Just back from the Splendor!

[SandyBeach]

We had a great time!

I'm sorry to say there was no sundried tomato bread, or any fruit punch. Their warm melting chocolate cake was very good and on days it wasn't quite done enough I put the liquid from the center over my ice cream for a great hot fudge sundae!

One thing that did surprise me, this being the first time we've done this route in the summer, was the price of souveniers in Cabo. Normally, they are higher than PV or Mazatlan since "they have to be shipped in". However, with the majority of ships having left Cabo for Alaska I found the prices as low or sometimes lower than both the other ports. You do have to haggle some, and often you won't get your price until you are at the door on your way out. Then it will be up to you whether you want to go back in and get the item or not.

We didn't dock at the same place in PV as in past cruises, so we didn't have access to all those little stores. We also had to walk to another area to get out of the pier and head to WalMart which was practically in front of us. (We could come back in closer, just couldn't out there.) Sam's is there now, too. Lots of little souveniers and t-shirts at reasonable prices in Wal-Mart.

 

[John]

Hi, Thanks for sharing about this cruise. I loved the cruise we did the the Mexican Riviera. I found it refreshing compared to the Caribbean.

I'm considering the Carnival Dream for a future cruise.

 

[Lurline63]

Welcome back, and thank you for posting your opinions of the cruise, as well as the great practical information. We've done one Mexican Riviera cruise (back in 2005), and hope to do another someday. I agree with John that it's a nice change of pace.

 

[SandyBeach]

I thought of a couple of other things.

We didn't have to wear our life vests to muster stations. In fact we were late and quickly put our vests on and headed out. We were stopped by our room steward who made us go back to our room and take them off. (Wonder if that's fleet wide?)

The Slot tournament winnings were divided into first ($400) second $150) and third ($50).

The platinum consierge gift we received was a 5X7 photo from with Carnival Consierge Club in the bottom right corner.

They did have the small Carnival Splendor pins for us. I also saw the larger ones in the store.

This was our third time - on three different Carnival ships - doing the Mexician Riviera. It's one of my favorites and seems to be a little less expensive than some of the others. I do prefer going in the Spring or Fall rather than early summer as it wasn't very sunny this time.

Oh...one unusual thing that happened to us this time that might not happen to most...our table mates turned out to be from the same suburb we are from. They live about two miles away from us. So my husband couldn't say his normal "you'll never see any of these people again" statement!

 

[SandyBeach]

John...we've been on 16 different Carnival ships now, but haven't been on the Dream. You'll have to let me know how you like it!

 

[Luci]

I hope the Splendor docks right in front of Wal-Mart so I can just cross the street and buy stuff and walk back to the ship. YEAH! I am cruising on Oct. 31st.

That dock area could be a better place for the Splendor since I remember the Captain once hit another ship as it was backing out of the dock which is located where the Vendors are located.

It's good news for me. Luci

 

[John]

John...we've been on 16 different Carnival ships now, but haven't been on the Dream. You'll have to let me know how you like it!

I will let you know for sure if we end up going. So many choices!

 

[SandyBeach]

I hope the Splendor docks right in front of Wal-Mart so I can just cross the street and buy stuff and walk back to the ship. YEAH! I am cruising on Oct. 31st.

Luci...it does dock right in front of Wal-Mart but they won't let you out the gate there. You can come back in there, but you have to walk to your right a bit and go out another gate.