The Phoenixx

Woohoo! Happy Anniversary!!

I never noticed any movement, but there were a couple of times DW did feel a little woozy from the motion that she felt. (I served on two small ships in the Navy so the seas would need to be rough indeed for me to notice any motion.)

Thanks😀

I have booked a group cruise booked for my 50th birthday in 2018 and one of my friends was concerned about sailing on a smaller ship during hurricane season. Did you find the water was pretty smooth, a little choppy, or rough?

Thanks.

Don't know the price of the tours. We walk into town for lunch. I've seen La Cetto wine and local olive oils for sale in the supermarkets.

 

The refurbished Malecon was just opened. New pedestrian bridge going over. They've added a skatepark, playground, bandstand, concession stands and a dancing waters fountain. Also the Museum is finally open.

Thanks Sadie😃

Catalina is a tender port. Carnival's now using the old Catalina ferries. They hold 270-399 pax, depending on ferry used. Roll on/off for mobility devices. They even have bathrooms :D

 

There is a zip line both Ensenada and Catalina.

Hey Sadie,

If ypu take the shuttle into Ensenada can you possibly post the tours they have available? We sail in January and want to do a combo tour but it appears i didnt post the price list I took a photo of when I was there last. We did the blow hole and horseback riding for $35 last year.

Thanks

Hey yawl! Are there buses at the port that offer excursion packages that go to Las Canadas? I have searched the boards and I saw that someone posted a package deal for Las Canadas and La Bufadora for $50. Just wanted know if anyone has been recently that can confirm the prices and other packages that may be available.

Thanks

Thanks for posting. Hubby and I are excited for our cruise in January.

I can only comment on the La Bufadora as an excursion. If you've ever been to Oahu,Hawaii, there is a natural rock formation that shaped out a hole near the bottom of a cliff where waves crash through and a big geyser like spew of ocean water shoots out, which has become a tourist attraction. You won't see this at the La Bufadora. You'll board a bus that drives through Ensenada. You'll get to the destinatino and you'll walk through a flea market selling a whole bunch of souvenirs and then to a cliff where the blow hole shoots out water and sprays you while you're on the side of the cliff. I never saw the actual blow hole. I did pick up some real nice souvenirs and bought my wife her first poncho. The tour did end a wine bottling company where i bought some good tasting merlot.

 

It was our first time in Mexico so we walked away with a good experience.

Ive been to La Bufadora but my husband has not. We loved it and thought about the kayak tour to get a close up drom the bottom. But hubby didnt do too well with the kayak in Montego Bay. I think we will do the zip line.

Thanks dor your input. 80 something days!!

Pick one excursion that you want more, either the la bufadora or the winery, and when it ends, decide if you wanna take a cab to the other destination. What I know is that the la bufadora excursion took up a big portion of the day because it wasn't close by. The wineries from what i understand is also not anywhere nearby so you might have to take a cab to whatever you didn't go to.

 

Do take caution though when taking a cab anywhere in Ensenada. Locals pay about 4-6 bucks to get around no matter the distance (within the city). They may charge you 10-15 but if you're ok paying that, then that's that but try to haggle before you jump in the cab. The other thing, cabs are not reliable and if you're taking a cab at the end of the day, you're risking not getting back on time (again depending on what time you get back).

Good point. It seems the excursions that I want to book for the zip line doesn't provide transportation. Choosing one is the hard part. But better to make the ship than left :) I'll just have to go back and do another one another time.

We are trying to do a couple of things in Ensenada. We want to take the winery tour and zip line. I anyone has done the winery tour, did you find there was time to do something else while there, or would that be pushing it? If we can't we may do the zip line and the Blowhole, or the winery.

Thanks

I think we can get a full day with the golf carts and the botanical gardens, and maybe even parasailing. Has anyone been? It looks like the Carnival price is better than the Parasailing Catalina price.

Yeah, the beach didn't seem like a good idea or snorkeling. I've seen a lot of videos of people enjoying the city in golf carts.

We are cerebrating our 1 year wedding anniversary and we will stop in Catalina and Ensenada in January. What are some fun things to do there that I may have missed out on previous trips? We have been to the casino, and kayaking. (With my Daughters not my husband) But I wanna do something super fun and exciting. There will be another couple joining us for the cruise, so I would like some ideas to toss around to them also.

Thanks

Definitely taking advantage of this.

Thanks all. :) Someone posted a tour of the Queen Mary that if free for Carnival cruisers. I booked the 2:50 so we can take advantage of that. I almost booked the noon flight tho.

Probably, but I would consider booking the 2:50 flight just to be safe.

Yeah, can't hurt. Thanks.

LAX please. Thanks. Would I be pushing it either way. (Taxi or Carnival shuttle)

Good afternoon,

Southwest has flights for $49 from Phoenix to LA and back. Usually we drive from Phoenix, but don't want to drive this time. Should I be able to catch a noon flight when we return on Wednesday Feb. 1st.

Thanks.

Thanks all. Very helpful info.

Thanks for the helpful info. I asked a similar question and was told to search the boards. I did until my eyes crossed. So thanks again.

Hey All. Trying to find the best way to get to the cruise port from LAX. It looks like a cab ride can range from $26-52. Bus 2 hours. (Google search). I usually stay with family the night before, but I think we are going to fly in the morning of. (We live in Phoenix and don't want to drive) Just wondered of there were any shuttles or services anyone uses on a regular basis.

Thanks.

Thanks Tapi I will check them out.

So, I have sailed Carnival exclusively and I am planning a 50th birthday cruise in 2018. I considered Norwegian for their Mediterranean itineraries since the Vista would be state side by then.

With the lunch of the Vista II, I figured it was a no brainier. I'd stay with Carnival. But I've changed my mind about going to the Med and will stick to the Caribbean. My question is for those that have sailed both Carnival and Norwegian. From your experience, which would you choose and why? I was looking at the Vista, I like the itineraries and of course the new ship smell 😃. I like the offers from Norwegian and was thinking about a back to back on the Sky or another ship because of the drink package and specialty dining options.

In addition to my birthday, I have friends and family that are interested in going, so I'd be looking for the best ship for a nice size group.

I definitely want a balcony for me so if you could suggest the best option, that would be great.

Thanks.

Not sure. I'll see when this posts!! Still excited!!

Subscribing. Planning a birthday cruise in 2018. Hoping to sail the Vista II with a similar itinerary. Loving the details. Thanks bunches.