carnival cruise baja mexico 4 day review

• Carnival Cruise Lines

Considering a 4 day Baja Mexico Cruise

By dland4us , January 7, 2014 in Carnival Cruise Lines

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We are considering a 4 day Baja Mexico on Spring break. What can you tell me about these cruises? We've always sailed 7 day cruises, but are looking at a short one. Please tell us of your experiences.

Thanks so much !

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Share on other sites, dancing grandmommy.

I always figure that on a 4 day I miss an entire weeks work for my vacation, since it leaves on Mon and come back on Friday. For a few dollars more I can have a 7 day cruise and still only miss an entire week of work.

The advantage is a last minute deal and I love Catalina.

We've done the 4day Spring Break cruise twice. The first time wasn't crazy at all. Last year it was wild. Actually it was one out-of-control group, so much so that other college kids were saying they weren't part of that group. :eek: Except for Muster we weren't impacted by that group at all. There cabins were a few doors down from ours and never heard anything. We know that some of them got the dreaded 'no more drinking letter'.

Also, we do not hang around the Lido pool.

Last year we booked the cruise midFebruary. The price of the double occupancy cabins had fallen to almost the same price as our 4day in a few weeks. 3/4/5 pax cabins were at a premium.

If the price was right we would book it again.

This Spring Break we will have two ships doing the itin out of Long Beach. The Inspiration doing M-F and the Imagination doing S-TH.

2bthereagain

I always figure that on a 4 day I miss an entire weeks work for my vacation, since it leaves on Mon and come back on Friday. For a few dollars more I can have a 7 day cruise and still only miss an entire week of work.   The advantage is a last minute deal and I love Catalina.

^^^THIS^^^ And now I've figured out how to get that 8th night in there and only miss the same week of work.

I enjoyed the 4 day Baja. We toured the Queen Mary and a submarine prior to boarding the ship in Long Beach. Loved Catalina Island. We stopped in Ensanada as one of our ports and it was somewhat 'rough'. But a good time was had by all!

I've done the 4-day baja cruise 3 or 4 times, plus once on the 3-day. I LOVE these cruises! They're cheap - much cheaper than the 7 day. And, it makes for a very relaxed vacation to have the weekend at home on either end - no rushing around.

Plus I really like the cruise itself. The Fantasy class ships are just the right size for me. And I always find fun things to do in Catalina and Ensenada. The zip lines in Ensenada are my favorite thing to do there (google Las Canadas Ensenada) - last time we rented ATV's there too and had a blast.

PM me if you have any other questions about these 4-day cruises!

We did this cruise in June of 2007. It was my second cruise and I enjoyed it.

We combined the cruise with Disneyland. Disneyland first then relaxed on the cruise. It was a nice vacation.

Loved Catalina Island, Ensenada is just so-so, mostly because we just took a tour to the blow hole.

My mom doesn't care for the shorter cruises, she says it's a lot of work to unpack for that short of time and she feels the days go by too fast. Didn't bother me, it was a cruise.

BOOZE CRUISE !!!!!!!! Don't say you weren't warned. Take the 7 day, nicer ship, better ports, better crowd.

We have done both the 3 day and the 4 day and weren't impressed. We only go because they are a cheap way to have a weekend away with friends.

Catalina is a great little island and the only real plus, in my opinion. There is a lot to see and do.

Ensenada is rough. We prefer to stay on board unless we go to the wineries or La Bufadora (once is enough.)

It can be a fun, quick getaway. Tour the Queen Mary, rent a golf cart on Catalina (my favorite part of the trip), and don't go to Papas & Beer or Mango Mango in Ensenada.

We just did it in June, and had a great time. Very few "loud drunkys" and overall a great cruise.

You get a much better value on the M-F vs the F-M route... The weekend cruise is where we saw some real parties!! They are, however, quite easy to avoid! :)

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

vwrestler171

I just got back from the Inspiration 4 day cruise and it was OK. A 4 day is better than no cruise, but it was definitely too short. Catalina was beautiful and Ensenada was OK.

We've done them all 3/4/7/8. Obviously we love the longer cruises, however at these prices plus not having to purchase flights the 4 day works out great.

We are booked on the Inspiration 3/31 with our two boys (4 & 6). I personally feel that there is a big difference between the weekend cruise and the M-F cruise. Less "boozy"

I asked the boys whether they wanted to go to Disneyland Resort for 4 nights or on a cruise and they picked the cruise. I even explained that it was on the "small" ship and not the Breeze (which we were on in August). Still, they want Funship Freddy.

In Catalina we rent the golf cart and drive around the island. In Ensenada we've done the blow hole too many times. I really want to go to the zip lines.

Honestly, it's just nice getting to hang out with my wife. The boys love the kids club and don't usually go until the evenings. We end up getting to have dinner and some time after to see a show or listen to music before picking up the kids. At home, we would never get this many "nights out".

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CHOOSE THE BEST BAJA MEXICO CRUISE FOR YOU TO TAKE ON VACATION

By Robert Schrader | Published on January 28, 2022

No matter which Baja Mexico cruise you choose, one thing is guaranteed to be true: The journey is the destination — and every destination is a journey. From Ensenada to Cabo San Lucas and everywhere in between, the magic of Mexico's Pacific Coast is enchanting and enticing.

You can take a shorter cruise to Ensenada or Cabo San Lucas, or extend your trip and continue south to Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta. No matter how far you go or how deep you dig, here are the best ways to ensure you enjoy your time on land as much as you relish the luxurious environment on the ship.

