We used PrimeTime shuttles to get us from LAX to the Best Western Plus in San Pedro. Nice hotel, clean, friendly and a good free breakfast. The hotel recommends an Italian restaurant and will give you a coupon for a free glass of wine. Go! It is fabulous and the wine is free poured. The hotel has a free shuttle to the ship, but book early as time slots fill up fast.

Embarkation is well organized but expect line ups and to queue...you can't escape this process. This was our second cruise so we did get slight jump on getting on the ship a little sooner! Cabin was good, ultimate alcohol beverage plan was awesome, food was a little disappointing. It was good, but not excellent. We didn't try the specialty restaurants as I don't like to pay extra, but did enjoy the Chin Chin Asian restaurant on nights when the menu in the Tsars Palace was a bit disappointing. Breakfast and lunch buffets were good, the Indian food is awesome...very flavourful!

We only did one excursion in PV and chose the Las Caletas hideaway which was awesome and we would return in a heartbeat. Well worth the money, but would have loved to stay longer, but ship sails early from PV which is too bad. We explored the other ports on foot, and particularly enjoyed Mazatlan. There are a group of US and Canadian snowbirds who volunteer to guide cruise ships passengers making our walk from the ship to the Malecon feels very safe and easy. We took a Pulmonia back which was fun, expect to be taken on a bit of a tour, but the price is negotiable at the end. Read more