Cabo San Lucas Overnight

We are scheduled to arrive at 1 pm and we are here overnight until 4 pm the next day.  Tendering will continue until 11 pm and resume the next morning at 6 am.  

At 1130 I had guests asking about getting off the ship!  I explained we don't start handing out tender tickets until 1:15.  But they must be eager to get off.

We are in a further away position and there is quite a swell too, so tendering is taking a lot longer.  Also there is a large Carnival ship in.   So patience is needed.

After my lecture, then my desk hours, I grabbed a bite to eat.  I then had to film the wake show and by then the queue for tendering is still taking a long time so we decide to stay on.  

A lot of guests have stayed on.

At 4 pm they had a folkloric show in the theater.  

The next morning we are up early and off by 830.  No queue for tenders we just walked right down.

It is Hot 🔥!   

One thing we noticed is there is a large police presence today.  This is because the President of Mexico is in town.  

We walk along the malecon and I get some updated information for my talks.  Prices for water shuttles mainly.

We head to the store to pick up some essentials.  And we grab a coffee and people watch.

By noon we are hungry and head to our favorite spot.  El Buro Loco.  

This is not a touristy spot.  This is where the locals go.   It is about a 15 min walk from the marina.  But for great food from a locally run business, try it.

We share a combo plate and chorizo con queso.  They now have a liquor license so we get a beer and I get a hibiscus margarita.  In total the bill came to $40 US.  

We walked back but a taxi would be about $5.

Day of the dead is coming up and the city is getting ready.  Lots of alters and statues all around.

Cabo San Lucas

We wake and realize we are anchored in the harbour of Cabo San Lucas.  Tenders are required here and they are giving out tender tickets in Michalangelo Dining Room. 

But for us we are staying on.  I know sounds boring but because last tender is 1:15 and by the time we are up and ready we really would not have that much time ashore. We love Cabo but unless we had something really planned we are better off staying on today. There is a restaurant we love to visit but it is open only from lunch onwards and it is a bit far from the pier so it is fruitless to head there.

Instead we head to the International Cafe and enjoy two coffees and a bite to eat.  The staffing here has improved this voyage I am happy to say.

The IC is very very quiet though and most servers are just wandering around chatting up with everyone.

Have to say I love the three guys who work at the IC food bar handing out the food.  So lovely and I especially love when they are putting the food out and they are singing.

I had a good giggle when this woman approaced one of the staff and said where is the gangway adn the crew said "there is no gangway this is a tender port and you have to go to deck 4 to the tender boat as tender tickets are no longer required".  The woman with frustration said "but we were told the gangway is on deck 7 why do they keep changing it".  The crew member patiently said again just head down one deck and board the next tender and offered to show her.  We giggled and said to each other "boy deck 7 would be fun to try and board a tender - maybe it is a zip line".

There are a lot of interesting comments and incidents since there are so many new cruisers.  Some are cute, some are downright funny.   You forget what it is like to be on a ship when you sail so often. But saying that some things just are really just common sense.  Like the woman who compained that there is just too much food options in the buffet - well you don't have to eat it all.

We change into our bathing suits and slather the 30 SPF sunscreen on and head up to the main pool for some sun.  There are a lot of lounge chairs around as many are off. The views are stunning and the pool is quiet.

It is hot!  And we have to occasionally submerge in the pool just to cool off.  It is cool the pool but within a minute your body gets use to it. 

As the day continues it gets busier and busier but there were still lounge chairs to be had around the pool. 

I grab a hotdog and fries for lunch and enjoy the ice carving demo and then the bar wars.

As we sail away from Cabo we watch the whales and even see a turtle!  Dolphins too! I will add that we had so many people that were trying to see whales but after only a few minutes would give up.  If you want to look for wildlife you need to look out at the water!  Scan the horizon back and forth and look for disruption in the water.  You will be surprised at what you see!  Today we probably saw around 50 sightings of whales and dolphin. 

This couple that was standing beside us at the railing commented that these whales don't breech and jump but the ones in Puerto Vallarta do.  Ahhh what? we say... yes these ones do.  No he insists he has never seen these ones breech.  Well we saw many of the jump the other day when we were sailing south.  He insists they don't.  Yup I am not making this stuff up.

Around 3:30 we are back down in the cabin showering and relaxing.

It is formal night tonight and we dress and head up to the Horizon Court for Dinner - their theme is Fisherman's Corner (but there were lot of non seafood items too).

