Ensenada Bus to San Diego - Your Experiences

[momofmeg]

Cabotage laws are primarily to protect jobs. Could you imagine how badly the airlines would be doing in the US if foreign carriers were permitted to fly people from one U.S. city to another? Foreign companies do not have the same labor laws as the U.S. and it would put U.S. companies at an unfair advantage if they had to compete within the U.S. with other companies who have much lower labor costs. While there is only one major cruise ship that is U.S. flagged (NCL's Pride of America) there are still lots of river cruise ships, lake cruise ships, Alaskan cruise ships etc. that are U.S. flagged and there are lots of ferries that are U.S. flagged. All of these would be threatened if the PVSA was repealed.

 

There are other issues at play as well, but this is the largest factor and easiest to explain. The cruise lines do not want the PVSA repealed as then they may be subject to different (more unfavorable) restrictions that the PVSA protects them from currently. Fortunately not too many itineraries are dramatically impacted by the PVSA, so the best solution is to just have to deal with the inconvenience when they do arise (i.e. the Ensenada issue).

 

 

Thank you for taking the time to explain this to me-unlike others, who just want to argue and be condescending, your posts actually make sense.

[Bxc53]

With the PVSA situation sorted out, are there any more reports from folks that have done the San Diego to Ensenada transfer?

[takemewithyou]

With the PVSA situation sorted out, are there any more reports from folks that have done the San Diego to Ensenada transfer?

 

A bunch of us booked on Millie for Oct will be doing it.

We have a one-way Ensenada to Hawaii cruise. :)

[upwarduk]

With the PVSA situation sorted out, are there any more reports from folks that have done the San Diego to Ensenada transfer.

 

 

Bxc53

There is a positive message here, from someone who was on the 1st bus from the ship (Ensenada to San Diego- April 5th) They had time to wait for a noon flight!!!

Guess it is all down to to 'pot luck,' dependant on your bus allocation.

http://cruiseforums.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1360810&page=83

[bc6152]

The first class busses in Mexico are as good as first class busses anywhere. From what I have read, the busses are escorted by soldiers so you should be safe and have an uneventful trip.

I don't have any idea what, if any, arrangements the cruise company has made to facilitate the crossing, but believe they go thrugh quickly as the pax are merely in transit in Mexico.

The US side may take quite a while to clear.

 

Do a couple of searches, There are some posts on the subject.

 

Did I read this correctly? The buses are escorted by soldiers? WTH is that all about! Whew! Won't catch me on ANY bus in Mexico. I recently read about a whole bus full of cruisers on an excursion that were robbed of everything. Rings, watches, money, passports, anything of value. Came on the bus with guns. Not a good way to spend your vacation.

[jeanneful]

I booked the Century for Nov 4th 2012. Are you telling me that I will have to take a bus from Ensanada back to San Diego? The ship dosen't take us back>?????

[edgee]

I booked the Century for Nov 4th 2012. Are you telling me that I will have to take a bus from Ensanada back to San Diego? The ship dosen't take us back.

 

 

Suggest you read the entire thread. Yours is a round trip cruise from San Diego. RT cruises from CA to Hawaii are not affected by this bussing issue. Only one way cruises must stop or start in Ensenada or similar location...thus the bussing problem comes into play. RT cruises must stop at a non U.S. port but do not have to terminate or begin there.

[EddiesToys]

Did I read this correctly? The buses are escorted by soldiers? WTH is that all about! Whew! Won't catch me on ANY bus in Mexico. I recently read about a whole bus full of cruisers on an excursion that were robbed of everything. Rings, watches, money, passports, anything of value. Came on the bus with guns. Not a good way to spend your vacation.

Just googled "bus hold up"- Plilly,St Louis...everywhere! Best to hide in the celler, .just in case!

[factor30]

No, the buses are not escorted by Mexican soldiers. When you disembark at Ensenada, there are soldiers with guns standing around presumably keeping an eye on everything. When the buses depart, the only protection we had was a driver who didn't know where he was going!

[bigdawgs]

We sailed aboard the Carnival Spirit in Oct. 2009 from Honolulu to Ensenada. We disembarked in Ensenada on Oct. 10th and, while the process at the pier was orderly and we were directed to the proper buses with our luggage having been placed on the bus, the ride from Ensenada to San Diego was endless, largely because of the traffic situation at the U.S./Mexican border, which was bumper to bumper. When we finally reached the border, we had to get off the bus, taking our carry-ons with us, having them screened and then getting back on the bus on the U.S. side.

 

Once we were back in the U.S. the ride was fine. However, all this took about 4 hours, causing some passengers to miss their flights in San Diego. Fortunately for us, we were staying in San Diego for a few days. For this reason, I would not recommend any itinerary that ends in Ensenada. With a cruise in the opposite direction, i.e., Ensenada to Honolulu, there is no problem going from the U.S. over the border to Mexico.

 

I hope this was helpful.

[takemewithyou]

Thanks Bigdawgs....it was helpful for me since we are going from San Diego to Ensenada to board Millie in the Fall :):D

[bc6152]

Just googled "bus hold up"- Plilly,St Louis...everywhere! Best to hide in the celler, .just in case!

 

Yeah but the last time I checked no one was decapitated...

[Bxc53]

Looks like the thread has gone quiet. Perhaps we will get some first person reports from the Millenium sailing in October.

[newsier]

We were dumped off the Carnival Spriit in October 2005, coming from Hawaaii.

