Why the San Diego stop?

[ddgleason]

I have been on Monarch a few times and I always go back. She is a fun ship with a very laid back atmosphere. That being said- does anyone else think the San Diego port day is superfluous? (On the 4 day) IMO I would like a full day at sea and skip SD. Which, when Viking Serenade made this run, there was no stop in SD. That was, of course, many moons ago, and I keep thinking we sailed out of SD back then on this itinerary. (Could be wrong on that one.) Does anyone else share my odd thoughts? Do you think stopping in SD is not necessarily the best thing on a ship that sails out of LA and stops at Catalina Island?

[IBookHePays]

I love San Diego, there's a lot of fun to be had. I've only been there on one cruise but have done many land based vacations there. If I had to choose, I wish we could skip Ensenada.

[PhoenixCruiser]

Actually, we think San Diego is the best stop :D

 

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[ddgleason]

Okay, having been to Ensenda a few times, I agree. I could easily skip that as well. Actually, the only port I truly enjoy is Catalina. Well, that's not true. I enjoy all the ports- some of them on board! :)

[MGoBlue2]

Stay on the ship, then.

[Ella2]

Add me to the list that LOVES the San Diego stop, even though we can travel there by car in two hours or so. Days at sea on coastal cruises pretty much consist of floating around, it's not like being at sea on a longer cruise, so that's no great appeal. We really enjoy San Diego, it's my favorite port on the 4-nighter (love Catalina too, but the tendering is a bit of a pain). We treat Ensenada as a pseudo sea day and don't get off the ship then.

 

If you don't want to stop in San Diego, try the Carnival Paradise...they do not stop there on the 4-night cruises.

 

Edited to add: The Viking Serenade sailed out of San Pedro, and when we sailed her in 1991, they did do the San Diego stop on the 4-night then too.

[dirtgirl]

Ahem, not everybody on the Monarch comes from Southern California! I wish they would dump Ensenada myself, but they won't do that because of the Jones Act.:cool:

[cruisldy]

As I recall the Viking Serenade (loved that ship), had a falling out of some sort with my city back in the mid 90's and as a result Royal Caribbean decided to kind of throw a fit and stopped San Diego as a port. Only lasted a few years, though and I remember the city welcomed her back with all the fanfare befitting. I lived in Northern CA at the time, but I kept up with the cruise news from here, until I could get back when my husband retired in 1999 and he relocated with me.

[Arizona Cruz Chic]

SD is by far the best port on that cruise! :)

 

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[MissKise]

Having been on the Monarch five times, and the Viking Serenade once, I have to say that we enjoy all the ports. We have been known to stay on the ship during some of the ports, or only take a very quick trip off.

 

IF I was FORCED to remove a port to make way for a day at sea, I would pick Catalina, since it is such a small city. San Diego offers so many things for all ages. And the stop in Ensenada allows for your casino adventures to occur. If we didn't stop in Mexico, the casino could not open.:eek:

 

We enjoy the ship. The cruise is a wonderful get away since we only have to drive down to the port, jump on and relax. Love love love it.

[ddgleason]

I agree! The Monarch is a wonderful get away. Even for those of us not from So. Cal. (of which I am one.) Being from Vegas, the appeal of the casino is a little lost on me! I don't spend a lot of time or money there. I am sure you understand why!

 

As for staying on board in certain ports in repsonse to the OP, I do. I thought I said that. I was just wondering what everyone's opinion was with this thread. Thanks for the opinions, all! San Diego is a favorite port or the majority, it looks like.

[Coralc]

Viking Serenade DID stop in San Diego!:rolleyes: It is the exact same itinerary as Monarch does now. In 1992, when we first sailed, San Diego was not the wonderful port stop that it is now. It is greatly improved. We really enjoy San Diego. :D We actually use Ensenada as our "at sea" day. Unless crittterchick would like to share where the wonderful massage place is?

[Uncle Fester]

Hopefully in a few years, the cruise lines will have another option to Ensenada if Mexico opens up Punta Colonet, its proposed new port about 80 miles south of Ensenada. Either way, until the U.S. revokes the Jones Act or the cruise lines start using U.S. flagged and staffed ships, we are stuck making at least one stop in Mexico.

[suziehmkr]

We also enjoy San Diego... and yes, the Viking Serenade did stop there at one point. We went to Sea World on that stop in 1992. My wonderful husband stood in line with me for over an hour so that I could be in the front row for the Shamu show. Of course, it was our honeymoon, so he gladly did it... hmmmm would he do that now - 15 years later? I am pretty sure he would. :p

 

We prefer San Diego over Catalina... I mean, if we had to pick one to drop it would be Catalina. :p But they are all fun.

 

Thinking about taking the cooking tour in Ensenada... has anyone done that one? We have been there a few times before, but we usually just walk around, shop, eat, drink, drink and then drink... and then head back to the ship. Thought the cooking tour would be fun before the drinking, drinking & mas drinking. :rolleyes: :p :D

[Merion_Mom]

Ahem, not everybody on the Monarch comes from Southern California! I wish they would dump Ensenada myself, but they won't do that because of the Jones Act.:cool:

Ditto, DG!

