Is Ensenada the Nassau of the West Coast?

[adSimba]

From a previous post I read this, I've never been... guidance please?

 

[AquaDame]

It kind of felt like it... when we went in 2015 there weren't many offerings. You could go see the blowhole, go to a winery that didn't have very good reviews or have a resort/beach day. It felt like we only went to meet the legal requirements in the shortest possible distance. Cabo/Mazatlan/Puerto Vallarta were all much better this year.

 

[WestFamily]

Hah, perhaps you're reading a discussion I'm involved with.

I've never been to Nassau so I can't comment on that.

However Ensenada I've been two twice. Last Spring and then again a couple weeks ago. I hear it's not awful IF you take one of the excursions away from the city. For instance one of the Wine tours or ATV trips; I actually heard great things about those on my last cruise. The city itself is still beat up from both being old and the last big storm a couple years ago. We took the local cruise bus to the downtown area and we got dropped off in a totally run down hotel/restaurant courtyard. Walked a couple blocks to the shopping area only to find it depressing and shady feeling. The Bufadora that they tout as their tourist draw is a blow hole and a flea market.

It's just not an elaborate touristy and resorts town. I think that's the problem.

 

[adSimba]

Hah, perhaps you're reading a discussion I'm involved with.

I've never been to Nassau so I can't comment on that.

However Ensenada I've been two twice. Last Spring and then again a couple weeks ago. I hear it's not awful IF you take one of the excursions away from the city. For instance one of the Wine tours or ATV trips; I actually heard great things about those on my last cruise. The city itself is still beat up from both being old and the last big storm a couple years ago. We took the local cruise bus to the downtown area and we got dropped off in a totally run down hotel/restaurant courtyard. Walked a couple blocks to the shopping area only to find it depressing and shady feeling. The Bufadora that they tout as their tourist draw is a blow hole and a flea market.

It's just not an elaborate touristy and resorts town. I think that's the problem.

lol, Yes. Yes I am. I was thinking of a short San Diego Cruise

 

[WestFamily]

Honestly, I don't mind Ensenada on a Disney ship. DCL keeps the ship fun on port days. We had a blast that day because there were still so many things to do onboard. However on other lines (Carnival I'm looking at you) the ship really feels dead on port days so an Ensenada stop can be painful.

 

[cruisehopeful]

I like Ensenada much more than Nassau. I don't really think there's a need to get off the ship in Ensenada, though. The blowhole is really cool, but a long bus ride away. The merchants by the blowhole have overpriced stuff. I can buy the same stuff in Old Town San Diego for nearly the same price. Much of Ensenada is similar to parts of San Diego. They have all the major stores, WalMart, McDonalds, etc.

 

[jetskigrl]

I have stopped at Ensenada twice (California Coast cruise and Baja cruise) and we just stayed on the ship the whole time. On our California Coast cruise, that was the warmest day so we spent it by the adult pool

 

[MUN]

From a previous post I read this, I've never been... guidance please?

What do you mean?

 

[bbel]

Just like Nassau, if you have something planned it's fine.

In my opinion, if you just get off and wander around Ensenada is worse than Nassau...
Just me personally, but I'd take Nassau over Ensenada any day!

 

[ludari]

I agree with the previous poster that like Nassau if you have something planned it's fine. Personally I would not waste my time just walking around town or exploring on your own.

 

[DCL Repeaters]

Definitely take Nassau over Ensanada. The 'town' area of Ensanada is not for young kids.

 

[mevelandry]

Honestly, I don't mind Ensenada on a Disney ship. DCL keeps the ship fun on port days. We had a blast that day because there were still so many things to do onboard. However on other lines (Carnival I'm looking at you) the ship really feels dead on port days so an Ensenada stop can be painful.

Just curious... If Ensenada is that bad, why would people get off the ship? Unless (like in Freeport), people get off to get drunk in Senor Frog or equivalent?

 

[cutedisneygirly]

DH and invisited Ensenada last year on a Princess California Coast cruise. We went on the tour that took us to the countryside to visit some wineries. The tour was really good, but I would not get off and just wander around town. When we take our 5 day Baja cruise next year with DS5, we most likely will not get off the ship.
I have never been to Nassau, so I can't compare.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

We are taking our son and his wife on the 3 night Baja cruise,and this will be thier first cruise. I sure hope Ensenada is not that bad!

 

[WestFamily]

Just curious... If Ensenada is that bad, why would people get off the ship? Unless (like in Freeport), people get off to get drunk in Senor Frog or equivalent?

My guess is not knowing or some have higher tolerances for what they want to deal with. Shoot, for some, it's an adventure and they want to experience it. Some may want to go to a flea market style things. There are the staple places for food and drinking (Papas and Beer in Ensenada). I'm biased because I'm in California, others may not have Mexican food and want to get it from the source. Some do excursions and get away from the city. There are plenty of reasons to get off the ship, those that are important to people is different for everyone.

I'm realizing I was harsh on Ensenada; there is stuff to do. It's just not resort like nor is it glamourous based on what I've seen and heard but it can be fun.

 

[bcwife76]

Haha I was the one who originally posted this on the other thread ;-)
I'm just so disappointed that the 5 night includes this port because I've never really read ANYTHING favourable about this port. Just as don't read a lot of favourable things about Nassau, either.

However, I should have prefaced this by saying I have never been to EITHER of those two ports....so I'm basing it off others' reports and talking out of my ....ahem....

 

[tlynk]

I would take Nassau over Ensenada if I had to choose. I've toured both and enjoy staying on the ship now.

 

[jdb in AZ]

Nassau has Atlantis. Ensenada has very little nothing. We've been to both, and if we ever go back to either, we'll stay on the ship.

 

[adSimba]

Haha I was the one who originally posted this on the other thread ;-)
I'm just so disappointed that the 5 night includes this port because I've never really read ANYTHING favourable about this port. Just as don't read a lot of favourable things about Nassau, either.

However, I should have prefaced this by saying I have never been to EITHER of those two ports....so I'm basing it off others' reports and talking out of my ....ahem....

Joy (can I call you Joy?, that's what I think in my head when I see you post) in my experience you are the most upbeat and friendly repeat cruiser, so hearing that you weren't interested made me second guess.

 

[Mil leech]

At least Nassau has nice clear water to swim in!! The water there is really sandy, so the beach isn't all that much of an attraction either.