Why Are People Hiding Ducks On Cruise Ships And How You Can Join In The Fun
There are a lot of things that folks who love cruising do to make the adventure even more fun. While some folks look to pineapples, a much more wholesome and family-friendly game has developed in the past few years around hiding rubber duckies on cruise ships and then sharing your finds with others on social media. In fact, entire online communities have evolved to embrace this activity and frankly … it is one of those things that is as fun to give as it is to get!
When Is The Best Time To Cruise To Mexico
Carnival Cruises offers cruises from Long Beach to Mexico year-round. Expect temperatures of 74 F to 96 F depending on your cruising month.
Being further north, Cabo San Lucas has cooler temperatures of 74 F to 77 F from December to February. However, the summer months (June to September can reach as high as 96 F or 36 C.
If the higher temperatures are intolerable, consider cruising December through to early March when its a bit cooler.
Baja Mexico Carnival Cruises
From Long Beach, Carnival offers three and five-day Baja Mexico cruises, which are ideal for long weekends or mini getaways for locals. These mini cruises often come with bargain prices. So, if you sail a back-to-back short cruise, you can usually get a longer trip for less than a 7-day cruise.
Three-day return cruises sail to Ensenada and back and are offered on the Carnival Radiance for the 2022 to 2024 seasons. Ensenadas coastline is more rugged than its sister cities to the south.
Most who stop in Mexicos Napa Valley shop for wine at low prices. Nearby wineries offer tour tours to taste before you buy. Prepare for your port day by getting your tour tickets in advance.
There are two options for five-day cruises. If you prefer different ports, select the itinerary that goes to Ensenada and Cabo San Lucas. Alternatively, spend two days in Cabo San Lucas. The Carnival Miracle sails these itineraries. Heres our full review of the Carnival Miracle.
Contrasting Ensenada, Cabo San Lucas offers pristine beaches and shore excursions focused on water activities. At the end of the Sea of Cortes, the Arch or El Arco, Lovers Beach, and Divorce Beach are must-visits. For fishing enthusiasts, the Marlin Capital is a haven for Marlin and other fish species.
Alternatively, travelers can choose a four-day cruise from San Francisco on the Carnival Miracle. It includes one day in Ensenada, Mexico.
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Princess: Circle North Pacific Cruises
In addition to its 12-day Alaskan cruises, Princess offers a couple of longer voyages that take you to Alaska. Its epic, 60-day Circle North Pacific is a round trip from Los Angeles that begins with the same itinerary as its shorter Alaskan cruises, then adds Icy Strait Point and Kodiak Island. Leaving Alaska, the ship ventures west to Kushiro, Japan, a journey that takes five days at sea and crosses the international date line. Tokyo , Osaka and Hiroshima in Japan are also featured, followed by the ports of Incheon in Korea, Beijing and Shanghai in China three ports in Vietnam, including Ho Chi Minh City, and Manila in the Philippines. On the way back across the Pacific to California, youll call at Guam, then the Hawaiian ports of Honolulu and Kauai. A shorter cruise, the Circle North Pacific Segment, follows the same itinerary for 28 nights before ending in Shanghai.
Tip
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The Alaskan cruise season runs from mid-May to late September. You can expect the weather in Los Angeles during these months to be hot, dry and sunny, but in Alaska, daytime temperatures might range from the 50s to low 80s. You should pack clothing to cover a wide range of weather conditions, along with plenty of sunscreen and bug spray.
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Cruise From Home And Relax
Everyone knows that a cruise vacation is one of the most relaxing, hassle free vacations you can take. Imagine if you also didn’t have to worry about traveling to start your vacation but could just drive up to a port near your home and get onboard your luxury cruise ship. Here at CruiseExperts.com we’ve made it easy to see which cruises start close to home. Get started with our Home Port widget by clicking on your home port below.
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First Cruise Ship To Depart From California In Over A Year Sets Sail For Mexican Riviera
A cruise ship headed for the Mexican Riviera set sail from the Port of Long Beach on Saturday the first cruise ship to depart from California in 17 months.
The Carnival Panorama is on a seven-day voyage and will stop in the Mexican ports of Cabo San Lucas and Mazatlan before returning to Long Beach, Carnival Corp. said in a statement.
The 1,060-foot Carnival Panorama debuted in 2019.
Passenger Bob Lechtreck said he and his wife were on the inaugural sailing on December 11, 2019.
I cant tell you how excited I am to be on the Panorama for its inaugural return to service, Lechtreck told the Press-Telegram in a text. Its been way too long since weve sailed, and we couldnt be happier returning to our favorite activity.
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Cruises To Alaska From California
Twenty cruises a year leave from California to explore Alaska. Departures out of San Francisco and Los Angeles are available April to September. Ports of call include Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway. Scenic cruising of either Tracy Arm Fjord or Glacier Bay is also often included.
Alaska is an awe-inspiring destination for a cruise from CA. Most cruises are on Alaska’s Inside Passage, a coastal route that weaves through islands. Experience the wildlife, rugged scenery, glaciers, and friendly people.
is the state capital and can only be reached by boat or plane. Attractions include the shops of South Franklin Street, museums, hiking trails, and Mendenhall Glacier. See the humpback whales that visit the area in the summer.
