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Baja Mexico Cruise- Carnival Paradise

Posted on February 16, 2009 by: Tropigal

Closest City: Long Beach Harbor
State: California
Country: United States

Baja Mexico Cruise- Carnival Paradise

Itinerary:

Monday- Depart Long Beach Harbor at 5:30pm

Tuesday- Catalina Island, CA, 8:00am-5:00pm

Wednesday- Ensenada, Mexico, 9:00am-10:00pm

Thursday- “Fun Day” at sea

Friday- Arrive at Long Beach Harbor at 8:00am

Celebrating Wayne’s 33^rd birthday and my 30^th needed to be something fun and with friends, so the idea of going on a cruise came up. Immediately friends were interested, not necessarily because of our birthdays, but because of the smoking deal we found through vacationstogo.com. For what our tickets cost, we ate that in food! Our group of 6 was a mix between past cruisers and first timers, couples and singles, but one thing we all had in common was that we were ready to have a good time!

MONDAY: Depart Long Beach Harbor

Having been on cruises before, Wayne and I wanted to try boarding the ship as early as possible, to get in as much as we could on the first day. Our “Bon Voyage Party” was set to take place at 5:30 pm, so we all met up around one and carpooled to Long Beach Harbor. Surprise, it’s $12 a day to park in the structure, you pay it when you leave. It’s cash only so don’t spend all your money on tequila shots and churros. Leaving out of Long Beach Harbor was pretty impressive because the Carnival Paradise sat right next to the Queen Mary, now that’s a sight! Arriving early had many other perks that we had not thought about, like not hitting traffic (on the freeway or at the cruise dock) and it ensured we had a parking space relatively close to the luggage drop off/ pick up point. We unloaded luggage and immediately it was taken by cruise handlers, who were still in good moods.

HINT: Remember to print luggage tickets for all pieces of luggage. If you don’t there’s a station you can go to that looks up your room # and gives you a makeshift one. There was no line when we got there, but again that was probably because we arrived early. Within a couple hours, handlers will deliver all luggage directly to your room. So if there’s anything you want ASAP, put it in a beach bag and carry it on.

We walked to the check-in building and there were no lines to go through the initial screeners, so we held our breath while they put our carry on bags and purses through the x-ray machine.

HINT: Carnival allows only one bottle of wine or champagne per passenger, if they find alcohol they will “confiscate it without compensation.” So, knowing our bar bill matched the price of our cruise ticket last time, the girls all got creative and we smuggled in our favorite alcoholic beverages. Some looked as simple as water bottles, and some were as elaborate as filled conditioner and mouthwash bottles (both had been rinsed thoroughly). Even a Pringles can had a bottle hidden inside with chips layered over the top of it. We had heavy artillery because we figured if some were confiscated, we still had back up. Turns out we got it all in, from both our checked-in luggage and carry-on bags! 6 people, 4 days, there was some drinking to be done, and we were dedicated to our cause!

We stood in a very short line to actually check-in, and again the reception clerks were still in good moods and joked with us as they issued our “Sail & Sign” cards. Then we walked right up to get our “Look at me I’m boarding a cruise ship” picture and onto the boat we went. Upon entering, we smiled for another picture; this one was tied to our “Sail & Sign” card. Upon disembarking/embarking the ship at ports-of-call, a swipe of the card reveals your picture for the ship crew to compare. It also serves as a head-count showing how many passengers are still out and about.

Now that we were onboard, all bets were off! We checked out our ocean view staterooms, which were conveniently on the main floor of the cruise ship, the Empress Deck, and were all in a row! (This will be fun!) We changed into our pool attire, which we packed in our carry-ons, and hit the Lido Deck…with of course a cocktail in hand. (Our smuggled goods came in handy immediately!) Since they fill the pool with ocean water after we set sail, we lounged in the sun and hung out on the pool deck. We took this time to make some ground rules for the group: Do whatever you want, whenever you want!

HINT: This is a good plan for a group of any size because not everyone is going to want to do the same things at the same time. Pick a time to meet up, and enjoy your trip!