 

As a previous poster said, getting off the ship and into the busses went smooth. I believe we had US Customs agents on the ship and our "checked" luggage in the cargo bay of the bus was sealed and safe.

 

But at the border, there were 2 immigration agents. Not too bad for a "small" ship like the Carnival Spirit.

 

Problem was, there were 2 other small ships that landed in Ensenada along with us...........it took close to 3 hours to get through the border. Yes, we had to get off the bus with our carry-ons, and yes, once through the border, it went smooth.

 

The ironic thing was after the ship unloaded all of us, it went to San Diego to get its next load of passengers. A stop the day before in Ensenada with a disembarkation in SD would have made the trip more memorable.

 

g

[cruzmaven]

Seems to me that X can avoid this mess on the Solstice 9/13/2013 itinerary by departing from Victoria instead of Seattle. Starting in a foreign port it would then be able to end in San Diego.

 

Victoria is just a ferry ride away from Seattle. Would much rather ride a ferry from Seattle to Victoria than a bus from Ensenada to San Diego.

[gentlemancruiser]

Seems to me that X can avoid this mess on the Solstice 9/13/2013 itinerary by departing from Victoria instead of Seattle. Starting in a foreign port it would then be able to end in San Diego.

 

Victoria is just a ferry ride away from Seattle. Would much rather ride a ferry from Seattle to Victoria than a bus from Ensenada to San Diego.

 

I think Celebrity must have an agreement with Ensenada and they must make a certain number of calls (quota) each year.

 

Having stopped in Ensenada on a cruise I don't I'd ever bother going back. Not a nice cruise port at all.

[Cruise Junky]

Seems to me that X can avoid this mess on the Solstice 9/13/2013 itinerary by departing from Victoria instead of Seattle. Starting in a foreign port it would then be able to end in San Diego.

 

Victoria is just a ferry ride away from Seattle. Would much rather ride a ferry from Seattle to Victoria than a bus from Ensenada to San Diego.

 

They could, but it's not an easy ferry ride. Doesn't the Victoria ferry leave from Anacortes and not Seattle?

[BEAV]

They could, but it's not an easy ferry ride. Doesn't the Victoria ferry leave from Anacortes and not Seattle?

 

Yes, there is ferry service from downtown Seattle to/from Victoria. However originating a cruise from Victoria on a ship that holds 2000+ passengers would be very difficult to fill due to very limited transportation options into/out of Victoria. While Victoria does have commercial air service, it's limited and on smaller planes.

 

http://www.clippervacations.com/ferry/seattlevictoriaferry

[EddiesToys]

Neither Vancouver or Ensenada are "Distant" foreign ports as required. A NON US REGISTERED SHIP may not embark in one US port and disembark in another US port without first visiting a DISTANT foreign port...ie Aruba.

[psueaz]

Neither Vancouver or Ensenada are "Distant" foreign ports as required. A NON US REGISTERED SHIP may not embark in one US port and disembark in another US port without first visiting a DISTANT foreign port...ie Aruba.

 

EddiesToys,

embarking in Vacouver is not embarking in a US port. Unless you consider British Columbia to be part of the US.

[Redtravel]

Avoid Mexico. If you do it, book your plane home the next day. On my cruise, everyone missed their plane. Mexico is horrible. I would never take any cruise that begins or leaves or docks in Mexico. Too risky!!!!

[terrifish]

We are signed up for this cruise in 2013 and have had different answers from different travel agents about the cost of the bus trip back to San Diego. One says it is complimentary and one says there will be a cost. They both have said they checked with Celebrity. Can anyone tell me for sure? Thanks

[takemewithyou]

We are signed up for this cruise in 2013 and have had different answers from different travel agents about the cost of the bus trip back to San Diego. One says it is complimentary and one says there will be a cost. They both have said they checked with Celebrity. Can anyone tell me for sure? Thanks

 

Same thing happened with our 10/2012 cruise on Millie....lots of confusion - some people would told there would be a $90 pp transfer cost and my TA determined.....no charge.....complimentary. She was right! From what I have read on other threads, this isuue comes up repeatedly, but in the end it is complimentary.

 

It is still a point of confusion because some X Reps on the phone are still giving bad info.

[EddiesToys]

EddiesToys,

embarking in Vacouver is not embarking in a US port. Unless you consider British Columbia to be part of the US.

Right on. I shouldn't have posted so late in the evening!

 

Actually, Vancouver is in the US... SMILE...Vancouver Washington.

 

Looks like the real issue is scheduling: ie Solstice is ending Alaska R/T Seattle/Seattle; reposition for R/T mainland to Honolulu which have to depart Ensenada unless visiting a "Distant Foreign Port in between a US embarkation port and a US disembarkation Port.

 

Some lines do R/T to Hawaii out of US ports, but embark and disembark in the same US port ie San Diego - Hawaii - San Diego.

[EddiesToys]

Same thing happened with our 10/2012 cruise on Millie....lots of confusion - some people would told there would be a $90 pp transfer cost and my TA determined.....no charge.....complimentary. She was right! From what I have read on other threads, this isuue comes up repeatedly, but in the end it is complimentary.

 

It is still a point of confusion because some X Reps on the phone are still giving bad info.

Our recent Century Honolulu to Ensendada (arr Ensenada 6 April) started with a $90 charge and was changed to comp. It was too bad some of the busses either got lost, broke down, failed their US entry inspection and/or were late in arriving at the San Diego Airport. Hey...it was an adventure...and it was free!

 

The advice about staying overnight in San Diego is very very prudent. America's Finest City has a lot to offer.