So Cal cruisers, ? for you all....

[KaitlinsMom]

Have you ever cruised on the west coast? I am planning a Mom's weekend away and instead of going somewhere, we were thinking of doing a 3-4 day cruise to Mexico -

Now I know not to do Carnival from the west coast so I am looking into RC -

But I need ideas of who to book it through for a great rate - DU? Costco?

Just looking for some ideas from someone with experience -

Thanks!!!

Karen

 

[MindydLeon]

Hi there Neighbor!

unfortunately, I find that we don't have a lot of options here on the West Coast (time to build a new ship -- Disney --- just in case you are listening) --- I have done a 3 day Mexico cruise many, many years ago ... it was actually my first experience cruising and it turned me off to the idea for many, many years. The three (and probably the four day) cruise do not allow enough time to go far enough into Mexico --- to get to the pretty ports you need at least 7 days I think ... Ensenada was a HUGE dissappointment! Catalina was OK, but I can go there anytime ... so IMHO, I am not fond of the short cruises down to Mexico ... if I were to take a cruise to Mexico (which has crossed my mind a couple of times lately) ... I would definitely opt for the 7 day cruise and I would probably go with Princess Cruise lines ... I have cruised up to Alaska on the Celebrity Infinity ... and I would DEFINITELY recommend that ... Alaska is a wonderful destination and the Infinity is a marvelous ship! If you have any other questions ... feel free to ask!

 

[KaitlinsMom]

I agree - My husband and I did a four day for our honeymoon on Carnival - WE HATED IT!!!!! We had been to mexico before, so we knew what to expect, but the service and food was just horrible!!

We did not take a cruise until 7 years later and that was Disney - Boy, what a difference!!!

But it is just going to be Moms, so the Dads will be taking care of the kids. So needless to say, a 7 day is out -

I thought that maybe with RC, maybe the service and food would be better and we could just hang out at the spa?

We are doing Vegas in Sept. - But we were looking for something different - Probably plan around Jan, Feb, March when rates are low-

Any ideas?

 

[jordanyosh]

I haven't not been on the cruises out here, but I know several people who have including my parents. The feedback I have gotten is not great. If you've already been on a Disney Cruise, these will pale in comparison. If you like Disney, I would opt for a mom's weekend at the Grand Californian at The Disneyland Resort. I have stayed there a few times and you really feeel like you are away from Southern California. You can do wine tasting in DCA;get massages at the Spa; have cocktails and people watch at the circular bar at Catal; have a world-class meal at the Napa Rose; lay by the pool and have cocktails served to you at your lounge chair; have late-night lattes and sit by the 2 story fireplace in rocking chairs; make the short trip to Burke Williams Spa at the Block and spend a half day getting pampered. I could go on and on. I never thought that i could feel so relaxed after spending a weekend so close to home.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[Michelle]

Karen, I have done a couple of Baja Mexico cruises many years ago, they were nothing to write home about.

However, the RCCL Monarch of the Seas that has been upgraded for the Mexico cruises DOES look tempting. I would certainly go for it as a fun mom's weekend away! It's a decent ship.

Dreams does not currently book non-Disney cruises, just FYI.

Enjoy!

 

[mobetsy]

I can't be of any help about the cruises, but if you are planning a moms' weekend away, I can tell you what 12 of my internet friends--all moms, from around the country (I'm in So Cal)--and I did 6 weeks ago! We stayed at a fabulous little hotel on Coronado, right across the street from the Hotel del Coronado. It has suites with kitchens, the innkeeper is fabulous, they provide all the beach stuff you might need (helps make packing easier). We totally relaxed for 3 days and nights and had a thoroughly wonderful time. You can take a look at www.villacapribythesea.com. Whatever you do, have fun!

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

A friend of mine went on the Star Princess Mexican Riveria cruise, and loved it.

The Carnival Pride is being repositioned out of So Cal (LA I think), and will do the 7 night Riveria cruises. It is a new ship, so it might be a good choice. The Monarch of the Seas also seems tempting (and, I think they have the Vision to start 7 night Riveria cruises?).

So, if you want to do a 3/4 night, I'd probably go with the RCCL Monarch.

 

[TootyJane]

Originally posted by mobetsy
....You can take a look at www.villacapribythesea.com. Whatever you do, have fun!

Mobetsy -- link didn't work. Can you repost it??? TIA

 

[mobetsy]

Hmm...I have the URL right, but the link doesn't work. Here it is again: http://www.villacapribythesea.com/

If that still doesn't work as a link, I think you can cut and paste it in your internet browser successfully. It is not a fancy hotel, but it was really fabulous for R & R.

 

[dianedisney]

You are so right about Carnival, alot of travel agents call Carnival "The K-Mart of Cruising". RCCL, Princess, Celebrity, NCL are all good cruise lines. As for Disney building another ship, some ships officer's told me the ship has already been drawn up and designed. But they are waiting to see what the economy is going to do.

 

[tezb]

I am from No. Calif but I know of family members who have travelled to So Calif to take cruises...the Mexican Riviera on the Elation. They enjoyed it but had nothing to compare it to. I know another relative who had rough waters in June so they won't do it again. Just from seeing pics and hearing about it, it sounds like we enjoyed DCL much more.

 

[KaitlinsMom]

Thank you all for your responses -

The Grand California Hotel idea actually sounds quite nice -

We just don't have a great cruise on the West coast (Disney, are you listening?)

