2011 BajaGay Mexican Riviera Cruise

I was looking at some cruises the other day and saw a cruise at a price I thought I would not see again... under $55 a day! If you follow these things, that is a great price. In fact, it was so good that I started calling to confirm whether it was a come-on, loss-leader, or only good for one room next to the anchor. The cruise market has gone up in the past year, and there is only one Carnival ship in San Diego these days. I'll explain why I think this happened and why I don't think it will last long later in this email. But for now...

It's true!



Direct link for info on the cruise at the Carnival site: http://www.carnival.com/Itinerary.aspx?embkCode=SDG&itinCode=MRC&durDays=9&shipCode=SP&subRegionCode=MR&sailDate=1/28/2011&sailingID=57199

This is pretty much the same price as last time, but for 9 days instead of 8. Plus, we still get the $100 per stateroom On Board Credit. Once again, we are upgraded up from Riviera Deck. Once again, we can reserve with only a $50 deposit.

All meals are included: Main dining room, buffet, deli, ice cream and dessert bars. Also, 24 hour room service and pizza station are no additional charge. The only cash tip you should consider is for room service... no automatic gratuity is included for room service. Ice tea, coffee, lemonade, breakfast juice, etc. are also included. Soda is not included, but you can purchase a soda card on board. Cocktails are not included.

Here's how the price breaks down: $489.00 per person + Taxes and Fees of $70.43 = $559.43
For those of you who don't want to take your shoes off, that's about $62.00 a day with the taxes and fees. Check around... it's a great price.

$50.00 Now (To qualify for this low deposit, you have to send in the $50 deposit by July 9th, 2010.)
$125.00 July Monthly payments
$125.00 August You must have paid $300.00 by August 14th, 2010
$125.00 October
$129.43 November You must have paid $559.43 by August 14th, 2010

For the Balcony rooms: $739.00 per person + Taxes and Fees of $70.34 = $809.43

$50.00 Now
$125.00 July
$125.00 August You must have paid $300.00 by August 14th, 2010
$165.00 September
$165.00 October
$179.43 November You must have paid the total of $809.43 by November 14th, 2010

Once again, we encourage you to make one additional payment to pay all of your tips in advance so you will start off with money in your pocket when we sail. So that will be another $90 payment in December. This way... you don't have to worry about tipping the waiters, room stewards, head waiter, etc. It is all included for $10 per day.

NOTE: You do not have to make payments! You can pay more, or in full, as you wish... so long as you meet the August 14th and November 14th deadlines.

TIPS: Same with the $90 gratuity. Unless you told them you wanted "pre-paid" gratuities, the December payment is optional. If you do not pay the $90.00 in advance, it will appear on your bill on the ship. We suggest this to get as many cruise expenses out of the way, and better enjoy your cruise!

BONUS! Everyone will receive $50.00 per person on-board credit. ($100 per stateroom.) Once you are on-board, you are in a cash-less society. Everything you purchase will be put on your "Sign and Sail" card, and that is the ID you need to do anything on the ship. It is even your room key.

If you purchase a t-shirt or sunscreen from the ship store, it is put on your Sign and Sail card. If you purchase a cocktail, it is on your card. Even the tip... they will automatically put a 15% tip for cocktails only.

With the $50.00 per person on-board credit, if you have pre-paid your gratuities, you start with a $50.00 credit on your account... so cheers!

Puerto Vallarta is the gay target destination on this cruise, and I am sure there will be a lot we can find to do there: Diana's Gay Booze Cruise, Verano Zip Line Tours, or an afternoon around the clothing optional pool at the Vallarta Cora! Dick and Liz never had so many options in Vallarta!



Here's what I think is going on in with this cruise. Carnival cancelled all the 8 day cruises (like the one the BajaBoyz took last year) scheduled after mid-December suddenly, and without explanation. They also cancelled all stops at Acapulco for the cruises that were not cancelled. (They don't explain these things except to say that they wanted to "enhance their cruise passengers experience.) Well, that is a lot of cruise passengers to cancel, and they may have added a 9th day to sweeten the pot. They already had a 7 day itinerary that included PV... but they couldn't offer a 7 day cruise to replace an 8 day cruise. And they couldn't raise the prices, so essentially we may be getting the benefit of this situation.

The truth is, we may never know... but what we do know is that if you look around, you can't find a cheaper Mexican Riviera cruise. I have checked different cruises, different dates, and I can't find a better one out of San Diego or LA/Long Beach.

To be honest, I hadn't considered a cruise at this time because they all seemed to be close to $100 per day. When Ed and I saw this particular cruise, we decided that it was too good to pass up. I was ready to reach for the phone to book it for ourselves, then decided to wait a few days, make sure of all the details, and then share it with you.

Now... I think the market for cruises has tightened a little, and in general prices have risen. I simply did not imagine a 9 day cruise at this price. I figured we would be on this cruise, at this price... but only for 7 days. Or on a Holland American for $200 more. We could have had a good time of course, but who wants to give up 2 days... or $200?

I hope you will join us for another fun cruise and fun time. $50 down is a great way to ease into it, and I'm sure you can make the low payments. Remember, if you call to book it and don't tell them you are on the BajaBoyz cruise it's a $300 deposit. I will have more details for you, but call right away to reserve your space... we need you!

Let me hear back from you soon.

Besos,
Ken

email or call me with any questions!

We are booked!, Thanks Ken.

We will be jumping ship in Cabo and heading back to PV to stay with friends.

So, we will be looking for info on ferries and intercity buses.
I already Love bus travel, the grand-mere sitting next to you may have chickens and the kid behind may have freshly caught fish or octopi headed to market.

See you-all next year..
Chris and Gary
on Wonderful Whidbey Island