Our Captain Circle Party is at 7;15 - the most travelled this voayge is Mr. James Tang and Ms Linda Lin with 1793 days!  Wow that is a lot of days.  We are #9 and #10 most travelled but a long ways from their # of days for sure.

We sit with Colleena's (Captain Circle Host's) Dad at the party along with our friends we are sailing with. 

After the party we meet up with Lisa for some wine in Vines and catch up with how she has been.  It is a real treat to be sailing with her again.

Oh I should add while I am thinking about it.  We saw a few people that came back from shore with the palm leaf hats that they make.  One guy had one with an iguana made on top of it.  They are really cute hats.  But remember you can not bring them back into the US.  No agricultural items can be brought ashore in the US.  No flowers, fruits or plants including hats made from palm leaves.

Evening Activities included: Mariachi Melodies with Trio Los Brillantes, Comedy and Magic Showtime with R. J. Lewis, Movies Under the Stars Jack Reacher, Never Go Back, Yellow Diamonds Event and Raffle, The Vocal Stylings of Sonia Selbie, Piano and Cocktails with Alex Howland, Latin Hour with DJ Walter, The Marriage Match Game, Karaoke Madness, and the Grand Piazza Gala Party and Balloon Drop.

Cabo San Lucas

I wake to the sound in the hallway from the Purser Staff.  We have arrived in Cabo and tender service has begun.

If you are on a Princess Tour head to the designated meeting area for your tour which is printed on your tour ticket.  If you are on not on a ship's tour you need to go to the Michelangelo Dining Room with your entire party and you will be given tender tickets. For Elites you can just proceed to the tender platform on deck four.

It is lovely out - very sunny and mid 20s and again not too humid.  We are in the bay with the Holland America Westerdam. 

I head down to Wheelhouse to take part in the speed Sudoku Challenge where I come in second and get a magnetic clip.

I meet up with Bernie in the International Cafe where we sit and enjoy our coffees. Today I place my order with one of the waiters and it takes around 15 minutes to get my coffee.  Not sure why since the place is very quiet and there is no queue what so ever at the coffee bar. It would of been faster to just go to the bar myself and get it. It really has been hit or miss at the coffee bar and the IC staff.  Hopefully things improve next voyage.

While sitting there we run into Vanessa and David who are from Maple Ridge (not far from us) we sit and chat for over two hours about so much.  Lovely couple.

For lunch we both head up to the Lido Deck for a burger and fries.  Tried the Captain's Bounty which I have to say went down quite well on this sunny hot day.

We didn't go ashore today.  Last tender is 1:15 and we leave at 2 pm and both of us agree spending time on the ship is what we really want to do.  Remember it is your vacation so do what you wish.

Still lots happening on board today.  Morning Trivia, Scrabble, Hole In One Golf Challenge, Ice Carving, Movie the Magnificent Seven in Explorers, Ring Toss, Mariachi Music, Line Dancing Class, Bar Wars, Pop Choir Rehearsal (music from Grease), Afternoon Tea, Happy Hour from 4 - 6 in Wheelhouse, Bingo and Afternoon Trivia.

I have to add that we saw a ton of whales from the ship as we left Cabo.  They were all over so have your cameras ready.

I walked all over the ship taking pictures this afternoon too for future resources.

Tonight is Formal Night and also the Captain Circle Party but we are dining at Share tonight with friends.

Cabo San Lucas

I wake to the sound in the hallway from the Purser Staff.  We have arrived in Cabo and tender service has begun.

If you are on a Princess Tour head to the designated meeting area for your tour which is printed on your tour ticket.  If you are on not on a ship's tour you need to go to the Michelangelo Dining Room with your entire party and you will be given tender tickets. For Elites you can just proceed to the tender platform on deck four.

It is lovely out - very sunny and mid 20s and again not too humid.  We are in the bay with the Holland America Westerdam. 

I head down to Wheelhouse to take part in the speed Sudoku Challenge where I come in second and get a magnetic clip.

I meet up with Bernie in the International Cafe where we sit and enjoy our coffees. Today I place my order with one of the waiters and it takes around 15 minutes to get my coffee.  Not sure why since the place is very quiet and there is no queue what so ever at the coffee bar. It would of been faster to just go to the bar myself and get it. It really has been hit or miss at the coffee bar and the IC staff.  Hopefully things improve next voyage.

While sitting there we run into Vanessa and David who are from Maple Ridge (not far from us) we sit and chat for over two hours about so much.  Lovely couple.

For lunch we both head up to the Lido Deck for a burger and fries.  Tried the Captain's Bounty which I have to say went down quite well on this sunny hot day.

