Tempting Cruise Excursions

[Not Afraid]

I've been perusing the ShoreTrips site for possible excursions. So far, these are interesting me:

ARUBA:

SNORKEL...THREE STOPS, INCLUDING A WRECK AND A SUPERB LUNCH


Built in 1925, out of oak and mahogany, this 80 foot sailing vessel offers barefoot elegance and adventure.

Come aboard for sailing, snorkeling, swimming and swinging on the boat's famous wild rope swing.

Experience the thrill of snorkeling in waist-deep water among the shallow coral reefs. The crew will lead you on a fascinating tour of the sunken WW II German Freighter, "Antilla". Under the watchful eyes of our expert crew, witness a magical world of magnificent fish and coral who have made this sunken wreck their home. Perfect for advanced or beginners! Snorkel instruction, equipment and your own personalized snorkel mouthpiece are all included.

This trip includes a great homemade island BBQ grill lunch, which consists of chicken, BBQ ribs, rice, corn on the cob and fresh salads. A premium brand open bar is included. Please, do not drink alcohol before you swim or snorkel.


You will have approximately 45 minutes at each snorkel stop to enjoy the undersea marvels. A perfect way to spend a day in paradise.

More Aruba:

SNORKEL... AFTERNOON TRIP ON A SMOOTH SAILING TRIMARAN


Escape the crowds on this smooth riding sailing trimaran. You'll snorkel the clear calm waters of Catalina Bay for about 45 min-1 hour. The crystal clear water, only 8-10 feet deep is perfect for viewing the many beautiful creatures that inhabit Aruba's waters. Many species of coral, including brain, and star coral and a diverse population of fish, including parrotfish, blue tangs, and chromis are some of the creatures you will most likely encounter.

Sandwiches, fruit and an open bar are included for your enjoyment.

PUERTO VALLERTA:

SNORKELING THE MARIETAS ISLANDS

Many visitors do not put snorkeling as a top priority in Puerto Vallarta, but the wildlife sanctuary is exquisite and flourishing, both under the water and above.

This should be called a snorkel eco-adventure, as our exceptional guides are naturalists well educated and experienced in the wilds outside Puerto Vallarta proper. Because of the training of our guides, your 45-minute panoramic ride along the coastline will be narrated with information pertaining to the points of interest you will pass, dotted with history and knowledge of the flora and fauna.

Breakfast will be waiting for you before you board the boat for a 25-minute ride to the islands. Everyone will enjoy the coffee, tea, juices, fruit, and the terrific Mexican pastries and sweet rolls.

The boat has a partial bimini for protection from the sun while you travel the waters. Once you arrive at the Marietas Islands, you will stop for 2 snorkels, one at each island. This area is known for huge schools of tropical fish. Sea turtles, dolphins, giant mantas and coral reefs are also part of the Marietas’ marine life. Your guides will help distinguish the diversity of the underwater ecosystem and rock formations. Your snorkeling portion will last about 1.5 hours.

As the boat returns to the mainland, you might notice hunger striking your stomach. The antidote for that is your next stop, a complete lunch at a beachside restaurant at El Anclote Beach. Lunch is included.

Most likely you will nap all the way back to the starting point, but you will have plenty to talk about if not.

Or:

HORSEBACK RIDE INTO VALLARTA JUNGLE

We never get lost! Nonetheless, when faced with complicated directions to this stable, we chose the easy way - to follow the owner. The ride alone should be a tour, as we passed through areas of Mexican daily commerce and beautiful neighborhoods that we had never seen before.

But the best was the ranch itself, a gorgeous hacienda designed by the owner, nestled by the river on one side. A few feet away sat an extensive stable, surrounded by flowers. It was a lovely scene.

Pamela started this business by planning a tour to a colonial town nearby on horseback per a request. Always a horsewoman, her interest developed into this wonderful business which keeps her on her toes and in the best of shape. When you ride at her stable, you feel like her guest - and it's a comfortable feeling.

When you arrive, you will be helped onto one of these beautiful quarterhorses. All of them have names that fit their character and charm, and these horses are charming! They all wear Mexican saddles which have a large saddlehorn, "large enough to rest your beer on" (just kidding - no drinking and driving!)

The trail begins by crossing over the Pitillal River at the foothills of jungle-covered mountains. As you wind your way behind your guide, you will catch a glimpse of a little corner of rural Puerto Vallarta often hidden from the view of the traveler. Some say it has been the same for the last 80 years. You will pass through villages, meet some of the people and see their rustic homes.

Your ride will continue upstream where will give you a moment's rest. But don't use all your film here, as you will continue to climb higher to a lookout spot on a mountain top. In total, you will be crossing the river four times!

Pamela has a very good friend who has also become a neighbor. Martina and her husband have built a lovely open-air restaurant overlooking the city and harbor and it affords you a perfect spot to enjoy a traditional Mexican lunch. Lunch includes quesadillas, chicken fajitas, cactus salad with a soda or beer but don't eat too much because you still have to get your horse back to his home.


I love to tell you about all the famous people that have experienced the same. In this case, it is the horses that are the stars. These horses have been used by many television shows and, in some cases, arrived at the ranch after their movie star stint. Almost all of them could tell you the real deal about "Conan the Adventurer" - if they could talk!

OR:

TREE TOP CANOPY ADVENTURE

It probably never occurred to you that this famous activity well-known in other locations would be available to you so close to home. We are delighted to find out that everyone can participate in this exciting yet safe adventure.

