Need advise on Baja Mexico cruise

[alikim]

Hello. We are thinking of doing 3 or 4 days Baja Mexico cruise and I have few questions. My husband I did our first cruise for our honeymoon 23 years ago to Caribbean. We really loved it and dreamed of doing it again. It took us 20 years to go on our second cruise with our boys and M-I-L (combination of our 20th year anniversary and my M-I-L 80th birthday). We went on Hawaii Hopper cruise on Pride of Aloha. It was okay and not the greatest. Both of my boys were bored to death on the cruise which was disappointing. Now that I finished putting one son through college, I feel I need vacation. However, since I’m the only one working, we cannot afford “expensive†cruise so I thought we can do 3 or 4 days Baja Mexico cruise. I was hoping to go during summer vacation (my second son is still high schooler) but I don’t think I can afford $500-$600 per person for 5 people. Luckily my son will be off whole week during Thanksgiving and prices seem to be more reasonable around $250. Here are my questions:

1. Is Carnival Paradise the only Baja Cruise line? If so, how is the ship? Entertainment wise, how is it? I don’t want my boys to be bored especially I’m not planning any excursions. I think I read it has miniature golf. Anything else?
2. Is there benefit to booking early? I’m debating if I should wait just in case my son gets a job. If I decide to wait, for November (Thanksgiving week), what’s the latest month/date I should book?
3. Is it better to book with TA or book it on line by myself? Every site I’ve checked into seem to have same prices (such as Expedia, Vacations to Go, Cruise Deals, and etc). Booking directly with Carnival is more expansive.
4. How is the weather in Mexico during November?
5. Of course, with 5 of us, we would have to book 2 or 3 rooms. Since 4 of us are adults and one under 18, can 3 of us (one being my 16 year old), be in one room?
6. Does suite have 2 “bedrooms� or just big room? I’m trying to if 5 of us could be in one suite.

Thank you so much. Looking forward to advises.

 

[Mbandy]

1. Is Carnival Paradise the only Baja Cruise line? Yes

If so, how is the ship? Fantasy class ships are great for short cruises.

Entertainment wise, how is it? I have found entertainmant on board pretty standard. Always good and besides, it's free.

I don’t want my boys to be bored especially I’m not planning any excursions. I think I read it has miniature golf. Anything else? Water park and water slide in to the pool. Basketball, ping pong, shuffleboard just to name a few.

2. Is there benefit to booking early? I’m debating if I should wait just in case my son gets a job. If I decide to wait, for November (Thanksgiving week), what’s the latest month/date I should book? Booking early is always good. If the price drops before final payment you can usually get the lower rate adjustment. If booking an "early saver" rate, beware of the terms and conditions.

3. Is it better to book with TA or book it on line by myself? Every site I’ve checked into seem to have same prices (such as Expedia, Vacations to Go, Cruise Deals, and etc). Booking directly with Carnival is more expansive. Use a T/A. We are all dedicated to making sure you know everything you need to know before making a payment to the cruise line.

4. How is the weather in Mexico during November? Much like San Diego, probably in the 70's but it can be cool on deck in the evenings.

5. Of course, with 5 of us, we would have to book 2 or 3 rooms. Since 4 of us are adults and one under 18, can 3 of us (one being my 16 year old), be in one room? Cabins on Paradise will accommodate five people but don't go there. Way too crowded. Get one cabin for three and one cabin for two. Much more comfortable.

6. Does suite have 2 “bedrooms� or just big room? I’m trying to if 5 of us could be in one suite. Just one big room. Probably less expensive to book two regular cabins than one suite.


Hope that helps. :spyglass:

 

[alikim]

Mbandy: thank you so much for quick reply. If I may ask more questions.

1. If rate is $250 per person, does it mean for double occupancy? I forgot how much we paid for the third person on our Hawaiin cruise. If there's 3 of us in the cabin, would my son who is 16 be less price? Since there are 5 of us, if one of us get 3rd room, will we have to pay $500 for the cabin? There's no "single" person room right?

2. You said, "we" when talking about T/A. I'm assuming you are T/A? If so, where are you located? I used my associate/friend from work who is also T/A on the side to book Hawaiin cruise 3 years ago. It seem I did most of the "research/work". Sure she booked us for the cruise and airline but I'm the one who did all the research and booked all the excursions and when browsing cruise forum like this, I found out our room rates dropped so I had her contact the cruise and get our difference. It was alot of me talking to her, her talking to the cruiseline, then talking to me and it went in circle until I got what I needed. I felt I could have saved time and did everything myself. That is why I was asking if it was better to book with T/A or book it on line by myself.

3. Since it's short cruise, is there assigned "sit down" dinner available? With Hawaiin cruise, we thought we would like "casual" dining but it turned out we didn't like it at all. Food was almost same all the time so my boys didn't enjoy the fine dining we experienced when we were on Caribbean cruise.

4. What kind of food was served?

Thank you again.