We didn't go ashore today.  Last tender is 1:15 and we leave at 2 pm and both of us agree spending time on the ship is what we really want to do.  Remember it is your vacation so do what you wish.

Still lots happening on board today.  Morning Trivia, Scrabble, Hole In One Golf Challenge, Ice Carving, Movie the Magnificent Seven in Explorers, Ring Toss, Mariachi Music, Line Dancing Class, Bar Wars, Pop Choir Rehearsal (music from Grease), Afternoon Tea, Happy Hour from 4 - 6 in Wheelhouse, Bingo and Afternoon Trivia.

I have to add that we saw a ton of whales from the ship as we left Cabo.  They were all over so have your cameras ready.

I walked all over the ship taking pictures this afternoon too for future resources.

Tonight is Formal Night and also the Captain Circle Party but we are dining at Share tonight with friends.

Cabo San Lucas

We wake to the sound of the anchor being dropped.  We stir for a bit when Bernie rolls over and says “do you want a latte?” ahhh what every woman wants to hear right?  He dresses and heads down for the coffees while I post up the blog from last night.

The tenders are being lowered, the announcement that we have received clearance happens and it is just before 9 am. 

We put on our swimsuits, lather on the 30 sun screen and head to the tender.  Note if you do not have priority tender status (suites or elite) you were directed to Michelangelo dining room where you got a tender ticket and waited for your number to be called.  I did head to deck five where I saw someone and asked where the gangway was and he said I had to get a tender ticket first.  When I said I was elite and had priority he didn’t seem to know what I was talking about and said I couldn’t go to the tender but had to get a ticket.  

He then back tracked and said we could just proceed down to the tender.  Note I did check my elite letter that was delivered to our cabin on the first day and it does say to just proceed to the tender gangway when ready and show your elite card.

I see Ryan from security right at the tender and he comes over to say hi and gives me a hug.  What a lovely man.

We like Cabo but boy has it changed since we first started coming here.  We notice right away at the pier that Cabo is still recovering from the hurricane in October. 

And as we continue along the waterfront most businesses are up and running.  I would guess that about 75% of the business are open, maybe not 100% open but are open with maybe more repairs to be done.  Some businesses are still boarded up and some are closed but opening soon.

Cabo is open for business though and they need the tourists dollars so enjoy the city.

We walk and of course every one is offering to sell us something, cigars, hats, knecklaces, whistles, toys, t shirts, taxis, tours, Viagra…. You name it they have it and if they don’t have it their friend has it. 

Hooters was hit (don't cry too hard) it is now oo ers!

Don’t be discouraged by all this – this is how these people make a living.  A polite, no thank you is all that we needed to say and they moved on.

We had good intention to just hop on a water taxi right there in the Marina but I wanted to walk into town to see what the town looked like after the hurricane.  But I did ask a guy at the Marina how much it cost for a one way to the beach and he said $3.

We walk along the harbour and then cut into town towards the mall.  You can see the effects of the hurricane but for most it seems like business as usual.  Once we pass the mall we head to the right and head to Medano Beach. 

We walk past all the bars, and many hotels and we come to an open area on the beach that has not been developed.  

Orlando is there trying to get us to buy a massage ($30 for one hour) at Eden Massage right there on the beach.  But we just want a lounge chair and umbrella, which at first they quoted us $30 for two chairs and an umbrella, but even we are not that gullible.  We offer $20 and they agree. 

Orlando even heads off to get us a soda and a beer… now that is service.

The water today is a little rough with an undertow.  Bernie went in and when I went in I was up to my thighs when a wave came and I was on my ass!  Sand went into the suit and it exfoliated areas that I didn’t know needed exfoliating.  I was laughing so hard I then swallowed water… oh what a site I was.  But it was fun and the water was lovely.

After a few hours at the beach we knew we wanted to head to one of our favorite restaurants in town.  El Burro Locos is the name, it is more in town and about ten blocks away from the mall.  The guy there even recognized us and we had a great meal and a few more beers (note they don’t sell alcohol here but you could just cross the street and get some beer there and bring it back).

We walk back towards the Marina stopping in stores, chatting with locals and just enjoying the town. 

We are back at the tender dock around 3 pm (last tender is at 4 pm). 

As soon as we walk into the cabin we are looking for Woody from Toy Story.  See it has started to be a game between us and the cabin steward.  We arrange Woody somewhere and when we come back Grenny our steward has him somewhere new.  Last night he was tucked into bed, this morning we hung him from the AC unit with a note for our steward.  When we come back we look and look and then see he is hiding behind the tv with his head peaking out.  

