Baja Cruise

[ryaneg]

I'm not finding anything about Catalina Island or Ensenada. Does anyone have anything they can share about these two places? What are some good shore excursion? Anything will help.

[OC Mom]

We did the winery tour in Ensenada last year (2 wineries) and had a great time. Ensenada isn't our favorite port, but it's cheap;)

[Cruisin Rick]

On Catalina, we rented an electric golf cart and cruised around the city and up the hill by the Wrigley mansion. There's some great photo ops of the ship anchored out in the harbor below.

Ensenada...... there are some posts below with some good idea's. I did buy a Mexican Rolex there once. ( it worked 1 week)

[ryaneg]

Ensenada...... there are some posts below with some good idea's. I did buy a Mexican Rolex there once. ( it worked 1 week)

LOL......... Thanks.

[Jimmanknows]

Catalina Island is suppose to have good snorkeling at Lovers Cove

Heres a web site for you

 

http://www.ecatalina.com/

 

Snorkeling here

http://www.fathomfilms.net/catalina.html

 

Ensenada has a great tour to what they call the "Blow Hole" It's a great little road that leads down to the ocean to see the waves come in to an area and shoot straight up in the air, it's ok, but the real fun is lined up on both sides of the road are little shops were you can barder your pants off for anything you can think of. Great deals on Stained Glass, silver, etc. We booked this with the bus driver on the way in to town from the ship, great price, and our tour guide was awesome.

[Chele60]

First, don't think of either of these places as glamorous places! A big mistake a lot of people make!

 

Catalina: Personally, I would opt out of the electric golf cart rental. You get the thing for an hour, and I would think after about 30 minutes you would be bored. Avalon just isn't that big. For $30.00 I just don't think it's worth it, but that's me. If you are into snorkeling, or have your diver's certificate, there are some terrific spots to do both. A lot of folks like the glass bottom boat or the semi-submersible if they don't want to get wet. One tour I cannot recommend highly enough is the Inland Tour. It is a bit pricey (around $40-$45), but it lasts 4 hours and you get a real feel for the island. Once you get far enough inland, you don't even think you are on an island! One of the tours stops at the airport where you can get something to eat. (Nothing fancy, just grilled stuff but filling.) Your guide will also give you information about the history of the island, show you different flora and fauna, and will give information about wild life. (Will probably see some, along with the "famous" buffalo that actually come quite close to the roads when one gets out of Avalon) There is a short tour of the Casino (now a movie theater) that I've heard is pretty interesting. (It's less than an hour in length)

 

In Ensenada it really is up to you. I really enjoy La Bufadora ("The Blowhole"), but I do not like the overly agressive vendors that line the gauntlet to the attraction. La Bufadora is really quite amazing, plus the shoreline can be gorgeous. If bartering is your thing, then you might enjoy the vendors. If not, then just "run the gauntlet" - if you can! :)

 

There are also a couple of wineries that can be fun and interesting. I went on a tour that included La Bufadora and the Santo Tomas winery, and enjoyed the day. (It was about 4 hours) There are other wineries in the area that get you outside of the city of Ensenada. There are also tours that will take you down the coastline, which can be truly beautiful. If you are into golf, there is a pretty good golfcourse available, but it may be a little pricey. There is always shopping and you can find some good deals. Just be careful - definitely buyer beware! My mother bought a beautiful leather coat for a steal, that is just wonderful! There are also a good selection of restaurants to check out. Sitting on the sidewalk with a cerveza and nachos while people-watching can be an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon.

[ryaneg]

I am going to be bringing my niece and her friend with me, they are both 18. What do you think they would enjoy? Im I making a mistake going to these ports, should I choose a different cruise?

[Chele60]

It really depends on the time of year and what their interests are. If they love the sun and want to do beachy things, this might not be the best cruise for these two. If they are into snorkling, Catalina would be fun, but if you are thinking of cruising in the next couple of weeks the weather hasn't been all that great. However, if they are into shopping then Ensenada would be a fun diversion.

 

With this in mind, I would also change my mind on the golf cart thing in Catalina. This might be something 18 year olds would enjoy - especially if they are behind the wheel. In Ensenada, there is a horseback riding excursion, and if the gals are into it this could be a fun time as well.

 

Then again, for them it might just be fun to sit by the pool and enjoy themselves! When we went at the end of January, the days we were in port were the warmest. Also, it would have been the best time to sit by the pool because everyone was off the ship.

 

I first went to Mexico (Tijuana, Rosarito Beach, Ensenada) in my very early 20s and really enjoyed it, even though they were all border towns.

[karjenyes]

Chele,

Have you done the Horseback Riding in Ensenada?? Did you go with Baja Bandedos?? Did you enjoy yourself??

 

Any Info would be greatly appreciated

KJ

[Chele60]

Chele,

Have you done the Horseback Riding in Ensenada?? Did you go with Baja Bandedos?? Did you enjoy yourself??

 

Any Info would be greatly appreciated

KJ

 

No, I've never done the horseback riding in Ensenada. In my 20s Hussong's kept my attention and now I personally prefer the beauty of the coastline. That being said, I do enjoy horseback riding in general, though I am far from anyone's idea of a "horse woman!" On this past cruise I was with my mother who 1.) had never been to Ensenada before, and 2.) is not into horseback riding. Otherwise, it looked tempting enough that, had I been on my own, I would have checked it out. I think you see more of the countryside that way, but that is just a guess.

 

I'm not certain about the name of the place, but it would have been with the place Carnival had excursions for. (That is the cruise line I was on)