Great time......would do again in a heart beat. Would change up the excursions for a different flavor though.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
Easy-peasy. We followed the steps on the medallion app to be sea ready. It was basically a walk through port/check-in/to room. The only thing that would slow you down is people who didn't do the pre-boarding stuff ahead of time.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
4 out of 5
4 Stars for the food quality at the main dinning rooms and the steak house. The steak house specialty was the best food on the ship. Absolutely incredible flavors and taste. Main Dinning/Anytime dinning we only did 3 times. All 3 times we didn't have to wait, food was excellent, wait staff very attentive and friendly. Buffet food was just Okay. I believe we missed out by not doing the dinning more.
Onboard Activities
3 out of 5
Unfortunately, the wife's feet and legs swelled and kept her in lots of discomfort for most the trip. She saved most her activity for the excursions, so we missed out on alot the ship had to offer. What we did experience was top notch and well put together. The live acts in the piazza were awesome. The morning Zumba classes were a really good time. I personally am getting to be a little more laid back in my old age....so I spent most my time on the smoking deck just chilling and enjoying the conversations and scenery while the wife rested in the room.
Entertainment
4 out of 5
Everyone we saw were in the Piazza and they were first rate and great. The mariachi band over played alot of their sets just because they would get to jammin or the crowd demanded more. They were very awesome guys.
Children's Programs
5 out of 5
No kids, but the kids on board seemed to like them.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
You want it.....they'll get it. Great people. Great service.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
Beautiful ship. Piazza's floor wound up having water leaking UP from something on the last night. Kinda put a damper on the last performance of the ship's dancers, but otherwise.....no problems to report.
Felt rushed. Did the El Arco boat tour and then headed to a Medina beach resort. Beach was WAY crowded, but I can't say enough about the guides....Erica was very attentive and was all over trying get us comfortable with seats and an umbrella. The venders were initially pushy when you crossed the rope out of the resort area, but backed off once we said no a few times. (As a side note, I was no more than 1 foot across the rope when I was offered "cigars/weed/blow....anything you want, I got...ask for Juan." I said "no...I'm good". His response "Just find me if you change your mind, or if these guys won't leave you be, Juan's gotchyu").
We did the Hop on, Hop off. I will preface this with review with a disclaimer: They seem to be trying really to clean Mazatlan up. There is a lot of construction and possibilities With that said,
The first stop was the beach with the cliff divers, the tour guide said we could get off, but he wouldn't suggest it. As soon as the bus stopped, there was a crush of venders blocking the bus doors. I stood at the door to get pictures of the cliff diver and there was someone not associated with the tour demanding a "tip" to let me off the bus. Needless to say, we did not get off the bus. The second stop was the historical district. This stop was the most disappointing to me. I am a history buff and REALLY wanted to go roam, but the stop is actually about 2 blocks from the actual district and it's a pretty sketchy area. The tour had people to escort you to the church and other hot spots in the area, but that really wasn't what I wanted or expected. It still didn't feel all that safe for tourists. The last stop was the Golden Zone. The military is in full force protecting this area. This is definitely the safest tourist spot. Lots of shops and places to spend your money. Here we walked freely, not hounded or harassed. The beach was very cool and clean with some breath taking views. Everything I have posted here should not reflect on the people running the tour. They were fantastic and friendly. They bent over backwards and went totally out of their way to make you as safe and comfortable as possible. It's because of them I am giving 4 Stars.
Did Las Caletas. This was amazing. Clean, secluded, fun, relaxing. Staff was the best. Hammocks, Mai Thai's, and amazing scenery what more could I ask for. Already started planning to spend a week in Puerto Vallarta in the coming years. Best port on the run.
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