What can I expect on the California coastal?

[Thrak]

You can always take a short stroll and check out Hussong's Cantina in Ensenada...

[SoCal Cruiser78]

Our Friend Bruce does not live in the USA and does not, apparently, think California cities are "anywhere special."...

 

As a California native, it was all I could do to avoid the snark keys when I read Bruce's comment.

[SoCal Cruiser78]

I am on the Crown Princess' 7 day CA Coastal. Is it true that there are no formal nights????

I'd love to hear because that's less I have to pack. Could someone who has done the 7 night CA Coastal please confirm or deny the formal night--or lack thereof.

 

I am fine either way--I like to dress up, but casual is fine as well.

 

Mom C

 

Last I knew there are formal nights on 7-night coastals, just not on the 3 and 4-nighters. It tells you in your cruise docs if you want to be sure.

Edited September 16, 2014 by Ryndam2002

[shredie]

As a California native, it was all I could do to avoid the snark keys when I read Bruce's comment.

 

Our Friend Bruce seems to be off spreading cheer on one of the other boards now. HAL might be another favorite. :)

 

I have never found anyone who thought San Francisco was not special, and that goes for Santa Barbara and San Diego, too. (Catalina? Meh. LOL)

[shredie]

You can always take a short stroll and check out Hussong's Cantina in Ensenada...

 

I might try that in a couple of weeks. We're doing another short hop, and I'm starting to feel a little guilty about dissing Ensenada. :)

[SadieN]

I might try that in a couple of weeks. We're doing another short hop, and I'm starting to feel a little guilty about dissing Ensenada. :)

 

 

Right next door is Taquiera Lindo. A few tables and seating at the counter.

Really good tacos.

A few more doors down is Michoacana (lime green building). We usually get piña or key lime pie ice cream.

 

Be careful of the sidewalks. Off of Ave Lopez (Primera) there are holes in the sidewalks.

[dms42]

DMS42 - I think we are on the same cruise as you. We too are taking it as a short break from work before the holiday hoopla begins and to check out the Golden. My husband has his high school reunion cruise to Alaska in June 2015 on her and we wanted to get the lay of the land.

 

Hi Fabby50... We are counting down the days!! Make sure to check the Princess website (log in...); we had a significant price drop and an increased OBC. :) See you soon.

[Qcruise]

The wife and I live in Long Beach and love the coastals.....We took the Saphire this past March and went to Santa Barbara and Ensenada. It was very cool to see Santa Barbara from a cruise perspective....we enjoyed no marine layer every morning, and warm days for poolside lounging. We leave in 3 weeks on the Golden for the three nighter just to Ensenada, we just get off the ship to walk around a bit while there. They offer such deals we can't stay home that cheap. This time a balcony was $600 including a $200 OBC.....we just love these quick getaways.....I can just take off half day Friday and be back to work by 9:30am Monday morning....awesome.

[Cruisin' Chick]

Our Friend Bruce seems to be off spreading cheer on one of the other boards now. HAL might be another favorite. :)

 

I have never found anyone who thought San Francisco was not special, and that goes for Santa Barbara and San Diego, too. (Catalina? Meh. LOL)

 

If the PVSA didn't exist, a wonderful itinerary for me would be San Diego, Santa Barbara, San Francisco, Portland, Seattle and even Vancouver (which would should take care of the PVSA, I guess:)). To me, Ensenada would be the waste of a stop for many of us on the West Coast because "been there, done that" while the other cities have so much going on.

[AZ Stan (FKA Stan in Chicago)]

I am on the Crown Princess' 7 day CA Coastal. Is it true that there are no formal nights????

I'd love to hear because that's less I have to pack. Could someone who has done the 7 night CA Coastal please confirm or deny the formal night--or lack thereof.

 

I am fine either way--I like to dress up, but casual is fine as well.

 

Mom C

 

Two formal nights on the 7 day coastal, but if you'd like to stay casual, there is always the specialty restaurants, or the horizon court buffet.

 

Stan

[Princessmich]

There should be 2 formal nights on your 7 day coastal but it doesn't mean that you must dress up. There are other options if you choose not to dress formally. We loved our last 7 day coastal. We have done the 4 day also on the Golden and in Ensenada,since we've been there several times, I booked a half day in the Sanctuary. What a pleasure! I think there were 3 others up there with me!:)

I am on the Crown Princess' 7 day CA Coastal. Is it true that there are no formal nights????

