CRUISE to Mexico on a (Diamond) Princess ship- who has done it?

[Craig 930 RS]

We are more than likely heading to Mexico via L.A. for a cruise this spring/early summer:

http://www.princess.com/pb/priceDetails.do?subnav=&voyageCode=M714&tourCode=&resType=C&productCode=MML070&departureDate=Mar+03%2C+2007&productDesc=Mexican+Riviera+-+Roundtrip+Los+Angeles

Anyone done this cruise? We took this ship on it's shakedown cruise when it was new a few years ago - it was actually fun.

Any experiences with the west coast of Mexico via a cruise?

http://www.princess.com/ships/di/tour/di_features.html

Esp on a Princess cruise ship?

[alf]

Did it a couple of years ago-Boring.
Pain in the butt getting from LAX to boat and then to LAX again.
Not fond of the 'free' cruise food, the additional $$ dinners were great though.
Casinos or drinking cheap booze in the sun is not my cup of tea.
Much rather rent a condo in Hawaii and hang on the beach.

But if i had to do it again, would not do the 7 day cruise, 4 days is about it for me.

[Zeke]

My wife has taken 3-4 cruises with other members of the family. She knows I would last about 15 minutes. She tells me they are all just cattle boats. However, it's what you make out of it yourself. If you think that eating and drinking is all there is, then, indeed, that would get old. So, she has flown in a helicopter over a volcano in HI and swum with a dolphin in FL, amongst many other adventures. Maybe corny, I don't know.

My adventures involve mainly driving. No water for me.

[Craig 930 RS]

I lasted for 4 days on the shakedown cruise I mentioned.
I was REALLY surprised - I actually enjoyed it. It helped that my wife is fun and dressed pretty, uh, hot.

Our 6 yr old daughter will be coming along this time -

[dd74]

Craig - I did that cruise, but on this Princess ship:

Great fun! More fun, actually, than the tourist ports of call, though those were still fun. Kids did cruises, too. There's lots for them to do.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Not to join everyone raining on your parade but......I have now taken two cruises and I will not be taking another one.

My last one I won or I wouldn't have taken it.
Flew from LAX to New Orleans (pre-Katrina) spent the weekend there (
it was great) then cruised to the Yucatan and back, spent another long weekend in N.O. I'd have just rather spent the time I spent on the boat at the destination(s).

Speaking for me, cruises just ain't my cup of tea. I dont want to eat when they tell me, I dont want to eat all that much food, I don't want to stay up all night dancing with a lampshade on my head and I don't want my towels folded into cute animal shapes on my bed, etc.

[nostatic]

gastroenteritis is your friend...

[Don Wohlfarth]

My wife and I have been on 11 cruises, 2 on Carnaval (constant party scene), 2 on Princess, 7 on Celebrity.
Would go on Carnaval again if you were paying for the trip. didn't care for the food or service on Princess, really liked Celebrity.
Only cruise on left coast was with Princess to the Mexican riviera. Puerto Vallarta is nice, Mazatlin is a dump, and were only in Cabo for half a day. Calling that trip the riviera is like calling Long Beach a garden spot.
See if you can work out a deal to the Caribbean.

[Zeke]

Originally posted by Don Wohlfarth
My wife and I have been on 11 cruises, 2 on Carnaval (constant party scene), 2 on Princess, 7 on Celebrity.
Would go on Carnaval again if you were paying for the trip. didn't care for the food or service on Princess, really liked Celebrity.
Only cruise on left coast was with Princess to the Mexican riviera. Puerto Vallarta is nice, Mazatlin is a dump, and were only in Cabo for half a day. Calling that trip the riviera is like calling Long Beach a garden spot.
See if you can work out a deal to the Caribbean.

Yeah, you want to go to a real dump, come to Long Beach. Although, if you come for Grand Prix week and stay in the downtown area only, you might think better of LB.

We're kind like a grocery store. All the good stuff is around the perimeter and the center is filled with junk.

[JavaBrewer]

Did it once. We much prefer a condo or nice hotel on the beach. Cruises are all about large quantities of food and expensive drinks. Ports of call are tourist traps.

I'll always remember the disturbing sight of very LARGE people lining up with desperation in their eyes waiting for the doors to the midnight all you can eat buffet to open...sigh...This was on top of the 24hr pizza kitchen and all you can eat dinner just hours prior.

[LakeCleElum]

A cruise ship is just a TRAILER PARK with a Propeller.....

I have a hard time keeping my weight in check eating 3 buffets a year. I can't handle 3 per day.....

[MRM]

If you don't like cruising and don't like any cruise experience, dissing Craig's idea of a Princess cruise out of hand isn't helpful. Cruising is what it is. You are on a huge boat that kind of replicates being at the beach at all times with unlimited food and expensive drinks. If you like that, Princess is a good line and should give you a good experience.

Personally I love that sort of thing, since my idea of a vacation is laying in the sun with the only issues I have to wrestle with are whether to turn over and tab my back and whether it's time to have more food or drink refills.

To answer your direct question, Princess is a pretty good line. The quality of food, size of the room and on-board amenities are what makes the difference. You don't have to eat when they lay on dinner; you can go to the lounges at any time. There a lot of activities on board in addition to the pool, spa, sauna and library.

If you like the idea of cruising, that sounds like a good trip. If you don't like cruising, none of them will be fun for you.