The Grand in Ensenada

[aislin_raina]

So it sounds like no one liked this stop! We have to spend an entire day in port (insert words of sympathy here). Does anyone have anything good to say about it or recommend?? :eek:

 

I was just there on the Grand a week ago today. We enjoyed our day in Ensenada, possibly because it was our first time there :p We did the city tour & La Bufadora excursion. The "city tour" wasn't much, with the stop at the historic building that just seemed like a time-killer. But we had a good time at La Bufadora watching the spout and drinking pina coladas in hollowed out pineapples :)

[SadieN]

we were always told the reason they even go there on Hawaii trips is that there is a maritime law of some form requiring a stop in a foreign port. So my coastal cruise will be stopping there as well.

 

Having been there many times already, and the coastal trip goes there from 7 AM to 5 PM, I have the opposite problem. What am I going to do there with all that time.

 

Hmmm. Probably remain on the ship.

 

Like you we've been there many times. We eat and wander around. Stop at the market and get a paleta.

 

 

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[memoak]

You can get private winery tours and only go to small boutique wineries in the Guadalupe Valley - if you take a Princess tour it will be 40-50 people and only go to corporate type wineries - I did the private thing a few weeks ago and it was awesome

[CRUZBUDS]

In the old days -- Ensenada was called a "technical call" on Hawaii cruise . The ships would pull in around 11:00 - 12:00, do some paperwork and leave. No one was allowed off. If you went to bed early -- you never knew you were there.

 

When NCL America and the state of Hawaii started a push to end west coast Hawaii cruises, the lines changed it to a "real" port call. Pull in in the late afternoon/early evening and out in time to make San Diego or LA. by morning.

 

We really thought Ensenada was kind of nice. Better than it was 30 years ago.

[damiross]

We are just off the March 26 coastal. During the stop at Ensenada all we did was go to the Cruiseport Village (wife must shop!). I'd have been happy just to get off the ship and people watch.

We were in"downtown" Ensenada last year. It's so tacky.

[beckntom]

Gosh, I guess it's true that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Well, not exactly "beauty" but fun! We had such a great time a couple of years ago on a CA Coastal during our stop in Ensenada. Admittedly, we DO like alcohol, so we visited Hussong's Cantina, reportedly where the margarita was born, and yes, had a margarita. We sat outdoors at a restaurant nearby and ate chips and guacamole while people watching. We walked around and bought a couple of things for Halloween (silly little hats) from the street vendors (who were not pushy in the least--I enjoy the interaction). Then we found a fantastic, rather large restaurant for lunch where they took our chicken off the rotisserie turning in the window. We were with a group of four or five couples, so I'm sure that added to the fun. Still, "fun" is where you find it. And, yes, I guess you can find it with a day at the ship's pool, but I really didn't want everyone to just write off Ensenada. It's not Puerto Vallarta, but you CAN enjoy your time there!

[Cruisin' Chick]

we were always told the reason they even go there on Hawaii trips is that there is a maritime law of some form requiring a stop in a foreign port. So my coastal cruise will be stopping there as well.

 

Having been there many times already, and the coastal trip goes there from 7 AM to 5 PM, I have the opposite problem. What am I going to do there with all that time.

 

Hmmm. Probably remain on the ship.

 

It's the PVSA (Passenger Vessel Services Act).

[elliair]

Winery tour. Winery tour. Winery tour.

 

The free bottle of wine for each person is a plus. Depending on how long the ship stays there, we got to visit two wineries. We would do it again if and when we go back there. Also the little market below the ship is good for shopping and there's a guy with a bar that makes excellent margaritas and Bloody Mary's.

[2pbears]

Winery tour. Winery tour. Winery tour.

 

Yes! Yes! Yes!

[SadieN]

.......

 

We were in"downtown" Ensenada last year. It's so tacky.

 

 

It's more Mexican than the marina in Cabo.

 

 

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[RiahFly]

Gosh, I guess it's true that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Well, not exactly "beauty" but fun! We had such a great time a couple of years ago on a CA Coastal during our stop in Ensenada. Admittedly, we DO like alcohol, so we visited Hussong's Cantina, reportedly where the margarita was born, and yes, had a margarita. We sat outdoors at a restaurant nearby and ate chips and guacamole while people watching. We walked around and bought a couple of things for Halloween (silly little hats) from the street vendors (who were not pushy in the least--I enjoy the interaction). Then we found a fantastic, rather large restaurant for lunch where they took our chicken off the rotisserie turning in the window. We were with a group of four or five couples, so I'm sure that added to the fun. Still, "fun" is where you find it. And, yes, I guess you can find it with a day at the ship's pool, but I really didn't want everyone to just write off Ensenada. It's not Puerto Vallarta, but you CAN enjoy your time there!

 

Thank you for your reply! I totally agree that fun is where you find it. I'm not much of a wine/alcohol person, but I do enjoy a drink now and again. It would be neat to see the cantina you mentioned. I'm also sort of curious about La Bufadora (sp?). I'll have to write my own review and let you know what my opinion turns out to be! Oh, and I totally love your quote about dogs :)

[RiahFly]

It's more Mexican than the marina in Cabo.

