This was my second time down to Manzanillo seperated by about ten years. You know what changed? NOTHING! What was there to do or see? NOTHING! Im the most open minded, easy going, party loving guy in the world (just dont ask the wife).
The cruise itself was Awsome! The Spirit was great, Acapulco (go to the Paradise Club and PAY the cover charge for a table at La Cebrada, where the cliff divers are, front row seats and dinner for less than what most cruisers pay for the tour there).
In Zejatanajo, Ixtapa (Spelling!) Find Zorro's, this GREAT cantina that has $1 Coronas and the owner will sit and chat you up. This port was the highlight of our cruise! We could have gone over to Ixtapa but it was so great to see old world Mexico and the hospitality was something you cant find in the new Touristy Mexico.
Now Manzanillo, I would have saved time and money if I hadn't had gotten off the ship. We exited the ship, bypassed the thousand taxi drivers as we usually do and went exploring. After walking the coast line for about an hour we ask a police officer in spanish where the best spots were for tourists. He tells us the same thing as the cruise excursion people on board, MiraMar bay and La Central. La Central was another half hour or so walk away with the same stuff to buy as everywhere else in Mexico. We chill looking through La Central untill we get to this one intersection and this old man tells us in spanish to "turn around, it's not safe." I'm 6'2 and 250 lbs and I did not hesitate. We grab a taxi and ask him to take us to the only other place, Mira Mar. A 30 minute drive later we're at some lake/swamp looking place, with about fifty + hispanics and no Tourist looking people at all (ever see Touristas?, think Hostel in Mexico). Dramatic? Not at all. I've got three diffrent black belts and am fluent in spanish and refused to be dropped off there. 30 minute drive back to the ship!
Would I do this cruise again? In a heartbeat. Would I get off in Manzanillo? Hell NO! Do this cruise for no other reason than Zejatanajo and Acapulco are GREAT! Stay on board for Manzanilo though... waste of time. Cheers!