We are a family of 4 cruising on the Pride on 2/4/07. We have snorkeled in Cozumel, Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Belize on previous cruise excursions. I do expect this cruise to be not-so-great in the snorkeling dept. But, I would like to know. Where in Cabo is the best spot to snorkel. Is it Chileno Beach? Will we see sea lions there as well? Is our best bet to book through Carnival. We have always been disappointed with excursions through the ship because it is just not enough time to do any lengthy snorkeling. When we are tendered into Cabo, should we get a water taxi, cab or bus if we decide to go it alone. Are these reliable sources to get us back to our ship in time? We do own our equipment. So, there's no need to rent.

What's good to see or do in Puerto Vallerta and Mazatlan? Heard snorkeling isn't good because water is cloudy in February. Anyone know of this?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

boy are you in for a surprise on the West Coast. We love to snorkle too and love the carriben waters, but the West Coast is totally different. We are going the week before you, but not taking our gear. We will find other things to do. Have been checking on sights to see what people like.

If either of you return to this thread please post your west coast snorkel experience, I'm wondering if it's worth it as a snorkel destination

hi wise2u. Arrived back Monday from Long Beach. Due to propulsion breakdown on Pride with crew before us, the powers that be axed P. Vallarta. We headed straight to Mazatlan. Didn't do any snorkeling. After much research on the web and with Frommers and Fodors, pretty much all were in agreement that snorkeling is poor with cloudy waters after November here. In Cabo, we snorkeled via an excursion through the cruise ship. We were tendered into Cabo. We got on our excursion vessel and headed past Lover's Beach (gorgeous) and the Sea Lion Colony (awesome sight). They then headed us straight out to view some whales breeching (outstanding). We had sonar on the vessel and did this for about 25 minutes until some lady in the back complained.

We snorkeled at Chileno Bay. The guide gave us MANY restrictions on the vessel about getting near or touching the coral reefs. So many restrictions that one man on the vessel jokingly said, "can we even get in the water?"

We've snorkeled in Cozumel and Belize before so I was expecting a so-so snorkeling experience and that's just what we got. They had a crew member out on a little speed boat monitering our closeness to the reef. All you smelled was gas from his little dingy. Also, he was yelling at people from his dingy. I have never had a good snorkeling experience from a cruise ship's excursion. The best snorkeling, by far, in my opinion, was Cozumel. We did that on our own in Chakanuub Park. The experience in Cabo was very lame. The beach was beautiful that we swam to and we sat on for awhile until they blew the vessel horn for us to swim back. The beach was all crushed shells and coral. The cost PP for the excursion was $79. In my opinion, it's a nice place to swim not snorkel.

Wow Andrea I am sorry things happened as they did. I am going on this same cruise on July 8th. Do you have any recommendations for me? I am hesitating going through the cruise line. I found this great pirate excursion in Puerto Vallarta and I read what you said to do in Mazatlan, I am doing that. What do you recommend in Cabo? Is there a specific company I should go through?

teachabcdee... People loved Lover's Beach. Great place to sit out and enjoy the beach for the day. We could see the beach very easily from our balcony on Pride. It is right near the Arch. Snorkeling here is not recommended due to swift currents and high waves from the Pacific. Personally, in all of our years of cruising, we have found that excursions booked through the cruise line are basically, "safe". I can certainly understand the corporations point of view. They don't want cruisers getting injured or worse.
Take for instance, some cruisers with us booked the ATV tour. Turns out, they had to follow behind the guides ATV and they went very slow on trails and the beach. To them it was boring. They thought they would be able to go off on their own with the ATV. It was a pricey excursion -- $169PP, I believe. They said they wasted their money.
Many people raved about the Pirate Ship Excursion. It was also offered in Cabo. People said they had a blast. We are a family of snorkelers. It all comes down to your personal preference. If you like to snorkel and you find a private tour company that goes to Chileno Bay it might be worth your while. Snorkeling time is very limited when you book through the ship. All in all, we probably snorkeled for 30 minutes. I could have stayed there all day. If you do Chileno on your own, the beach is remarkable -- crushed shell and reef and crystal clear waters. Let me know how you make out !

As always A'ndrea...another glowing review! You rock! I think you should write your own travel guides. See that way you can travel...and make money at it! You describe things/places so well you have already planned excursions for two families!!!! Thanks!

Hi Michele, you're too funny... That's exactly what my husband has told me. He's like... you need to find a way to tie in all the time spent and writing you do on cruise-chat with a vacation. Don't I wish it were that easy! Heck, I'd love to be the person who goes to local restaurants every week with a companion and comes back and writes the dining review for our local paper. Who DOES get those jobs anyway? lol.
You are really great for my ego Michele !