All you need is some upper-body strength and you will have a glidingly good time!

For this adventure you are going to join a group to soar from tree to tree. View the oceanside mansions, lovely beaches and Los Arcos Islands on the 30 minute ride from your complimentary shuttle on your way to the tour. Once there, after your safety briefing, you'll spend about 1.5 hours zipping from tree to tree, high in the jungle ¨canopy¨. At 180 meters in height, this adventure boasts of being the only zip line tour with a river crossing, a true geologic wonder! Take pleasure in the wonderful sights, sounds and flora of Mexico's magnificent environment on this thrilling excursion. Be sure not to miss THE LARGEST CANOPY TOUR IN MEXICO!

Ultimately you will find yourself traversing from tree to tree and from platform to platform using pulleys on horizontal traverse cables, sailing through the treetops of the tropical rainforest canopy.

You will receive instruction upon your arrival at the site. At the same time, you will be fitted with your harness. Each platform you will find a guide to 'catch' you as you arrive, as well as send you off when it's your turn. As thrilling as it is to accomplish each glide, the platforms themselves allow you magnificent views of the rainforest itself.

At the end, you will have some time to take a dip in the beautiful Los Orchones River. There you'll have a chance to go down the waterslide, relax on the beach or go for a swim. Swimming is available from November until the end of July.


We can easily see why Tarzan used this method of transportation. This is a safe yet thrilling activity and something you will remember forever.

THIS TRIP FILLS QUICKLY, ESPECIALLY FROM NOV-APRIL. TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT, WE SUGGEST YOU BOOK AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

[Not Afraid]

CABO SAN LUCAS:

JOURNEY TO TODOS SANTOS

Although only an hour away from Cabo San Lucas, you will notice that the difference between Cabo and Todos Santos - in both mood and climate - is significant.

Welcome to Todos Santos (All Saints), which sits on the Pacific coast below the towering Sierra de la Laguna mountains at the end of a long and scenic ride up the coast from Cabo. On a mesa overlooking the valley of gardens and orchards, it is only about a mile from the Pacific, and is flush with groves of papayas, mangoes, and palms.

What really makes this sleepy town famous is the number of artists, particularly American, who have settled here. The town has been nicknamed "Bohemian Baja," and abounds with studios and galleries, as well as cultural points of interest. You will get the unique experience of visiting the artists in their own studio as they make their creations, such as pottery, blanket weaving, and more.

Visit the Hotel California, rumored to be the inspiration for the Eagles' famous song of the same name. You will also see The Mission, the famous Hotel Todos Santos Inn and Gallery, Las Palmas Beach, and the Casa de la Cultura Museum. This museum is full of artifacts from the past, including a 3,000-year-old Mantacita man who was discovered in a secondary burial site.

Of course, you will have lots of shopping time as well, as you browse the galleries, regional candy stores (with candies made from seasonal fruits!), and more. This tour will also give you a view of this area's unique architecture, and there will be plenty of time for lunch at your discretion. Meanwhile, your guide will always be there with information and advice if you have special requests for the day.


Afterwards, you will be transferred back to your starting point.

Then there's the swimming with Dolphins and general shopping fun.

[Disneyphile]

Originally Posted by Not Afraid

PUERTO VALLERTA

I talked to people on our 2005 cruise who went on the "Jungle Canopy" excursion. While it was fun, PV doesn't have much of a "jungle" persay - the brush and terrain are comparable to the back roads in Griffith Park.

I did the Dolphin Swim at Dolphin Adventure in PV. Disney's price was $185, and it was worth every penny. I spent 45 minutes in a pool with 3 dolphins. (I really need to upload the photos.) I'm tempted to do it again.

Cabo San Lucas was the nicest of the 3 Mexican ports we visited. It's quite pristine, and the scenery is just beautiful!

Acapulco will be a new one for me on this trip.

[Not Afraid]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Jungle, but I've been to ath Amazon, so my expectations are a bit, um, elevated.

[Disneyphile]

Originally Posted by Not Afraid

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Jungle, but I've been to ath Amazon, so my expectations are a bit, um, elevated.

OOooh, then yeah... this is certainly not "rain forest" jungle. It's just overbrush jungle.

[Ghoulish Delight]

I beg to differ. Definitely not Amazon-jungle, but all these images were taken from within the city or within 30 minutes of the city. Me thinks that Jungle Canopy excursion was just done in the wrong place. Griffith park my ass.

http://www.jenniegreg.com/RandomImages/pv1.jpg
http://www.jenniegreg.com/RandomImages/pv2.jpg
http://www.jenniegreg.com/RandomImages/pv3.jpg
http://www.jenniegreg.com/RandomImages/pv4.jpg
http://www.jenniegreg.com/RandomImages/pv5.jpg
http://www.jenniegreg.com/RandomImages/pv6.jpg
http://www.jenniegreg.com/RandomImages/pv7.jpg

[Disneyphile]

Whoa!!!

Ok, maybe the people who were saying this were delusional.

Thanks for posting the pics!

(Considering I'll be in shape by then, I might just have to take that excursion! )

[Not Afraid]

Yeah, it's certainly not the Amazon, but it is interesting-looking. Jungle is such a broad term now that I think about it.

[CrazyLegs]

I need help later planning what I can do

[NickO'Time]

My wife and I wish we could go, but her teaching track is during that time.