LuCruise

Thanks for the info. We probably would have gotten off early so good to know.

Yes that's it. I like margaritas if that counts.. 🙂 Not sure I'd like it straight, but DH would. Seems like a few things. Thanks for explaining. Good to hear first hand that you were on the tour.

Thank you! Was wondering about that but good that we can walk into town or take a shuttle. Funny enough, one of the excursions that we are potentially looking at is a Food and Tequila Walking Tour. One of the pros too is that it is only 2.5 hours and offered two times in the morning so even if we book it, we'd still get the afternoon on ship. Just not sure we would want Tequila at 9:30am in the morning...lol.

We booked Crowne Plaza near the port. It seemed to be the best option with conveniences around it, a short drive the morning of the cruise (uber or taxi ride), plus it was one of the recommended ones.

Thanks. Never been to Ensenada. Is there stuff right at the port such as at Cozumel? Or you need to take a shuttle?

Thanks! Unfortunately we couldn't fit in a short cruise before our son turns 18 (so he keeps Diamond status), but exactly...that's how we ended up booking one our of Los Angeles when Florida is closer to us. The price was right and the dates worked. Looking forward to the 4 free drinks on the next regular length one.

We book when cruises are released (i.e. 2 years out) to get the best price. Note that we will book as refundable. It seems these days that cruise prices have only gone up. Two of our cruises have increased by $5500 and $4100. Pretty crazy!!! Two others ( that are more recent bookings) have already gone up by about $600-1500 (staterooms are no longer available to using other categories to compare). One thing to note though is that these are all school holiday bookings of March Break or Xmas/New Years so that plays a role in the high increase. Still, if you book refundable, then nothing to lose as long as you have the funds to pay the deposit.

DH and I booked a short 3 night cruise in the summer. It's a (belated) celebration birthday cruise for us, plus we are 2 points away from Diamond so this will get us there (i.e. let's us enjoy Diamond for our Dec holiday cruise). I know this varies completely, but am wondering if others even bother booking excursions when it's such a short cruise. We tend to cruise more for the ship-life than the stops but it feels funny not getting off. This cruise is Navigator and stops at Ensenada Mexico. Never been there but there are a couple tours that are an option (mostly food/alcohol related). How about others? Do you bother doing something at the stop when it's such a short cruise? Or do you just enjoy the ship?

We'll be on a cruise out of Los Angeles for the first time in July that is stopping at Ensenada. Anyone done any of these tours and if so, any feedback? We are on Royal but may also be offered by other ships. La Cava de Marcelo: The Cheese Cave Food and tequila Walking Tour Salsa and Salsa Out cruise is only a 3 night so looking for something that isn't too long but gives us a taste of Ensenada (no pun intended)

Thanks for confirming and for your help. We usually book so far in advance that we stick with refundable. With this one, it makes sense to make the swap to non-refundable with final payment so close.

Thanks. We booked it as Refundable so I can see the invoice for our booking. However, since final payment is in less than two weeks and non-refundable is a bit less, we are thinking of switching to non-refundable but want to make sure I understand there is no other downside. i.e. I can't see the terms as we haven't switched yet

Thanks. Thought I'd just post as this is my confusion. Below shows the dates for the same cruise booking refundable and non-refundable. For Refundable, it's due Apr 30. We have no plans to cancel but if we were to cancel between May 1 and May 13, we'd lose 50% of the cruise fare? Vs for non-refundable, we only loose $210 (our deposit in CAD) up to May 13? In this case, non-refundable is much better if any uncertainly. Or maybe I'm missing something?

Thanks. It's confusing as the non-refundable doesn't list the final payment date...I assume it's the same? I guess too my main question is....after final payment, are the cancellation terms the same?

We usually book cruises as refundable since we book far out. However, we booked a short cruise where final payment is due in less than 2 weeks. Is the only difference between refundable and non-refundable is the period up to final payment where refundable you get the deposit back and non-refundable you lose $100 per person and rest goes to FCC? i.e. After final payment, the amount that you would lose if you cancel is the same whether it's a refundable or non-refundable? Also, is the actual final payment date the same for refundable vs non-refundable?

Thank you! We are on Royal so San Pedro. Didn't realize there are two ports so definitely good to know. Will definitely look up those hotels and see. I'd say staying under $300 CAD, which is $220 USD..but if it's more it's more. I know hotels in Fort Lauderdale and Miami have skyrocketed. And thank you for noting Best Western South Bay is not a good area. Definitely don't want to stay there then. And to all that posted, thanks as well for the other suggestions. Will look them all up.

DH and I just booked a cruise in July out of Los Angeles cruise port. It's our first time cruising out of there and so no idea on hotels and the area. We are flying into LAX and just need a hotel for one night. We don't need anything fancy or expensive, just obviously clean and an ok area. We won't have a car so would need restaurants (or even basic fast food) in walking distance by as well as say a Publix or pharmacy. Any suggestions? PS - Just did a quick search and Best Western Plus South Bay seems in the middle between the airport and cruise port.

Thanks so much for sharing. Yes we would fly in the day before. Thought we'd stay close to the port but won't dismiss staying at the airport. Thanks for the tip.

Haven't read the entire thread so not sure if this has been mentioned, but when we were on Oasis, there is a link you can view (just need ship wifi) or scan the QR code where it will being up the "paper compass" on your phone. Obviously it's not a print out piece of paper but I used it daily as I like the old format where you can see everything on one page.

Thanks. That's helpful.

Tend to agree...WestJet isn't budget. Prices are up there with Air Canada for us. They seem to be tied to Delta as as booked WestJet last December, but ended up flying Delta. They also often have the exact same flight times to obviously tied.

Thanks for confining.

Next March we have our first cruise booked out of Port Canaveral. What is a safe time to return home (flying back to Canada) from Orlando airport? e.g. Is 12:30pm cutting it too close? Port Canaveral isn't quite as close to the airport as in Fort Lauderdale or Miami. Thanks.

Yes that is true. Picking seats is generally a higher cost...as if refundable. So Air2Sea definitely has its advantages.

Thank you both. My concern with "no tickets issued yet" meant that WestJet could then turn around and sell the seats that we reserved. Good to know we are fine. Good to know too that Air2Sea will send any updates on the the flight but to create a login with the airline once we pay. Thanks. At least our kids are old that it isn't the end of the world if we aren't sitting together, but obviously not ideal, plus I need an aisle seat so I can stand up (back issues) and DH needs one to stretch his legs (as he is tall). We booked with them more for the flexibility until our son's school dates are confirmed (although seems like he is fine based on what is posted). I am also price watching but since it's Dec holiday time, that's not likely and cost has only gone up.

Thanks. So it seems like WestJet is one that won't let you book seats until payment is made (or tickets issues from their perspective). The booking is in place though, right? i.e. these are booked seats that the airline won't sell to someone else?