San Diego port for cruise...

[Disney Hot Mama]

Has anyone taken a crusie departing from San Diego. On a whim I booked a 5 night cruise for my daughter (10) and I. My son will be at Boy Scout camp that week and DH didn't want to go. but he said have fun so we booked it. It is on the Carnival Elation and we go to Ensenada and Cabo San Lucas. It was NOT booked for the port stops. The price was good and we just wanted to get away. Anyway looking for some tips such as what to do, best shore excursions, should be take the Amtrack or drive from Ventura County etc...

Has anyone done this cruise before.. Any tips you can give me?

Thank you

 

[munchkinsmom]

If you decide to take Amtrak, the Downtown San Diego (Santa Fe Depot) train station is only a couple of blocks from the cruise terminal. Depending upon the amount of luggage you'll be carrying, it would be an easy walk or a very, very short cab ride.

In Ensenada, consider a trip to La Bufadora (the "Blow hole"). DH and I went there a few years back and it was fun.

Edited to add: If you do end up taking the train, you might want to consider going a day early. Trains can be pretty unreliable schedule-wise.

Have fun!!!!

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

We went out of San Diego for our first cruise in November. It was easy. We parked at a long term place and they shuttled us over. The train stop looked like it was really close and we did see people dragging their luggage to the port.

We were on a 7 day Mexican Riviera, so we didn't do Ensenada, but I've been there before anyway- La Bufadora is kind of fun, if very touristy these days! Why not get off the ship for an hour or two?

We did do Cabo. We booked a snorkel excursion through the ship... on the catamaran "Tropicat". It was to Chileno Bay. We loved it! Got a great ride out to Los Arcos, saw the sea lions, then on to Chileno Bay. You COULD swim all the way to the beach, but it looked kinda far. We snorkeled off the boat. The guide worked with me because I have never been able to snorkel before. He even got in the water with me. It was great. Large fish, lots of fish. Obviously no sea turtles etc like we saw in Hawaii, but it was okay. Free margaritas on the ride back! Wahooo! Otherwise we found Cabo kind of dull. It was our least favorite port in and of itself.

Good for you for booking a last minute cruise!! What a great way to spend a week. Have a great time!!

 

[Disney Hot Mama]

Thank you for this info... I think this and the info from munchkinsmom tells me we are driving.. I can't go early and the thought of dragging my luggage is not appealing. We will suck it up and drive and park in long term parking too. I will look into the two places you suggested for shore excursions as well. Since we did last minute book I didn't even check out anything in advance. The ship does offer tons of excursions but I know booking off ship is less $$ but not as safe and since it is only me and my DD I want o be safe. I can get excited now....

We went out of San Diego for our first cruise in November. It was easy. We parked at a long term place and they shuttled us over. The train stop looked like it was really close and we did see people dragging their luggage to the port.

We were on a 7 day Mexican Riviera, so we didn't do Ensenada, but I've been there before anyway- La Bufadora is kind of fun, if very touristy these days! Why not get off the ship for an hour or two?

We did do Cabo. We booked a snorkel excursion through the ship... on the catamaran "Tropicat". It was to Chileno Bay. We loved it! Got a great ride out to Los Arcos, saw the sea lions, then on to Chileno Bay. You COULD swim all the way to the beach, but it looked kinda far. We snorkeled off the boat. The guide worked with me because I have never been able to snorkel before. He even got in the water with me. It was great. Large fish, lots of fish. Obviously no sea turtles etc like we saw in Hawaii, but it was okay. Free margaritas on the ride back! Wahooo! Otherwise we found Cabo kind of dull. It was our least favorite port in and of itself.

Good for you for booking a last minute cruise!! What a great way to spend a week. Have a great time!!