Diamond Princess - First timers

[Kevin2007]

Hi All!

We are going on the Diamond Princess - Mexican Riviera cruise Feb. 10. We are cruise newbies ( 3 day cruise in 2002 ) and did this at the last minute as a test for next years Tahitian Princes cruise. I wanted to see if I could make it on this cruise first!

I know I can do a search... but I want to get an idea of what to expect on this cruise. Ship... ports... weather, etc.

I appreciate any and all information. Thanks!

Kevin

[BJS]

The Diamond Princess is much much larger than the Tahitian Princess and you should not use it to decide what your Tahitian Princess cruise will be like.

There will be more activities, entertainment, bars, etc. on the Diamond. The decore, etc. is much different than on the Tahitian which was not built for Princess.

The Diamond has more restaurants and offers "anytime" dining so that experience will also be different. Menus generally are the same on all Princess ships.

Weather can be cold and windy the first day out of San Pedro, and the last returning, but should be warm once you reach Cabo and then warmer still as you go south.

Enjoy your cruises and hope this helps.

[f-mattox]

February 10? You must be really getting exctied!
Thanks for putting your city in your post--I wish more people did that; it makes it more interesting to know where someone is from.
What a great deal for us in Southern California! No flights; no transfers. It will be a younger, livelier crowd than you will have on Tahitian Princess for sure.
I'll second everything BJS said--it was all good advice; especially about not using this cruise to pre-judge your next one. These are two very different ships; not better or worse, just different.
Take something warm; it will be cool the the first and last days.
As for ports, do the search. Everybody has a different idea of what is fun and what is b-o-o-r-ing. Read everything and make up your own mind. If you like water sports and snorkeling, it will NOT be too cold for that. Mexico is warm, even in February.
If you have any more specific questions please ask.
Have a great trip and keep in touch.

[Kevin2007]

Thanks to both of you for the replies. My real estate biz is in HB, on Brookhurst and Adams. It IS a small world!

I will search, search... search! We can hardly wait!!

Kevin

[Kevin2007]

Less than 72 hours!!!

[f-mattox]

Kevin2007,
have a wonderful trip. I watch Diamond Princess sail out of San Pedro every Saturday on their web site--I'll be thinking about you.
By the way, I live near Harbor and Adams and frequent the Target, Market Broiler, Mervyn's and Polly's at Brookhurst and Adams.
Happy Sailing!

[f-mattox]

O.K. Kevin, this is it--24 hours to go.
How many times have you packed and unpacked by now?
This is rhetorical--I don't expect you to stop and answer at a time like this.
Just take half of what you've packed and put it away.
Have a great trip and keep in touch.
See you for lunch at Polly's.

[f-mattox]

Kevin, just realized Diamond Princess AND Island Princess will both be in San Pedro tomorrow--should be a great photo op, if you're into that.
Just be sure to get on the right one!

[Kevin2007]

f-mattox,

Can I go wrong with either ship! We haven't decided what time to get to the port. Or, when we should make our dining (anytime) reservations.

Sitting here , waiting for the better half to take me to dinner...

I've been thinking all day about taking at least half out of my luggage!! I'm am so tired from trying to take care of everything at home and the office before departure.... not to mention the home we just bought and are rehabbing! Cheese with my whine sounds pretty good right now!

I can't wait to get on the Diamond! Thanks for the replies. I will be sure to update you upon our return. Polly's sounds great.

See you there!

Kevin

[f-mattox]

A couple of last minute tips;
with two ships in it could be kind of busy--I'd try to get there by noon. Have anything you may need in your carry-on because your luggage may not reach your cabin until after you sail.
Best place to watch the sailaway is the Terrace, all the way aft on Lido deck; you're by the buffet, a bar and you get a great panoramic view of the whole harbor area. Up front it gets pretty windy as soon as you clear the breakwater.
If you have Anytime dining you don't need to make reservations unless you want to eat at the same time every night--and that defeats the purpose of Anytime dining.
Anyway, eat after dark tomorrow as you'll have fun picking out landmarks until you pass the Dana Point Headlands.
That's it; I'm not going to pester you any more.
Have a great trip!