Too fun… now I need some ideas on what to do with him next.

Note Jasper Moose Jaw our mascot is here too but he was kidnapped by Delmarie in Facets last night and was going to go have fun with her and some of the crew – somehow I think he may of made it to the crewbar!

So after a great day in Cabo the tenders are lifted and we are heading out and up the Sea of Cortez towards La Paz.

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Cabo San Lucas Overnight

Time to catch up, it is actually the second day we are in Cabo but I need to catch up on my blog so here it goes in a nutshell.

We are to arrive around noon and we both wake up too late to make it to the dining room for breakfast, which closes at 9 so we head down to the International Café and grab a lovely yoghurt/granola mix.  Of course my latte is necessary again.

Wanted to add that the morning show is great.  We have had our share of bad morning shows on board.  We love to watch them and find out what is happening on board, catch the trivia question and have a good laugh.  Martyn and Matais do a wonderful job each day putting on the show.  The questions are very good and the prizes are even better.  The recent prizes have been dinner for two at Sabatinis, Crown Grill, two half day passes for the Sanctuary, coffee card and other stuff. 

 

We are meeting up with Delmarie a friend at around 2 pm to head ashore together.  The tender process is very smooth and since we are going ashore rather late no need to get tender tickets.  (note with Elite status you get priority tendering when getting off)  The ride ashore is quick and easy and the views are wonderful.

It is freakin hot and humid – I know I shouldn’t complain but we are sweating up a storm and we haven’t even started walking around yet.

Beautiful Delmarie

 

For those that have been following my blog for the past few years you already know that we have been here many times.  We love Mexico especially the West Coast of Mexico, but Cabo is our least favorite, yes it is beautiful, yes it has all the big hotels, yes the stores are amazing but for us it doesn’t feel like the “real” Mexico.  Actually our preference is places like Huatulco, Ixtapa and even Mazatlan.  But to get that “real” Mexican feel we head away from the main street for about 12 blocks to one of our favorite little Mexican restaurants.  We are the only gringos there, little English is spoken here.  They don’t serve alcohol but if you want a beer just cross the street and buy a beer and enjoy it at the restaurant.  We all have a great meal and we are stuffed.

 

We walk back towards the Marina stopping at a few shops, checked out some stalls and even bought a necklace and pendant. 

Back on board around 5:30 ish and in the cabin relaxing – we know it is around 5:30 because yup they are rehearsing in the Princess Theater and we can hear it all.  At around 6 we see they are showing the movie the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel on the tv in the cabin.  We love this movie, one of our favorites so we snuggle up and watch it again. 

Dinner tonight is in Portifinos again and we are down there around 8 pm.  We bring a lovely Argentinean Malbec  to dinner.  I had a new item I have never seen on board a watermelon lycee salad with ginger and mint, gazpiacho for the soup, and for dinner a really good shrimp dish.  I tried the strudel for dessert but it wasn’t for me. 

We wander around the ship after dinner, not a lot going on but then again a lot of people are off the ship enjoying Cabo this evening.  We see they showing the movie The Artist at Movies Under the Stars tonight, we wander around up on the top deck checking out the lights in Cabo, can even hear YMCA playing at one of the local bars.  It is cool being anchored in the bay, reminds us of being anchored outside of Panama City, but of course Panama City is much much bigger.

Not much else to do so we head back to the cabin and start watching the movie “Brave” but can’t stay awake.

 

It is Tuesday – still Cabo

We head down for breakfast and meet up with Douw and arrange for a meeting time for going ashore together. 

We head off just after 10 and whew it is HOT… we walk the main drag and I pick up another pendant, the reason… my lovely husband surprised me last night with a beautiful pair of earring and I thought I should get a pendant to match the earrings. 

 

Douw and us stop for a cold beverage before we start walking towards our favorite restaurant which is on Benito Juarez about 10 blocks from the main drag.  The restaurant is called El Burro Loco.  We order some beverages, Chorizon con queso, chicken mole, chili relenos and tortillas.  All was very good. 

We head back towards the marina area and every ten feet you are asked, tour, drinks, taxi, silver… you name it.
 

A beautiful little restaurant facing the marina is offering two for one drinks, the guys get beers and I get a mango margarita.

 

We make our way back to the ship and board the next tender.  We are hot and sweaty but oh what a great two days we have had in Cabo.

