nicolerene81

I had the same problem the first time I went. I sent him a message via the website form and did not get an answer. When I arrived he fit us right in and said he never got a message. The second time I went, I sent an email directly to the email address on the website and he answered right away. We arrived an hour early for our appointment and he got us right in. If you are there when they open, you probably won't need an appointment

Best Baja Massage is great. It is way cheaper than the ship and the massage was really good. It is clean and comfortable too.

You need a passport because you will make a stop in Mexico...regardless of if you get off the boat in Ensenada, you will still have to have that passport. They will not even let you board without it.

 

We've done that cruise a couple of times. They dock at the Aloha Tower -- there is some shopping and restaurants there but if you want to go down to Waikiki, it is a bit of a walk. What you can do is catch the free bus to the Walmart store and walk to Waikiki beach from there....the bus takes you halfway there. You will know where to pick it up, all the crew is waiting for it. The public bus is also another good option. I wouldn't rent a car there just to go downtown, parking is at a premium and expensive. If you want to drive around the island, to the punchbowl, pearl harbor, sea life park or the Polynesian Cultural Center, then getting a car wouldn't be such a bad idea. You can always pick up an excursion in town if you don't want to book on the ship.

This only applies to Princess, because Carnival does not require a passport for closed loop cruises. I took a cruise to Ensenada last month and my daughter just took her passport (she's an adult).

I wonder why they have different requirements?

I went with Spencer Ambrose and got there early (0900). I chose a chair in the shade in front of the marine preserve and stayed there all day. It was shady and cool and sheltered when it rained for a few minutes.

The view is spectacular and I loved that side of the beach.

I posted this to another forum already....

Just finished the Jalousie Beach Break with Spencer.

He was very efficient and we were the first people on the beach so we had our choice of chairs. I think the land and sea tour came later.

The snorkeling was good with lots of fish and coral. There are a ton of fish That are right at the beach so young kids can literally wade in and just put their face in the water to see fish.

Someone referred to the food as "slop" which is ridiculously ignorant. It was delicious, home cooked, traditional Caribbean food that was sooooo good. It included BBQ chicken, green banana salad which tasted like artichoke hearts, rice and beans, and salad.

The boats were never crowded and the ride was a little bumpy but expected.

Our guide Terry was outstanding and was constantly checking with us to see if we needed anything (drinks, food, snorkel equipment, etc). He was wonderfully attentive and informative.

I can't wait to go back and use Spencer Ambrose tours again.

Just finished the Jalousie Beach Break with Spencer.

He was very efficient and we were the first people on the beach so we ha our choice of chairs.

The snorkeling was good with lots of fish and coral. There are a ton of fish Jo are right at the beach so young kids can literally wade in and just out their face in the water to see fish.

Someone referred to the food as "slop" which is ridiculously ignorant. It was delicious, home cooked, traditional Caribbean food that was sooooo good. It included BBQ chicken, green banana salad which tasted like artichoke hearts, rice and beans, and salad.

The boats were never crowded and the ride was a little bumpy but expected.

Our guide Terry was outstanding and was constantly checking with us to see if we needed anything (drinks, food, snorkel equipment, etc). He was wonderfully attentive and informative.

I can't wait to go back and use Spencer Ambrose tours again.