Ensenada Bus to San Diego - Your Experiences

[Sapphire56]

Bill - WI was referring to the two Pacific Coastal cruises scheduled for September 13, 2013. The Solstice departs from Seattle and ends in Ensenada, whereas the Millenium departs from Vancouver and ends a day earlier in San Diego. Both of us were originally booked on the Solstice and "jumped ship" due to the Ensenada factor.

 

You did the right thing!

 

Enjoy your cruise now in the knowledge that you do not have that awful trip at the end.

[Sapphire56]

The California law is 11 hours after 10 hours of rest for a bus. These busses will be leaving and continuing in Mexico, where I do not believe there is a rule.

According to the information I have, debarkation bus drivers will report at 4 am at the Ensenada pier. They will then make their way to San Diego's Lindbergh Field and unload.

From there, they will line-up and wait to form convoys of 5 buses and one truck going back to Ensenada. The ship does not sail until midnight, so who knows how late the last bus may leave? Perhaps there will be relief drivers, but I it is a concern I have, as of now.

David

 

Our Ensenada debark. The passengers had all disembarked at 8am. The buses took us to to the Otay Mesa border and on to San Diego, except in the case of the 'lost' bus who ended up taking his passengers to the Tijuana border! The ship sailed from Ensenada to San Diego, empty, where those who had disembarked earlier could see her in the dock in that late afternoon. And those who were doing back to backs reboarded her after being bussed from Ensenada. The ship was then going to do a round trip to Hawaii.

 

Can all the Americans on this forum, please, please contact your governors, senators or anyone in power and get them to repeal this aged and outdated law.

[upwarduk]

And those who were doing back to backs reboarded her after being bussed from Ensenada. The ship was then going to do a round trip to Hawaii.

 

I know the above was on the information sheet, but who would be doing a B2B to Hawaii, having just left it- apart from maybe the Hawaiian Ukulele & dance teachers.

Some of the staff stayed on board, others had to do the Ensenada/ San Diego run.

I wonder what they have reported back to management?

[takemewithyou]

We have just completed this trip and in all honesty wouldn't do it again.

 

There were almost 50 buses for our ship, Century. They were not first class and they were not escorted by soldiers, police or anything else! We left the parking lot at Ensenada at around 8.30am and got to San Diego airport at around 1.30pm. It takes around 2 hours to get to the border, about 20 minutes if you are as lucky as we were, some it took 1 and half hours as they had to take all their luggage off the bus and walk through and then reload their luggage on the other side, waiting 20 minutes for their coach to re-appear. There were in the 50 coaches, some that got lost (yes seriously), a coach that chose to stop for 20 minutes for the driver to get, presumably, breakfast, a coach that had a broken windscreen and they had to wait for 2 hours for a replacement coach, a coach that had to have it's door tied in place so that it didn't fly open en route, our bus had to be replaced about 10 minutes before the border because it was 'unauthorised' to cross the border, are you getting the idea. I think there were some that didn't have any problems but there were many problems.

 

Would I do it again - NO, they couldn't give me a cruise that ended in Ensenada!

 

Oh my!! This is frightful! Good synopsis of what I have been reading from other century passengers. We are scheduled to depart from Ensenada in Oct on Millie TO Hawaii. Hoping it goes better since we should theoretically have US coaches and US drivers. :eek:

[edgee]

I know people were excited about an S class doing this route, but sadly Solstice is the problem and reason for Ensenada. Other lines do their one ways in and out of Vancouver, Solstice won't fit under our bridge"

 

Celebrity has been sailing that one way Ensenada route for several years...well before Solstice class was even conceived, so not exactly fair to blame the "Ensenada problem" on Solstice. I do not believe Celebrity has done the Vancouver/Hawaii one way for several years, if at all...even though Millenium class and Century class ships are compatible with the bridge restrictions of your beautiful city.

[Gonzo70]

In response to those of you wondering if you can disembark in San Diego rather than going on to Ensenada.... my husband and I violated the Jones Act during an Alaskan southbound cruise. We had to get off the ship prior to reaching our foreign port (Vancouver) when my mother-in-law passed away. When I went to settle our account and tell them that we were getting off and flying home, they expressed their sympathy and then told me they were adding $600 to our bill because we were in violation of the Jones Act. They explained it to me that if you are on a foreign registered ship, you must stop in a foreign port or you are in violation. If you don't mind paying the fine, I suppose there's nothing stopping you from getting off early! When we got home, we had to jump through some hoops, but were able to get the money refunded due to the circumstances.

 

Much different story to be granted permission to violate the PVSA in an emergency situation. Debarking in San Diego out of convenience is highly unlikely to be arranged even if willing to pay the fine. FYI the Jones Act pertains to cargo ships and has nothing to do with cruise ships; it is the PVSA that impacts the transportation of people by foreign flagged vessels.

