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NEWSLETTER
ARCHIVES
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View Photos Of This Trip By
Clicking Here
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World-Famous Acapulco
Cliff Divers
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Jill & Victor - our Tour Guide in
Acapulco
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Norwegian Star in Acapulco
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Ice Carving by The Oasis Pool
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Shopping at one of the markets
in Puerto Vallarta
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A Relaxing Escape To The Mexican Riviera
~ by Viv Chapleo
Jill and I sailed the Mexican Riviera onboard NCL's Norwegian Star for eight
days in the middle of November. This was our second cruise this year on
the Star, our first being a few months previously, to Alaska. The itinerary:
Depart from The Port of Los Angeles, spend two days at sea before
arriving in Acapulco, Mexico; then take in the beaches, scenery, sights and
shopping at Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa, Puerto Vallarta, and Cabo San Lucas
before sailing back to LA.
After our Alaska cruise we were hooked on cruising. We find it to be great
value for money, interesting itineraries, so much to do that there's lots of
activities to keep everyone busy and happy, and a stressfree way to travel.
The Norwegian Star is 90,000 tons and one of the largest cruise ships
sailing the seas. She carries almost 3000 passengers when filled to the
gills and both times we've sailed on her she's been sold out. With many
restaurants, buffets and bars, there's no excuse to be hungry or thirsty
while on board. We tried the French restaurant twice, Le Bistro, and loved
the cuisine and service. The lobster-and-scallop martini was delicious, the
goat-cheese tart ensured we'd return another evening, the duck confit
exquisite, and the chocolate mousse and creme brulee were a fine finish to
a wonderful meal. Although there is a small fee for the specialty
restaurants ($12-$20), next time we take an NCL cruise we'll be making
reservations for dinner only in the specialty restaurants, skipping the main
dining rooms.
Our first port of call on the Mexican cruise was Acapulco, arriving on an
overcast but very hot and humid day. It was touch and go the day before
as to whether or not we'd be able to dock in Acapulco as Hurricane Sergio
was also heading there. Luckily, Sergio lingered 235 miles south and was
eventually downgraded to a tropical storm and the only sign that a
hurricane had been enroute was some choppy seas with windy conditions.
Upon arriving in Acapulco and disembarking from the ship, all passengers
were bombarded by taxi drivers and tour guides. When the cruise ships
arrive in any port, prices go up and there's no bartering to be done.
Other passengers paid $20 for a five minute taxi ride to where the cliff
divers are. We were able to join up with five other people and get a
four-hour tour in a Suburban taxi for $25 each. Not inexpensive, but the
best deal to be had at the time. Our driver, Victor, was very
knowledgeable as he showed us the highlights of Acapulco. The highlight
for us, and one we highly recommend, was going to see the cliff divers.
Next the Star anchored in the harbor off Zihuatanejo, and we were able to
experience our first tender to shore. We wandered around the markets in
Zihua and explored the town before finding a local bus to take us on the
twenty minute bus ride to Ixtapa. A cab ride would have cost $50 return
for the seven mile trip, but the local bus only cost 60 cents each way. It
was much more interesting to ride the bus and see the locals going about
their lives. We spent time walking the beach in Ixtapa, watching other
passengers and Mexican families on vacation play in the surf and catching
small turtles that were trying to get to the water.
Puerto Vallarta was our third stop and had the usual taxi cabs lined up at
the dock to charge exhorbitant prices to travel only a few miles ($25 for
three miles into the main area). Again, we walked a couple of blocks and
jumped on the local bus that took us right into town for 45 cents each.
Lots of shops, markets, tour guides, restaurants and bars, all trying to
persuade the tourists into their business. We didn't book any excursions
for our ports of call, but some passengers that we spoke with who had
booked excursions from the cruise line felt that they would have been
better off making their own plans when they arrived in port. They felt the
ship's excursions were very expensive and not as interesting as they had
hoped.
Our last port of call was Cabo San Lucas and probably the one which we
liked the most. The ocean here was cleaner, the sand whiter and the
beaches more inviting. Luckily the hurricane season this year didn't do
much damage, and so it was business as usual.
We had one more sea day on the way back up to Los Angeles. Whales
and dolphins could be spotted frequently alongside the ship and we were
able to enjoy the pool and decks for most of the day until we encountered
dense fog. We love sea days as they are so relaxing. We would get up
early and head up to the Oasis Pool Deck for a breakfast of freshly made
waffles and omelets, take a long walk on the top deck, take a class or
lecture, have lunch in either the Versailles Main Dining Room or Market
Cafe, take another walk around the ship, enjoy a cooking or wine tasting
class, sit by the pool and read or nap. After dressing for dinner we would
attend the evening theater performance, walk around the lower outside
deck, listen to music or a comedy show in the Spinnaker Lounge, go to
bed.
This was a great vacation, and one we'd do again. If we decided to do the
same itinerary, we'd either stay on-board the ship while she's in port or
just go to the beach. We're not sure where or when our next NCL cruise
will be, but we're enjoying the anticipation.
Email us your travel tips and let us know what's not to be missed - activities,
towns, where to get great food and anything else you can think of. We want
the inside scoop and you're the best resource!
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