Hello guys, just began looking at going on a cruise with my wife(mid 20's both of us) we want a calm, quiet, relax, memorable cruis. I had my eyes on the Mex Riviera 7nt cruise and am reading a lot about anything related to it.
I have so many questions that I dont know where to start...but here are a few, and sorry if they are dumb or redundant quest.
1-As i have read on many sites, is this cruise geared toward an older crowd? We are young, but dont behave like any, but would like to at least be one of the many young couples, dont want to stand out and look really weird by being the only mid-20's couple on board.
2-Wanted to know what was included and what was NOT included and extra charge was involved.
-24-7 room service for anything included?
-non-alcohol drinks throughout the whole trip?
-entertainment rooms/places & others similar?
-open bar for non-alcohol drinks?
-dress attire required on those casual and format nights? is this enforeced, as I want a real vacation and dont want to dress nice and tight, just relaxed dress for all 7 days.
-breakfast, lunch, dinner seatting: we would like to sit just together as a couple with not table-mates as we would like to enjoy our time together as much as possible. Doesnt matter if buffet or the other dinner style.
-Theres food 24-7 via roomservice?extra charge? in case we miss the dinner times for whatever reason.
-spa and relax rooms, I dont know how many of these there are, but which are free and which require extra charge?
-Casino slot tournament: sounds like fun, anyone who tried it willing to explain a little further from beg to end how that works.
etc.....and many more question...
P.S. If anyone who has AIM or MSN and is willing to give their screen name to further clear questions off my head about this trip, I would greatly appreciate it.
Hello guys, just began looking at going on a cruise with my wife(mid 20's both of us) we want a calm, quiet, relax, memorable cruis. I had my eyes on the Mex Riviera 7nt cruise and am reading a lot about anything related to it.
I have so many questions that I dont know where to start...but here are a few, and sorry if they are dumb or redundant quest.
1-As i have read on many sites, is this cruise geared toward an older crowd? We are young, but dont behave like any, but would like to at least be one of the many young couples, dont want to stand out and look really weird by being the only mid-20's couple on board.
2-Wanted to know what was included and what was NOT included and extra charge was involved.
-24-7 room service for anything included?
-non-alcohol drinks throughout the whole trip?
-entertainment rooms/places & others similar?
-open bar for non-alcohol drinks?
-dress attire required on those casual and format nights? is this enforeced, as I want a real vacation and dont want to dress nice and tight, just relaxed dress for all 7 days.
-breakfast, lunch, dinner seatting: we would like to sit just together as a couple with not table-mates as we would like to enjoy our time together as much as possible. Doesnt matter if buffet or the other dinner style.
-Theres food 24-7 via roomservice?extra charge? in case we miss the dinner times for whatever reason.
-spa and relax rooms, I dont know how many of these there are, but which are free and which require extra charge?
-Casino slot tournament: sounds like fun, anyone who tried it willing to explain a little further from beg to end how that works.
etc.....and many more question...
P.S. If anyone who has AIM or MSN and is willing to give their screen name to further clear questions off my head about this trip, I would greatly appreciate it.
<<1-As i have read on many sites, is this cruise geared toward an older crowd?>>
You should be OK. The older crowd likes longer cruises and the Mexican Riviera tends to draw a younger group. One never knows however, as each passenger load is different from the last.
<<2-Wanted to know what was included and what was NOT included and extra charge was involved.
Your fare includes your accommodations, dining, entertainment and so on. -24-7 room service for anything included?>>
Yes it is. However, I would suggest that you tip the servers bringing it to your cabins.
<<-non-alcohol drinks throughout the whole trip?>>
Yes, and no. If you want juice, coffee, tea etc. it is available all day and night. However, you will pay for non-alcoholic drinks, soft drinks and such.
<<-entertainment rooms/places & others similar?>>
All of the entertainment is included in your fare. That includes the productions hows and all of the lounges.
<<-open bar for non-alcohol drinks?>>
That is going to cost you if they are specialty drinks like a "virgin Bahama Mama".
<<-dress attire required on those casual and format nights? is this enforeced, as I want a real vacation and dont want to dress nice and tight, just relaxed dress for all 7 days.>>
HAL tends to be a bit more formal than other lines, so you are looking at two formal nights on your cruise. If you chose not to dress, you will limit your choices to either the buffet or room service as the dress code may be enforced in the restaurant. It has been some time since my last HAL cruise so this may have changed.
<<-breakfast, lunch, dinner seatting: we would like to sit just together as a couple with not table-mates as we would like to enjoy our time together as much as possible. Doesnt matter if buffet or the other dinner style.>>
See the Maitre D' as soon as you board to make this request. Also, have your travel agent go to bat for you right now.
<<-Theres food 24-7 via roomservice?extra charge? in case we miss the dinner times for whatever reason.>>
Again, yes there is. But you should remember to tip the servers that bring you your meals/snacks.
<<-spa and relax rooms, I dont know how many of these there are, but which are free and which require extra charge?>>
The spa is going to cost you extra, but there are several Jacuzzis to enjoy that are free to use.
<<-Casino slot tournament: sounds like fun, anyone who tried it willing to explain a little further from beg to end how that works.
etc.....and many more question...>>
Sorry, I am not a gambler, but I think you simply pay to enter and then yank the slots. No real money is involved other than your entrance fee. The person with the highest amount on their slot wins when it is over. I could be wrong though.
Hello Tom, I have to give you a million thanks for answering my questions in small detail, that gave me a better idea and easier choice on selecting this trip.
For sure I will be posting more questions as they come to mind.
Tom, have you been on the Oosterdam to Mexican Riviera? This is the one I will be taking, I tried to edit my post to metion my cruise and trip but was not able to.
No I have not sailed on the Oosterdam, but have sailed on her sister ship the Zuiderdam. Also, I have done the Mexican Riviera a good number of times. Let me know if you have more questions.
Did you do any tours at each port? Los Cabos, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta?
I am going in Feb. so maybe some excursions are not avail.
Any tips for excursions would be great or just tips on where to go or what to do to make it worthwhile at each port.
When you are in Cabo you can go on a boat trip around the arches for about $8.00 a person, and you can walk around the town on your own. In Mazatlan you can use public transportation and see quite a lot of the city for about $6 to 8.00 per person and when you are in Puerto Vallarta, you can take a cab ride into the city and back to the ship. The cost is about $10 or so each way for two persons if not less, and you can walk on the Malecon (waterfront walk way for free).
Just as a 'warning', HAL does have a reputation of being a more formal line for an older crowd. With that being said, as Tom pointed out, this itinerary does generally attract younger people. It also depends when you are going - if it's during school breaks there's a greater chance of there being a younger crowd.
Personally I would love to try HAL, older crowd or not (we are in our early 30s) because I've heard the room appointments and food are excellent.
Do be prepared (regardless of where or which line you cruise with) to spend money on the extras. That shore excursion you mentionned is likely from the ship and those tend to be pricier than those you can do on your own, as Fred outlined.
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Caribbean Princess 2005
Carnival Paradise 2004
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