We docked here in Acapulco at 8:00 this morning right on schedule. Going to be a hot, sunny day here. The crew had another emergency drill this morning as ship is expecting an inspection by the Coast Guard upon arrival in LA. They are also expecting an inspection by US Health Dept. Reason is this is first US port for Explorer in almost a year.
Historical/Background
Acapulco is located 240 miles south of Mexico City on a deep, semi-circular bay and has been a port since the early colonial days of Mexico’s history. It is Mexico’s largest and oldest beach and resort city. It came to prominence from the 1940’s through 1960’s as a getaway for Hollywood stars and millionaires. Now most of the tourists here are from Mexico itself. Cancun and Cabo San Lucas are now the choices for American tourists, especially spring break teenagers because the drinking age in Mexico is 18 not 21. Unemployment and poverty has resulted in a large number of locals trying to sell everything on the beaches and streets. Local corrupt police also try to extort money from tourists with threats of jail. Garbage is also filling the bay polluting it and some of the beaches. Violence is also on the rise due to poverty and drugs. Now you know why it is not a great idea to come here.
The main attraction of Acapulco is its nightlife. We are sailing at 6:00pm which is still way too early for the nightclubs to open. Probably the most famous attraction here are to see the La Quebrada Cliff Divers. I saw this show on our stop here during our 2017 World Cruise. We will be calling on this port again on March 14th during our LA to Miami cruise segment. Our friends, Jane VanHarlingen and Melissa McRoberts, will be on that cruise with us so booked the cliff diver’s show for that day with them. You will see the photos then.
I think you may recall the old tv show, “Love Boat”. There were many episodes of the old Pacific Princess cruise ship with Acapulco as a port of call. We, too, were here on a Princess cruise ship many years ago now so this will be our 3rd and 4th stops here on cruise ships.
Cruise terminal
Band is playing as passengers head out on tours. Not a very good band.
Couple guys on stilts.
At least our pier in not in an industrial/container dock. This is an old fort, Fort San Diego, across the street from cruise terminal.
Photos of Acapulco taken from top deck of our ship.
Pedestrian bridge to cross highway.
At 4:30 this afternoon the "Antonio Ramirez's Mexican Forklorico Festival" dance and mariachi company came on board and performed pool side for us. We had seen them on other Regent cruises. Of course the pool bar was serving margaritas!
What We Did Last Night:
Igor, the bartender in small bar just outside of Prime 7
Prime 7 bread basket
My ribeye steak that was excellent.
This is the 14 layer chocolate cake in Prime 7
After a very nice dinner we went to see Mark Preston's show. It was fantastic as usual. He is leaving the ship today here in Acapulco.
Today:
We are meeting Mike & Susan for cocktails and dinner. We had sailed with them a couple times including our 2017 world cruise but had never had dinner together. Not sure if we will be dining in Compass Rose or up in Setti Mari (Italian). Tonight's show is the 3rd production show, "World Beat" featuring the ship's young singers and dancers.
We sail again at 6:00 pm and tomorrow is a day at sea enroute to Cabo San Lucas.
Historical/Background
Acapulco is located 240 miles south of Mexico City on a deep, semi-circular bay and has been a port since the early colonial days of Mexico’s history. It is Mexico’s largest and oldest beach and resort city. It came to prominence from the 1940’s through 1960’s as a getaway for Hollywood stars and millionaires. Now most of the tourists here are from Mexico itself. Cancun and Cabo San Lucas are now the choices for American tourists, especially spring break teenagers because the drinking age in Mexico is 18 not 21. Unemployment and poverty has resulted in a large number of locals trying to sell everything on the beaches and streets. Local corrupt police also try to extort money from tourists with threats of jail. Garbage is also filling the bay polluting it and some of the beaches. Violence is also on the rise due to poverty and drugs. Now you know why it is not a great idea to come here.
The main attraction of Acapulco is its nightlife. We are sailing at 6:00pm which is still way too early for the nightclubs to open. Probably the most famous attraction here are to see the La Quebrada Cliff Divers. I saw this show on our stop here during our 2017 World Cruise. We will be calling on this port again on March 14th during our LA to Miami cruise segment. Our friends, Jane VanHarlingen and Melissa McRoberts, will be on that cruise with us so booked the cliff diver’s show for that day with them. You will see the photos then.
I think you may recall the old tv show, “Love Boat”. There were many episodes of the old Pacific Princess cruise ship with Acapulco as a port of call. We, too, were here on a Princess cruise ship many years ago now so this will be our 3rd and 4th stops here on cruise ships.
What We Did Last Night:
After a very nice dinner we went to see Mark Preston's show. It was fantastic as usual. He is leaving the ship today here in Acapulco.
Today:
We are meeting Mike & Susan for cocktails and dinner. We had sailed with them a couple times including our 2017 world cruise but had never had dinner together. Not sure if we will be dining in Compass Rose or up in Setti Mari (Italian). Tonight's show is the 3rd production show, "World Beat" featuring the ship's young singers and dancers.
We sail again at 6:00 pm and tomorrow is a day at sea enroute to Cabo San Lucas.
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