First cruise from the West Coast

[RedJessi]

Hello! We are planning a trip from Florida to California for this summer and are including a little 4 night cruise down the coast from LA to Catalina Island and Ensenada Mexico. Ive never cruised from any ports in CA and was hoping someone has done this itinerary and can tell me what to expect as far as weather, ship turbulence and - of course - recommended excursions. Currently, I'm considering the Bison tour on Catalina Island - not seeing much of interest in Ensenada. I'd love to hear other's experiences!

[juanrod]

The 4 day is really nice.  Weather should be great for your cruise.   You might have some movement on the seas coming back to San Pedro from Ensenada, but just depends on weather.   For Ensenada we did once the wine excursion which was fun and the other time just walked around the port and got food.  

[doghog]

6 minutes ago, RedJessi said:

Hello! We are planning a trip from Florida to California for this summer and are including a little 4 night cruise down the coast from LA to Catalina Island and Ensenada Mexico. Ive never cruised from any ports in CA and was hoping someone has done this itinerary and can tell me what to expect as far as weather, ship turbulence and - of course - recommended excursions. Currently, I'm considering the Bison tour on Catalina Island - not seeing much of interest in Ensenada. I'd love to hear other's experiences!

Another place here on CC to search for answers and ask your questions.

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/315-west-coast-departures/

[Tree_skier]

59 minutes ago, RedJessi said:

Hello! We are planning a trip from Florida to California for this summer and are including a little 4 night cruise down the coast from LA to Catalina Island and Ensenada Mexico. Ive never cruised from any ports in CA and was hoping someone has done this itinerary and can tell me what to expect as far as weather, ship turbulence and - of course - recommended excursions. Currently, I'm considering the Bison tour on Catalina Island - not seeing much of interest in Ensenada. I'd love to hear other's experiences!

I've done several of the 4 day's out of LA.  I like them but not necessarily for the port stops.  The last two times I didn't get off the ship in Ensenada.  I don't recommend the "La Buffadora" excursion.  It's kind of lame. Your weather will be good since it is summer.  On Catalina Island I've done the semi submerged underwater tour a couple of times.  It was cool.  You see a lot of colorful fish.  There is a fun little mini golf that'd I'd recommend as well.  You can just walk up and play.  No reservations are required.  It's not a typical mini golf.

 

 

[RumRunner01]

I've done this itinerary many times and I think you'll really like the Catalina excursion you are considering. It's something very unique and you get to see different parts of the island. The main part can get very busy with tourists but still fun to walk around maybe after your excursion.

 

Ensenada has really been working hard on improving their town and port area. It's MUCH nicer than it once was. I did the La Bufadora excursion once and it was ok, you see the blowhole (which is cool) and then you shop around at outdoor markets and stands. If it's hot, it's miserable, though. The bus ride feels very long and kind of makes the whole tour long and drug out.

 

However, I would not discount hanging around the touristy parts of Ensenada for a few hours and shopping/eating/drinking around town. We had AMAZING smoked marlin tacos at the fish market, sometimes we saw them listed as "El Presidente" tacos on some menus. We still talk about those tacos. It's a type of taco found mainly on the west coast of Mexico, we have not seen them on the east/Caribbean part of Mexico.

 

There will also sometimes be live entertainment like dancers near the port. I used to dread the Ensenada stop and not get off the ship but last time we ported there (October 2022) we got off and had one of the nicests days of the cruise (it was a 7-day Mex Riv and Ensenada was the last day).

[Tlbecker1]

I have also done this itinerary.  I recommend just doing the golf cart rental in Catalina and enjoying walking around the town all day.  

[HBCcruiser]

I live close to the port and have done this cruise several times. This is a link to a Live review of the 4-day. It was in February so not as warm.

Weather - It depends on when you are traveling. We often get a marine layer here in the South Bay, especially in June. August usually is sunnier, but honestly, the weather can be a crap shoot. Ensenada will be warmer than LA and Catalina. Also, we really enjoy taking a private wine tasting tour in Valle de Guadalupe - 30 minutes outside of Ensenada! It is really great if that is your thing.

 

Three-day NOS cruise review (with Ensenada wine tasting) last August:

 

[fac429]

7 hours ago, RedJessi said:

Currently, I'm considering the Bison tour on Catalina Island - not seeing much of interest in Ensenada.

 

What types of excursions do you normally like to do?  Sightseeing, active, hang out at the beach, etc.?  There are things you can do in/around Ensenada that I personally think are better than what the cruise line offers but it would help to have an idea of what you're looking for.

[ncovert]

9 hours ago, RedJessi said:

Hello! We are planning a trip from Florida to California for this summer and are including a little 4 night cruise down the coast from LA to Catalina Island and Ensenada Mexico. Ive never cruised from any ports in CA and was hoping someone has done this itinerary and can tell me what to expect as far as weather, ship turbulence and - of course - recommended excursions. Currently, I'm considering the Bison tour on Catalina Island - not seeing much of interest in Ensenada. I'd love to hear other's experiences!

I have done this itinerary many times.  I love your idea of Bison tour, in Catalina, but have not done it.  I have read lots of great reviews and almost did it the last time there.  We have rented a golf cart to get good views of the harbor and cruise ship (3 or 4 times), walked the downtown, window shopping and getting a scoop of ice cream at least as many times.  Also, they do tours in the casino (the circular building) which we did once.  There is a nice botanical garden which a little way from the pier and also done a "glass bottom" submarine tour which we enjoyed, however the water clarity you are probably use to from Florida is not that great (or it wasn't that day)

 

Most times when we are Ensenada we choose to enjoy the ship.  However the blow hole is a decent excursion.  Many people loved visiting the old casino (and birth place of the Margarita).  You can shop in their downtown.  My personal favorite was a wine tour excursion through the cruise line.  If you are struggling on Ensenada look up a YouTube channel, The Beach Life.  Hani has a ton of videos on all sorts of things to do in Ensenada.

 

Whatever you do, you will have a good time.  Once thing to know, the distance trawled is a fraction of the time needed to get to both ports and for this reason, the cruise ships sail at slower speeds.  Sometimes the lower speeds and a rocky ocean lead to a bumpy ride.  It has never been a problem for me, but I know I have read more than a few comments about the rocky seas.

 

If you are interested in any of the excursions, I have a couple of cruise vlog series (Radiance, Miracle and Inspiration) that shows some of our experiences.  Anyway you go about it, I hope you have a great cruise (and if you do the bison excursion, please come back and share) 

[looking4info]

Like others we have done this 4 day multiple times. Unlike others we would not recommend  the Bison Tour. Even the guide acknowledged that sightings are becoming fewer and fewer.  Just my 2 cents.

La Bufadora is an ok trip. See it once and that is plenty. Have done it twice sailing with different family members. Once by bus and once private tour. Agree the bus trip does seem long. Private tour in van much better.

Enjoy.