brneyes

Hazelson, I don't know if this will reach you or not, but I thought I would try this area.

After your reply which was in a "box", I did not find any area that said "quote", but found 4 small boxes to click on saying: Back to top, Report, Reply, Multiquote. The only one I tried as I said earlier was the reply, but that didn't seem to work.

I then went all the way to the bottom of the page and found this area. It said Fast Reply, and I clicked and it opened this. I will then click Post to see if it reaches you or anyone.

Hello,

Hello, I don't know what the problem is, but I have been receiving replies back to my questions in regard to the Princess Sapphire/Mexican Riviera.

The problem, I click on "reply" button, and it never brings up a blank screen for me to reply to. What am I doing wrong???

When we rented the taxi driver in PV, we asked him, what will you charge us to drive us around and show us (and then we named the things we liked and the things we looked up)? He replied, xx$ for 4 hours. We then said, xx$ for 6 hours (the ship will help you get an idea of what you should offer). There were 2 couples and we split the charge. We paid him AFTER her brought us back to the pier. In PV we stopped at a place in the "jungle" where there was a restaurant and river. We kinda walked around the river a little bit but then told him we really didn't want to eat or get anything to drink. I really don't remember all the places we stopped at but I do remember safe, clean and fun.

You barter in all of Mexico. That is what they do best. Some of the shops are ship recommended which means the ship gets a kick back. I really doubt a lot of bargaining will take place there.

Mexico is known for vanilla (the real stuff); pottery (just make sure it's not lead paint); blankets (remember that you have to pack them); liquor (customs has it's limits); leather products and silver. Genuine silver and not silver plated will have a stamp on it. Again, the ship will have that information for you.

These ports rely on the tourist. Every driver that you encounter will take you to "their family's shops". You will also see children and pregnant women trying to sell you stuff on the street or on the beach. Use your best judgement as to what you want to buy. The ship will give you information about the stores, the areas to shop in, etc.

One of my favorite places was the outdoor market in downtown Mazatlan. Fish, pork, beef sold right there on the street. Shellfish in buckets on the curb waiting for you to pick out "your dinner". I didn't buy anything, but I certainly took my time taking in the way other cultures live.

We were walking to the mission in Mazatlan and a woman was sweeping her porch. I asked her in Spanish if I could look inside her house. Total adobe, no airconditioning (it was hot as blazes outside). No screens or screen door. A very modest home that was beautiful.

When we rented the taxi driver in PV, we asked him, what will you charge us to drive us around and show us (and then we named the things we liked and the things we looked up)? He replied, xx$ for 4 hours. We then said, xx$ for 6 hours (the ship will help you get an idea of what you should offer). There were 2 couples and we split the charge. We paid him AFTER her brought us back to the pier. In PV we stopped at a place in the "jungle" where there was a restaurant and river. We kinda walked around the river a little bit but then told him we really didn't want to eat or get anything to drink. I really don't remember all the places we stopped at but I do remember safe, clean and fun.

You barter in all of Mexico. That is what they do best. Some of the shops are ship recommended which means the ship gets a kick back. I really doubt a lot of bargaining will take place there.

Mexico is known for vanilla (the real stuff); pottery (just make sure it's not lead paint); blankets (remember that you have to pack them); liquor (customs has it's limits); leather products and silver. Genuine silver and not silver plated will have a stamp on it. Again, the ship will have that information for you.

These ports rely on the tourist. Every driver that you encounter will take you to "their family's shops". You will also see children and pregnant women trying to sell you stuff on the street or on the beach. Use your best judgement as to what you want to buy. The ship will give you information about the stores, the areas to shop in, etc.

One of my favorite places was the outdoor market in downtown Mazatlan. Fish, pork, beef sold right there on the street. Shellfish in buckets on the curb waiting for you to pick out "your dinner". I didn't buy anything, but I certainly took my time taking in the way other cultures live.

We were walking to the mission in Mazatlan and a woman was sweeping her porch. I asked her in Spanish if I could look inside her house. Total adobe, no airconditioning (it was hot as blazes outside). No screens or screen door. A very modest home that was beautiful.

Thank you all for your reply back. Every little bit helps with info.

I did go into the "roll call" (I call it) area. I didn't see where anyone had listed the Princess Sapphire for April 9th, so I did. So far, I didn't see where anyone else had replied, or that they were going.

Hopefully you all are in WARM areas, as we just had our snow blizzard yesterday, and are "digging out." It has been over 18 years since we have had a crisis like this. The last one was an ice storm which was very bad too.

Everyone have a great "hump day."

Be sure to add your cruise to the "Who's Cruising" list. (Link on gray bar above) You may find others there or they may find you also.

I clicked on reply after Mary Lou's signature, and it brought me here. I really don't think I am to "post" right here (???), but when looking below, there was no other place to post.

I just wanted to say thank you to Mary Lou and the rest to HELPED me in my crisis. If you can think of any suggestions pertaining to "understanding" the CC website, it is helpful.

Be sure to add your cruise to the "Who's Cruising" list. (Link on gray bar above) You may find others there or they may find you also.

Since I'm NEW to Cruise Crazies, I thought I would check in the "roll call" area, and see if anyone is cruising on the Sapphire Princess, April 9th to the Mexican Riviera? If so, I would like to be contacted.

Thanks for replying back.

I did go under "forums" and found the "Princess" area, but it didn't look like anyone had been on it for a couple years. Maybe it was the "Sapphire", where I seen that, but I'll check again.

Thanks for your help.

We've been on the Caribbean and loved it as well.

Been to Mexican Riviera 3 or 4 times. In Puerta Vallarta, we have rented a car and did our own thing. And we have also rented a taxi driver and asked him to take us to the non-tourist places. Puerta Vallarta was very safe, clean, etc.