Wine Down On An Ensenada Excursion

If you take a  three or four-day Baja Mexico cruise from California , you're sure to call in Ensenada, the first stop on the way traveling down the Mexican Riviera. Although Ensenada is right on the sea, you'll want to make a beeline toward the Wine Route that snakes through northern Baja's lush interior. Whether you enjoy tapas and cheese boards, or simply sip the red and white wines on offer at vintners like Casa Pedro Domecq and Vinedo Cuatro Cuatros, it's easy to see what all the buzz is about.

Of course, there are plenty of delights to be found along the sea. Take in the panorama from Ensenada Mirador, which offers sweeping views of the city and All Saints Bay beyond it. Or, head north of the city center and take a swim at Playa San Miguel, where smooth, black rocks meet turquoise waves, which are as famous among surfers as they are among sunbathers.

Cruise To Cabo San Lucas: Coast, Culture, Cuisine

When you search for Baja cruise inspiration, one place you always end up traveling to is Cabo San Lucas. Taking a Cabo trip to the tip of the Baja Peninsula isn't complete without a visit to El Arco, or "The Arches" in English. Enjoy a boat ride or stand-up paddleboard excursion around and underneath these arches, whose muted, sanded surfaces contrast almost hypnotizingly with the electric shades of blue water lapping at their bases.

Of course, plenty of onshore delights makes Cabo a top stop on a Baja Mexico cruise from Los Angeles . Tear into succulent steaks and luscious lobster at JM Steakhouse, or savor a romantic, seaside meal at Don Manuel's, located along the picture-perfect Pedregal Coast. Sip craft beer during the day at the aptly named Baja Brewing, or dance the night away at La Vaquita, where the only thing hotter than the jams is the shot menu.

Traveling Mazatlan's Amazing Architecture And Stunning Scenery

Mazatlan is home to captivating coastal scenes, but this is one of the first stops on your trip where you'll see truly impressive historical architecture. Take a walking tour to get a guided explanation of the Centro Historico along the Old Mazatlan walk. Or, head out on your own to discover attractions ranging from colorful Plaza Machado and its picturesque balconies, or the Immaculate Conception Basilica, constructed at the end of the 19th century in a Baroque revival style.

End the day along the sea, strolling the coast-hugging Malecon promenade as the sun sets into the Pacific Ocean. Walk all the way north to the Letras de Mazatlan Instagram spot, or enjoy a golden hour swim at beaches like Playa los Pinitos and Playa Norte in the south. No matter where you choose to explore, extending your journey southward to Mazatlan is bound to be well worth it.

Basking At The Beach In Puerto Vallarta

Speaking of beaches, there's a reason most of the best Baja Mexico cruises sail all the way to Puerto Vallarta. There are simply few better places to hit the sand and surf along the Mexican Riviera. You've never felt as alive as you will sunning yourself on the shores of Los Muertos Beach in the southern hotel zone, while Playa de Oro farther north more than lives up to its golden name.

If you've got a full day or longer in Puerto Vallarta, take a day excursion by boat to the Marietas Islands, where a breathtaking hidden beach awaits. If you haven't got as long or simply don't want to venture as far, explore central beaches like Las Glorias Beach and Playa Camarones, where you can savor the latter's namesake shrimp at delicious restaurants like Mango's Beach Club and El Barracuda.

Cruising The Baja: Exploring The Mexican Riviera

Whether you just take a three or four-day Baja Mexico cruise or extend your trip as long as a week, there's no limit to the discoveries you can make exploring the Mexican Riviera. Tour the stunning wine country outside of Ensenada, or take a boat trip through the Arches of Cabo San Lucas. Farther south, appreciate Old and New World architecture along the sea in Mazatlan, or take your pick of boundless, beautiful beaches in Puerto Vallarta. Cruising is about so much more than the time you spend at sea, particularly when you stop along Mexico's treasure-filled Pacific Coast.

Cabo San Lucas

Starting From 

ON THE AMPLIFIED NAVIGATOR OF THE SEAS

STARTING FROM 

ENSENADA, CABO & PUERTO VALLARTA

RELATED ARTICLES

The Differences Between Yucatan and the Baja Peninsula

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The Best Destinations You Can Visit On Cruises From Los Angeles

The Best Destinations You Can Visit On A Mexican Riviera Cruise

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4-Day Baja Mexico Cruise

Fun with a capital F is what you can expect on a Carnival Cruise. With the largest fleet at sea Carnival offers sailings perfect for the whole family.

Cruise to Mexico, and discover a culturally rich region with everything from dune buggies to soothing string music.

On a cruise from San Francisco you can experience all that the ‘City by the Bay’ has to offer, from its artistic, forward-looking culture to the beautiful coastline.

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4-Day Baja Mexico Cruise sailing on the Carnival Miracle

Departure dates: may 2024 - may 2024, stateroom prices for may. 9, 2024.

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Carnival reserves the right to re-instate the fuel supplement for all guests at up to $9 per person per day if the NYMEX oil price exceeds $70 per barrel. Rates & offers are subject to select dates & categories, cruise only, per person, based on double occupancy, in US Dollars, & include NCCF. Government taxes & fees are additional. All rates & offers are capacity controlled, are subject to availability & confirmation, & may change without notice. Additional restrictions may apply. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed -- please confirm details at time of booking. Stateroom photos are for sample purposes only -- actual design and layout may vary.

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4 - Day Baja Mexico from San Francisco, CA

Cruise itinerary.

Day 1: San Francisco

Day 2: Fun Day at Sea

Day 3: ensenada.

Day 4: Fun Day at Sea

Day 5: san francisco.

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