Help deciding on Mexico port excursions

[JenInAlaska]

This is my first post here, but my dh and I have been on a cruise once before. I made the mistake of booking an excursion for each port last time and feeling like we were too scheduled and busy, so this time we're doing things differently.

We're bringing our 3 kids (and a 16 yr old cousin to help), but aren't doing every excursion with all 3 kids. We're booked on RC for March 8-15th with stops in Cabo, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta. I had read here (somewhere) that the snorkeling in one port was better than another, but don't remember where that was and the details on it. We also wanted to do the swimming with dolphins (or at least feeding them) thing, and wondered if there were ones better than others. We're also determined to take the littlier kids to a beach that's clean and where they can play w/out being approached by anyone trying to sell anything, and heard that hotels were the best place for those. Can someone please post details again about the locations and names of excursions and hotels that would be our best bet? I hope it's not too chilly for what we're wanting to do, but I'm not familiar with any of these locations since our last cruise was only a 4 day one and we went as far south as Ensenada.

Thanks so much for any advice! Our kids are going to be 11 and two 5 yr olds, so wondering if the snorkeling trip would require leaving the little ones on board with the organized kids program since they're not old enough to go.

Jennifer

 

[BSeabob]

Hi Welcome to the forum.

You have some specific questions that are really tough to answer because you are doing the west coast. Not many folks on our boards have kids that young and do the West coast. It's pretty common knowledge that snorkeling on the pacific is really hit and miss because of the wave action and so you are very correct in trying to pin it down.
We did a hotel in Pt Vallarta and the beach would be fine for kids and really nice if waves are not high. If they are you have the hotel pools as back up. Sorry I can not remember the name of the hotel. It's a while ago anyways so you would be best off dealing with the hotee yourself anyways. I checked on line and got names of likely places and then sent them email. Most replied. But as luc would have it because of ship problems we did not go to Cabo that trip. Cabo has some great hotels also. But further South would likely be warmer in the water. Enjoy the planning and I'll search around to see if I can find a better source for you.

 

[JenInAlaska]

Thanks for the info. We really have to do the west coast with the little ones because we're flying all the way from Alaska (our home) and being on a plane all the way to FL just isn't worth it. Not to mention the cost of tickets, at this point! We have a deal with AK Airlines that includes a companion fare and frequent flyer miles, so it's always worth it for us to use them. But anyway...
I've been investigating and I think we've found some good options. My main question I guess would be the risk factor of using shoretrips versus someone that's contracted with RC. I know the risks that RC has told me, but I'm wondering how realistic a fear it is that we won't make it back if we go on a boat to a cove for snorkeling, ect and it breaks down or something. Just wondering if that's happened to someone here or someone you knew, and should I play it safe and use RC's people for the excursions that take us aways away from the ship.

 

[BSeabob]

I see you asked on the other forum and the info from bOB is correct. As a tour connected to the ship you get some insurance in regards to be late for the ship. They will wait for you.
I was going to ask our resident West Coaster that travels Bruin Steve also but I think he is actually cruising right now. You have lots of time to research so stick around and ask away. You will get more activity over on the Q&A board but I guarantee personal attention here ..... Well most of the time anyways.

We just got back from Ak friday. I know all about flight cost to other destinations being from the Vancouver area. But your added distance just make things a tad worse... plus you get all that snow lol.

 

[JenInAlaska]

Yeah, the snow is great until we've looked at it for months on end. haha
Then we're ready for a beach! Good to know I have plenty of time. I never know when the excursions are going to book up. I'm trying to talk my dh into spending most of the time in port outside, instead of touring museums and churches . The idea of not soaking up every bit of sunshine and warmth while we're there seems crazy to me. We'll figure it out, and I'm sure either way it'll be great.
Sorry you just left AK. This was not the summer for warm weather. I live in south-central and we had one of the chilliest, rainest summers on record. Every time I saw the tour buses parked at the restaurant by our neighborhood I wanted to go apologize to them for the clouds obstructing their view of the mountains.

 

[GloBug]

Hi Jen. We did much the same trip you are doing, in June of 2006. It was hot hot hot, don't know what it will be like in March. We didn't do any of the excursions with kids you are interested in, and I suspect that kids wouldn't be interested in the things we did but they might enjoy the mexican fiesta in Puerto Vallarta.

We were in your beautiful state in May of this year. Rain rain rain... oh well, we'll be going back in 300 days!

 

[JenInAlaska]

Yeah, sorry about that rain. It was an awful summer for all of us, and we ended up really enjoying a trip to visit the in-laws in MO in the fall (even though we usually hate the humidity and mugginess) because our summer stunk so bad this year.

I appreciate the input about the excursions. We are going with the philosophy "less is more" this time around since I overdid the bookings when my dh and I went on our first cruise a couple of years back. The more I think about it, the more I'm leaning towards the "safe" route of an excursion through RC. The less I have to worry about the better, I guess.

I hope the weather is better for you next summer when you visit our great state again, btw. Everytime I see the tour buses full on rainy/cloudy days, I feel bad for the amount of time and planning you put in. The view of the mountains (especially Denali) is just amazing on clear days. I've seen it every day of my whole life, and I'm still in awe.