Australia - (cancelled Queensland Cruise -March 5-18, 2025)

I normally don't post information on cancelled plans, but I really looked forward to taking this trip :-( 

Last year when I booked our cruise to Mexico, I also found a fantastic rate for a cruise along the east coast of Australia. We weren't sure we were even going to like cruising enough to go, but the final payment wasn't due until after we returned from Mexico, so I figured we could always cancel. Luckily, we both enjoyed it enough to go on another one.

The plan was to fly from PHX to SFO to Auckland NZ, to Sydney. We chose this route for two reasons - it was one of the cheapest flights at the time we booked, plus we wanted to try skycouch on Air New Zealand. 

Unfortunately, when we tried to cancel my husband's flight (long story ...), I discovered that my skycouch seats would also get cancelled and I would be in a middle seat for the 12 hour flight! That wasn't going to happen, so I ended up cancelling the flight, with the intention of booking a different flight for just me.

Additionally, cyclone Alfred is heading toward Brisbane, and there is a strong possibility of cancelled ports and rough seas/murky water that would impact snorkeling. As a result, we ultimately decided to cancel the whole trip for both of us and get as many refunds/credits as possible.

This was the itinerary for our planned (cancelled) cruise:

March 7 - Arrive in Sydney

March 8 - begin cruise from Sydney

March 9 - sea day

March 10 - Moreton Island/Tangalooma (snorkel at the wrecks) - I heard this port was cancelled 

March 11 - sea day

March 12 - Airlie Beach - we booked a snorkeling excursion (Ocean Rafting Marine Safari) to the Whitsundays in the Great Barrier Reef 

March 13 - Cairns - we booked an excursion to Kuranda, the scenic railway, and the Skyrail Rain Forest Cableway

March 14 - Port Douglas- we booked a snorkeling excursion to take a sailing catamaran to the Low Isles on the Great Barrier Reef

March 15-16 - sea days (one is a sail-by of Willis Island, which counts as international waters so the ship can run the casino)

March 17 - Brisbane  (disembark)

March 18 - flight home

Time to start planning the replacement trip!

Mexican Riviera Cruise (November 11-21, 2024)

We decided to take a 10-day Mexican Riviera Cruise on the Majestic Princess. We left from San Pedro, CA. Here is the itinerary (With Mazatlan at the end and no stop atLa Paz).

After dropping off our luggage, we decided to visit the USS Iowa.

After boarding, we had lunch, unpacked, and relaxed. 

Catalina Island at sunset 

Mexican Riviera Cruise - Cabo San Lucas

We arrived at Cabo in the afternoon of day 3 and had an overnight stay.

On the first day we took a food tour with Avocabo. It was great. We had ceviche, chicken mole, tacos, tamales, churros, and coconut ice cream.

The next day we walked to Cannery Beach.

later that morning, we did a UTV tour at Migrino Beach.

After returning to the ship, we enjoyed cocktails and then dinner.

Mexican Riviera Cruise - Loreto

We stopped in Loreto today and rented a kayak (about $20 for 4 hours) and went snorkeling in the Gulf of California,

We also enjoyed fish tacos, guacamole, chips, and salsa at a local brewery, 

After lunch, we did a bit of sightseeing in town. 

After a fun day, we headed back to the ship for a nap, and then dinner and drinks.

Mexican Riviera Cruise - Puerto Vallarta

After a day at sea, our next port was Puerto Vallarta. We got in a taxi and headed to Los Muertos Beach. The taxi dropped us off about 2km north of where we requested - at the start of the malecon. So, we walked the malecon southbound, instead of the opposite direction as we initially planned. 

We then retraced our steps, and went to Hidalgo Park for the Brewmasters festival, where we tried local beers and foods from different vendors 

We then caught the local bus back to the port.