Baja ports

[cathy_kearns]

We are going on what is called a cruise to Baja California. The ports are Catalina (California) and Ensenada. Where would I find the discussion on those two ports?

[TicTac#2]

You may wish to try the "ports of call" boards. But you will not find any

forums for Catalina or Ensenada. Try North American Homeports sub-forum

West coast departures then search that forum for both Catalina and Ensenada. Hope that helps....

[LHT28]

Also try the Mexican Riviera forum.

Hope you are going to more ports than those 2!

[Beth & Rob]

I'm wondering how you picked this cruise....maybe it's just a short 3 day weekend......You are really better off with trying to take a longer trip and do the bigger Mexican ports such as Cabo, Puerta Vallarta and Mazatlan.

 

You can find some pretty good deals for not much more.....

 

Anyway.......Catalina is a cute, quaint little island, I have some pics from a recent trip and can send them to you if you give me your email address. Mine is rsimons@socal.rr.com

 

You will walk along the riverfront and can visit all the little (very expensive) shops. You can rent a little golf cart and head up the hills to overlook the bay and check out the beautiful homes.....But not much more.

 

Ensenada......depends how you look at it. Quite an impoverished city, but in the last year I have seen great improvements. Grab a tour from one of the folks on the land (it's about $15 as I recall). You don't need to book it from the ship and pay an extra $10, just take the first tours and you'll have plenty of time to look around afterwards......

 

Go to the la bufadora, it's a big blowhole. There is a flea market there and you will be hassled like crazy.......take it with a grain of salt, don't be intimidated into buying anything you don't want.

 

In the town you can walk around, there are plenty of stores, great bars to grab a margarita......if you want vanilla, go to the Gigante, it's the area supermarket. You can buy true vanilla. They have little bottles for a couple of bucks, take them back to your co-workers. You can also buy nice Kahlua much less in this store.

 

Have fun......

[cellotaxi]

We are going on that cruise next month, but we are doing the 4 day. If you want to extend your vacation, you could do that and the mexican riviera, back to back,which is what we are doing in 22 days!!!!!!!!!! On the Baja we are doing 1. Catalina Island--we are just going to walk around a bit, and find a beach.2. San Diego--find something to do, my aunt grew up there, shell tell us (if I have any good ideas Ill let you know)3.Ensenada--we are going to Foxplortation-$31 pp

[cathy_kearns]

I'm wondering how you picked this cruise....maybe it's just a short 3 day weekend......You are really better off with trying to take a longer trip and do the bigger Mexican ports such as Cabo, Puerta Vallarta and Mazatlan.

..

 

It's a cruise with our extended family for my parent's anniversary. The cruise line and port choices aren't my choice, but it'll be great to hang out with the family. Thanks for the info on Ensenada.

[Bruin Steve]

Cathy,

I actually just returned Monday from a similar cruise...I've done it five times now--at least variations of it...

I take it by the listing of only the two ports--Catalina and Ensenada--that the version you are doing is the 4-nighter on Carnival...

 

Yes, the ports are not all that exciting, but it souns as if you really don't have a choice in the matter...

 

The reason WE do it is that's it's a nice quick getaway for us...and cheap...We certainly don't do it because we love Ensenada...

 

But, it is what it is...it's a chance to cruise...to get away from home, be treated to nice meals, entertainment, things to do...to hang out with friends, family ...or new friends...

 

No, there is no particular Ports of Call Board here for these ports--this one (Mexican Riviera) is where you'll find them most often discussed--although they really aren't Mexican Riviera ports...

 

Here is my quick take on those two ports:

 

Catalina: It is a "tender" port...The ship anchors in the harbor and they bring you to the town on a smaller ship...The town of Avalon itself is only about one square mile...the main attractions are the "Casino" (Really not a "casino"...no gambling, there never has been any...it was built in the 1920s and used as a Ballroom, then as a theater and as a movie theater) and the Wrigley Mansion (the entire island was once owned by Chewing Gum magnate Phillip Wrigley...You can also get tours into the interior of the island--mostly scenic views and rough terrain...or do water-related activities--Glass bottom boats and submarines, kayaking, scuba, snorkeling...But what most people seem to do is to walk around the very small commercial area and browse and shop until they get bored...I'd recommend some sort of a tour to at least fill part of the day--there's not enough there for any full day tours, so there will always be time left open for shopping and browsing...