[patty1955]

It's might also be to give people west coast options that don't include Canada. Canada has very strict rules regarding who can enter the country and they can and do stop people who have criminal records. Since DUI is a felony in Canada, that can cause issues for a number of Americans. It doesn't matter when you were arrested or the fact that your charge was not a felony, they stop people from visiting. There were 5 people on our last cruise ordered to appear at immigration. They were sent back to the ship with orders not to come back or face arrest.

[EddiesToys]

Our Ensenada debark. The passengers had all disembarked at 8am. The buses took us to to the Otay Mesa border and on to San Diego, except in the case of the 'lost' bus who ended up taking his passengers to the Tijuana border! The ship sailed from Ensenada to San Diego, empty, where those who had disembarked earlier could see her in the dock in that late afternoon. And those who were doing back to backs reboarded her after being bussed from Ensenada. The ship was then going to do a round trip to Hawaii.

 

Can all the Americans on this forum, please, please contact your governors, senators or anyone in power and get them to repeal this aged and outdated law.

Thanks for clarifying...makes good sense to avoid Ensenada if a there's a better choice.

 

Talk about repealing 'the law' has appeal until one realizes that 'the law' was meant to protect American jobs. Perhaps our greatest loss if repealed, would be the fierce competion from foreign carriers carrying cargo and passengers (including air) from US port/airport to another US PORT. Can't imagine China allowing western world carriers to fly freely between Chinese cities.

[oceanbill457]

The PVSA law will not be repealed in our lifetime. If you choose to sail with any cruise line which debarks or embarks in Ensenada you will be faced with the following:

If you embark in San Diego, the ship will debark previous guests and you will be transported by bus to Ensenada. The ship will sail from San Diego on a 5 hour transit to Ensenada. You may arrive prior to the ship arrival after spending time awaiting buses in the cruise terminal.

If you debark in Ensenada, you will transit via the Otay Mesa border crossing to San Diego. You may be required to exit the bus with your luggage and meet it on the other side of the border after clearing immigration. There are a number of posts on this forum which describe positive and negative experiences. There are a limited number of US licensed buses used, so some may be of lesser quality. If you are making a flight at San Diego airport, plan accordingly. I hope this clarifies this often confusing cruise situation.

[momofmeg]

Are you doing the Solstice Sept. 2013 repo from Vancouver to Ensenada? I was looking at that, as we would like to do a west coat cruise and wondered if we could disembark in San Diego without too much of a fine. After all it starts in Vancouver-outside the US.

[Cindy]

Are you doing the Solstice Sept. 2013 repo from Vancouver to Ensenada? I was looking at that, as we would like to do a west coat cruise and wondered if we could disembark in San Diego without too much of a fine. After all it starts in Vancouver-outside the US.

 

There are two southbound Pacific Coastal cruises departing on the same day from different ports in different countries!:) The Solstice cruise is 10 nights, and it begins in Seattle and ends in Ensenada. The Millenium cruise is nine nights. It begins in Vancouver and ends in San Diego.

[BILL-WI]

Are you doing the Solstice Sept. 2013 repo from Vancouver to Ensenada? I was looking at that, as we would like to do a west coat cruise and wondered if we could disembark in San Diego without too much of a fine. After all it starts in Vancouver-outside the US.

 

Solstice starts in Seattle, not Vancouver. If it stated in Vancouver it could end in San Diego. As Cindy has pointed out, the Millennium might be a trip you want to consider; if you wish to avoid ending in a port in Mexico.

 

BILL

[momofmeg]

There are two southbound Pacific Coastal cruises departing on the same day from different ports in different countries!:) The Solstice cruise is 10 nights, and it begins in Seattle and ends in Ensenada. The Millenium cruise is nine nights. It begins in Vancouver and ends in San Diego.

 

Right it starts in Seattle-duh me!

But-doesn't the Solstice go to Victoria though? So still it leaves the US before Ensenada?

[Cindy]

Right it starts in Seattle-duh me!

But-doesn't the Solstice go to Victoria though? So still it leaves the US before Ensenada?

 

Victoria isn't considered a "distant" foreign port. Since Solstice leaves from a US port, the cruise can't end in a different US port because there isn't a "distant" foreign port on the itinerary. The Millenium doesn't have that restriction since the embarkation port is in a foreign country.

[momofmeg]

Victoria isn't considered a "distant" foreign port. Since Solstice leaves from a US port, the cruise can't end in a different US port because there isn't a "distant" foreign port on the itinerary. The Millenium doesn't have that restriction since the embarkation port is in a foreign country.

 

Victoria is in Canada-not the US, I forget the other port but there is another Canada port. Why is Ensenada considered a foreign port (Mexico) and Victoria (Canada) is not? Both countries border the US-and are not the US.

 

I may be "duh" on a few things-but I do know non US ports a little.

 

Also, the Alaska cruises round trip Seattle almost always stop in Victoria in order to have a non US port to satisfy the Jones act.