Ketchikan is the town at the southern tip of the Inside Passage. It’s a tremendously rainy place. Many homes and businesses are built on stilts over the water.
Skagway is a popular cruise stop on the Inside Passage. The town was the starting point for Gold Rush stampeders headed for the Yukon. Many of the buildings are part of the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. Take a walking tour of the historic district and see the nearby scenery on the White Pass & Yukon Railway.
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Los Angeles Cruises Highlights
- Bike through El Dorado East Regional Park.
- Visit the Aquarium of the Pacific.
- Take a short trip to the beautiful Santa Catalina Island.
- Relax at the scenic Belmont Shore Beach.
- Walk along the Rainbow Harbor Esplanade for fantastic city views.
- Explore the canals of the Naples neighborhood.
- Visit the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden.
- Have fun at Knott’s Berry Farm.
- Check out the Shoreline Village.
- Shop at the Long Beach Antique Market.
- See beautiful ocean views from Bluff Park.
- Grab a bite to eat at L’Opera Ristorante.
Things To Do In Los Angeles
Play on the Santa Monica Pier
For a fun-filled day in Los Angeles, head to Santa Monica, a scenic neighborhood that is home to a long pier stretching out into the Pacific Ocean. Stop by Santa Monica Piers carnival, where you can ride the Ferris wheel, try your hand at carnival-style games, and grab a bite to eat. From the piers vantage point, youll be privy to gorgeous views of the ocean and Californias coastline.
Explore Malibu
Escape the hustle and bustle of LA and drive up the coast to the laid-back city of Malibu. Enjoy lunch at the end of the historic Malibu Pier at a farmhouse-style restaurant, then head down to the sand and check out Malibus gorgeous and rugged beaches, known for their light golden sand and rocky formations that jut out into the ocean.
Take a Picture of the Hollywood Sign
A trip to Los Angeles isnt complete until you see the citys famous Hollywood sign. Set high up on a hill overlooking the city, the Hollywood Sign is visible from several vantage points. If youre looking for a way to get closer, go on a shore excursion that includes a nearby photo op, where youll be able to pose in front of the iconic sign.
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Helpful Tips Before You Go
- Be aware of the unusual length of days and nights in these northern latitudes. In May or June, the sun doesnt set until after 11pm giving you more time to see more of Alaska.
- In Alaska, some of the best tasting water comes right out of the tap. Thats because its glacial watercrisp, clean and clear.
- Much of Alaska is covered by a rainforest, so pack water-resistant clothing.
- Temperatures can vary based on what you are doing . Wearing layers can help keep you comfortable throughout the day no matter what the activity.
- Book Flights by Celebrity® to be protected in case there is any cancellation.
- Research the shore excursions and book them in advance, pre-cruise. The popular shore excursions get sold out fast.
- All destinations in Alaska take U.S. dollars and most take credit cards but be sure to check before your purchase.
Long Beach Cruises To Alaska
As an alternative to embarking in Seattle or Vancouver, local residents can cruise to Alaska from Long Beach. The 14-day Carnival Miracle cruise takes three days to reach Alaska and has two and a half sea days on the return. There are no port days on the route.
Residents can see Alaska without taking a flight by taking a return cruise from California.
Alaska cruises from Long Beach run from April to September. Its important to note that the Pacific Coast can be rough. So, if youre prone to motion sickness, choose a midship cabin on a lower level. Also, motion sickness patches are inexpensive and work incredibly well.
Carnival Alaska itineraries from Long Beach include the ports of Sitka, Juneau, Skagway, Icy Strait Point, Ketchikan, and Victoria. They also spend a few hours cruising in Tracy Arm Fjord to see the Twin Sawyer Glaciers.
Located on Baranof Island, Sitka has a rich history and once served as the capital of Alaska. Must-visits include the Baranof Castle State Historic Site, Sitka National Historical Park, Alaska Raptor Center, St. Michaels Cathedral, and Fortress of the Bear.
Juneau, the current capital, offers the largest selection of tours, from seeing Mendenhall Glacier and whale watching to dog sledding and Taku Lodge Floatplane tours. Since Alaska tours sell out fast, get book your excursions as soon as possible to prevent disappointment.
Whale watching is also offered at Icy Strait Point, as well as the worlds largest zip rider.
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Things To Do In Long Beach Before Or After Your Cruise
Southern California is full of attractions and fun things to do before or after your cruise. If you have the time to arrive a day or two ahead of time, we highly recommend that you do so. It will both help incase any travel delays occur, and itll give you the chance to take advantage of what Long Beach and LA have to offer.
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Cruises To Mexico From California
There are 300 cruises from California to Mexico each year. Depart from San Diego, Los Angeles or San Francisco for the sunny beaches of Baja, the Mexican Riviera or the Sea of Cortez. Trips range from 2 days to 10 days in duration. The complete schedule of cruises is below.