From there we split up, some went exploring, gambling and Wayne and I lounged in the Jacuzzi. We met back up at 4:45 for our first activity in the Normandie Lounge, the emergency evacuation/life vest drill. Good thing we all look good in orange! 6:00pm was dinner in the Elation Dining room. Tonight’s dress code was casual. Because I am an “eater” (meaning I live to eat, not eat to live), I schooled the first timers on how to order from the menu. 3 appetizers, 2 main courses, and 2 desserts with a cup of espresso please!

HINT: You can, and they expect you to, order whatever you want and in whatever quantity you want.

Now “fat, dumb and happy” as my dad says, we were off again, some to smoke stogies, explore the ship and one went to be a contestant in the Trivia-Challenge Game Show…Go Jane!

TUESDAY: Catalina Island, CA

By 9:00am Lisa, Wayne and I had eaten at the Paris buffet-style restaurant on the Lido Deck and headed to the gangway to catch a tender to the island. We had a 10:00 SCUBA diving excursion at the underwater dive park of Casino Point. We’ve all dove this site previously and were looking forward to another great dive! We booked through Catalina Diver’s Supply, which has 2 convenient locations, one right on the Green Pier and another right at Casino Point.

HINT: What this means is the shop couldn’t be more convenient, it’s directly in front of where you exit the tender, so if you brought any of your own dive gear, you don’t have to carry it very far, and you can leave it there until your excursion starts. The significance of them having an additional location at the dive park is that all the gear you need will be provided for you at the site, you put it on and get right in the water. They have plenty of equipment in many styles and all sizes, optional hoodies and different size tanks. Their wetsuits look a little mangled but they did the job! They have an air-refill van at Casino Point too, only $6!

The shop on the green pier is where you show your dive card, sign your life away, and of course pay. Because we were early, we left our gear and explored the shops a bit. At 10 we walked with the rest of the group from the pier to Casino Point, which is less than a 10 min. walk. Our dive master fit us to the equipment needed and briefed us on the dive. We were going on a 45 min, 60ft dive through the kelp forest and by the Jacque Cousteau Monument. We squeezed our bodies into our wetsuits, hauled on our BCs and tanks, spit in our masks and off we went. The stair and rail entry of the dive park made entry easy, and the anchored rope to assist in descending was my friend…I have the hardest time clearing my left ear! The water was clear with 50 ft visibility, and the fish were curious, friendly and fearless, like they knew it was a marine preserve. We saw tons of fish (grouper, halibut, garibaldi are just some), schools of mini purple fish, sea cucumber, lobster, eel, large starfish, numerous massive kelp paddies, coral, an abalone shell, the Jacque Cousteau Monument and more. While we dove, Jane, Chris and Rick rented a golf cart and tormented, I mean toured the island, and met us back in time to see us struggling to get out of our wetsuits. Wayne refilled his tank and went back for more, while the rest of us celebrated our vacation at Casino Dock Café with a cold beer. We shopped at the cute beachy-style stores and bought juice at the local grocery store to mix with our smuggled “water bottles.” By the time we met up with Wayne we were all starving, shocking, so we headed back onboard and went straight for the food, even though we were eating dinner in 2 hours. After lounging by the children’s pool that had absolutely no kids in sight, and was the quietest spot on the ship at the moment, we headed to our stateroom to get ready for dinner, tonight was formal night! WOW, we cleaned up well!

WEDNESDAY: Ensenada, Mexico

At the buffet-style Paris Restaurant on the Lido Deck, we ate our way to a great morning and were ready to start our day in Ensenada! The Port of Ensenada consisted of a small courtyard where excursion outfitters waited to pick up their tour groups, and a portable bar that conveniently served good tequila for cheap. From there, all passengers get filed through a bright orangish building, the “Shopping Center,” which is comprised of various shops trying to sell touristy knick-knacks at top price because it’s right off the cruise ship. There was a bar set up inside too, also with great prices and great tequila, (we would make a point of returning here later this evening.)