[3418ahl]

We are on the Solstice cruise. I believe the answer is this:

 

The Solstice stops in Ensenada to satisfy the JONES act, which pertains to ships, rather than passengers, and the rules are not the same.

 

Ensenada, does NOT qualify as a "distant" foreign port for purposes of the Passenger Services Vessel Act. Passengers who embark in Hawaii (the cruise directly preceding the Ensenada to Seattle) are NOT allowed to do a B2B because Ensenada does not qualify as a foreign port for purposes of the PSVA.

[momofmeg]

We are on the Solstice cruise. I believe the answer is this:

 

The Solstice stops in Ensenada to satisfy the JONES act, which pertains to ships, rather than passengers, and the rules are not the same.

 

Ensenada, does NOT qualify as a "distant" foreign port for purposes of the Passenger Services Vessel Act. Passengers who embark in Hawaii (the cruise directly preceding the Ensenada to Seattle) are NOT allowed to do a B2B because Ensenada does not qualify as a foreign port for purposes of the PSVA.

 

I will never understand how that works. It works for Alaska from Seattle but not Seattle to another US port. Just plain crazy.

[Cruise Junky]

Victoria is in Canada-not the US, I forget the other port but there is another Canada port. Why is Ensenada considered a foreign port (Mexico) and Victoria (Canada) is not? Both countries border the US-and are not the US.

 

I may be "duh" on a few things-but I do know non US ports a little.

 

Also, the Alaska cruises round trip Seattle almost always stop in Victoria in order to have a non US port to satisfy the Jones act.

 

It's where the cruise starts and ends that matters on these westcoast sailings as there are no foreign distant ports anywhere close. Ships can't start and end in two different US ports without one. As Solstice starts in Seattle, she cannot end in another US port, so she has to end in Mexico.

[Cindy]

Victoria is in Canada-not the US, I forget the other port but there is another Canada port. Why is Ensenada considered a foreign port (Mexico) and Victoria (Canada) is not? Both countries border the US-and are not the US.

 

I may be "duh" on a few things-but I do know non US ports a little.

 

Also, the Alaska cruises round trip Seattle almost always stop in Victoria in order to have a non US port to satisfy the Jones act.

 

For the PVSA, there are several different rules, depending on the itinerary.

For "closed loop" cruises that begin and end in the same US port, the requirement is that the ship must visit a foreign port. There is no "distant" in the rules, so ships can sail from Seattle, stop at any Canadian port, and return to Seattle.

For cruises that begin and end in different cities, there are specific rules. A cruise may begin in a foreign port (any foreign port) and end in a US port.

A cruise may not begin in a US port and end in a different US port unless the ship stops at a "distant" foreign location. There aren't any Mexico or Canada locations that qualify as "distant."

Hope that makes sense!:)

[Cruise Junky]

I will never understand how that works. It works for Alaska from Seattle but not Seattle to another US port. Just plain crazy.

 

Show me where it works for Alaska? There aren't any Anchorage to Seattle sailings. The one ways all run out of Vancouver. The Seattle sailings are all round trip...different PVSA rules to a one way.

[momofmeg]

I will never understand how that works. It works for Alaska from Seattle but not Seattle to another US port. Just plain crazy.

 

And it it can't be because it is 2 different US cities as beginning and ending port. There's a repo from Boston to Tampa on RCI JOS on October 28th. It is doing several non US southern Caribbean ports (besides St. Thomas which is US) in between to satisfy the Jones act.

[momofmeg]

Show me where it works for Alaska? There aren't any Anchorage to Seattle sailings. The one ways all run out of Vancouver. The Seattle sailings are all round trip...different PVSA rules to a one way.

 

Solstice schedule summer 2013. Also NCL has I think the Pearl? is doing Alaska round trip Seattle this year.

[Cruise Junky]

And it it can't be because it is 2 different US cities as beginning and ending port. There's a repo from Boston to Tampa on RCI JOS on October 28th. It is doing several non US southern Caribbean ports (besides St. Thomas which is US) in between to satisfy the Jones act.

 

That sailing goes to both Curacao and Aruba, both considered foreign distant ports

[Cruise Junky]

Solstice schedule summer 2013. Also NCL has I think the Pearl? is doing Alaska round trip Seattle this year.

 

That's not answering my question, you said one ways work from Seattle to Alaska, I said show me. The one ways run out of Vancouver.

[momofmeg]

Show me where it works for Alaska? There aren't any Anchorage to Seattle sailings. The one ways all run out of Vancouver. The Seattle sailings are all round trip...different PVSA rules to a one way.

 

Okay-so you are saying one way is different-I was referring to round trip Seattle-why is the rules different for one way and round trip on what is considered a non US port? and why can RCI JOS go from Boston to Tampa as long as they hit some non US Caribbean ports?

 

 

Victoria is okay for round trip but not two US cities? But yet you can go from two US cities on the East coast as long as there are some non US Caribbean ports???? That is one heck of a complicated law.