California/ Catalina cruise

We took a 4 day cruise out of LA that stopped in Catalina, San Diego, and Ensenada. It was on the Royal Caribbean line. We added the pickup at the airport, which made it much easier. Leave plenty of time to get from airport to ship. If you are early on the ship, you can still board and hang out on deck or get lunch. We did it in April of 2006. But if you are late, no one will ever wait for you!

The Royal Caribbean food and service were good. We had no kids on this trip so we don’t know about the kid activities on this cruise. One of my best tips: do the free stuff on the ship. There are constant games and shows. You can watch or participate.

San Diego was our first stop. I really needed to see a panda, so we went to the San Diego Zoo. It was a great day. The cost for the excursion was very little more than the ticket price for the zoo. I couldn't believe they didn't boost the price immensely for the ride over and back. It is a huge zoo, and ethically one of the best. Good housing for the animals, many conservation projects evident. I would gladly support them.

Catalina was wonderful. My mom had taken this cruise before and did a tour of Avalon (the town). We did a tour that ended up at the island airport. It was a thrilling fun ride of death defying turns. You shouldn’t miss it! Lots of great photo opportunities. Then we spent time downtown shopping. Very touristy and California upscale. There are very few cars, 10 year waiting list to be allowed to get one, so everyone travels via golf cart. Interesting to see them in driveways. Lots of land conservation so people have to be packed into small space. Makes for the whole island being so beautiful.

Our next stop was Ensenada. After the day on Catalina, it was shocking. Wretched girls/women begging on the street. Dirty town. Tragically sad. And we were supposed to be on vacation. The bathroom cost money: We would never wander freely there again. We will only book excursions that are controlled.

I’ve said it before, with mobility issues, cruising is the way to travel. April is a good time to be there, also. The weather was nice, with moderate temps, so I didn't get overheated or sick.


When we landed in LA, it would be hours until our flight. so we booked an excursion bus tour around town We went to the major sites, Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood, Grauman's Chinese theater, Beverly Hills, etc. It only cost about $30 and was lots of fun.