In Cabo San Lucas, the best thing we did was whale watching. April might not have quite as many whales, but you should be able to spot a few. It is a very easy port to walk around. I believe you will be tendered.

Mazatlan is more of a beachy/touristy place (in my opinion). Not as clean and pristine as PV. I remember going to the center of town. Beautiful architecture, missions. Also an outdoor farmer's type market.

Just remember that you are in Mexico. Don't drink the water! Make sure that if you eat in a restaurant, the food that is supposed to be hot is hot. Also remember to bring small money ($1/$5) for bargaining on the streets. You don't want to come back to the states with pesos. The purser's desk will give you change.

Have a blast. Report back, okay?

I don't know if I am to "reply" after what you wrote, or not, but here it goes. Whether you get it or it makes sense, I don't know. I'm use to reply on other forums with a "blank" space, so here it goes.

Thank you for replying back.

I do have a few questions.

In PV, you mentioned about renting a car or using a Taxi. If we wanted to do the Taxi, do we tell them where we (like what you mentioned) want to go, and then have them give us a price before we get in?

Yes, I don't want to take any Pesos home with me, and will bring small bills.

In regard to the "bargaining", can that be done at any of these 3 stops, or just at one of them? How do we know where the area is to go at these stops, to look for bargaining with the people?

Hello, I think I am in the WRONG area and I need HELP.

I thought this was the Princess area, but maybe it's not. Cruise Crazies website is "different" than some of the other cruise websites I go on.

Would you or "someone" be able to lead me in the direction of Princess cruises or the Princess Sapphire? We are cruising this ship in April, and I would like to ask questions, if at all possible of maybe some of them that have cruised this ship.

We plan to cruise on the Sapphire in April to the Mexican Riviera. If you have been to any of their ports within the last year (we do no snorkling), what would you recommend that we see/do while there? Also is there a good beach to check out?

We are planning on cruising on the Sapphire in April. If you have been on the Sapphire within the past year, would you give me your pros/cons of the ship?

We will be going to the Mexican Riviera ports. We are not into snorkling, but if you have been there, what beach would you recommend that we visit, and also is there a "must see/do" at any of these ports? Also, we like to "bargain", is there any of this going on at any of these ports?

Bus ride was less than $4 a person. (I think round trip) Very safe. They are at the pier. They take you to the main square. They tell you what time they will be back. They bring you back to the pier. I really think it's a "cruise line" operation and not public transportation.

Yes, you can bargain pretty much anywhere in Mexico. However, with that being said, I'm not sure what there is to buy. I'm sure Carnival will have a preferred list of stores to stop at. (I always wondered if there was a kick back to the ship.)

When you go to purchase something, make sure to ask if they can give you change in US dollars. We encountered a number of small stores that insisted they did not have US dollars. Personally, we think they wanted to hoard the US dollar. The peso is really of no value to you once you leave ensenada.

And, we always went to the purser's desk before leaving and made 'change' for the larger bills so that we had lots of ones and fives. (I have no idea what the exchange rate is and whether I am being taken advantage of.)

Most of the stores that we went in to plugged the information in their cash register and hit the US dollar button. The cash register than did the figuring. Maybe that's why Carnival recommends shops. They figure if there is any cheating going on ...

Thanks for letting me know where we can get transportation/cost, etc. Also for the "reminder" of asking for US change/money. I remember when I went some place before, they gave me back their change, and of course I could not use it. I always try to have a lot of $1's on me, that way I don't have to worry about them changing a big bill.

Actually I had not booked this cruise as yet, as I was waiting on my friend to tell me what kind of room she wanted. At church yesterday, she told me, NOW I can go ahead.

Rock & Roll cruise sounds WONDERFUL. I need to look this one up.

We have stopped at Catalina Island and both Ensenada. Because it was our first cruise (1988 or thereabouts) we were anxious to do it all and see it all. At Catalina Island we took the glass bottom boat tour. We also spent the rest of the day walking/hiking on our own. Very safe. Lots of fun.

We didn't get off the ship at Ensenada the first time. However, we did just last March. Because this is a border town, you will find many drug stores and liquor stores and bars. Most folks go to the bars in Ensenada. We took the bus from the pier to the main square and then just walked around. We live 45 min from the border so visiting the border was no big deal for us. And, we don't drink liquor so buying duty free booze was not on our agenda.

Where else will you stop?

As far as I know those are the only two stops. It is a 5day/4night cruise. I don't know if you have had time to check out what is going to be transpiring with the 4 entertainers, but I think we will be kept pretty busy involved in what is going on with them.

As for Ensenada, no we do not drink either. Is it a place where you can "bargain" for items? Since you live close to the border, than you probably know about Tijuana? That is what I am referring to. It has been years since we have been there, but I do remember "bargaining" with several people there. In fact we still have some nice items that we got there. This has been over 30 years ago.

Do you remember what the cost was to ride the bus?

brneyes

We are planning on going on Carnival Paradise in April of next year. Part of the cruise we are going on, will be an oldies/rock & roll event. There will be 4 named entertainers/singers there.

If you have been on the Paradise within the past year, would you give me your pros/cons of the ship?

Also, if you have been to Catalina Island or Ensenada, Mexico, would you tell me what to see/do in a "short" span of time.

brneyes

Is this something NEW that I have not heard of, NOT dressing up for Formal night on Carnival ships?

This is the first I have heard of it, and personally, I will probably dress extra nice, even though they may not want us ladies to wear long dresses, but then, summer dresses can be long too.

brneyes

I always use a TA when cruising, and I have found two websites (listed below) that have the type of cruise I want to do, but I have never booked through a website before. If you have used this website, or know of someone who has, would you please let me know?

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brneyes