NFR Mexican Riviera Cruise Advice

Non-fishing related
Old406Kid

Old406Kid

Legend
We've done several Alaska cruises with Norwegian Cruise lines and they just gave us a super offer for a Mexico cruise so we booked for 2/22-3/1.
We are very familiar with the ship and what it has to offer but know little about the current safety for daytime unguided sightseeing at the ports of Mazatlan, Cabo, and Puerto Vallarta. I've checked out the list of paid excursions and most of them don't really appeal to us and at our age we aren't beach people...that said, if I'm missing something I'm certainly open to any and all suggestions.
 
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Cruise line ports of call do not take patrons to places that have safety issues, its not in their best interest or the locals for that matter.
If the places they stop are of interest to you I would say go and enjoy a warmer trip that you may have had to Alaska.
I have been to Cabo, Puerto Vallarta, and had a good time in both places.
Puerto Vallarta we had a much better "Mexico" experience.
In Cabo it seamed more of a "tourist" spot. If you arent into fishing Cabo is not a great venue in my opinion.
If the cruise lines have shore excursions that provide cultural experiences in Mazatlán and Puerto Vallarta
that might be interesting if you have never been to Mexico.
 
farofffisher said:
Cruise line ports of call do not take patrons to places that have safety issues, its not in their best interest or the locals for that matter.
If the places they stop are of interest to you I would say go and enjoy a warmer trip that you may have had to Alaska.
I have been to Cabo, Puerto Vallarta, and had a good time in both places.
Puerto Vallarta we had a much better "Mexico" experience.
In Cabo it seamed more of a "tourist" spot. If you arent into fishing Cabo is not a great venue in my opinion.
If the cruise lines have shore excursions that provide cultural experiences in Mazatlán and Puerto Vallarta
that might be interesting if you have never been to Mexico.
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Thanks for your input! Even though we have had a mild winter a 'week of warm' was the big drawing card.:)
 
I'm following this. I need to take a special lady on a birthday cruise and have seen enough glaciers and don't really want to spend 12-18 hours each way on a plane to get to St Maartens. A more acessible option would be a joy.
 
I have done this trip you are talking about twice, Be prepared to get bombarded when you step off the ship into each destination, Cabo-Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, If I remeber right which is probobly not true I think we had to take a "Tender" into one of the places because it was to shallow for the ship to dock... Again take this with a grain of salt its been 10 years since I went. However once you debark off the ship and make your way down the catwalk you will instantly be greeted with vendors selling anything form chicklets, to Viagra to a excursions. We didn't do any of the excursions because we had been to each place on vacation before. However I would take the peace of mind and book any off shore activities on the boat prior to getting to that destination. Is it safer? I believe the cruise lines put enough money into whomever they choose to go with to make it safer then just walking off the ship and getting into a car/bus with Pedro and heading into the great unknown. Again take it for whats its worth its just my 2 cents. I have spent plenty of time there and wouldnt just walk off the boat and sign up with Juan to go parasailing.
 
My brother who lives in Pennsylvania spends February in Oaxaca for about same price as a nice cruise. Rents a studio ($1200/month includes laundry) in a building that houses a cooking school that Anthony Bourdain attended and lives extremely cheaply eating locally. Says it’s absolutely clean and safe, pictures remind me of Tuscany; pastel colors with red tile roofs, spotless cobblestone streets.
 
I did this itinerary on a Princess ship last April for a "conference at sea" for work. I have been to Mexico a lot, so it was not my first time in any of these ports. It is pretty easy to get off the ship and walk around on your own, except in Puerto Vallarta you will need to take a taxi to get away from the commercial port where the cruise ships dock.

In Mazatlán it is really easy to walk from the ship to the Historic Old Town (there is a color coded sidewalk) where you will find historical buildings, local markets, a tribute street to the Beatles, and Mazatlán's version of cliff divers (maybe 2-3 miles of walking in total). There are lots of small shops and restaurants as well. If you want to visit the Golden Zone where all the resorts and beaches are you will need to take a cab.

In Cabo you will not be docked. The ship will anchor and you will get to shore by tender. It easy to walk around the Marina area and there are lots of shops and restaurants and bars, but it is pretty one dimensional. I was done in an hour. If you want something more interesting, you should charter a panga and go fishing or sign up for a formal shore excursion tour.

In Puerto Vallarta, you can catch a cab and go into Old Puerto Vallarta and walk the Malecon and visit the shops and restaurants. There are a few historical buildings etc., but mostly tourist stuff. But Puerto Vallarta is a big city and with a little research you may find something more interesting to you.

In all three ports, if you don't want to book excursions through the ship, you can often save money, or find different tours, booking through https://www.viator.com/. But if you are late getting back to the ship using an independent operator you may end up being a dock runner, whereas, supposedly, if you book through the ship, and the tour is held up for some reason, the ship will wait for you.

If you are looking at fishing in any of these ports, I have had good luck using this website - https://fishingbooker.com/. Usually if you tell them you are interested in fly fishing they will let you know if they can accommodate.

In general, the tourist areas in Mexico are pretty safe, but just like in the USA, you should always be aware of your surroundings.
 
Tomorrow is the day...any last minute tips or advice on self guided things to see or do would be greatly appreciated.
 
