Carnival Paradise Next Week

[iminla]

We are sailing Paradise next week (May 9th) - 4 day cruise to Catalina Island and Ensenada from Long Beach, CA. I was hoping for some high temps but seems like it will be between 67 to 70 degrees next week (night time in mid 50's).

 

Can anyone tell me if this will be too cold??? I have never cruised before so I have no idea. I will definetly pack a light jacket/sweater.

 

My kids were looking forward to be in the water. Will they be able to enjoy water??? It is sea water, isn't it??? So may be too cold for them :-(((

 

Share any info you can please.

[RenoNanaOz]

We are sailing Paradise next week (May 9th) - 4 day cruise to Catalina Island and Ensenada from Long Beach, CA. I was hoping for some high temps but seems like it will be between 67 to 70 degrees next week (night time in mid 50's).

 

Can anyone tell me if this will be too cold??? I have never cruised before so I have no idea. I will definetly pack a light jacket/sweater.

 

My kids were looking forward to be in the water. Will they be able to enjoy water??? It is sea water, isn't it??? So may be too cold for them :-(((

 

Share any info you can please.

 

We have done this cruise several times but usually in Nov or Dec. The weather is always very nice during the day. We have even seen kids swimmimg in Cataline in Dec! You will leave Cataline before the sun goes down so you should be ok. In Ensenada the weather is always very warm even in the winter. We typically get back on the ship there prior to night fall. Hope this helps a little, have fun!

[iminla]

Thank you so much.

 

Have you done the blowhole tour??? through carnival or private? ANy advice?

[RenoNanaOz]

Thank you so much.

 

Have you done the blowhole tour??? through carnival or private? ANy advice?

Yes a couple times, as you leave the ship you will walk through a little shopping mall. Right outside will be busses ready to take you to town for I think $2.00 pp. They will drop you off at a tour office where you can catch a bus to the blowhole. It is perfectly safe and there is always plenty of people from the ship on there. I think it is $15.00 pp, can't remember exactly. It is about a 30 or 40 minute ride and then you have an hour and a half to walk around, shop, eat and see the blowhole. We have seen it very high and other times just a little spray. It is definitely a must do if you have never been. The vendors get a little agressive but if you just keep walking and say no thanks or I'll be back later they won't bother you, too much ;)

[iminla]

Thanks.

 

But if i want to buy soem little trinkets/souvenirs - is it a no-no from the blowhole vendors??? is it because they are aggressive?? Any tips on that?

 

there is another shopping area (downtown shops i thnk) in ensenada - should we go there if we want to buy little things???

[RenoNanaOz]

Thanks.

 

But if i want to buy soem little trinkets/souvenirs - is it a no-no from the blowhole vendors??? is it because they are aggressive?? Any tips on that?

 

there is another shopping area (downtown shops i thnk) in ensenada - should we go there if we want to buy little things???

Of course not, you can buy from them. They are agressive in a friendly way, never threatening or anything. There is pretty much anything you can think of there. Downtown is a little more modern shopping but also lots of good stuff. The blowhole vendors you can bargain with, the ones downtown you can't.

[LivingWild]

Thank you so much.

 

Have you done the blowhole tour??? through carnival or private? ANy advice?

 

It is absolutely not worth the time. We have been to Ensenada multiple times, both on a cruise and off, and have been to the blow hole. It is very dirty and seems to be a collection point of ocean trash. The blow hole vendors sell the same items and food that is available in Ensenada with very little price difference.

[RenoNanaOz]

It is absolutely not worth the time. We have been to Ensenada multiple times, both on a cruise and off, and have been to the blow hole. It is very dirty and seems to be a collection point of ocean trash. The blow hole vendors sell the same items and food that is available in Ensenada with very little price difference.

 

I completely disagree, yes it's a dirt road but other than that it's not dirty. I never once saw a single piece of trash in the Ocean. The restaurants are clean and have clean and functioning restrooms. It's an experience, would I want to spend a lot of time there..no but it is something different to see.

[LivingWild]

Thanks.

 

But if i want to buy soem little trinkets/souvenirs - is it a no-no from the blowhole vendors??? is it because they are aggressive?? Any tips on that?

 

there is another shopping area (downtown shops i thnk) in ensenada - should we go there if we want to buy little things???[/quote

 

They sell the same stuff in both places for about the same prices and both areas will negotiate with you.:)

[xbatt8]

For trinkets and cheaper souvenir type stuff, the flea market at the El Buffador is actually better than in town. Cheaper prices, and they will deal more. NEVER accept the stated price. ALWAYS make them an offer....

 

But if you want nice quality pewter, silver, or jewelry, stick with the recommended stores in town.

 

Also, if you want to spend some time in town, get out and go to El Buffador early. The bus that takes you out there makes you stay for 2 hours or so (gotta make sure you shop at the flea market). If you wait til the afternoon to do this, you may not get much time downtown. Sounds like you have younger kids, so you may not want to hit Mango Mango, Papas and Beer, or any of the other fine drinking establishments, so if you're not looking for good quality stuff, you could probably skip the downtown area.

 

On Catalina, Descanso Beach has some decent snorkeling. There are a few kelp beds close to shore where I have actually seen Garibaldi fish. BUT, the Pacific ocean is pretty much a colder ocean. That's the way it is. Not too cold for those who want to swim however.

 

If you are thinking of doing excursions in Catalina (back country tour, submarine, etc), there is an excursion center right off the pier where the tenders drop you. Nothing is very far away in Catalina....