But Michelle, I must agree, the RCCL does look tempting and that is what we were thinking about -

mobetsy - We have done San Diego - Twice actually - We have done Palm Springs and Big Bear - We have been doing this about 5 years and take a weekend about every 9-10 months or so.

The ideas are great - Keep em coming!!

Karen

 

[Lloyd Dobler]

I've done the Princess 7-day to Mexico on Star Princess. I enjoyed this tremendously. The ship is great. It's a bit bigger than DCL's ships (109,000 GRT vs. 83,000). There's lots to do on board. The food is great, the staff very attentive. I think Star Princess will be back in LA in the fall. It was originally going to be re-positioned to Asia, I think, but SARS has sent it back to the US.

I've also taken a 10-day Mexican cruise on ms Statendam, a HAL ship, out of San Diego. I like HAL every bit as much as DCL. The ships are very classy. The service on HAL is probably the best of any line I've been on (DCL, NCL, Princess, RCCL, Windstar). The 10-day trip is nice, because the port calls are a bit longer. This cruise had calls at Cabo, Mazatlan, Acapulco, Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo, and Puerto Vallarta. HAL also has a Sea of Cortez itinerary with calls at Pichilingue/La Paz, Loreto, and Santo Rosalia, with Mazatlan, PV, and Cabo. I haven't tried this one, but may do it next fall. HAL also does 7-days out of San Diego on both Statendam and ms Ryndam.

We are definitely going to try the new, improved RCCL ship on a 4-day, and I may cave in and try the new Carnival ship when it gets out here. I've heard lots of conflicting reports about Carnival, so I'm going to try it for myself and see. I wanted to do it out of the west coast, so I didn't have to fly across the country, and I wanted to try one of their newer ships (the Elation is getting pretty old). Carnival has recently moved from port of LA to port of Long Beach. You now board their ships right down the pier from the Queen Mary. I'm not sure how long this will last, though. I think they are using the building which used to house the Spruce Goose as their terminal.

 

[mobetsy]

Karen, when are you going? During parts of this summer, some of the nice hotels in Costa Mesa have a fabulous deal, where for each night of a minimum 2 night stay you get a $40 dining voucher (long list of eateries), plus a $25 Unocal gas voucher (one per stay). It is near South Coast Plaza, so great shopping I don't know where you are starting from; maybe that is too close to be anything special. But it you are interested, look at the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce website; it's something like "Drive and Dine"

Or, in the other direction, how about Ventura, Santa Barbara, Pismo Beach? All of that is only if you aren't really set on a cruise, of course!

 

[Cara]

I will second Mobetsy's suggestion of the hotel. I was one of the 13, and we had a FABULOUS weekend. Karen, so glad to hear this is a regular thing for you all.

Mobetsy, I would think a short cruise might be a good option for us in future years!

I know you will have fun whatever you decide.

Cara

 

[KaitlinsMom]

We're not really set on a cruise unless we know it would be a great deal and great fun!

Ventura and Santa Barbara sound great -

Costa Mesa is about 20 minutes away - It would be great to get all those deals though - We don't usually hang out there, so that still would be great -

Just a cruise sounds so glamerous doesn't it? But if it turned out to be anything like my honeymoon cruise, it would just be awful -

Although, when it's mom's weekend away - does it really matter where you are just as long as you are away!!!!!!!!

Karen

 

[jordanyosh]

You don't even have to go to the theme parks. I think we were at DCA for Aladdin and that was it. Hockey is in season. On friday night you could go to a Mighty Ducks game.......there is so much to do......have you seen the Grand Cal yet? it is truly spectacular.

 

[KaitlinsMom]

jordonyash -

I have been to Grand Cal with my family (when our house was fumigated for termites) - I loved it!!!!

Oh, you had to mention hockey! I am a huge hockey fan - but only of the Detroit Red Wings - But I truly respect the Ducks - what a great team! That's not a bad idea actually, don't know of how many of my Mom friends like hockey though~!

 

[mobetsy]

Here's the link for the Costa Mesa offer
http://www.costamesa-ca.com/cm_whats_new.html

It's called "Drive and Dine on Us"...looks like a fabulous deal, though you are so close by that maybe it is less interesting (but Cara and I would totally agree that getting away anywhere is so wonderful as to be worth it!).

Oxnard has some nice beach house rentals and is probably a little less pricey than Ventura...from either you can easily go to the outlet malls in Camarillo Can you tell I like shopping? Can you also tell that I'm vicariously enjoying your weekend away?

 

[OurDogCisco]

I have done the RCCL to Mexico on the Visions of the Sea. We did a 4 day cruise from Long Beach to Ensenada and back. We had one day at sea. Having been on the Disney cruise this in no means was any comparison but we actually like the cruise. It was an older boat but it had it's own charm. I actually like the food better in the dining rooms on the Vision. However, the buffet food was disgusting. Anyways, it is all expectation too. The cruise was cheap too.

Anyways, I don't know if you have considered Vegas. My friends and I went to Vegas last year for 4 days. We had a blast. We stayed at New York, New York Hotel. BIG rooms very spacious (It fit 5 girls very comfortably). The room had two double beds and one rollaway bed. There was tons of walking around room. I was really surprised. We saw the "O" show. Had dinner at Emeril's restaurant. We had so much fun and I don't think we even gambled. Anyways, just another idea. Good Luck!

Tina