BY CHOOSING ANY PASTA AND ANY SAUCE.

THERE ARE PIZZAS AND THEN THERE IS POLENTA AND RISOTTO AND

TIRAMISU AND GREAT VEGGIES. ANTIPASTI AND SPINACH WITH

GARLIC. I HAD VEAL AND SCAMPI. TOO FEW SHRIMP FOR ME BUT IT

WAS TASTY. WE ALSO HAD THE CHICKEN DISH AND IT WAS VERY

GOOD. LARGE PORTION THERE TOO. WE REALLY LIKED THE BLUE

LAGOON GRILL ON DECK 7 OPEN 24 HOURS. HAD LUNCH THERE A

COUPLE TIMES. FISH AND CHIPS AND BUFFALO CHICKEN WINGS AND

HAMBURGERS AND HOTDOGS. FRIED RICE AND OTHER COMFORT

FOOD. REALLY GOOD FRIES. THEY FRY TO YOUR ORDER SO IT IS

HOT AND CRISP.

 

DISEMBARKATION WAS A TOTAL ZOO ON THIS SHIP. I HAVE NEVER

BEEN IN SUCH A MESS. THEY GAVE OUT COLORED TAGS FOR WHAT

TIME YOU WANTED TO LEAVE BUT THEN THEY ANNOUNCED ALL

TAG COLORS COULD LEAVE AT 8:30 WITHOUT REGARD TO TIME SO

EVERYONE WAS CROWDING IN LINE TO GET OFF FROM 4 DIFFERENT

LINES AND THE ELEVATORS KEPT OPENING AND LETTING PEOPLE

OUT AT THE FRONT OF THE LINE SO WE WERE GETTING NOWHERE.

ALL THESE PEOPLE HAD TO GO THRU 1 LITTLE DOOR WHERE THEY

SWIPE YOUR CARD. IT WAS RIDICULOUS. I WOULD SUGGEST THAT

YOU DO THE EXPRESS DISEMBARKATION WHERE YOU ROLL YOUR

OWN LUGGAGE OFF THE SHIP AND DON’T LEAVE IT OUTSIDE YOUR

DOOR THE NIGHT BEFORE AND GET OFF THE SHIP AT 7:15AM BEFORE

ALL THE CROWDS. WE THOUGHT WE’D AVOID THE LINES BY EATING

BREAKFAST FIRST AND NOT LEAVING THE SHIP UNTIL 9:30AM. THAT

WAS A HUGE MISTAKE AS IT TURNED OUT.

 

THE WORST THING ABOUT THIS CRUISE WAS THE BEDS. THEY WERE

REALLY AWFUL. SO MANY OF US COMPLAINED OF BACKACHES AND

NECKACHES. THE MASSAGE IN ZIHUATANEJO WAS REALLY NEEDED.

COMPLAINED TO HOUSEKEEPING AND THEY SAID THEY ARE

CHANGING TO ALL NEW BEDS AFTER WE GET OFF THE SHIP. GREAT.

ANYWAY, MAYBE THE BEDS WON’T BE BAD NOW. OTHER THAN

THAT, WE REALLY DIDN’T HAVE MUCH TO COMPLAIN ABOUT.

 

Thanks for your wonderful review. :)

 

I don't see anywhere where the Star is being drydocked. Can anyone tell me where this information might be located?

[Tucsoncruisers]

Thanks for the great port information. :D I totally agree about the beds, worse mattress ever! But the Star is great ship. We went in Dec and are returning again next month.

[sacway]

Thanks for the details, esp. the bus in Puerto Vallerta. What is the fare (pesos? or do they take US coin?) and did you also catch the bus long way round back to the pier?

[nichal]

thanks for your great review:)

I was getting nervous after reading so many negitives on the star

we sail Feb 12, getting excited

Nicole & co

[DMRick]

Great review with some really helpful info. I plan on putting some of it to use all next week. Thank you so much for taking the time to write it.

PS I hope they changed the mattresses out right after you got off LOL!!

[cruzeluver]

Thanks for a great review. Really helps me to get excited for our Star cruise in April.

 

The most common complaint seems to be regarding disembarkation. Sounds like a free for all! I have never had a bad experience getting off of an NCL ship. Wonder why they can't seem to get it together??

[easy22]

Thanks for your wonderful review. :)

 

I don't see anywhere where the Star is being drydocked. Can anyone tell me where this information might be located?

 

 

they are not being drydocked. head of housekeeping said that over the next 6 months they are gradually updating things all over the ship, mattresses first due to so many complaints.

[easy22]

Thanks for the details, esp. the bus in Puerto Vallerta. What is the fare (pesos? or do they take US coin?) and did you also catch the bus long way round back to the pier?

 

the fare was 40 cents so we just gave $1 for two of us. a little over but who cares? as for return, the bus ran on the next main street up from the Malecon or anywhere you see the blue and white buses. just ask the driver "a Barco?" that means to the ship. they are very helpful. we took the centro back because it came first but would have taken tunel back if it was first. the centro was not as fun. just straight back to port in heavy traffic. but at least we got to see two different routes. I highly encourage this. It gets you right into the feel of being in Mexico immediately. There is absolutely no reason to take a taxi for $5 and sit in that traffic and be dropped off at the busy end of the malecon. at least if you do take a taxi, tell them you want to be dropped at the Rio Cuale. and then start the walk on the malecon from that end. have a great time. let me know your experience when you get back