Here goes our very first 4 days 4 nights cruise experience with the Carnival. As usual, the more people the merrier, so off we go to LAX once again to join our dear friends in this exciting experience. We flew into LAX the night before and took LAX Flyaway Bus service (Green Route) to Long Beach Bus Station. Cost is $9 per adult one trip and you can pre-purchase online or pay on the bus. Kids 5 and under is free. This is probably as cheap as it gets for public transportation from LAX to Long Beach.
Noticed our luggage is getting smaller minus strollers, replacing car seats? 2 standard sized backpacks, 1 small carry-on and two booster car seats. All carried on to avoid the LAX hassle at the baggage claim.
Day of Embarkation
We had few hours to spare before our check-in time so we self-toured Long Beach Downtown. Transportation could be by metro train or Uber/Lyft. Waiting patiently...
It was a weekday, so no crowd at all. It is nice and quiet to walk around the city and the shore.
Here comes the fun. This cruise did not fail to entertain the kids. That was important for us as family with young kids. There were shows, activities and youth camp cater to kids. Mommy must said she had a relaxing and great fun time with friend's company.
Checking in. past the custom and on the way to the cruise ship. Yes, you need your passport. And don't worry about photo opportunities. They are ton of them..
It is salt water in the swimming pool. The kids are going to either love it, or not. But hey, it is a swimming pool! On the other side of the ship, there are different level of water slides and seem to be more fun.
In addition to shows and casino (which we don't go), there are other fun activities for family.
Daddy learned to fold animal towels. Can you tell what animal is it? Seems satisfying.
People think of cruise as a relaxing trip. Spending quality time with family and friends is what makes the experience so special. No phone/internet connection, no stress or distraction, eat all you want whenever you want. Chit chat, eat, play and have a great time.
Happy 4th birthday didi! Celebrated this little guy's 4th birthday on Cruise. Crew members sang along with us. Fun time.
Ensenada, Mexico
We did not pay for special excursion on the cruise. We did though got off the ship and took the bus to downtown. $4 usd per person round trip (kid is free on adult lap). From downtown, we took another bus $17 usd round trip to La Bufadora to see the blowhole on the Punta Banda Peninsula in Baja California, Mexico. The bus is air conditioned.
This is what the whole cruise excursion is about. The blowhole (the end of the V shape) is where water spray out. No wave, just water spraying out intermittently magically..
It is a tourist place (especially target to cruise tourist) so the food price is quite expensive (consider that it is in Mexico). In downtown, you can get two 1 liter water bottles for less than $1 usd, where some tourist places or restaurant charge $3-$4 usd for 1 bottle. The souvenir appears to be around the same price range at the tourist place and downtown (but of course depending on your haggle skill). So be wise if you plan to buy stuff.
One important reminder, do not forget your travel documents (eg. passport) as well as the Carnival badge. You will need both to board the cruise.
Back to cruise safely.
Or you could choose to take a public bus back to state (southern California). Some tour guide was joking, don't remember how much it was but shouldn't be more than $20-30 usd :)
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