 

Tonight is Italian night in the dining room, we probably will head there for dinner.  Tomorrow is a sea day and we have lots planned including the Most Travelled Luncheon.  Will report on that tomorrow.
 

 

Oct 9 - Cabo San Lucas

To wake up and feel the heat - we are in Mexico.  Bernie and I have been visiting Mexico for almost two decades now and it always feels like we are coming home.  Now Cabo San Lucas is not our favorite place, a bit too much money here - not the "real" Mexico, but we are off to find some "real" Mexico while we are here.

Cabo is a tender port and we are here only until 2:00 pm, so we are determined to get off as soon as possible and we are down to the tenders first thing.  We must of been on the third tender and grabbed a seat in the open tenders that you see above that are run by the Port of Cabo.  Highly recommend waiting for the open tender as you will hear more about the experience in the tender coming back.

Our home away from home - the Island Princess

Now when you get off the tender you go thru a pier area that has the duty free shops.  Once you exit the pier you walk along a dock.  You will see people lining both sides of the dock offering you EVERYTHING, a simple "no thank you" usually works but it is amazing because the next person asks you the same question.  It can wear on you but just remember this is how they make their living.  If you are wanting to take a boat to Los Arcos or the beach this is where you can find a deal.

Los Arcos

the town of Cabo San Lucas from the ship

Ah here is one of the "Princess Recommended" stores.... don't worry you will get your paper with the "recommended stores" as soon as you get to the gangway.  As we are walking we look across the way and see that Shelley and Laurie/Jim are in the store and Rob is running across the street to us.  I walk into the store to see what the ladies are up to and both are looking at amazing diamond rings.  I tease the sales person by saying "oh that diamond is kind of small I think you need a bigger one" and then I laughed. 

Bernie and I wish luck to Rob and we head off in search of the Starbucks, I know,  I know I said I was looking for the "real" Mexico but heck Starbucks is a necessity in my life. The last time we were here two years ago they were just building this Starbucks so we knew it was now open.



Vickie is happy she has her latte, an iced latte but still a latte - did I mention it was hot here

We handed out Canadian pencils and lanyards to the staff.

And of course Jasper wanted part of the action.  The guy on the left is wearing a totem pole Canadian pin we gave him.

We left Starbucks rejuvenated and started walking away from the harbour, and walked and walked.  We checked out some local stores, went by a school, and came across a large open air restaurant.  We sat down and the waitress came over and asked in Spanish what would we like....   ahhhhh Our Spanish is not that good, but we looked up on the wall and there were pictures and we muddled thru.  We were hoping for a cold beer but she rambled off something and with my broken Spanish figured out that they don't have a liquor license but we could go and buy some beer and bring it back.  Nah, we ordered two Cokes.  For our meal we ordered two tacos and two quesadilas and a potato with steak and peppers with cheese.  They had a salsa bar with about 10 different salsas.  In total the meal cost us about $15, now that is a deal.



the staff pose with Jasper



This is the cook as he prepares our potato



Here is Jasper enjoying our Coke and the potato with steak and cheese



We start to head back towards the harbour and check out a few local stores.  Bernie has promised his nephews some t-shirts with specific designs so he is hunting, and he find the blue t-shirt with dolphins.

Below is a craft/flea market where you can find tons of crap.



and did I mention there were quite a few dolls, including Jasper

Jasper gets into the Mexican spirit

Now Jasper really gets into the Mexican spirit

We are heading back to the ship - we get back to the tender around 1 pm and the last tender is suppose to be 1:30.  We made the mistake of being some of the last people on one of the tenders and we get on in one of the enclosed tenders and I grab a seat all the way forward right against the wall. It got so hot in there I thought maybe I would pass out and started getting dizzy.  Thankfully a man across from me saw this and opened one of the forward windows - which caused a bit of spray to come in but everyone was glad just to have a bit of a breeze.

As soon as we get back on we head straight for the Sanctuary for the 1:00 - 5:00 allotment, which costs $10 but is well worth it.  We noticed we still hadn't left at 2:00 pm, we didn't really head off until around 3:00 pm apparently a few of the tours were running late because of road work.

As we set sail we noticed a pod of whales following us, and followed for about a half hour.

Tonight we had dinner in the dining room early with Jim/Laurie and Shelley/Rob.  

Tonight we find out that Jim proposed to Laurie!  YEAH congratulations.  

We all went back to our cabins and changed into much more comfortable clothing and grabbed pillows and snacks for the movie called Invictus starring Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon which was playing on the Movies Under the Screen.  It was a fun day and a great night!