Hola!!! Hola como estas!!!
This time a greeting in Spanish as the blog is based on our first ever cruising experience and that too cross border... Ensenada, B.C, Mexico.
This was a first ever venture with kids from the US to another country being close by..... Though the sailing was just for 4 days the experience was unique. Bookings were done almost 6 months in advance to get a better deal. We booked a stateroom cabin for 4.
24th Dec - 28th Dec was the sailing duration. We arrived a day advance on 23rd at LA - Los Angeles. Well before the departure, check in with all the required information was completed online with Carnival Cruise. The complete documentation set was readily available for printing online including the checked in baggage tags. We opted for earliest available slot 2:00pm-2:30pm for completing the check in formalities. Priority check in was available for the elite members cum frequent sailers by 12.00pm just like the frequent flyers with airlines.
The cruise name was "Carnival Imagination". At the port, checked in baggage was handed over to the porters and we rushed through the security check where the passports with valid visa were checked. Since 2016, new travel rule came into existence for the tourists visiting Mexico to promote the tourism. Any person despite of his/her nationality with valid stamped US visa (any type of US Visa) and a valid passport can visit Mexico without Mexican Visa. Refer the following link for the valid and uptodate/current information on the visa rules and requirements related to the respective countries
After completing the security checking formalities each traveller was given a sailing and sign on card as an identity including the kids. To verify the sailing and sign on card identity, individual was photographed before entering the cruise so that whenever the card was tagged the complete information with picture ID would appear on the verification tab.
The Cruise departed from Long Beach on 24th evening. Entering the cruise reminded me "Titanic"!!! For me each and everything resembled to the "Titanic" movie right from the entrance to the first main inner dome of the cruise till the gateway to the staterooms!!! All the attendants with pleasant smiles were welcoming on board for the beginning of unforgettable memories and cherish forever!!!! For each stateroom there was an assigned "Steward" to take care of everything right from cleaning to resolving the queries.....
We were asked to confirm convenient time slot for daily clean up so that the steward would take care of the stateroom cleaning accordingly. As the buffet lunch is served everyday till 4:30pm on cruise so we could enjoy the same when we entered the cruise.
Everyday by 5am; daily schedule and programs sheet was circulated by the Steward to plan the day in advance. The information included breakfast, lunch, dinner (buffet and sitting dining) locations and timings, 24 hrs food outlets, various shows, programs and their respective timings and locations on the cruise, kids special camps, destination guides and much more. The guest information desk used to be open round the clock to guide the travelers on the cruise. The destination tours desk was active to provide guidance for the booked tours and last minutes tours booking for those who did not or could not book the destination tours online. Being the first time sailor, I learnt that the tours can be booked even at the destination at cheaper price and with various valid time options!! So this is one of the key take aways that when you get out of the ship at the respective traveling destination, better to book the tours at the destination than booking online for better deals....
Catalina Island (Day-1)
On 25th Dec the cruise arrived at Catalina Island. It's a part of US territory. It was like a love at first sight with this small island. Situated cozily between mountains and scenic panoramic picture perfect location on seafront is a short description for Catalina Island. Serene, Tranquil seawater front, untouched natural beauty and clean air encourages to settle down here post retirement!!! When I woke up and stepped on the athlete track in Sports City on the 14th floor deck of the cruise; fresh cool breeze with an unforgettable natural view just refreshed me so much that the dizziness of prolonged workload just wiped off in few seconds. I concluded this was much awaited and needed break!! Nothing could buy this moment, just me and unforgettable panoramic view soothing my eyes with a fresh air ever....
The cruise was docked in the middle of the sea and ferries were transporting the tourists to and fro to the Catalina Island. We booked a Glass Botton Boat tour to encroach a bit to the underseaworld! The experience was worth with kids. The Glass Botton boat took us to the preserved sealife location where we sighted the species like Garibaldi, Calico Bass, Halfmoon.
With the limited time, one can just roam around the tiny streets of Catalina or enjoy parasailing, surfing, snorkeling, also visit to the home made ice cream treats in the shop "Scoop" is must... yummy seafood is also available to fulfill craving taste buds along seaside restaurants.