I'd love to hear because that's less I have to pack. Could someone who has done the 7 night CA Coastal please confirm or deny the formal night--or lack thereof.

 

I am fine either way--I like to dress up, but casual is fine as well.

 

Mom C

[rpcv77]

Re: Ensenada. The wine tour, LA Cetto and Casa Doña Lupe is a lovely half day excursion. After you return from the tour, walk to the fish market and enjoy some tasty fish tacos or cocteles at the little restaurants opposite the market. Have a margarita or a beer too. I know some people are very specific about what makes a good port, but short of outright danger, most places are as good as you make them. I've only been on 5 cruises, but have traveled quite extensively (former Peace Corps volunteer and Pan Am flight attendant) I've always found something interesting in every place I've been to. Sometimes, it's as simple as checking out a local supermarket and learning a bit about the lives of the local people. Enjoy your cruise!

[STEVENJAN]

Must be new. Had it on our October cruise on the Golden. It was served with a remoulade not melted butter.

YES, we had it on our cruise in November as well.

As I recall it was also served with the very large Shrimp. Oxymoron?

I think it was the second night out, Day at Sea.

Edited September 26, 2014 by STEVENJAN

[STEVENJAN]

Hello,

 

I have been on two princess cruises in the past - both 7 day Caribbean. My husband and I decided to give the 4 day California coastal a shot tho it since it's closer and wouldn't require so much time away from work. We are sailing the Golden (have previously sailed emerald). Aside from being shorter and not being Caribbean, what other big differences will I notice? Is there anything they cut or add for these 4 day cruises?

 

Thanks !!

Nicole

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

Nicole, here is my take on the "California Coastals".

You will have an excellent chance to relax, eat good food if not great, Be entertained at many venues, Eat excellent food, You can have dinner served in your room(Ultimate Balcony Dining), People watch (they are interesting), enjoy a day at sea, Read good or bad books, Watch a movie outdoors, Eat pretty good food, drink drinks,Watch more people, Meet people, watch people, swap lies or tall tails at least, enjoy the harbors, enjoy the sea, Look behind the scene tours. All-in-all, a delightful experience, if you want it to be.

Have you ever seen a blow hole? (Ensenada) Santa Barbara is a nice town. The Golden Princess is a nice ship. What more do you want? Longer would be nice. Warmer would be nice. It is what you make of it. We shall enjoy ourselves........Steve

[STEVENJAN]

Nicole, here is my take on the "California Coastals".

You will have an excellent chance to relax, eat good food if not great, Be entertained at many venues, Eat excellent food, You can have dinner served in your room(Ultimate Balcony Dining), People watch (they are interesting), enjoy a day at sea, Read good or bad books, Watch a movie outdoors, Eat pretty good food, drink drinks,Watch more people, Meet people, watch people, swap lies or tall tails at least, enjoy the harbors, enjoy the sea, Look behind the scene tours. All-in-all, a delightful experience, if you want it to be.

Have you ever seen a blow hole? (Ensenada) Santa Barbara is a nice town. The Golden Princess is a nice ship. What more do you want? Longer would be nice. Warmer would be nice. It is what you make of it. We shall enjoy ourselves........Steve

 

Nicole, I didn't see until later that you are going to Catalina. We love it there. We have stayed there twice, I have fished those waters many times. Our children have snorkeled there. We have taken the ferry there from Long Beach. While on those trips I have seen many flying fish, Blue whales, Dolphins galore, The glass bottom boat is fun, the half submersible is delightful. The trip(bus?) to the airport is ok. the shops are cute.

Good ice cream place. You can rent golf carts to get around. Nice walk to Lover's cove(snorkeling) and the walk to the Casino(just a museum) is pleasant. Places in the village to grab a bite or a beer and people watch. Have fun. We do.

[CthyC]

[quote name='shepp']There's a great zipline/suspension bridge place just outside Ensenada, and it costs about a thousandth of what a Princess zipline excursion costs. [url]www.lascanadas.com/en/Canopy-Tour-Zipline-in-Ensenada-Baja-California.php[/url][/QUOTE]

How long did it take you to get there? How did you get there? Sounds like fun to me!!!