 

Ensenada: Everyone's least favorite Mexican port...it's an industrial city which is neither quaint, scenic nor historic...The last three times down, we've done the same thing: We take the ship's Winery Tour (We go on RCCL, but I assume Carnival has the same tours...RCCL charges $29 pp for this tour and it is well worth it)...The Winery tour takes you out of Ensenada to the scenic Guadelupe Valley and to a couple of surprisingly good wineries (usually Domecq and LA Cetto, though this last time, we were there on a Sunday and Domecq was closed so they substituted a third winery instead)...It takes about 4 hours and they leave you the option of being dropped off in the center of town...which we do...We then have lunch--Fish/Shrimp Tacos at "Papas and Beer" and then shop our way down the main street back to the ship...

 

They push tours to La Bufadora--the "blowhole" which most people (including myself) find to be a major disappointment...it's just the waves hitting a rock formation which pushes the water up into the air...Between the bus parking and the blowhole, numerous cheap junk stalls try to sell you cheap junk...

 

City tours usually include a short "Folklorico" dance show and a tour of the convention center...

 

The town has one major street of gift shops selling leather goods, jewelry, folk art...and a lot of ***** and other drugs...

There are two noteworthy bars in the center of town: Hussong's --the almost legendary cantina--traditional--mariachis, margaritas--very laid back, great for the older tourists...and "Papas and Beer"...Papas has two parts--a restaurant downstairs (where we get our shrimp tacos)--loud, but good and tame...and, with a separate entrance, the bar upstairs--a frat party without supervision...A great place to go if you are young, single and don't mind being around rowdy people who drink too much and college coeds who seem to be auditioning for "Girls Gone Wild"...

 

Instead of the walk to or from the ship to the center of town, there are also shuttles for $1 per person...But the walk is actually pretty easy...

 

Have fun...

[cathy_kearns]

Thanks. Maybe we'll try the wine tour, or the drive ATVs and wine tour. (I'm assuming we drive the ATVs before we drink wine...)

 

And good advice for Catalina. I went there for a weekend when I was a child. And I was thinking renting a golf cart and toodling around would be fun, but you're right, it probably isn't really enough to do for 4 hours. We should add in something else.

[IamMrsOz]

We are on this itinerary in a couple weeks. We have done it once before and many would ask why we would do it again. We are introducing our two children to cruising in a short cheap way. They will love it, just to be on a cruise ship (their first response when we told them we were bringing them was incredulous..."kids can go on cruises?" hee hee...we've kept that a secret on our other getaways) and say they went to Mexico. We know Ensenada sucks but we are trying to find something entertaining and educational for them there (thinking of the Fiesta) and may do a little geocaching, possibly whale watching. Catalina is quaint but not that intriguing for children. Glass bottom boat and Camp Carnival should do it for them. My kids love going to restaurants so just the buffets and dining room and dressing up for dinner will be exciting for them.

 

When you have more choice, time, money (the Pride rarely goes on rock bottom sales like 7 day carribean do) the 7 day Carnival Mex Riv is a million times better. We hope to do this one again soon. Or try the new 5 day to Cabo on Elation starting in May.

[Las Vegas Non Rev]

Papas and Beer"...Papas has two parts--a restaurant downstairs (where we get our shrimp tacos)--loud, but good and tame...and, with a separate entrance, the bar upstairs--a frat party without supervision...A great place to go if you are young, single and don't mind being around rowdy people who drink too much and college coeds who seem to be auditioning for "Girls Gone Wild"...

 

Instead of the walk to or from the ship to the center of town, there are also shuttles for $1 per person...But the walk is actually pretty easy...

 

quote]

 

Is this close to the ship? easy to get to?

[Bruin Steve]

..."Papas and Beer"...

Is this close to the ship? easy to get to?

 

It's several blocks walk...but not a bad walk if you're into walking...or shopping...but shuttles and taxis are cheap enough...

The reason to walk it is to shop...the pier is on one end of downtown, Papas and Hussong's are on the other...In between are all of those shops where you can buy tacky t-shirts, imitation designer purses, discount *****, cheap silver jewelry and assorted knick-knacks...