Final Stop Cabo San Lucas

Cabo San Lucas is our final port of call. Situated at "Land's End" and dividing the Pacific Ocean from the Sea of Cortex, Cabo is a resort and fisherman's paradise. Over the years the port area has blossomed with shops, restaurants and bars to entertain the "weary" cruise passenger. Cruise guests are greeted by the familar Los Arcos rock formation. Many times I have stood on deck in the early morning to gaze at the formation as the sunlight hits the rocks. It is a very tranquil scene and one that I never tire of. Speeding pass the ship are sport fishing boats on their way to find the right spot for the big catch. I also keep my eyes open for whales. Every time I have visited Cabo I have been able to spot them from the ship.

This is the view of Lover's Beach. It is located on the calm waters of the Sea of Cortez. Looking through the gap you can view Divorce Beach where the crashing waves of the Pacific beat the beach creating a hazardous undertow. Once you visit their you understand how the beaches got their names.

Downtown Cabo San Lucas has many local shops and bars. It is worth walking around. There are also resorts where you can enjoy their beach amenities. San Jose Del Cabo is about a 30 minute drive north. It is the "quiet and quaint" Mexican Village. It has cobblestone streets and many local artisans. If your ship is in port long enough I would recommend heading there. All vessels anchor in the Sea of Cortez and tender passengers ashore. Just remember to get back to the tender terminal on time or the ship might leave without you.

Cabo has much to offer. You can chose to golf or go on an ATV adventure. Take a whale watching trip or go snorkeling or diving. Hang out at the beach or just lounge on the ship and enjoy the view. What will your Cabo expierence be?

Second Port of Call Mazatlan

Our second port is Mazatlan. Many people comment that there is not much to see in Mazatlan because they only view the city from the cruise ship. The ships dock in a working industrial port and if you stay on board you miss a city filled with old world charm and 21st century resorts. There are several hidden corners of Mazatlan but lets start with the ones that stand out.

Outside the cruise terminal you will find pulmonias. These are open air cabs that can be hired for about $5 per person. The name pulmonia comes from the belief that riding in the open air can cause pneumonia. The pulmonia can take you on a 5 minute ride to Plaza Republica in the heart of the old town. It is also only a 15 minute walk (I have walked from there back to the ship).

A lovely plaza with a gazebo surrounded by vendors and shoe shiners. It is quaint and a very enjoyable place to hang out for awhile. Next to the plaza you will find the Cathedral of the Immaculate Concepcion. A very beautiful church. Not far way there is the Mercado with merchants selling everything from t-shirts to pigs heads. It is a very interesting place that gives the flavor of the local enviroment.

A 5 minute stroll back towards the cruise ship along Benito Juarez is the Plaza Machado. It is an artist colony surrounded by galleries, cafes and a restored theatre that houses an art insitute. It is a great place to stop for lunch and a cerveza.

After experiencing the old town grab a pulmonia and head out to Zona Dorado (Golden Zone). There you will find resorts, high end shopping and jewelry stores. Also, you will find the infamous Senor Frogs. Worth seeing at least once. We enjoy hanging out at the Las Flores resort directly across the street from the jewelry stores. The beach is lovely with a view of Stone Island. You are also welcome to use their pool and beach chairs. This is an excellent place for lunch and the staff is very friendly and attentive.

Mazatlan is also home to a bird sanctuary and some great nature hikes. Outside the city there are charming villages in the Sierra Madres if one is inclined to take a day trip. Mazatlan is also home of the Pacifico Brewery and a sports fisherman's paradise. Since time is limited a second, third or fourth visit is recommended.

First Port of Call Puerto Vallarta

We are fortunate that our first port call is from 8am till 8 pm.This will give everyone a chance to experience a long taste of Puerto Vallarta. From a shore excursion into the Sierra Madres to sipping a margarita or drinking a cervezas at a local restuarant you will enjoy your visit here.

Situated on Bahia de Bandera (bay of Flags) Puerto Vallarta has grown from a sleepy fishing village and secret getway of the Stars (Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton) into one of Mexico's shining tourism jewels. The Bay itself is Mexico's largest and one of the largest in the world. In some places the depth of the bay is 3,000ft. There is great contrast here. Across from the cruise terminal is a high end mall called the Galleria with Wal-Mart next door. 3 miles south you arrive at the old town and the Malecon (boardwalk) with cobblestone streets and plenty of restuarants and shops.

The iconic image of Puerto Vallarta is the crown on the bell tower of Our Lady of Guadalupe church. Nearby is the main square with a gazebo and normally artist painting and selling their work. As you walk along the Malecon you will notice unique sculptures as well as sand sculptures along the beach.

Just south of Our Lady of Guadalupe is the Rio Cuale. One of my favorite places where you will find local merchants in their shops. This tree covered river area is also home to numerous iguanas. If you look carefully in the trees you will be able to spot them. This is also a great place to step into an upscale restuarant and have a margarita. The charm along the Rio Cuale will stay in your heart for years to come. It is one of the reasons we continue to return to Puerto Vallarta.

Take a moment and get a video taste of Puerto Vallarta.

Cruise Countdown

There are so many things to do in each port of call. A few years ago Lyndelle and I participated in the Zipline Canopy Tour. We had a great time. It was very exhilarating. Take a look at the video for just a small taste. Holland America is unique when it comes to cruising the Mexican Riviera. They have a special Sea of Cortez itinerary that visits La Paz, Loreto and Topolabambo- where you can take a train ride to the famed "Copper Canyon".

