Embarking on a cruise offers a unique blend of adventure and relaxation, and a short cruise can be surprisingly fulfilling, packing more experience into less time than you might imagine. Just ask Anne and her sister Vera, who discovered the delights of a quick getaway on a 4-day Baja Carnival Cruise. Their roundtrip journey from Los Angeles took them to the charming Catalina Island and the vibrant Ensenada, Mexico, proving that you don’t need a long vacation to feel truly transported.
The Baja California Coast of Mexico
Their recent experience on a 4-day Baja Carnival Cruise from Los Angeles, California, perfectly illustrates this. Departing from the Long Beach Cruise Port, their itinerary included stops at Catalina Island, Ensenada Mexico, before returning to Long Beach. This cruise served as a delightful extension to a week of wedding celebrations in LA. Initially, the idea was to find a cruise back to Vancouver, but June sailings in that direction proved unavailable. While some ships offer LA to Vancouver routes in April and May, they typically transition to Alaska cruises until September or October.
Serendipitously, neither Vera nor Anne had previously visited Catalina Island or Ensenada, Mexico. These destinations, though geographically close to Los Angeles, promised fresh experiences. The proximity to LA became a humorous point with friends seeing them off, who jokingly questioned the overnight journey to Catalina, visible from the shore.
Onboard Fun and the Carnival Experience
While the destinations are undoubtedly a highlight, a significant part of the cruise appeal lies in the onboard experience itself. The pace of the ship becomes almost secondary to the wealth of activities and entertainment available. Carnival Cruises are renowned for their “fun ships,” and this cruise certainly lived up to that reputation. A lively, celebratory atmosphere permeated the ship, complemented by a diverse array of activities from dawn till dusk – and for some, even into the early hours, judging by breakfast conversations.
Veera and Anne at the Ensenada sign at La Bufadora
While Anne and Vera opted for slightly less extreme partying, they fully embraced the onboard fun. Their days were filled with activities ranging from mini-golf and art auctions to health and wellness seminars. Evenings were dedicated to happy hour, dinner, and the spectacular nightly entertainment, which included musical performances, dance shows, and hilarious comedians. Simply observing the fellow passengers and their amusing interactions was entertainment in itself. With such a packed schedule of events, choosing what to attend often became the most challenging part of the day.
Catalina Island: A Charming First Port of Call on a Mexican Cruise Itinerary
The port visits were equally enriching. Catalina Island, the first stop, saw Anne assuming the role of ‘tour director,’ guiding Vera through a day of exploration in Avalon, the island’s main town. Prior research through articles and YouTube videos equipped Anne with knowledge of the island’s history and key attractions.
Carnival Cruise Ship
Strolling along the waterfront boardwalk, Anne shared Catalina’s history, explaining how it was developed by William Wrigley Jr. of chewing gum fame in 1919. The iconic Wrigley mansion, perched atop Mt Ada, remains a visible landmark. Wrigley’s wife, Ada, commissioned the Catalina Chimes Tower on the opposite hillside, intending its melodic chimes to grace the town.
Boats in Avalon Harbour on Santa Catalina Island
Avalon Harbour on Santa Catalina Island, with the Wrigley Mansion on the hill in the distance.
Catalina Chimes Tower
Intrigued by the Catalina Chimes Tower, Vera and Anne ascended a lengthy wooden staircase, venturing through quiet residential streets for a closer look. They observed charming homes, unique lawn ornaments, and the prevalent golf carts, the island’s primary mode of transport.
Climbing the stairs to the Catalina Chimes above Avalon Harbour on Santa Catalina Island
Catalina Island Golf Carts
Reaching the tower, they explored the structure, watched restoration work on the chimes, and absorbed the panoramic views before descending.
Sign sharing the history of the Catalina Chimes tower.
Continuing along the boardwalk, they encountered the Catalina Casino, now a theatre, admiring its ornate architecture and watching scuba diving lessons in the adjacent waters. A visit to the Avalon Diving History Exhibit within the casino’s lower level revealed a fascinating collection of vintage diving equipment.
Vera with the Catalina Casino in the background.
Divers off the Catalina Casino
Exosuit in the Avalon Diving History Exhibit
Their exploration of Avalon concluded with browsing local shops, wandering side streets, and soaking in the town’s charming tourist atmosphere before returning to the ship.
Veera on Avalon
Anne on Avalon Harbour
Avalon Streets
Ensenada, Mexico: Culture and Coastal Wonders on Your Carnival Cruise
The next day brought them to Ensenada, Mexico, their second port of call, presenting a stark contrast to Catalina Island. While Ensenada caters significantly to tourists, particularly cruise visitors, it is a larger city with a more rugged and less polished feel compared to the upscale ambiance of Catalina. They had pre-booked a Carnival shore excursion, the ‘La Bufadora Adventure‘, a 5-hour bus tour offering a glimpse into both the affluent and less privileged aspects of the Ensenada region.
The Baja California Coast of Mexico
Their first stop was the impressive ‘Riviera del Pacifico‘. Their guide led them through this palatial building, once a grand hotel nearly a century ago, sharing its history and showcasing its opulent interiors. The lavish furnishings, particularly in the vast ballroom with its segregated seating arrangement for men and women during dances, left a lasting impression.
Riviera del Pacifico
Riviera del Pacifico Ballroom
Making Margaritas in the Riviera del Pacifico Bar
Margaritas at the Riviera del Pacifico
Upon arrival in the lobby, they were greeted with margarita samples, as the hotel claims to be the birthplace of the margarita. Whether factual or not, the refreshing drinks were enjoyed in the lovely courtyard, with a touch of humor about the early hour of 9:30 am.
Continuing towards La Bufadora, the bus journey revealed contrasting landscapes of Ensenada, from modest shops and homes to expansive agricultural fields. The guide shared interesting facts, including Ensenada’s significant contribution to produce exports. Surprisingly, Ensenada’s largest export was revealed to be Colgate toothpaste.
Anticipation built as they approached La Bufadora, a renowned blowhole, reportedly the second largest globally. They received guidance on navigating the vendor-lined path leading to it. The guide expertly navigated the maze of stalls offering tequila, churros, and various local goods.
Vendors market at La Bufadora
Finally reaching the blowhole, it lived up to expectations. They watched in awe as water surged up the cliff face and erupted upwards with impressive force, creating dramatic sprays. The natural spectacle was captivating, prompting numerous photos.
People photographing the spray at La Bufadora blowhole.
Rainbow in the the blowhole spray at La Bufadora.
Rainbow through the blowhole spray at La Bufadora.
Kayakers waiting for the spray at La Bufadora.
Returning through the vendor market, they spent more time browsing, sampling local products, and enjoying the atmosphere before re-boarding the bus.
Exploring the vendors market at La Bufadora
The ‘La Bufadora Adventure’ lived up to its name, earning their strong recommendation.
Ensenada boardwalk into town.
Back at the port, instead of immediately returning to the ship, they strolled down the boardwalk into Ensenada town. They explored shops, listened to street musicians, and absorbed the ambiance of the Mexican town before heading back to the ship.
A Short Cruise, Long on Memories
With their port adventures concluded, Anne and Vera looked forward to a relaxing final day at sea, reminiscing about their experiences. Their 4-day Carnival Cruise, though brief, was packed with sights, activities, and new discoveries. Despite its short duration, the cruise was undeniably long on FUN, leaving them with lasting memories of their Mexican getaway.
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