PV has a great tequila/mezcal shop and they have a guided tasting of stuff! I haven't done it and can't recall the name, but many friends have done it and loved it. Of course you can also just sit in a bar or restaurant, but I assume you'll do much of that on the boat.

Not sure how far it is from where the boats docks or anchors. Depending on how long you're in port you could take a bus or car to Saulita. (sp?) My friends have a house down there and have been going for decades. Haven't been yet, but it is a fun little town and I've seen plenty of pictures and heard the stories. It's about 45 minutes from PV!

Have fun! I'm jealous! Cheers!
 
Old406Kid said:
Great advice! My wife is very fair skinned and prone to burning so we will be using sunscreen and limiting her exposure.
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FWIW UPF-rated Long sleeved fishing shirts and lightweight quick-dry travel trousers (extra pockets with security zippers) are comfy and actually keep me cooler in warm-hot weather. Together with a wide-brim hat they work well to limit exposure.
 
Brian Miller said:
FWIW UPF-rated Long sleeved fishing shirts and lightweight quick-dry travel trousers (extra pockets with security zippers) are comfy and actually keep me cooler in warm-hot weather. Together with a wide-brim hat they work well to limit exposure.
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So you're saying that at 76 years old my Speedo probably isn't going to cut it? :unsure: :)
 
chief said:
I did this itinerary on a Princess ship last April for a "conference at sea" for work. I have been to Mexico a lot, so it was not my first time in any of these ports. It is pretty easy to get off the ship and walk around on your own, except in Puerto Vallarta you will need to take a taxi to get away from the commercial port where the cruise ships dock.

In Mazatlán it is really easy to walk from the ship to the Historic Old Town (there is a color coded sidewalk) where you will find historical buildings, local markets, a tribute street to the Beatles, and Mazatlán's version of cliff divers (maybe 2-3 miles of walking in total). There are lots of small shops and restaurants as well. If you want to visit the Golden Zone where all the resorts and beaches are you will need to take a cab.

In Cabo you will not be docked. The ship will anchor and you will get to shore by tender. It easy to walk around the Marina area and there are lots of shops and restaurants and bars, but it is pretty one dimensional. I was done in an hour. If you want something more interesting, you should charter a panga and go fishing or sign up for a formal shore excursion tour.

In Puerto Vallarta, you can catch a cab and go into Old Puerto Vallarta and walk the Malecon and visit the shops and restaurants. There are a few historical buildings etc., but mostly tourist stuff. But Puerto Vallarta is a big city and with a little research you may find something more interesting to you.

In all three ports, if you don't want to book excursions through the ship, you can often save money, or find different tours, booking through https://www.viator.com/. But if you are late getting back to the ship using an independent operator you may end up being a dock runner, whereas, supposedly, if you book through the ship, and the tour is held up for some reason, the ship will wait for you.

If you are looking at fishing in any of these ports, I have had good luck using this website - https://fishingbooker.com/. Usually if you tell them you are interested in fly fishing they will let you know if they can accommodate.

In general, the tourist areas in Mexico are pretty safe, but just like in the USA, you should always be aware of your surroundings.
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I've done this Princess cruise and @chief is giving great info here.
Have a great trip!
 
chief said:
I did this itinerary on a Princess ship last April for a "conference at sea" for work. I have been to Mexico a lot, so it was not my first time in any of these ports. It is pretty easy to get off the ship and walk around on your own, except in Puerto Vallarta you will need to take a taxi to get away from the commercial port where the cruise ships dock.

In Mazatlán it is really easy to walk from the ship to the Historic Old Town (there is a color coded sidewalk) where you will find historical buildings, local markets, a tribute street to the Beatles, and Mazatlán's version of cliff divers (maybe 2-3 miles of walking in total). There are lots of small shops and restaurants as well. If you want to visit the Golden Zone where all the resorts and beaches are you will need to take a cab.

In Cabo you will not be docked. The ship will anchor and you will get to shore by tender. It easy to walk around the Marina area and there are lots of shops and restaurants and bars, but it is pretty one dimensional. I was done in an hour. If you want something more interesting, you should charter a panga and go fishing or sign up for a formal shore excursion tour.

In Puerto Vallarta, you can catch a cab and go into Old Puerto Vallarta and walk the Malecon and visit the shops and restaurants. There are a few historical buildings etc., but mostly tourist stuff. But Puerto Vallarta is a big city and with a little research you may find something more interesting to you.

In all three ports, if you don't want to book excursions through the ship, you can often save money, or find different tours, booking through https://www.viator.com/. But if you are late getting back to the ship using an independent operator you may end up being a dock runner, whereas, supposedly, if you book through the ship, and the tour is held up for some reason, the ship will wait for you.

If you are looking at fishing in any of these ports, I have had good luck using this website - https://fishingbooker.com/. Usually if you tell them you are interested in fly fishing they will let you know if they can accommodate.

In general, the tourist areas in Mexico are pretty safe, but just like in the USA, you should always be aware of your surroundings.
Click to expand...
Upon Skyriver's recommendation I just reread this to refresh my memory. A big thanks for taking the time to post this!!!
 
Damn good! Went with the rootbeer, Diamond Knot and took a half growler of it home! Will fuel me for the brisket smoking!
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