We had a balcony room and an inside cabin.  The rooms were fine.  They are typical ship cabins.  I enjoyed the balcony.  They aren't very private.  If you lean on the rail you can have a conversation with your neighbor.

This could have been a fun experience. But instead turned into a nightmare. We were sailing on the Crown Princess and booked this trip through the cruise line. We got off the ship and met our pirates and they walked us over the ship. They offered some drinks and we set off for the beach for lunch and snorkeling. As soon as we got out of the marina the seas got rough. probably too rough but ok let see what happens. As we continue to go the weather got worse and the seas got rougher. they tried to put on their pirate show to keep everyone calm. About an hour into the trip my 9 yo son was not feeling well. he spent the next few hours over a trash can. at that point the tender boat we were dragging along with us broke loose. we had to stop and turn around and go retrieve the boat. Probably another sign this should just stop and gone back to the pier. But no we keep goings. 

So after 2 1/2 hours of rocking and dipping and water pouring over the sides of the boat, we get to the tender point to get to the beach. Somehow they got a boatload of people in the tender boat and they headed to the beach. they were getting knocked around but made it. Then one more boat full of people headed to the beach. During loading the 3rd boat a woman fell out of the boat into the ocean. The Crew did scramble to pull her to safety. But they did. At that point I asked who was in charge and they pointed the the captain up top. He was worthless. Myself and another passenger told him this was enough and unsafe and it was time to go back. 

After 30 plus minutes of the crew arguing with themselves they finally agreed it was time to head back. But they had to go get the people they dropped at the beach already. So another 45 minutes before they find everyone and get them back the ship. Then we have a 2 1/2 hour ride back to the marina. at this point I had to share the trash can with my son. We finally make it back to the pier. they docked about a mile farther away from where we left and we forced to walk back to the ship. As my wife was standing up to get off the ship another wave hit the boat and she fell down and hurt her back and elbow. We couldn't get off this dangerous adventure. My wife made me tip our pirate, who I will say did keep checking on us and tried to do anything he could. So Pepe, you get a gold star. For the rest of the crew, you all should have to walk the plank. 

I would say it would probably have been a great experience if the weather would have cooperated. But the crew needs to know when it is safe and when it is not. When they realized it they should have stayed closer to the marina. They could have done their show, fed everyone and gave everyone a few drinks and then went back to the pier. If they would have done that it would have been fine and everyone would have been happy with that and not being trapped and sick for 5 hours. I voiced my concern and displeasure with the cruise line and they credited us back part of the cost after talking to the tour operator. Once pressed they increased that credit. When I got home I talked to their corporate office and got the rest of the refund due. Which was the right thing to do at the beginning. The sad thing is Princess is out the money as they had to pay still. But at least they protected their guests and made me happy. For which I will cruise with them again. But will never go on the Puerto Vallarta Pirate Tours again. If you do and the weather doesn't look good, do yourself a favor and don't get on the ship. You have been warned.

We used one of the tour guides hawking their services as you walk by.  This guy was the least pushy so I talked to him and we agreed to go with him.  Abel Salazar Lopez 669-920-1347.  He drove us around to all the main tourist destinations.  He took us to some photo op places, the Church and market areas, The Golden Zone and the Cliff divers.  Don't expect a professional diving show.  These are guys working for tips and will stall and draw it out until they get some tips.  They have one of their buddies waking around where all the tourists stand.

Mazatlan

Dolphins Cabo 3/10/16
We were traveling on the Crown Princess and book this excursion through the cruise line.   We got to the dock and we met our group.  We took the five minute walk to the Dolphin center in the marina.  We checking and were given wristbands to split us up into groups of 6-8 people.
We were given lockers for our personal items and taken up to the dolphin pool.  Each group had a trainer.  Ours was Wendy.  She was very funny and cute the whole time.  Warning: The water is COLD.  Shrinkage cold.  So I suggest you just jump in and get it over with.  You do get used to it.   
Once everyone was in the water we spread out and our Dolphin, Frida would swim between all of us and we could pet her on her way by.  She did this for a few minutes, then we sat on the side and watched the dolphin do some trick.  She spoke, spun around, splashed and played on command.
Then it was time for Dolphin rides.  You had your choice you could hold on the Dorsal fin the she would pull you around and give you a ride or you could take off your life vest, put on a diving mask and get an underwater ride.  I have swam with dolphins several times before and never had this option.  So of course I had to try that.  It was pretty cool.  I didn’t get a good big breath before going under so I had to let go and surface before Frida did.  But such a cool experience.  To my surprise my wife even did the underwater swim.  My kids decided to try the surface ride.  
After that Frida did some more tricks on Wendy’s commands and entertained everyone.   Then we had time for group photos with her.  Keep in mind you cannot bring your own camera in.  It’s for your safety, the dolphin’s safety and more importantly so they can sell you photos and a video of your experience.  It’s part of the experience.  
So after group pictures we joined up with all the other groups to see the all the dolphins do a little jumping show.  They are amazing how they can jump and spin.  My boys were jealous they couldn’t make that big of a splash when they jump in.  
Then they take you to a shower area where you can rinse off.  They will give you a small towel to use as well.  Then they will take you back to the lockers to change and then you get the opportunity to view the pictures and video of you and everyone in your group.  You can select the ones you want and then pay for them and they will put them on a CD for you or print out prints if that’s what you choose.  You do not have to buy them if you do not want.  There is no pressure.  We bought a package and the video.  
I personally love dolphin experiences.  I did it the first time on our Honeymoon 16 years ago and have done it now 5 times since then.  They are such smart incredible animals.  I don’t believe they are treated badly.  Yes they have to perform but they are fed well and have medical care if they need.  They even told us they captive dolphin live longer than ones in the wild because they don’t have to fight for food and they have medical care.  So I highly recommend a dolphin experience if you get the opportunity.  It’s well worth the money.

Los Angeles

I really can’t come up with one thing that was bad on this vacation that was Princess’s fault or any of their crew.The Crown Princess is a great ship.

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A Great Family Vacation on the Crown Princess

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