2009 Mexican Riviera "sisters" Cruise

2009 Carnival Splendor Mexican Riviera "sisters" cruise: Puerto Vallarta; Mazatlan; and Cabo

Dec. 6-13, 2009 became our first 3 "sisters" vacation. It was the first time Carolyn and I got Jane (our sister-in-law) to come along with us. I'm very glad she was able to make it. Carolyn and I had done this same itinerary last year on Holland America so we knew a bit of what to expect---at least from the itinerary. At first I was a little disappointed to be doing the same itinerary, but it turned out to be alright. We were able to do some different things and since I was more familiar with the area, I didn't mind not doing organized tours.

Pre-cruise I met up with Jane at LAX and spent the night in a LaQuinta Suites Inn for $60 for the night. My flight from STL ended up being a little more exciting as Texas was hit by a 6 inch snow storm the night before. Some day I'll learn not to schedule myself through Texas in the winter (was stuck there during a couple ice storms in the past, as well as a couple snow storms)! But I ended up being able to catch a flight to Denver (where they're equiped for winter weather) and then on to LAX, getting there only about 40 minutes late.

Sunday morning we met up with Carolyn at the embarkation station. We were there early, so were able to register quickly and sit around outside for a couple hours visiting before boarding the ship. Jane and I did walk over to the Queen Mary (now a hotel there) and enjoyed wandering around in it. They were having a buffet breakfast there and there were lots of x-mas decorations, even carollers. Looked like it would be a neat place to spend the night. I found out after we got back that the firm Angie works for is doing some renovating to it.

Embarkation went quickly and easily. Fortunately we didn't go on the cruise the 2 weeks before this one or the one after it as there were problems. 2 weeks before, the ship had run into another ship in Puerto Vallarta, then later in the week the captain had a heart attack and they had to turn around and head back to Cabo making them several hours late getting back into Long Beach. The cruise after ours ended up staying over night in Puerto Vallarta after the ship ran into a dock and had to have repairs done before it could leave. Fortunately nothing unusual happened during our cruise.



Dec. 6-8, 2009  Embarkation and around the Splendor ship

Dec. 9, 2009  Puerto Vallarta

Dec. 10,2009  Mazatlan

Dec. 11, 2009 Cabo

After another day of sailing, we were back in Long Beach. There I parted ways with Carolyn and Jane. They flew home together out of Long Beach and I caught my shuttle back to LAX. There I was able to catch an earlier flight and get home a couple hours sooner. Thus ended our first "sisters'" trip with myself, my sister, and my sister-in-law.  I hope they had as great a time as I did!

2009-12-9  Puerto Vallarta

 After 3 days of cruising at about 21 knotts, we arrived into Puerto Vallarta on Wed. morning. We had decided ahead of time that we would take a cab to the Malecon (boardwalk area) not too far from the ship. So when we got off the ship we found a taxi (not hard to do) and told him we'd give him $8 to take us to the Malecon.

Our taxi dropped us off at the far end and we walked our way back slowly.

The waterfront was beautiful. We even waded in the water a bit.

The water was quite warm and inviting.

All along the Malecon were some pretty interesting sculptures. It was sort of like walking through a sculpture park with an ocean next to it. And it was free!

I'm not sure what most of the sculptures are, but they made for an interesting walk. We got to spend about 20 minutes in this area last time Carolyn and I were here when we were on a city tour. I looked forward to going back here and spending more time along the beach.

We also spent time on the other side of the road running along the beach. There were lots of tourist shops and restaurants all along the way. We even stopped into Hard Rock Cafe to get a cold drink and share a nacho before heading back down the Malecon. They even had really good live entertainment while we were there.

When we'ld gone far enough, we caught another taxi back to Walmart across the street from the port. There we got a few things like bottles of soda, nose spray (getting ready for the head colds that plagued me the rest of Dec.), lip screen, post cards, ... . Note, they will take your American money but will only give you pecos back.