Ensenada is at the northern end of the Mexican Baja peninsula. Go kayaking, scuba diving, or whale watching. The food is a big attraction, with its own regional âBaja Medâ cuisine.
Cabo San Lucas is at the southern end of the Baja peninsula. A tropical desert climate offers warm temperatures throughout the year. Kayak to El Arco rock, take the challenge of sportfishing, or snorkel with the marine life. Or simply relax with a margarita in a cantina.
Puerto Vallarta attractions include Banderas Bay and the Sierra Madre. Explore the streets, shops and markets of the old town. Lay on the beach or join an excursion to mountain jungles.
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Day Baja Mexico Cruise From Long Beach On Carnival Imagination
In late March my husband, son and I sailed on Carnival Imagination for a 3 Day Baja Mexico cruise from Long Beach. This is a great weekend getaway, especially for anyone within easy driving distance of Long Beach, California. We were guests of Carnival Cruise Line and this was our first cruise as a family.
It was a super fun way to spend a weekend and what my husband and I found out, is we truly had a vacation. Because of the teen club, which my son loved, we found we had lots of time to relax and enjoy the cruise to Mexico as adults.
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Below youll find some helpful tips for cruising and some of our favorite moments on our 3 Day Baja, Mexico cruise from long beach to Ensenada.
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Another Fun Ship To Australia
Carnival Splendor will not be the only Carnival Cruise Line ship to be sailing in Australian waters in the near future.
The soon-to-be-rebranded Carnival Luminosa will deploy to Brisbane in November, offering a different selection of 3-11 night Australian itineraries and a new experience for cruisers to enjoy, visiting popular ports in New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and New Zealand.
Carnival Luminosa is scheduled to deploy to Alaska in 2023 with various 6-8 night sailings from Seattle, while Carnival Splendor will remain in Australia year-round.
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Where Can You Cruise On A Disney Ship From Southern California
The Disney Wonder now spends winters offering Caribbean Cruises out of Miami and summers offering Alaska cruises out of Vancouver, but it offers a couple cruises from San Diego repositioning between the two.One is a quick three night Mexican Riviera trip to Ensenada on the West Coast of Mexico.Search for Disney Cruises to the Mexican RivieraDisneyâs 5-night Alaska cruise originates in San Diego, then travels north to San Francisco before depositing the ship in Vancouver for the summer.Search for Disney Cruises to AlaskaOnce or twice a year, you can take the Panama Canal repositioning cruise from San Diego to Miami via Cabo San Lucas, Mexico Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Panama Canal, Panama Cartagena, Colombia and Costa Maya, Mexico. From Miami, the Disney Wonder cruises to the East and West Caribbean.Search for Disney Cruises to Panama CanalDuring the summer, the Disney Wonder relocates to the Pacific Northwest and offers cruises from Seattle and Vancouver to Alaska. They may also offer one repositioning cruise from Vancouver to San Diego.
View All Disney Wonder Cruises
View All Disney Cruises
Carnival Splendor Leaves Seattle
The Concordia-class Carnival Splendor had a festive sendoff from Seattle on Tuesday, September 6, 2022, as it officially left the region at the close of the Alaska season. The ship began sailing Alaskan itineraries on May 2, and was the last of the Fun Ships to resume service after the pandemic shutdown.
Now, Carnival Splendor is sailing a 23-night epic transpacific itinerary to return to Australia, with four ports of call in Hawaii and two in Fiji along the way, as well as 18 days at sea for guests to thoroughly enjoy and explore all the 113,300-gross-ton ship has to offer.
The ships onboard schedule is packed with unique activities for this once-in-a-lifetime sailing, including a caricaturist, naturalist, knitting classes, comedy workshops, cooking demonstrations, ukulele classes, and three formal nights.
The vessel will arrive in Sydney on September 30, 2022, the first Carnival cruise ship to welcome guests in Australian waters in nearly 1,000 days.
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Long Beach Cruise Terminal
The Long Beach Cruise Terminal is used exclusively by Carnival Cruise Line. The terminal is inside the worlds largest, free-span geodesic dome which used to hold Howard Hughes famous Spruce Goose seaplane.
Carnival Cruise Line did a multi-million-dollar renovation in 2018 to the cruise terminal to make it even more amazing.
You will want to set an arrival time before your cruise. When you are filling out your Carnival Cruise docs make sure to pick the time you want to arrive at the Long Beach Port Terminal.
Trust me when I tell you they will only let you in when it is the time of your appointment. You are not going to be able to get past the gatekeepers even 10 minutes early! There is a waiting area inside the Long Beach Port Terminal with park benches and fun art to look at.
We sat outside and soaked up the sun for about 30 minutes before our scheduled arrival appointment.
The gatekeepers check every single boarding pass and you will not get in if it isnât your time yet!!! I honestly canât stress this enough. If you want to get on board early you may want to look at the Carnival Faster to the Fun program.
When it is time for your arrival appointment make sure every person has a boarding pass and their photo identification. Once you are past the gatekeepers the entire embarkation process is really quick.
How to get to the Long Beach Cruise Terminal
The Long Beach Cruise Terminal is located right next to the Queen Mary.
Long Beach Airport