The Marigalante is an exact replica of the Santa Maria, the ship that Christopher Columbus used to discover the American continent over 500 years ago. We watched this ship go by our resort every morning and my grandson wanted so badly to go on it..so we booked the tour in the middle of our vacation (5/22/02)and it was the best money spent on our entire vacation.
We arrived at the Marina Vallarta at 8:15a.m. and was taken by smaller boat out to the ship and were sailing by 9:00 a.m. Breakfast was ready in the galley as soon as we arrived..scrambled eggs with chilaquiles, refried beans, fresh fruit, bread and orange juice. When most everyone had finished breakfast, the entertainment and music began. The pirates got a lot of people on board involved in dancing and prizes were awarded. The music just made you want to get up and dance and party! All the drinks, alcoholic or not, were free and plentiful.
We arrived at Las Cargadas to snorkel (not the best area);or to play on the beach and ride the banana boat (and of course..drink more "gasoline." After a couple hours we left for the trip back to the marina. Lunch was served in the galley..bar-b-que chicken and ribs, garden rice, mixed salad, corn on the cob, buttered bread and open bar...soooo good!! AND THEN - we were entertained AGAIN with terrible pirates fighting with REAL swords and passengers getting involved with dancing and skits.
We were sad when we had to leave the ship at 3:30p.m., but it was such a happy time and we would highly recommend this cruise in the bay for kids and especially adults...A good time was had by all!!!