With drinking, dining, dancing, an Argentine floor show, all on the 110 ft. motor vessel “CaboRey”.

By David Mandich - October 1, 2003 – 846 words

Los Cabos locals and tourists alike have the opportunity to experience the best Cabo San Lucas has to offer on the new 110 ft. vessel CaboRey. This humongous three story catamaran was built on the shoreline in Cabo San Lucas last year and launched amid great fanfare and skepticism that the thing would float - literally or economically. But in the year since, the owners have proven that one could offer first class dining, entertainment and an evening mini-cruise all for less than $65 dollars per person!

My wife and I were first timers on the cruise recently. The boat departed the Cabo San Lucas harbor around six pm, where by that time, most of the seventy or so guests had found their way up to the open bar on the top deck after exploring the other levels of the ship. The top deck must have been thirty feet off the water and provided a wonderful view of the marina and downtown Cabo as we motored out of the harbor into the bay. A hostess narrated the sights as we drank of both beverages and the sunset. It was glorious.

The ship then headed south along Land’s End, passing Lover’s Beach, the famous Arch rock formation and around the bend for a mile up the Pacific side of the Baja California Peninsula.

Our captain then gently brought us about and we reversed course cutting across the bay going past the fabulous hotels on Medano beach, and the point where Misiones del Cabo condominiums begin the eighteen mile Tourist Corridor&Mac226; of Los Cabos hotels, condominiums, golf courses and luxury resorts and waterfront villas. Being a sailboat owner, I was impressed by the speed, stability and open feeling of this boat. The dining room must have been seventy feet by thirty feet wide. It had a small dance floor, dozens of formal dining tables and large windows for viewing the magnificent harbor, bay, mountains, sunset, whales, dolphins and submarine races. Well, almost.

Around 7:00 pm we were invited below to the grand dining room where a waiter staff of a dozen were poised to serve us with a memorable dinner consisting of three choices: Chateaubriand, A Gulf Prawn brochette or Salmon. For what was essentially banquet fare served up to a room full of guests in a short time - it was splendid. The food ample, the complimentary breads and buns warm, the butter real, the salad interesting, veggies just right and the drinks - well, unlimited and of good quality.

One of the many highlights of the evening aboard included toasts by the hosts to folks celebrating special events such as our double one of her birthday and our anniversary. We were surprised with complimentary cake and candles. It was delicious. A sort of a Frenchy version of a Mexican Tres Leches cream cake. Very creamy, with a light delicate cake and frosting.

The waiters formal attire, table settings and food all exhibited fine attention to detail and class. Not at all what one expects to find on the Cabo San Lucas waterfront. When making reservations we were told to dress formally. The wife wore a long dress and I a sports shirt and slacks. My suits being in permanent storage. We felt a little embarrassed for being overdressed among the many wearing shorts, Levis and Hawaiian shirts. Next time, I’ll remember – it’s Cabo. Heck, its Baja. I haven’t worn a jacket or tie here in almost four years except at our wedding two years ago.

After the meal, a group from Argentina literally floored us with a tango exhibition which literally brought down the house. The female dancer was drop-dead gorgeous and my wife said the hombre was too. I wouldn’t know about that. But I’m sure ninety percent of us would have signed up for Tango lessons in Argentina immediately if it was offered!

There was a seriously loud drumming performance by several Argentine Pampas cowboy types which got our besotted juices flowing again and a demonstration with Bolas or croquette ball sized weights on three foot cords, twirled at warp speed around their heads, along their sides, and between their legs and “whew”, it was close.

The Bolas are thrown to ensnare the legs of livestock on the range in Argentina. They’d be useful on husbands in Mexico suggested my “Mexicana espousa”, “Really bad idea”, I replied. Finally, the music came on and many of us headed for the floor to work off the dinner to the sounds of Latin Salsa, Merengue, Cumbias and some good old rock and roll thrown in.

As we disembarked on the gangplank there were smiles and laughter to be seen among all the guests. It must be more than satisfying to those in charge of this operation to know that they are adding to the magic and reputation of Los Cabos as a great place to visit with truly fun things to do. Thank you CaboRey!