A Day in Ensenda

This is our fist time in the port of Ensenda Mexico. We wake up to an overcast morning and continue our  routine of taking photos and having an early breakfast at the LaPlaya Grille on Lido Deck.

Carnival Spirit view from pool

The bird that "guards" Carnival Spirit Pool

Breakfast Carnival Spirit LaPlaya Grill

Pastries Carnival Spirit
We venture out on deck to see the port of Ensenda with The Carnival Spirit's sister ship Carnival Inspiration docked nearby. The Inspiration does what we hear called "booze cruises", three and four day mini cruises starting under $300. We prefer at least seven days on board.

Carnival Ships Spirit and Inspiration docked in Ensenada Mexico
Just outside the port there are buses that will shuttle you to the downtown square for couple of dollars each way. It really is not a long distance and could be walked if you are up for it. I had heard the fish market ( Mercado de Mariscos) was a great place for photos so we bused it over there. The outside does not look like much but inside there is huge array of seafood at prices that made me want to stock up and take some home. Customs might be an issue there, but I was told by one of the fish vendors that local restaurants would cook purchases for you. Next trip I will skip breakfast and have fish tacos instead. After our cruise I saw Chef Rick Bayless feature Mariscos El Norteno on his TV series, it is just a few feet from the Market.




Mercado de Mariscos Ensenda Mexico

Fishing Dock Ensenada Mexico

Mariscos El Norteno Ensenada Mexico
We wander around for several hours taking in the sights and buying souvenirs to take home.The sun is out and we decide to head back to the Spirit for some pool time.

Carnival Inspiration docked in Ensenada Mexico
It's time for dinner and a show. During our cruise we put down $100 towards a "future cruise",next cruise the money will be applied and an additional $100 will be credited toward our on board expense account.

Crabcake Carnival Spirit Empire Dining Room


Prime Rib Carnival Spirit Empire Dining Room

Towel Heart Carnival Spirit.
We pack our luggage tonight and leave it outside to be taken off ship the next day when we arrive back in San Diego. It has been a fantastic nine day cruise. The Carnival Spirit crew has treated us like royalty and we are already plotting our next Carnival Fun Ship Cruise. On the next cruise I will strive to take more pictures and document our fun.

Sea Day Fun

After two fun days in Cabo San Lucas one might think a day at sea would be boring. That would be incorrect. There is always something fun to do on a Carnival Fun Ship! Today we began the day by taking a class on making the towel animals we love. The assistant cruise director and staff patiently instructed us on the simple assembly. We also purchased the Carnival book but I must report we have not made a single towel animal at home. It is much more fun when someone else makes them for you.



Taking a class on making towel animals
After the class we wandered the ship and took pictures of some places on board.On fun place that no one seems to use was "the jungle." It runs around the exterior of the Pharaoh's Place Main Lounge on deck 3(Atlantic.) It is great spot to bring coffee or drinks and enjoy the view in a quiet place.


The Jungle Interior Promenade Carnival Spirit.

Purchase duty free booze to take home

Make and drink a martini

Purchase fancy sweets and specialty coffee.

Antipasto Plate Carnival Spirit Empire Dining

Pasta with sun-dried tomatoes Carnival Spirit Empire Dining

Bacon-Cheeseburger Carnival Spirit Empire Dining

Rabbit Towel Animal Carnival Spirit

Cabo Day Two

This cruise is the first time we had two days in Cabo. I assumed the ship would remain in the harbor but it does not. The anchor is pulled up and the ship departs Cabo and returns to harbor the next morning. I believe the ship is required to be at sea so the casino and such can open.
We awake to another brilliant day in Cabo. The demand for the tender boats is light so we decide to have a leisurely breakfast in the Empire Dining Room. It's like eating in a fine hotel. I have bagel with lox and cream cheese. The wife has a waffle with every kind of sauce.


Lox plate for bagel. Carnival Spirit Empire Dining Room

Carnival Spirit Empire Dining Room. Waffle with sauces
We gather ourselves for the tender ride into port. On board we observe a sea lion hitching a ride on a fishing boat.

Sea lion hitching a ride on a fishing boat, hoping for a handout!
We wander the port and take in all the sites and sounds.

Fishing and tour boats Cabo San Lucas

Pelicans Sun Themselves. Cabo San Lucas
We wander the shops and I purchase a dress shirt to wear at dinner.There is a million ways to spend money in Cabo but there is a million ways not to spend money too. One could wander, enjoy and absorb the beauty without spending a dime. We end up back at Solomon's Landing for drinks. Two icy cold margaritas complete our afternoon.

Cold Margarita Solomon's Landing Cabo San Lucas

Mango Margarita Soloman's Landing Cabo
We tender back to the Spirit for a swim, nap and shower before dinner.

Steak dinner Carnival Spirit
Dinner, wine and a show. Our cabin and towels animal await us.Say hello to my froggy little friend!

Towel animals Carnival Spirit
We sail off into the night headed for Ensenada.

Carnival Spirit Cabo San Lucas

After a brilliant day in Puerto Vallarta we cruised overnight in Cabo San Lucas. On this trip we get two days to enjoy Cabo. Because there is no docking in Cabo, a queue is set up to board tender boats that shuttle you into port. We waited and got a later time so we could enjoy breakfast at the Lido buffet.


Carnival Spirit Lido Breakfast
This is my portion. You can take as much as you want. I witnessed an extremely overweight teenage girl put twenty pieces of bacon on her already overflowing plate. The whole time her mother wondered out loud, "Who eats baked beans for breakfast?" It might be healthier than all that bacon!

Carnival Splendor was also in Cabo this day

Cabo Tender Boat

Carnival Spirit in Cabo San Lucas

Carnival Spirit Cabo San Lucas from tender boat
Once in town we walked the port area and checked out the local shopping. I could spend hours watching the interaction of the hundreds of tourists that arrive by ship. The locals do their best to entice you to buy everything. We wandered into Cabo Wabo and Hard Rock Cafe but ended up at Soloman's Landing right on the harbor.

Margaritas at Solomon's Landing. Prime people watching spot

It's here if you need it!
We decide to head back to the ship for a late lunch.The tenders are really empty because most passengers go back late in the day.

Carnival Spirit Lido Buffet Lunch

Carnival Spirit Lido Buffet Lunch

Cabo San Lucas Medano Beach 


Water Sports Cabo San Lucas

Scooby Doo Rock Cabo San Lucas

Lover's Beach Cabo San Lucas
These photos were taken from the deck of the Carnival Spirit. Cabo San Lucas is a photographers dream! We checked out the Carnival Spirit Sport's Bar. There are statues of famous athletes are imbedded in the wall. Honestly it kind of creeped me out.


Carnival Spirit Sports Bar

The day was not over. Another meal was ready! 

Crab cakes Carnival Spirit

Steak dinner Carnival Spirit Empire Dinning

Elephant Towel Animal Carnival Spirit,
We get to go to Cabo again tomorrow!