I personally elect myself to be your agent. Of course that means I must accompany you on all future travel excursions and long trips abroad. All travel must be done on a monthly basis! Did I mention I work cheap!!!

Michele, I like your idea ! We could get a great gig going. I'm thinking our motto should be... The High Sea Babes,
Or maybe... Two Chicks Cruisin' and Boozin'.
Or...... Will Work for Cruises.
Or my personal favorite, courtesy of you...
WE DON'T NEED NO STINKIN' BUNGEES, WE HAVE HANDCUFFS !!!
Okay, I have to stop now. I'm laughing too hard over here.
Your Friend,
A'ndrea

Oh my gosh...I so needed a change of...well you know! You're killin me A'ndrea! Had my MIL over last night for Easter when I started laughing uncontrollably...had to explain the whole "handcuffs" thing! We'll have to figure something else to do with the handcuffs since we have now opted to keep the balcony door closed at night - don't need the 3 year old doing his SUPERMAN off the edge. Although I still haven't completely given up on the whole duct tape idea! I still have to weigh out the pros and cons...hum...Child Protective Services...nice lul of the ocean as I drift off into a wonderful peaceful sleep. Geez just too difficult to decide right now!!!

Anyway, let me know when you want to start those booze cruise. There's a nice small Hornblower tour we can take around the San Francisco Bay. I mean no sense starting out big. We can work our way up!

Thanks Andrea. I was off track (i am a teacher) and I just went back last Monday. Let's just say my week has been hectic! Anyways, I really appreciate all of your comments. They have been very helpful! They have eased a great deal of travel anxiety! Thanks again for all of your feedback!

Hi Michele and Teach.
Michele, I was dying laughing while I was typing the other night. My children are home for spring break this week. I love when school is out. Sleep in, go to bed really late. And, that's just me! Actually, this week feels like winter break with the temperature outside. I should have never been born in the Northeast. Just isn't my "personality". Hope you both had a great Easter. Glad I could help you out with some info teach. A'ndrea

OMG Diana....you leave in 87 days!!!! Whoo Hoo! I can't wait to hear what you think of the Pride! You are going to have to fill me in on everything! I think I will start to hyperventilate when my ticker gets under the 100's!

A'ndrea - I guess it would be really mean of me to tell you we spent Easter basking in the wonderful California sunshine, BBQ'ing and finally flying Tyler's Superman kite that he got last Christmas. Oh did I forget to mention the shorts and flip flops.

No, that would be just too mean of me to say something like that....

Thanks for all the laughs!!! You guys always make me smile!

Okay now, Michele. You're just plain cruel. When we were in LA in February you guys were going through an unusual warm weather spell. I loved Malibu and the surfers. I gotta tell you, Venice Beach was an oddity. And to think, we almost stayed there for our 3-day stay prior to the cruise. WOW ! What an eye opener that was ! An eighty yr. old woman in a THONG selling her wares. OH MY ! Can't quite come up with any descriptives for that sight. As for my Easter, it was spent with the heat on, inside, watching snow flurries out my window. Did I mention how much I love living in the Northeast?!

A'ndrea - Yikes...there's a vision I NOW can't get out of my head. Thanks for the pay-back!
You are able to see EVERYTHING you can possibly imagine...and not imagine...when travelling ANYWHERE in California. Ahhhh gotta love it! Does your family have any Cruizin' plans for the future???

I guess I should have re-read this thread before posting elsewhere on the whole Snorkeling in Chileno Bay. Geez what was I thinking! The tour company says they are gone for 4 hours!!! And it would be too difficult with the 3 yr old. Any thoughts on getting there on our own?

Hi Michele. When we cruised to the Riviera in February, our ship had a propulsion breakdown out at sea with the passengers on board before us. It threw us off a day and we had to forego Puerto Vallerta. Carnival gave all passengers on board a 25% discount on a future cruise for this inconvenience. So, we'll be going again somewhere this year. I am pushing for St. Thomas, St. John. Haven't seen those islands yet. We have a daughter heading to college in the fall and the Riviera was her graduation trip. Now, it looks like we'll be going somewhere towards the end of the year and we'll be able to take her with us. I would love to leave out of the Manhattan terminal being that it's so close to our home. We have to see about availability. I responded to your latest post on the other thread already. Check there for it, okay?

I'm glad you had a great Easter. I feel out of the loop. I need to sign back into cruise chat and check out what is going on!

I know I can't believe it. I even counted it down on my calendar on my fridge. I am glad you had a great Easter. I just went back to work last Monday. I feel so out of the loop. I teach Kindergarten and just feel exhausted that I can't make time to log on at night. Then I have to make time with my 7 year old. Boy am I tired. I think I will log on tonight to check out the latest!