Shore excursions (Paradise)

[Erinemc]

Going on my first cruise ever June 12th to Baja Mexico. Almost every question I have has been anwered by studying these boards Thanks for all the info. Was wondering........

Does anyone have an opinion about the shore excursions to Catalina and Ensenada? Are there any tours or activities highly reccomended or should we spend more time on the ship? Thanks!

[seamama1]

I can't speak for Ensenada but make sure you get off the ship at Catalina. There are plenty of things to do/see by foot. It is a beautiful little place.

 

As for Ensenada....if you have never been there before, at least take a short sight-seeing tour. Maybe walk around, do some shopping. It seems a shame to not enjoy a place you have never been before by staying on the ship.

 

In any case, have a GREAT time.....

[robinblue]

Going on my first cruise ever June 12th to Baja Mexico. Almost every question I have has been anwered by studying these boards Thanks for all the info. Was wondering........

Does anyone have an opinion about the shore excursions to Catalina and Ensenada? Are there any tours or activities highly reccomended or should we spend more time on the ship? Thanks!

Depends on what you like to do. We just got back from our cruise (will post the report in a few minutes), which was our second on this itinerary. We have never taken any ship excursions but can report on what we did independently and the reports were received from our tablemates.

 

On Catalina we rented a golf cart (first cruise) and drove around for about an hour. It was fun and we were treated to some beautiful views. The last cruise we walked around town and took a tour of the Casino, the ivory colored round building always featured in photos of Catalina. I highly recommend this tour. There are two tours on Tuesdays, one at 1:45 and the other one about 3:00. We walked over and got tickets at the box office about 1:30 but I think you could get them from a Discovery Tour office on the pier or in town. The tour lasts about 45 minutes is well worth it (cost about $15pp). We loved it and found it fascinating. We were back on the ship by 3:00.

 

The first time in Ensenada we went to Papas and Beer for, well, beer, and a few pieces of merchandise. This last time we decided to stay on the ship and just hang out. Tablemates did the blow hole tour and liked it although they said the vendors were quite aggressive, and the others did the winery tour (in town, I think, not the one in the country). They all enjoyed it. However, our problem with the tours is that they all seem to end with an "opportunity to shop", which my husband abhors, so we didn't take any tours. I wanted to go on the Titanic studio tour but we weren't in the mood to ride a bus for a long time so we didn't go.

 

HTH,

Robin B.

[Erinemc]

Thanks for the feedback. It reminded me of another question I have about the same topic. One description of an Avalon tour said it went by the former home of author Gene Stratton Porter. Does anyone know if this is on all Avalon tours or just this specific one? Again, thanks so much.

[robinblue]

Thanks for the feedback. It reminded me of another question I have about the same topic. One description of an Avalon tour said it went by the former home of author Gene Stratton Porter. Does anyone know if this is on all Avalon tours or just this specific one? Again, thanks so much.

 

Don't know about GSP's home but Zane Grey's home is there, which is now a hotel, I believe. Could this be what you are thinking of?

[skiorcruise]

Our Paradise cruise (about 2 years ago) missed Catalina because of rough seas. Had planned the glass bottom boat.

 

We took the shuttle into town ($3.00 pp), then set up the blowhole tour for about half of what Carnival wanted ($14 vs 27 if I remember correctly). Took the bus out, walked down past the vendors, saw it, walked and shopped our way back up. The vendors are agressive, but a firm "No thank you" seemed to work well. I bought a leather bag (started at $120, bought at $40, a tablemate did better and got one for $35). Took the bus back to town, stopped for drinks and lunch, back onboard by 3:30. Overall an acceptable excursion, but nothing great.

 

I've read here that the wine country trip is good, and will do that next time we sail the Paradise. DW wants to do the Titanic tour, so I may be over ruled.

 

Enjoy your cruise - it was my first as well.

[Erinemc]

Don't know about GSP's home but Zane Grey's home is there, which is now a hotel, I believe. Could this be what you are thinking of?

 

I'm not sure. They listed the home of two authors and if I recall correctly said something about two old boats refurbished into a home.

Thanks everyone for all the responses. Let me know if any of you have things you want reported on about the Paradise cruise.

[matty12]

I just got back from this cruise on the 26th of May. My wife and I have done the cruise twice now, so we knew what to expect. In Catalina we just shopped and enjoyed Avalon. I know a lot of people rent golf carts and have a good time. If we had gotten into Avalon earlier we would have rented bikes to explore the town.

 

DO THE WINE COUNTRY TOUR in Ensenada!!!! I cannot stress this enough! If you enjoy wine and want to get outside of the city, this tour is great! We drank lots of wine and had a great tour guide. We have been enjoying the wine we bought at dinner the past couple of nights and we can't help but remember all of the great times we had on our cruise.