PROS:
Affordable
price, friendly crew, excellent food,
nice & clean staterooms, tons of
ship activities, on-time (ship, tours
& meals), great shows, beer
moderately priced, kids on-board had a
blast. Only one formal dinner (no tuxes
- it's an Ensenada trip people) Coat and
tie & evening gowns for the ladies.
Casino looked like a lot of fun and the
disco was open until 3am! Midnight
buffet was a nice try, looked great -
but the food was not up to par with
their other meals.
CONS:
Travelocity
told us to be there at 5pm - missed all
the afternoon activities. You can board
as early as 11am.
Nobody mentioned the $30 cash
parking-nazis. Only one place to park,
one price to pay - cash only. Thanks for
the heads-up. Doctor is not avail last
night, unless you want to pay a premium.
Sodas and alcohol are not included and
prices are not posted. Some people
nearly died when they got their closing
bill. Ensenada stop was painless getting
off, but the Bufadora is a bust. If you
live along the coast - miss it! In fact
the crowds (locals,
peddlers, & tourists make
this an unenjoyable stop) You're better
off walking to town and playing around
there for the limited time you have. VS
docks and lets you off around 830a. Day
tours embark shortly thereafter and will
drop you off in town on the return
around 1pm. It is a 15-20 min walk
back to the ship or take a taxi for
$1/pp should you decide to jump off the
tour bus. You must be back on the ship
No Later Than 3:15p (although it doesn't
sail until 4)
If you came to Ensenada for the
nightlife, take Carnival as I heard they
depart around 1030p.
Never,
ever, under any circumstance ask a crew
member a question that can be answered
by your "Compass" your daily
guide sheet.
You will seem them change from
the friendly, "want a drink are you
enjoying yourself" to "are you
stupid or something - read your Compass
you dumb tourist"
Jekyl and Hyde here, I'm telling
you.
STAIRS!
If you think there are elevators, forget
it.
They have them, but you'll never
see them.
Either kids are pushing all the
buttons or there are 30 seniors waiting
for the 6x3 coffin to arrive. 12 decks
and 2 elevators, do the math.
Disembarking
on the return-->PAINFUL - think you
can get off the boat early by carrying
your luggage? Forget it. Lug your stuff
to breakfast & then go sit in a
lounge for an hour - the earliest you
will get of the boat is around 9:45/10.
Add another hour getting out of
the parking lot because the parking Gestapo
is at it again. 2 exits, side by side
and cars from 2 cruise ships trying to
get out at the same time. The parking
guys keep holding up cars because they
don't see their little card in the
window.
Who cares you bozos!! It's
Monday! Do you think you would have let
my car in on Friday if I hadn't paid
you? Get out of my way and don't chase
me with your little golf cart you dork!
Yes iam ignoring you because I think it
is fun to inconvenience you! Now add in
the kamikazee shuttle bus drivers taking
the next load of cruisers to their boats
and watch them cut you off at the exit.
Not fun! Like getting out of
Dodger stadium after a World Series 12th
inning win and only one exit - hope
you've got gas and the car doesn't
overheat.
OTHER:
The
crew is all international - no
Americans. They travel on-board for 6
month tours of duty before going home
for a month or two. You can have some
really great people and others that are
pretty creepy or rude.
But overall, the folks we saw
everyday (table room attendants) we're
very nice. I'm convinced that the
Captain was either very distinguished
and calculating in speech and etiquette,
or was heavily medicated - you'll see
what I mean. Nice guy though, but I'm
glad there are 6 others on the bridge.
OVERALL:
Would recommend as a first cruise or
weekend getaway.
Give yourself a few hours to
adjust to the "cruise life"
It's different, and well worth the money
for the weekend. Just don't plan
anything for Monday afternoon, because
your day is shot getting off the boat.