 

My recomendations are: 1. Rent a golf cart (about $90 for 3 hours) and cruise around Avalon and Descanso on your own. Some very pretty sights from the hills above Avalon, and you can park and walk to other sites. We like to stop at the Vons mkt, get some meat, cheeses, and french bread, and stop on one of the hillsides overlooking the ocean and our ship, and have a picnic.

2. If there is a golfer in the group, Catalina CC is the oldest golf course in California. It is a nine hole course but you can play it twice from different tees to play 18. It is very pretty, and a round of golf is about $60 for 9 holes, cart, and clubs (I think you also get 3 balls).

3. Just walk to the Casino for a tour, and then walk to Descanso Beach. The beach usually has snorkeling gear for rent (tho I don't know if that is everyday until the summer hits), food and drink, and all sorts of shops with goodies for sale.

4. If you want to eat lunch on the island, there are a number of restaurants that are right on the water. We like Armstrongs, but there are several with patios on the water.

 

Enjoy your cruise. We always do.......

[iminla]

Thank you so much.

 

so when you say bargain - how much?? let's say they say $10 - what should I offer?? sorry for dumb question - i have never bargained.

 

Yes - i have little one - twin daughters - 7 yrs old - i am also taking my parents for their 40th Anniversary - so it is six of us.

 

Is glass bottom boat excursion in Catalina any good???

[RenoNanaOz]

Thank you so much.

 

so when you say bargain - how much?? let's say they say $10 - what should I offer?? sorry for dumb question - i have never bargained.

 

Yes - i have little one - twin daughters - 7 yrs old - i am also taking my parents for their 40th Anniversary - so it is six of us.

 

Is glass bottom boat excursion in Catalina any good???

I think it depends on the tide, we only did it once and it was really murky and we couldn't see much. As for bargaining start low and meet them in the middle ;)

[iminla]

The most important ques:

 

What time should we get there on Monday?

 

We live near long beach so drive should be less than 30 minutes to the port and we are planning to park there. What is the best time??

 

What time did you all board???

[RenoNanaOz]

The most important ques:

 

What time should we get there on Monday?

 

We live near long beach so drive should be less than 30 minutes to the port and we are planning to park there. What is the best time??

 

What time did you all board???

 

We always arrive around 12:00 or 12:30 and are on board in about an hour or hour and a half.

[Dirkgun]

Here is La Bufadora and the glass bottom boat in Catalina. You can do both cheaper by just doing them once you get off the ship right there very easy and no risks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[pulledporky]

Thank you so much.

 

so when you say bargain - how much?? let's say they say $10 - what should I offer??

Bargaining is part of the game. If they started at $10, I'd go back with $4. Hold firm and be ready to walk, whatever they are selling is sold at every store in town. Whatever you settle on, don't offer more than you think it's worth to you.

 

At the terminal is a small area that has a lot of tourist trinkets. These are marked with a price, generally marked items are firm prices.

 

Been to the blowhole couple of times. Nothing bad about it at all. There's usually a guy handing out free samples of churros. Pass on the sample and just get a bag. Fresh and hot with plenty of sugar and cinnoman,,, ciminim,,, cinoman...eerrrr.

 

When you return they will stop downtown and you can get off there or they'll take you back to boat (or their terminal, about a 10 minute walk to the marina area).

 

Don't buy the blowhole excursion thru the ship. As said, walk thru the boat terminal and you will see the buses, $2 to town, on the way they explain the the blowhole tour, no problemo.

[Atty]

On bargaining: you should be able to get it for like 50% of the asking price so start as low as you want. Just be prepared to walk away. If they want ten, offer 4 and go to five. If they say no, then just walk away. 9 times out of ten, they will stop you and sell it.

 

On the weather: We were on Paradise at the beginning of April and it was chilly. Not horrible but jeans weather.

 

On arrival: We always arrive as early as possible. On my Paradise cruise, people started lining up before 10. They started boarding at like 11:30. Since you live so close, may as well get there as early as possible since you're going to have to wait in line anyway. May as wait early and get on board right away and start your vacation instead of waiting in line for an hour or two just to get on the ship later in the afternoon. We were on board within 10 minutes after they started the boarding and were eating and getting oriented right away :)

 

Whatever you do, have fun and don't stress it too much. It is vacation after all.

[iminla]

Thank you all so much for your help.

[joeyancho]

I second the suggestion to go to the blowhole. It is a fun trip. If you are lucky, and the tide is right, the blow hole will really be spectacular. I have been there many many times and never get tired of it. It is a great excursion for a low price. If you ask the tour guide they will stop at the Corona outlet and you can get a bucket of beers (complete with Corona bucket) for the ride there (about an hour). I also reccomend getting a fish taco at the blowhole. They are delicious. I agree that not taking the ship offered tour is the way to go. As stated before, just get on the tram at the dock and they will give you their sales pitch. The place to buy the tickets is right where they drop you off. After the tour they will either take you back to the ship or drop you off downtown for more shopping or if you wanna get an adult beverage. They will pick you up at an appointed place and time and take you back to the ship after shopping.

As for bargaining, start low and work your way up. They will never say no, they will just continue to bargain. Don't act like you can't live without the item as this lowers your bargaining position. I generally offer half (or less) of what they want. Stick to your guns. Remember other stores have the same stuff. If they don't want to sell it for the price you want, just walk away. They will come after you with their lowest offer and you can continue to bargain I think the prices at the blowhole are the best in Ensenada. Hope this helps and have a great cruise.

[MissDiva1]

My recommendations........Ensenada.......lunch at Taqueria Mexico Lindo (best tacos in town and cheap beers) which is a few doors down from Mango Mango which is where you need to go next for some drinks.......

 

Catalina......Luau Larrys and grab yourself a wiki wacker. Right across from the beach......