Ensenada, Mexico (Day-2)
On 26th Dec, the cruise docked at Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico (Pronounced phonetically as "Baha California"). We had a booking for 4 hrs city exploration tour with a visit to natural wonder "La Bufadora".
Unlike Catalina Island, Ensenada is a busy port and transportation hub in nexus to San Diego, US. So the cruise was docked right at the port and the tourist buses were available to pick up the tourists booked on the respective tours. Surprisingly, there was no validation of passports and visa when we exited Cruise and landed on Mexican Land. Just outside the Cruise we happened to have a small conversation with the security officer. He used to travel everyday to and fro from San Diego to Ensenada, B.C as it was a driving distance....
One can make out a remarkable difference in standard of living, overall city ambiance when compared to the scenario just a border across!!! The overall outskirts of Ensenada were similar to the Indian villages, farms accompanying the roadsides.
Our first stop was at traditional Riviera Civic and Cultural Center established in 1930. (Riviera Centro Social, Civico Y Cultural). Gordon Mayer and James Miller are the main foundational pillars in erecting this construction. The historical building used to be one of the largest and wide area constructions in Ensenada, B.C but due to the major fire outbreak almost 70% portion was burnt out and what remains now is the balance preserved monument. This used to be also a famous Casino destination in the past. Now it's used for wedding, birthday party or social gathering ceremonies with a nominal cost to be paid to the local municipal authorities. The structure has beautiful gothic style paintings by famous artist Alfredo Martinez. The center also had a ball room and the stories related to the match making told by the tour guide Michelle were really funny. The center was famous for it's beautiful architecture. There were exhibits by the local artisans inside the cultural center.
The next destination was the most awaited natural wonder at Punta Bana Peninsula
"La Bufadora". It's a second largest marine geyser in the world. Due to the strategic geographic location and erosion of mountain portion due to the sea waves, a cave was formed. Sea water during high tides rushes through the narrow channel between the mountains covering the naturally created cave and throws off a sound like "Buff". Tide water blows off upto 150ft high and hence the name "La Bufadora". It was a nice place to witness this natural wonder.... with a nice background Mexican string music on guitar.
Just like any other tourist destinations, this tourist spot was surrounded by lot many shops by the local artisans taking right from the handmade items, handicrafts, silver, leather and souvenirs. The artisans were well trained to attract Indian tourists in Hindi Language that revealed the frequency and the number of Indian tourists visiting Mexico...The should not miss food was Fish Tacos freshly made and the unique seafood dishes.
The cruise departed Ensenada port by 6pm. but the unlighted port view was simply unique and having it's glimpse from the cruise deck was amazing moment.
After saying ciao to Ensenada, B.C, Mexico we left for return journey and the day 3 was sea sailing....
It was a fun day aboard with lot many activities for kids and families, food and relaxation.
Variety of cuisines, unique different pastries for each and every meal were an awesome treat for sweet taste buds.
Feeling bored, just go to the deck on 14th floor and enjoy the sports city with athlete track and a mini golf club or the water slides on the other side of the deck. For relaxation spa packages are available. If you are an engrossed reader, grab a book from library and sit in the corridor and enjoy your reading. Still not satisfied sit back and lay down calmly watching the sea sail on the lay back chairs and get ample of Vitamin 'D'.
Kids have a separate Ocean Camp and on site day care center. Forgot stroller? No worries, affordable stroller rental is available onsite with the Cruise..
What about laundry? Every damn facility including Medical emergencies are available onsite on the Cruise. For constant telephonic connectivity and to update your current status on FB, internet plans are available with the best possible satellite connectivity on cruise. Want to watch a movie? Option is available either to watch inside theater or on your room TV. Entertainment is unlimited with rock on shows, to attract folks there would be Raffles everyday atlast 5 times. So there is no chance for anyone to say "Feeling/getting bored!!"
To enjoy vacation at leisure and to witness another mode of transportation with travel destinations yes cruising is yet another option at affordable price!!!
