Cruise to Mexican Riviera

We just got back from a Carnival cruise on the Carnival Conquest to the Bahamas and Key West and absolutely had the time of our lives! We also had two formal dinners. Everyone there dressed so different. Some females had long VERY formal dresses and some men wore tuxedos. Others had nice dresses/ suits. And then there were also some that didn't care at all what they wore...even had shorts and t-shirts on! Not very many but there were a few. I wouldn't recommend that. :) Why not dress up when you have the chance? I myself wore a nice floor length dress one night and black dress pants and a sequined shirt the other. I think that as long as you look presentable it will be fine. You also have the choice not to dress up and go to one of the other resteaurants on the ship which are all nice. We were also first time cruisers and we couldn't have had a better time! Have fun!

Hi there, we've done this cruise 2x & love it! There is a wide range of clothes so i would bring what you are comfortable in. If you hate dressing up, don't. it's less strict than it used to be. But I think it's nice to get dressed up as much as you can on the 2 formal nights - makes it more special.

I do recommend googling cruise reviews & go to the message boards. There is soooo much info out there. it helps to plan your activities on shore before you leave depending on what you like to do. Heres my favorite message board that I used when planning our trips.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/

Have a great time!

I went on a Carnival cruise and really enjoyed it! Loved the food and remember that the portions at dinner might seem a little small but you can order as much as you want! The only other thing I would add is it might be a good idea to have your doctor prescribe the motion sickness patches. You wear them right behind your ear and it helps to have something just in case . The over the counter stuff tends to make you sleepy. I didn't think I would get seasick but after a storm out at sea made for a little more rocking and rolling, I was glad to have had them.Don't worry the motion isn't really that noticeable but your eqilibrium can get thrown off. Have fun!

My husband and I took this cruise about 15 years ago, though we've traveled to Puerta Vallarta several times since. It's our favorite town! The cruise line should give you a list of on-shore tour packages OR there are usually locals at the dock that offer great possibilities.
In Mazatlan we took a tour into the "countryside" for a tour of a furniture factory (very rustic), followed by lunch at a Cantina and free time in a small town housing many artist's shops. Mazatlan is also known for Fire Opals and the shopping is fabulous if you're in the market for a piece of jewelry.
Puerta Vallarta is a wonderful town and home to "Gringo Gulch" (where most Americans lived many years ago) and Mismaloya Beach (Night of the Iguana filmed there). I understand there is a place to go zip-lining just outside of town (it wasn't there last time we visited). Shopping is great, just go a block or two off the main drag, less touristy and more reasonable prices. Don't pay the 1st price quoted, they love to dicker. You'll find just about anything you could be interested in PV as far as shopping. Prices on .925 silver are generally really good. There's a "below street level" open market style shopping area near the south end of town that's quite fun and some really nice shops a little closer to "Gringo Gulch". If you love horseback riding, that's available as well. We rode out into the countryside to the local river (and drinking water source) and quickly saw for ourselves why NOT to drink the water. Our ride ended at a ranch just out of town where we enjoyed a wonderful BBQ dinner. Stay away from citrus or anything veggie that needs to be washed while on shore, unless the establishment can confirm they use bottled or purified water.
WE spent half a day in Cabo and the ONLY activites (it was a Sunday) were a tour on a glass bottomed boat or sitting at a bar on the beach. We chose the former and it was quite fun. I understand there's more to do there now but not sure what.
As to dressing up...by all means do. It's great fun to dress for dinner and really a shame that some consider regular beach attire appropriate for a formal dinner. I have acquired several evening gowns for such evenings and it's always fun. Macy's had quite a collection on display recently and usually their prices are reasonable.
For more ideas, consider getting a travel book covering the Mexican Riveria.
You'll have a great time!

I took the Mexican Riviera cruise about five years ago, but on another cruise line. I've never crused on Carnival. It's a wonderful cruise - you'll thoroughly enjoy it. As for clothes, take the coolest summer clothes you can find for daytime. It will be extremely hot. The formal dinners are so much fun. Trying foods you've never tried before and being treated like millionaires! It's quite an experience. You will need two formal gowns, floor length for the formal dinners and then something like cocktail dresses for the less formal dinners. our cruise line would not allow anyone in jeans into the formal dining room, even on a non-formal dress night. It had to be slacks for the men and either dress pants or a dress for the women. Have a great time! I'm jealous - I want to go again! By the way, horseback riding in the rain forest in Mazatlan in a great activity- a lot of fun!