We all signed up for the La Bufadora (the blowhole) excursion at 1:30, so we decided to spend a couple hours on a self-guided tour of the city of Ensenada, or at least the part that was in walking distance of the port…There was nothing impressive to see, no beaches, not even any hole-in-the-wall Mexican food joints or street-side taco stands. At 1:30, we boarded the tour bus and off we went. Immediately we knew we had a great tour guide, Gloria. She was a wealth of info and schooled us on the history of both Ensenada and La Bufadora, neat facts and helpful hints on how to bargain, bargain, bargain with the street vendors we’d soon encounter. We followed the coast for most of the 20 miles, taking in views of the

ocean, hills, and coastal landscape along the way. When we arrived at La Bufadora, Gloria gathered all her passengers and led us, quickly and efficiently, through the plethora of street vendors, which lined the road, and led us straight down to the blowhole. As vendors hooted and hollered for the tourists to stop and look inside their shops, Gloria told us which shops were recommended, which were legit, and which restaurants were sure to give the gift that would keep giving; Montezuma’s Revenge! Mental note to pass up that one on the way back! At the blowhole a dancer dressed in traditional ancient warrior garb welcomed us. He played instruments as he danced and blew through a large conch shell summoning up the mighty roar of the blowhole. He was seriously cool. The thundering sound of La Bufadora quickly refocused us and we continued down to the overlook. La Bufadora was impressive, it’s a natural spout that shoots sea spray approximately 60 to 100 feet through crevices formed in the cliffs. From the wrap-around viewing area directly above the blowhole, the scene was explosive and the sound almost deafening. It’s sound could be heard resonating within the underwater cavern like a person blowing into an empty bottle of cerveza…hey that sounds pretty good right now!

HINT: There are clean restrooms just above the viewing area of La Bufadora. The fee to use the restrooms is 50 cents, but before you think it’s a tourist trap, there is a reason. This area of the Punta Banda Peninsula has no natural water, not even wells; so all water must be delivered to the area. They charge a small fee in hopes of preventing unnecessary water usage, and to pay to have more water delivered. Restrooms inside the Habana Banana restaurant are free when you purchase something.

After taking tons of pictures, we were ready to tackle the shops! Armed with info about which vendors to buy from, we felt more confident about shopping and bargaining. The recommended and legit jewelry stores will do “silver tests” so you know you are buying the real thing. They are known for their opals, and I wished I had purchased one. Jane did and it’s beautiful! Our last stop…tacos y cerveza!! We loaded the bus with our hands full of plates of tacos and ice cold Coronas. What a great way to end the day at La Bufadora! Resting on the ride back to the ship gave us the opportunity to concoct a plan of taking on the “Tequila Boy” and his mini bar who were conveniently perched in the courtyard in front of the cruise ship. The boys and I stuck with icy, cheap Coronas and the girls tackled a much bigger monster, Reposado 1800 and Don Julio, with a Corona chaser of course!

After wreaking havoc in the port, we boarding the boat and dinner called. Another great dinner of multiple apps, mains, sides, desserts…and belly aches! But, we thought since we’re here…we may as well…go pay “Tequila Boy” and his bar another visit before we departed. Off we went, still dressed up from dinner we raced out to find our mini bar…closed for the night! Quickly remembering the inside establishment we shimmied up to the bar where a couple off-duty cruise ship crew were also hanging out. Here “Tequila Boy” and his “Tequila Brother” were happy to pour round after round of Ensenada’s finest, until we had to say “hasta la vista.” We danced our way back to the ship, just before departure. Next stop, The REX Club, where we danced all night and into the morning. I conspired with the DJ to let me use his mic to wish Wayne a happy birthday at 12:01 am and get the crowd involved in his birthday celebration!

THURSDAY: “Fun Day” at sea

Wayne’s birthday! Today’s events consisted of lounging around on the top deck, from where we could watch all the goings on down below; waterslide fun, men vs women synchronized swimming competition, ice carving, reggae band, dancing, and all around fun in the sun shenanigans. Prior to us seating for our final evenings dinner, the girls conspired and snuck into the dinning room to decorate our table in true birthday fashion. All decked out in party hats and horns, we were a sight to be seen! Our table, along with everyone else in our dining section, sang Happy Birthday to Wayne. That also happened to be the night the Carnival crew members performed for the guests at dinner time! What a show!

FRIDAY: Return to Long Beach Harbor

Again, being on the main floor, Empress Deck, was great because we were the first floor to depart with all our luggage. Which meant we got right off the ship and didn’t wait in any lines. We were the first group into the parking structure and since we were parked so close we got right to our car and right out of the structure, again didn’t have to wait in any line of traffic getting out. It was great! Remember your $12 a day parking fee! What a great vacation! We came right home and began looking for the next great deal!

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