[Coralc]

Yes I am being pissy. But it is the Passenger Services Act and not the Jones Act which requires the stop in a foreign port. It was explained to us in great detail by the Captain on the Hawaii cruise as to why we had to disembark in Ensenada instead of continuing on to San Diego. :D

 

Everyone keeps citing the Jones Act, and that does not apply! Really. Passenger Services Act.

[mollyeilis]

My wonderful husband stood in line with me for over an hour so that I could be in the front row for the Shamu show. Of course, it was our honeymoon, so he gladly did it... hmmmm would he do that now - 15 years later? I am pretty sure he would. :p

 

Of course he wanted you to be in that soakin zone up in front...were you wearing a white t-shirt that day by any chance? :):p

[suziehmkr]

Of course he wanted you to be in that soakin zone up in front...were you wearing a white t-shirt that day by any chance? :):p

Maaayyyybeeeee... ;) :p :)

[Merion_Mom]

Yes I am being pissy. But it is the Passenger Services Act and not the Jones Act which requires the stop in a foreign port. It was explained to us in great detail by the Captain on the Hawaii cruise as to why we had to disembark in Ensenada instead of continuing on to San Diego. :D

 

Everyone keeps citing the Jones Act, and that does not apply! Really. Passenger Services Act.

 

You are correct, Patty. I am the reluctant resident expert on the Passengers Services Act! Read a good explanation here: http://www.sealetter.com/Oct-99/alancol.html

[ladylawyer]

Thinking about taking the cooking tour in Ensenada... has anyone done that one? We have been there a few times before, but we usually just walk around, shop, eat, drink, drink and then drink... and then head back to the ship. Thought the cooking tour would be fun before the drinking, drinking & mas drinking. :rolleyes: :p :D

 

Tina, I've done the cooking tour twice. It's a lot of fun and I recommend it. However ... fair warning ... The "chef" (Jesus) tells you that the guys will come around to take your drink order. There are great margaritas and, since the restaurant is called Mango Mango, you should order the mango margarita ... blah blah blah ...

 

The mango margaritas are good. Heck, order another, Jesus says ...

 

He leaves something out: They're not included with the cost of the $39 tour ... they cost $11.50 ... and they're so watered down that the alcohol is almost non-existent.

 

I'm not saying to avoid the excursion. I liked it, both times ... just giving you the $$$ warning that Jesus forgets to tell you. It took some of the folks at our table by surprise. My recommendation, order water on the tour and do the mas drinking across the street or next door. :)

[FitzLA]

I think the most pointless stop on this cruise in Catalina. It is an hour by boat from San Pedro. Why does the ship go somewhere you can see from the port. I live inland Los Angeles, and I can see San Pedro. That is the most pointless stop.

[Merion_Mom]

Tina, I've done the cooking tour twice. It's a lot of fun and I recommend it. However ... fair warning ... The "chef" (Jesus) tells you that the guys will come around to take your drink order. There are great margaritas and, since the restaurant is called Mango Mango, you should order the mango margarita ... blah blah blah ...

 

The mango margaritas are good. Heck, order another, Jesus says ...

 

He leaves something out: They're not included with the cost of the $39 tour ... they cost $11.50 ... and they're so watered down that the alcohol is almost non-existent.

 

I'm not saying to avoid the excursion. I liked it, both times ... just giving you the $$$ warning that Jesus forgets to tell you. It took some of the folks at our table by surprise. My recommendation, order water on the tour and do the mas drinking across the street or next door. :)

WWJD?

[Uncle Fester]

You are correct, Patty. I am the reluctant resident expert on the Passengers Services Act! Read a good explanation here: http://www.sealetter.com/Oct-99/alancol.html

 

Having worked with a ship's broker in the past chartering several ships to carry cargo, I had the Jones Act beat into my head, and incorrecty presumed it applied to passenger transport as well. I stand corrected.

[ddgleason]

WWJD?

That's funny! He would go to Papa's & Beer.

[Happy ks]

If they ceased going to San Diego, the cruise would be pointless for us, it's our favorite port on this cruise. Catalina is always pretty, we get off there, but it is small and crowded.

 

Ensenada we use as our "sea" day, if we never get off the ship there again we wouldn't miss a thing.

 

A sea day in this area of the Pacific can be pretty miserable, the ocean can be rough, the sky is often overcast, it's not that warm. I'd much rather be stopped in Ensenada for the day even if I don't like the town.

 

We live about an hour - hour and a half north of San Diego and we go at least once or twice per year. We never get tired of the town, it is lovely and there is so much to do.

 

We all have our opinions. Even though my choice is not to cruise with Carnival (on Paradise) on this run, I'd especially not like it because they have a sea day...and no San Diego.

 

Hi, Carol :D