Why is DCL doing Ensenada?

[Lollipop's Mom]

Its a disgusting hole of a place - filthy dirty, smelly & there is nothing there. Its a bar town that alot of the 3-4 night carnival cruises do because people want to go to carlos and charlies, etc... to drink.
We were there about 4-5 years ago and someone offered me a free knock off purse if I let him take my 10 yr old blonde daughter into the back of his shop for 'a little while'. I have never gotten back to a shuttle so fast in my life!
This is NOT a great place for kids at all.
The only good thing about it was the black pearl was docked there for a bit, as they had just finished filming one of the pirates movies not long before and they were docking it there for a week or so.

 

[erionm]

It's probably the closest foreign port to LA. A cruise that leaves and returns to the same US port must make a stop at least one foreign port.

 

[clten]

DCL needs a foreign port call. Ensenada is often used as a convenient foreign port call for Hawaii and Pacific coast cruises. I'm sure there are many, including myself, who are not planning on getting off the ship.

 

[hjd0411]

I must admit I was wondering the same thing! My brother works for another cruise line in the US scared1 and he was on a cruise cycle which included Ensenada - well, he hated it!! I have to book on a Pacific Coast cruise due to timing and travel from Australia, but I'm thinking Ensenada will be an enjoy the ship day..!!
I so wanted to do a Mexican Riviera cruise - oh well, I guess that will have to be my next vacation!!!

 

[ALK$Disney]

I won't be getting off the ship at Ensenada. Its a pathetic place.

 

[DisneyCruiser83]

There is a law that states that a ship has to stop in a foreign port when going between two US ports. Ensanada is just the easiest port to use for Hawaiian and Pacific Coast itineraries to comply to this law.
I am sorry you had such a bad experience, but it is just one of many ports that have a high poverty rate, and depend on tourism. I have had similar experiences in other ports.
I did mission work in Ensanada all through high school and have great memories from my time there. The people are beautiful, and I am looking forward to going back. But, I would not really call it a tourist destination in the classical sense.

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

Oh ok that makes sense.
It is definately not a place to take kids (and young girls) and just wander around. As a missionary or bar hopping maybe, but not for kids!

 

[castoff]

I am still hoping they change somthing to give us more time in Hawaii. Why couldn't they just stop for a hour ? Looks like another sea day if they don't change anything.

 

[dlhvac]

Went to mexico in the early 70s will never need to go again.

 

[A Litle Pixie Dust]

We went to Hawaii on a cruise with Celebrity.

We spent 4 days going over - 5 days on the islands and 4 days coming back. the night before we arrived back in LA - we stopped in Ensenada for a foreign port stop only. We didn't even dock. A pilot boat came out...they did the paperwork and we were on our way.

I am on one of the coastal cruises that stops in Ensenada. I do not see us getting off the ship and that's okay. I took the cruise for the rest of it.

I have never had a problem there as I have been several times on other cruises.

 

[scrapycruiser]

Well, I have to say ,Mexico is not my idea of a "dream" port !
However, we stopped there on the Princess coming back from Hawaii on the way up to LA. We were not going to get off the ship for the same reasons listed above, but after being on the ship for 4 1/2 days, we decided to take a short tour to the "blow hole". The drive, about 40 minutes, was pretty ...along the coast. When we got there , there were so many vendors wanting to sell you something ! We just walked past and got up to the top of the hill to see the
"blow hole". After seeing that, I said to my husband, "what now?". We had 1 hour before our bus left. Not far from the "hole" we found the neatest open air restaurant with a beautiful view ! We ordered 2 margaritas and shrimp nachoes. They were the best nachoes I've ever eatten. The shrimp were huge !!
When we go on the Pacific Coast cruise in 2012, you better believe I'll be looking for those nachoes !

 

[msmayor]

Don't be surprised at all if the port stop is under 2-3 hours. Most lines that use Ensenada as their foreign port stay only long enough to satisfy the requirement.