After going back into the secure area for boarding the ship, I noticed an internet cafe. Since the price of the internet on the ships is ridiculous, I found the port internet cafes a great place to spend about 15 minutes. After firing an email home, we were heading back onto the ship. We boarded too late for dinner in the main dining room, so settled for dinner in the Lido buffet.

I know Puerto Vallarta has been plagued with problems for visitors, but our day there was really nice. 

2008-Oct. 25-31  Oosterdam 7 nt Mexican cruise with Carolyn: Puerto Vallarta; Mazatlan; Cabo

 Carolyn survived her 3 first ever cruise a couple years ago, so it was time to take a longer one.  So we booked a 7 night one out of San Diego.  I flew there from St. Louis, and she joined me from Portland, Or.  We spent the night in a hotel near the port and were on the way to another great sisters' cruise.

Oct. 25-embarkation and ship: 

 

Cabin HH 4061: obstructed ocean view 

 

Oct. 26---sea day 

 

Oct. 27---Cabo 

 

Oct. 28--- Mazatlan:  

Oct.-29-08  Puerto Vallarta: 

Oct.-30-08 sea day--- 

Oct.-31-08 sea day 

We thoroughly enjoyed the cruise---but then I've thoroughly enjoyed 6 cruises now! My sister enjoyed it so much that she booked us on another one with the same itinerary for Dec. 2009. That time we'll be on the Carnival Splendor ship.

10-29-08  Puerto Vallarta:

Here we did the ship sponsored town, country and tequila tour. I believe it was $39, too. We traveled by air conditioned bus to Puerto Vallarta’s centro, where we visited the main points of interest such as El Palacio Municipal (City Hall), the main plaza and other city landmarks, such as the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe (the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe), Gringo Gulch, and the boardwalk, or malecon. This malecon area was really pretty impressive. Would have liked to spend more time there.

 heading out to our city tour.

 looks like a shopping mall is close by, too.

 our ship

 and more American influence.

 narrow streets

 and a beautiful rock lined coastline!

 There's a Malecon along the waterfront in Old Town with lots of interesting sculptures.

 We got off here and were led through town for awhile.

 views across the bay from old town

 some of the neat condos

Then we boarded the bus again and headed on to the southside, or the "famous" Romantic Zone, for a 25-minute shopping & bathroom stop at a jewelry and tile store, where they offered us a free drink and salemen followed us around trying to sell us stuff. All I can say about this stop is, "Why?"

 some of the neat Malecon.

 and benches.

 Lots of vendors, with some pretty neat art.

 that's quite a hill

 heading inland from the Malecon

 our guide pointing out stuff

 like these----almonds

 I noticed all the pretty flowers, too.

 loved the beach here.

 even had an amphitheatre.

 and more neat art.

 and more sculptures.

 on our way to the church

 ornate steeple on the church

 bell tower

 love the Natilus design.   Looks like an info station.

 a guy feeding the pigeons. 

 continuing to the church.  Neat brickwork and stained glass window.

 and ironwork

 love the design!

 They sure have pretty churches in Mexico!

Leaving Vallarta, we continued south along the Bay and up to the residential zone of Conchas Chinas, overlooking Los Arcos and the town of Mismaloya, famous for the filming of “The Night of the Iguana” starring Richard Burton.

 another neat minimalist view.

 Soon we were in the state of Jalisco, the small volcano town called Tequila cultivates the precious blue agave plant from which their Tequila comes from. 

 Each hand picked plant takes 8-14 years to mature. 
The sweet nectar is extracted from the large heart of these pure agave plants.

  I don't know if I've ever had tequila straight before, but it isn't too bad---especially the orange flavored one. There were also a few little shops and a little restaurant by the factory. They also gave us free soda or water before starting our trip back.

 Heading back down to our ship.  More cool condos.

 I believe this was on the back of an ambulance!  Not what I'd want to see on an ambulance picking me up!

 This was another fun port.  I think I liked it better then Cabo or Mazatlan.