Carnival Cruise Puerto Vallarta Mexico

One of things we love about cruising is that  you unpack once and the ship moves to a new city while you play and sleep. After a bit of a bum day in Manzanillo we head overnight into Puerta Vallarta. This is our fifth visit to this beautiful city. Each time we have found new and exciting places to explore. We start the day with a leisurely breakfast and photos of the port.

Carnival Spirit Lido Deck  buffet breakfast.

Pirate ships and upscale shopping seen from Carnival Spirit

Port Vallarta Cruise Ship Port

A shopping area just off the ship Puerto Vallarta

Feel right at home with a Walmart directly across from the cruise ship Puerto Vallarta

Today as we exit the ship there is a fleet of beautiful cabs eager for passengers. Our luck runs good! We meet Angel Guzman, a most excellent cab driver and tour guide.We negotiate a well priced tour. Angel speaks English like an native and knows Puerto Vallarta. We tour the town in style and air conditioned comfort. If you need his email to make prior arrangements contact me. Here is some photos from our tour.



Beautiful private homes overlook the water. Many have vehicles with New York plates in front.

Los Arcos Puerta Vallarta Mexico

The "love bridge" that connected Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor homes in Puerto Vallarta

Our last stop before heading back to the Carnival Spirit is the InterContinental Presidente Hotel. What a magnificent hotel. The views are killer.



InterContinental Presidente Hotel Puerto Vallarta Mexico

Hotdogs by the pool Lido Deck Carnival Spirit

Dinner salad Carnival Spirit

Fish Entree Carnival Spirit

Fruit Plate dessert Carnival Spirit

Dog towel animal Carnival Spirit

The next stop is Cabo San Lucas. Cruise on!!

Carnival Spirit Manzanillo Mexico

We woke early as our ship The Carnival Spirit sailed into the Mexican Port of Manzanillo.We hit the Lido Buffet for a quick continental breakfast and went outdoors to get some photos of our  cruise into port. In the back of my mind I remembered the words of cruise director Stuart Dunn. He told the story of unprepared people who arrive on shore with no plan or itinerary and stand there scratching their heads wondering what to do. This was our fifth Mexican cruise but our first to the port of Manzanillo. I thought Mr. Dunn was pitching the cruise ship's own shore excursions. In the past we have put together our own spontaneous fun adventures once on shore but this time, with the exception of some great photos, we failed. The port itself is beautiful with towering statues and coconut trees, but finding your way around without prior research is not suggested. I headed towards a cab stand and chatted briefly with a cab driver. He seemed to speak pretty good English and I asked for a tour and agreed on a price. We jumped in and headed off on an adventure. It turns out he bluffed me on the English, my limited Spanish was better than his limited English. We drove for about twenty minutes in his cab with no seat belts or air conditioning dodging crazy traffic on rough roads. I was starting to get a little car sick  and really could not determine where we were going so I asked the driver to return to the port. He seemed a bit sad but returned us to the ship. We paid the full fare and thanked him. Stuart was right you have to have a  plan. I did get lots of great photos. Enjoy!



Carnival Spirit Continental Breakfast Lido

Carnival Spirit Continental Breakfast Lido

Hills coming in to port of Manzanillo Mexico

Industrial Port of Manzanillo

Freighter entering Industrial Port of Manzanillo Mexico

Fishing boat harbor Manzanillo

Pleasure boats and fishing boats Manzanillo Mexico



Fishing Boat Manzanillo Mexico

Cruise Ship Port Manzanillo Mexico


Carnival Spirit in Port of Manzanillo Mexico

Swordfish Statue Manzanillo Mexico
Coconut Palms Manzanillo Mwexico

Benito Juarez Statue Manzanillo Mexico

This statue reminds me Of Stuart Dunn.Next time I'll have a plan!

No camera at dinner but we did get our daily towel animal.

Carnival Spirit Towel Animal Monkey

Our Cruise On The Carnival Spirit

It is our second at sea day on board the Carnival  Spirit. The relaxing has kicked into high gear. Up for an early breakfast it seems I'm so relaxed I did not bring the camera. I had the bagel and cream cheese in the Empire Dining Room. It is quiet and calm. This is the way to cruise!
We decide to take in a cooking demonstration in the Nouveau Steakhouse. The executive chef and his helpers are whipping up some tasty delights. I am not paying close attention to the demonstration but am trying to figure out how to take pictures in the lighting of the room. As mentioned before the room is bathed in pink light reflecting the red color of the smokestack into a white room. As I fiddle with my camera  courses of food  start to arrive. Seems it is not only a demonstration but you also get fed. No need for lunch after this!



Nouveau Steak House Cooking Demo Carnival Spirit


Artwork in the Nouveau Steak House
I did remember to bring the camera at dinner time.

Mixed Salad Carnival Spirit

Eggplant Carnival Spirit

Healthy Chicken Entree Carnival Spirit

Cheese Course Dessert Carnival Spirit

After dinner the birds invaded our cabin. The cutest towel animal birds!


Bird Towel Animals Carnival Spirit