I recall reading a while back that one line even made the stop in the middle of the night.

 

[Gdes1]

I agree, but, I mention this in case it is useful to anyone...when we went on a RCCL cruise, pre-kids, we stopped in Ensenda and DH and my brother and I did the "4 wheeler wine tasting tour". One of the most fun things I have ever done! They bussed us to the 4-wheeler place for orientation on how to drive one and for helmets, etc. Then we rode out to the cutest little family winery where we got snacks and wine, then rode back. Very dusty, but so fun.

Obviously, it won't work for anyone with kids, but I mention it in case anyone is in the position to leave their kids on the ship with a relative, or is traveling without kids or something.

The guides were hilarious and very nice. One couple were newlyweds and the groom had a loose wedding ring and wore it anyway because his new wife insisted he wear it on the trip rather than leave it to be sized. Well, he lost it on a turn in the road, and the guides divided up and two continued the tour while the others helped the couple search the bushes for the ring.

The guides and shuttle drivers were very proud of the fact that Ensenda is a thriving industrial port. It's just not the nicest tourist place, as others have said.

 

[NancyIL]

I was on a 4-night cruise from LA that went to San Diego, Catalina Island, and Ensenada. While Ensenada wasn't my favorite port, my daughter and I booked a ship excursion to two wineries that was very enjoyable. Afterwards, we ate lunch in a nice restaurant in town that was recommended by our guide, and did a little shopping.

 

[MFoster]

It is so sad to see the negative posts starting with the year 2004. what happened then is not the Ensenada I know and have lived in for 33 years. a beautiful, quiet and safe place. The cruise ship terminal is only 2 blocks from the main tourist shopping area. There are shops. outdoor cafes, places to sit in a pleasant atmosphere. and only a short walk from the terminal is the new Cultural center and the old Riviera Hotel and Ex casino that is full of early history. . The street people with the babies in their arms have disappeared. The tourist street has more to do than just Carlos and Charlies and drinking . If thats what you get off the ship to do then why get off the ship. best to stay aboard and drink on the ship deck. The Mexican people in Ensenada are warm and hospitable. Re the comments on La Bufadora and the blowhole, Lots of shops with people hawking their merchandise, Its the same as Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan etc. after all its the way they make their living.
Many things have changed in Ensenada. The image of 2011 is not the City of many years ago. Please don't bash her. she has worked very hard to change her cloths and makeup Please don't be afraid to get off the ship with your children. Enjoy Life!!!

 

[A Litle Pixie Dust]

It is so sad to see the negative posts starting with the year 2004. what happened then is not the Ensenada I know and have lived in for 33 years. a beautiful, quiet and safe place. The cruise ship terminal is only 2 blocks from the main tourist shopping area. There are shops. outdoor cafes, places to sit in a pleasant atmosphere. and only a short walk from the terminal is the new Cultural center and the old Riviera Hotel and Ex casino that is full of early history. . The street people with the babies in their arms have disappeared. The tourist street has more to do than just Carlos and Charlies and drinking . If thats what you get off the ship to do then why get off the ship. best to stay aboard and drink on the ship deck. The Mexican people in Ensenada are warm and hospitable. Re the comments on La Bufadora and the blowhole, Lots of shops with people hawking their merchandise, Its the same as Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan etc. after all its the way they make their living.
Many things have changed in Ensenada. The image of 2011 is not the City of many years ago. Please don't bash her. she has worked very hard to change her cloths and makeup Please don't be afraid to get off the ship with your children. Enjoy Life!!!

Thanks you! I have not been in a few years and will make sure I take a look around when I cruise next year. I have never had a problem there but just had a difficult time with the children...it breaks my heart that I can't help them.

 

[rosiep]

Disney has not posted any excursions yet for Ensenada. I wrote them about this and they said to keep checking back...

Still, I really don't think I'll be getting off the ship. I don't like shopping and I don't drink ( ).