 

 

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I haven't seen Ensenada yet, but I am inclined to agree with you. I found Cabo to be less than inspiring. It's lovely, to be sure, but just not what I was hoping for. Too many chotchkie shops and not enough actual cultural stuff.

[MJSailors]

There are beautiful wineries in California. Something to do pre or post cruise going out of San Fran or LA.

[doug52]

There are beautiful wineries in California. Something to do pre or post cruise going out of San Fran or LA.

 

There are also beautiful wineries in the Guadupe Valley just about 30 minutes outside Ensenada. They are boutique wineries that offer much better wine than what you get with the ship sponsored tour to LA Cetto and the other one.

 

We toured with Baja Test Kitchen in January to three small wineries and a gourmet lunch(at a restaurant whose chef was featured on the Top Chef show) which made this stop in Ensenada much better than just being downtown. There are over 100 wineries in Guadalupe Valley so we plan on using BTK every time we stop in Ensenada to explore new wineries.

 

Here is the link to my comments after our January tour in Ensenada:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=48936379&postcount=13

 

 

Doug

[RNGALNG]

On our Hawaiian cruise, we had extreme weather on the crossing back. We didn't get to Ensenada until after six. (We were supposed to be there from 4-8.) we were in the dining room having our meal when we docked. The captain told those going ashore that we would only be staying two hours as he needed the extra time to go slowly up the coast. I heard latter from those who did go ashore that the shops by the dock were all closed. Our trip was in January so, at six, all was dark outside as well. We never got a chance to judge the area as we didn't get off the ship.

 

Maybe we should take that trip again, just so we can experience the port?;)

[travellover3]

[quote name='shredie']And that's about three hours too long. :p[/QUOTE]

I agree!

[SadieN]

[quote name='RiahFly']I haven't seen Ensenada yet, but I am inclined to agree with you. I found Cabo to be less than inspiring. It's lovely, to be sure, but just not what I was hoping for. Too many chotchkie shops and not enough actual cultural stuff.[/QUOTE]

Cultural in Ensenada........

There are three museum/historical buildings in Ensenada within a 10 - 15 minute walk of the cruise port. The Army Barracks on Gastellum between the highway and Ave Lopez. The (former casino now) Cultural Center, the Arts Museum is across the street to the south. Eventually they will be opening up the oceanic museum.

Cabo has a '30 minute' museum up in the plaza. Kind of like a Michener novel. Starts off with the formation of the solar system and ends with Cabo of the 1950's.

[Cuizer2]

[quote name='easyboy']To qualify for duty free sale, itinerary should have at least a non-US port, as explained by crew during our Hawaii cruise.[/QUOTE]

That is not it at all. By law (PVSA) a foreign flagged ship (all of Princess' ships are foreign flagged) must make at least one stop at a foreign port on a closed loop cruise (a cruise that begins and ends in the same place).

[Cuizer2]

[quote name='RiahFly']So it sounds like no one liked this stop! We have to spend an entire day in port (insert words of sympathy here). Does anyone have [I]anything[/I] good to say about it or recommend?? :eek:[/QUOTE]

Go to the blowhole.

[Cuizer2]

[quote name='Ferd Berfle']Both the Jones Act (PVSA) and Duty Free shopping needing a foreign port on the itinerary reasons are correct - at least according to announcements on the Grand.

It is also cool that you get port day discounts in the Spa all day even though we didn't get to Ensenada until 4pm[/QUOTE]

The Jones Act and the PVSA are two different things. One has nothing to do with the other.

[Cruisin' Chick]

[quote name='Cuizer2']The Jones Act and the PVSA are two different things. One has nothing to do with the other.[/QUOTE]

Exactly. I just don't get why CDs often list the wrong act in the Patters for Hawaii.

[dtb55]

[quote name='RiahFly']So it sounds like no one liked this stop! We have to spend an entire day in port (insert words of sympathy here). Does anyone have [I]anything[/I] good to say about it or recommend?? :eek:[/QUOTE]



I enjoyed it both times I've been there: First time did the winery tour and second time La Bufadora, delicious tacos and some shopping. Laid back, but enjoyable. I'd get off the ship again if I'm ever there again and find something else to do. Also, got our favorite tequila at half the cost here in the US.

[SadieN]

[quote name='Cuizer2']The Jones Act and the PVSA are two different things. One has nothing to do with the other.[/QUOTE]


They're very similar. Biggest difference is one's for stuff and the other's for people.


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[Cuizer2]

[quote name='SadieN']They're very similar. Biggest difference is one's for stuff and the other's for people.


Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app[/QUOTE]

The Jones Act is from 1920 and the PVSA is from 1886. That is a 34 year difference. People are not "stuff". The two acts are completely different and have nothing to do with each other.

[Coveguy4]

I would not plan a cruise for the port of Ensenada, that said....I always manage to have a good time there. Wine tour, blow hole, shopping, eating (Yes they do have a few good restaurants) , drinking or shopping. I've managed to do all the above in my stops there and had fun, but then I'm on a cruise and I expect to have a good time. If I've chosen to stay onboard...well I've done that in Europe too when I was tired and it was my third time at certain ports that have a long drive to get to once docked(think about Rome, I have also spent a week in that beautiful city and didn't want to spend the day rushing to see something again on a rushed tour)