What will your Mexican adventure be? Will you visit the quaint Rio Cuale in Puerto Vallarta for its local artisan shops as well as iquanas in the trees? You can settle in one of the restuarants and enjoy a margarita. Maybe a tequilla tour at a hacienda where you can sample some exotic blends.
In Mazatlan there is a hidden jewel not far from the famed church in Old Town. About 3 blocks south on Benito Juarez you will find the Plaza Machado. This small plaza is surrounded by street front cafes and aritst galleries. It is truly a small artist enclave. Of course there is always the Zona Dorado (Golden Zone) filled with high end jewelry stores. Right across the street is the Las Flores resort. Here you can have a wonderful lunch and enjoy the beach.

Cruise/Workshop Update

Cruising with a group is so much fun and the fun just got better now that the price for an obstructed ocean view cabin has been reduced. For our 2011 Cruise Workshop aboard the Oosterdam the pricing is now $449pp for an inside stateroom; $499pp for an obstructed oceanview stateroom; $699pp for a verandah stateroom and $949pp for a veranday suite. Fares do not include port charges, taxes and tips.

We are hoping you can join us for this spectacular adventure. Please check the previous post for more information. And do not hesitate to contact us directly at travlesolutions@cox.net.

Lyndelle Stonick's 2011 Cruise Workshop "Capturing Ellusive Light"

Once again it is time for Lyndelle's 4th annual Cruise-Workshop to the beautiful Mexican Riviera. This year we will be cruising out of the port of San Diego aboard the premium cruiseline Holland America's Vista Class vessel the Oosterdam.

We will visit the ports of Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas. Oceanview cruise fares start at $599 per person excluding tax, port charges and tips. Fares are subject to change without notice and space is extremely limited. The Oosterdam carries less than 2,000 passengers and space books up quickly.

Lyndelle will be providing 3 days worth of onboard instruction with an optional plein air painting day to secluded Yelapa Beach in Puerto Vallarta where you will learn to "Savor the Moment". The theme of this workshop will be "Capturing Ellusive Light." The Cost of the Workshop is $150.The optional plein air painting excursion is $65. For more info visit http://www.lyndelle.com/ or email me at travelsolutions@cox.net.

You will be amazed at how much fun you will have with your fellow artists and their companions aboard this Premuim Cruise Line. Let your creativity soar. In each session you will receive group instruction as well as one on one time with Lyndelle. Here are a few comments from past students pictured on the right.

Carolyn H. from California (2nd from the right)-"A wonderful experience in an inspirational setting! Thank you for your abilities in quickly assessing our stengths and weaknesses and directing us toward better painting."
Marlene and Donna from California (1st and 3rd from the right respectively)-"Thanks so much! This has been a great art experience thanks to you. We really enjoyed every part of it and we hope you many more successful cruises."

You will notice all of the genuine smiles. The artists creativity soared as all of their cares where wisked away while onboard the cruise. Days and nights of pampering, laying by the pool or reading a good book plus art instruction. Treat yourself to this unique experience.

After sailing on Princess Cruises (2008 &2010) and on Carnival Cruises (2009), we are going to be sailing aboard the premium cruise line Holland America. World renowned for its nautical tradition since 1873, you will be pampered the moment you step on board. There is 1 crew member for every 2 guests, ever available to cater to your every need. The cabins onboard are larger than most cabins on ships of similar size plus the Oosterdam holds fewer guests than ships of a similar class. With fewer than 2,000 passengers onboard you will have room to relax and enjoy your painting experience. Plus, all oceanview staterooms have a full size bathtub.

Take a moment and experience Holland America.




Picturesque Mexico, the hidden jewel of cruising on the west coast, offers a wide array of natural beauty and old Mexican charm. The first port of call is Puerto Vallarta, nestled bewteen the Sierra Madres and the Pacific Ocean. Charming cobblestoned streets accompanied by cafes, shops and cervezas will bring a smile to your face. Here you will have from 8 am until 8 pm to enjoy the splendors of this jewel of the Pacific. There are plenty of excursions to chose from or just wander the streets either way you will find the place and the people to be warm and inviting.





Our next stop is considered by many to be "The Pearl of the Pacific" Home to the Pacifico Brewery and a wonderful array of galleries, artisans, shop and cafes, Mazatlan has much to offer. The stunning old town with its central plaza ,the Mercardo and the hidden treasure of downtown Plaza Machado awaits the curious visitor. Out in the "Golden Zone" you will find high end shopping and wonderful resorts where you can lay on the beach and have a wonderful lunch and margarita. Our port time is 8-5


Our final stop is at "Land's End" in Cabo San Lucas. We will be anchored here from 8-5. Cabo has much to offer. Some of the finest sports fishing in the world takes place in the waters of Cabo San Lucas. For the water enthusiasts there is plenty of snorkling, sailing or beach time available within close proximity of the port. And as always you can shop til you drop or better yet till your thirsty.



We really hope you decide to join us. To whet your appetite a little more, view this video of "Mexico Holland America Style"

Unbelievable Cruise Fares

My first cruise was in 1997 aboard Carnival Cruise Line's Jubilee. Alas, the ship was sold to another line several years ago. That cruise cost $800 per person for an ocean view. On January 30, 2010 my wife and I sail aboard the Sapphire Princess a ship 3 times the size of the Jubilee. We are pay $469 per person for an ocean view and we received a 9 category upgrade.

I am amazed at the pricing but I am more amazed at the people who are still reluctant to try a cruise vacation. There is not a better value for a person's vacation dollar. Our cruise fare with taxes and insurance totals about $1100. Where else can you vacation for $1100 for the week with all meals and entertainment included.

Jump off and take the plunge into cruising you will not regret it.