 

[Cruizer]

Hello. We are thinking of doing 3 or 4 days Baja Mexico cruise and I have few questions. My husband I did our first cruise for our honeymoon 23 years ago to Caribbean. We really loved it and dreamed of doing it again. It took us 20 years to go on our second cruise with our boys and M-I-L (combination of our 20th year anniversary and my M-I-L 80th birthday). We went on Hawaii Hopper cruise on Pride of Aloha. It was okay and not the greatest. Both of my boys were bored to death on the cruise which was disappointing. Now that I finished putting one son through college, I feel I need vacation. However, since I’m the only one working, we cannot afford “expensive” cruise so I thought we can do 3 or 4 days Baja Mexico cruise. I was hoping to go during summer vacation (my second son is still high schooler) but I don’t think I can afford $500-$600 per person for 5 people. Luckily my son will be off whole week during Thanksgiving and prices seem to be more reasonable around $250. Here are my questions:

1. Is Carnival Paradise the only Baja Cruise line? If so, how is the ship? Entertainment wise, how is it? I don’t want my boys to be bored especially I’m not planning any excursions. I think I read it has miniature golf. Anything else?
2. Is there benefit to booking early? I’m debating if I should wait just in case my son gets a job. If I decide to wait, for November (Thanksgiving week), what’s the latest month/date I should book?
3. Is it better to book with TA or book it on line by myself? Every site I’ve checked into seem to have same prices (such as Expedia, Vacations to Go, Cruise Deals, and etc). Booking directly with Carnival is more expansive.
4. How is the weather in Mexico during November?
5. Of course, with 5 of us, we would have to book 2 or 3 rooms. Since 4 of us are adults and one under 18, can 3 of us (one being my 16 year old), be in one room?
6. Does suite have 2 “bedrooms”? or just big room? I’m trying to if 5 of us could be in one suite.

Thank you so much. Looking forward to advises.

1) The Carnival Paradise is the only 3-4 night cruise to Baja / Ensenada. However, HAL goes to the Sea of Cortez, but that is a ten night cruise.

The Paradise has miniature golf and a water slide.

2) You can book Early Saver, which has a non-refundable deposit. The advantage is, if the price goes down you can get the lower price all the way up to two days prior to sailing. You can book Fun Select and still obtain the lower price all the way up until final payment is due. You can also book Fun Saver which is just like Fun Select. Fun Saver is a little less expensive but you don't get to pick your cabin. You will receive a cabin at the level you picked or better, but not worse. Again, if the price goes down you can get the lower price up until final payment is due.

In all cases if the price goes up, you can keep the old lower rate. However, if you don't book and the price goes up you cannot ask for the old lower rate. So, it is always best to book as early as possible. However, if there is a chance you are not going on the cruise, don't book the Early Saver which has a non-refundable deposit.

Thanksgiving is a popular time to cruise, so most likely the price will increase. I have two cruises booked with Carnival. One, in February 2011 has more than doubled in price. The other, over Thanksgiving this year, has increase about 1/3 since I booked.

Anytime kids are not in school is a popular time to cruise. Holidays (Christmas, New Year, Independence Day ...) are also expensive times to cruise.

3) Since you are not sure of what you are doing, I recommend you book with a travel agent. Find one you are comfortable with (online or brick & mortar). Interview several. Look for one that is a member of at least one of the professional organizations such as CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) or NACOA (National Association of Cruise Oriented Agencies) or NACTA (National Association of Commissioned Travel Agents).

When you speak to the travel agent, see if (s)he is willing to spend the time to answer your questions. If (s)he asks questions about what you are looking for before recommending a cruise. If this person tries to steer you to one particular line it might be better to find a different agent. Also find out what the agent's cancellation policies are. Does the person you are speaking to have any personal cruise experience?

If you book direct with Carnival, be aware that the people you are dealing with will only recommend a Carnival product and some do not know their own product.

4) The cruise only goes as far south as Ensenada, which is about 75 miles south of the border. So the weather you are concerned about is very similar to the weather in San Diego.

5) The cabins can sleep two, three or four. How many each cabin sleeps is listed on the deck plan.

6) Carnival does not have two room suites. However, with a roll-a-way bed you might be able to put five in a suite (this is something your travel agent should be able to help you with). However, price both ways. Sometimes it is less expensive to get two cabins than one suite.

Here is a link to my review from my July 2008 cruise on the Paradise ... http://www.cruise-addicts.com/reviews/readreview.php?id=394

The following pictures are from my cruise on the Paradise in July 2008 ...

An ocean view cabin (U166) ...

 

[Luci]

Cruizer, great photos. I cruised in a upper deck suite this year. It looks big in the photos but it is just average sized with a large wraparound sofa. Great for three adults.

I think people should always go for the small cabins that connect to eachother so you can have your own washrooms/bathrooms, your own t.v., a frigerator, etc.

Why have 5 persons in one cabin to stink up the bathroom or be in it when you want to use it.?

I have enough problems with my sister stinking up the bathroom.lol.

I once had a roomie who didn't flush the toilet some times. yuck. Plus she would turn on the t.v. because she couldn't sleep in the middle of the night. I would wake up and have to turn it off.

A couple with their 16yr.old son is ok in one cabin.