Imagination Review: Santa Catalina and Ensenada, Feb 2015

[Kobayashi]

Thank You for your outstanding Photo & Image Review...absolutely great. :):):):)

 

 

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it.

[legion3]

Thanks!

 

Unfortunately I don't have many pictures of the Queen Mary. This is the only shot I could find.

 

 

Cool...thanks

[Kobayashi]

Thank you for your excellent review Kobayahi. Loved all the pictures on board the ship, and I also appreciated the Fun Times and shore excursion brochure.

 

 

 

I am looking at taking this cruise combined with a 7 day cruise on another ship sometime in the future. You've got me hooked on the 4 day cruise!

 

 

Thanks! Glad I could help. The four day cruises are what keep me satisfied until my next seven day sailing. Cheers!

[Kobayashi]

Thank you for your excellent and most thorough review! I enjoyed it very much as well as your photos. I have always wanted to do a west coast cruise, especially to Catalina. Some day after I retire hopefully:) Thanks

 

 

Thank you for reading. Catalina is a nice getaway. There are a lot of people that take the ferry from Long Beach for an extended weekend. Hope you can experience it some time. Cheers!

[Kobayashi]

Very good write-up with pictures. I have done this itinerary twice, and really enjoyed it too.

 

I was not able to read all your posting, but sort of scan it, so I don't know if you have done any other cruising, but I am going to ask anyway.

 

We are going on the Splendor this Sunday. Have you been on this ship, and if so, tell me your thoughts?

 

 

Thanks! Much appreciated!

 

I have not been on the Splendor yet but hope to in the future. Enjoy your cruise!!!

[beshears]

Thank you.

 

We are headed for the Splendor early this Sunday morning.

 

I plan to do a review. I know it won't be as good as yours, but at least people will get an idea of the ship, and the ports/islands that we will be visiting.:)

[Kobayashi]

Thank you.

 

We are headed for the Splendor early this Sunday morning.

 

I plan to do a review. I know it won't be as good as yours, but at least people will get an idea of the ship, and the ports/islands that we will be visiting.:)

 

 

Thanks! Looking forward to your review as these reviews are an adventure and an escape from reality for me [emoji3]. Bon Voyage!!!

[Kobayashi]

Adding another shot taken from Catalina:

 

[beshears]

Yes, Santa Catalina is a great place to visit, and I love the song too.:)

[cruisexlife]

Thanks for the amazing review! For a while now, I have been considering a land trip visit family, and add an Imagination / Inspiration cruise.

 

I've heard that Catalina is the better beach stop. What are some good beach clubs? Any snorkeling excursions offered there?

 

Is there good shopping in Ensenada? What are some good tours to do in Ensenada? The blowhole looks cool, but basic, but I would like to do one of those coastal tours. Are there any other attractions there?

 

Thanks for your help, and now onto your Miracle review! :D

[SadieN]

Lots of info on the California Coastal and Mexican Riviera boards.

 

In Avalon there are two beaches within walking distance. One at the end of the Green Pier and the other on the far side of the Casino building.

 

Don't expect Caribbean warmth. It's the Pacific with currents flowing directly from Alaska.

There is snorkeling but many wear wet suits.

Edited May 11, 2015 by SadieN

[aubreyc1988]

Thanks for the amazing review! For a while now, I have been considering a land trip visit family, and add an Imagination / Inspiration cruise.

 

I've heard that Catalina is the better beach stop. What are some good beach clubs? Any snorkeling excursions offered there?

 

Is there good shopping in Ensenada? What are some good tours to do in Ensenada? The blowhole looks cool, but basic, but I would like to do one of those coastal tours. Are there any other attractions there?

 

Thanks for your help, and now onto your Miracle review! :D

 

My thoughts from my april imagination cruise

 

Would be cold to swim in Catalina, even in the summer I think. I saw people wear wetsuits when snorkeling. I went shopping in Catalina and lots of really cool boutique-y shops there, very nice - didn't stay to eat there, but I bet the food would be delicious - it was pricey tho-20-30.00 per plate. I was too cheap to pay for it so I ate on the ship.

 

In Ensenada, its mostly touristy stuff, like what you might see in Cozumel/Honduras/Belize. Cheap, but some of it is cute and fun. LOTS of pushy sellers and the moms send their kids to "Sell" you stuff.

 

Blow hole was cool, takes like 30-40 minutes to get there from the ship, nice scenic route that is coastal, and the blowhole itself is pretty cool, we spent like 20-20 minutes at the actual destination. After that, we had plenty of time to shop along the "Downtown" area, and get something to eat - althought I would recommend eating on the ship, one person in our group got sick from the meat, I didn't eat anything because I thought it looked sketchy.

 

Hope that helps

[Kobayashi]

Thanks for the amazing review! For a while now, I have been considering a land trip visit family, and add an Imagination / Inspiration cruise.

 

 

 

I've heard that Catalina is the better beach stop. What are some good beach clubs? Any snorkeling excursions offered there?

 

 

 

Is there good shopping in Ensenada? What are some good tours to do in Ensenada? The blowhole looks cool, but basic, but I would like to do one of those coastal tours. Are there any other attractions there?

 

 

 

Thanks for your help, and now onto your Miracle review! :D

 

 

Thanks for reading along! I've enjoyed your reviews as well. I'm currently on the Inspiration getting ready to set sail and will also write a review although it's almost the exact same ship and excursions. I'll respond better when I return or hopefully others can respond as well - La Bufadora, the Wine Tour and the Cheese Tour are the three most popular Ensenada tours. SadieN has done this trip many times so I'll defer to her about recommendations :)[emoji3].

[Kobayashi]

My thoughts from my april imagination cruise

 

 

 

Would be cold to swim in Catalina, even in the summer I think. I saw people wear wetsuits when snorkeling. I went shopping in Catalina and lots of really cool boutique-y shops there, very nice - didn't stay to eat there, but I bet the food would be delicious - it was pricey tho-20-30.00 per plate. I was too cheap to pay for it so I ate on the ship.

 

 

 

In Ensenada, its mostly touristy stuff, like what you might see in Cozumel/Honduras/Belize. Cheap, but some of it is cute and fun. LOTS of pushy sellers and the moms send their kids to "Sell" you stuff.

 

 

 

Blow hole was cool, takes like 30-40 minutes to get there from the ship, nice scenic route that is coastal, and the blowhole itself is pretty cool, we spent like 20-20 minutes at the actual destination. After that, we had plenty of time to shop along the "Downtown" area, and get something to eat - althought I would recommend eating on the ship, one person in our group got sick from the meat, I didn't eat anything because I thought it looked sketchy.

 

 

 

Hope that helps

 

 

Hi Aubrey - glad you decided on this trip as I knew it was between this and an NCL cruise. Hope you had a great time!!! Your comments are spot on. Cheers!

[cruisexlife]

Thanks for reading along! I've enjoyed your reviews as well. I'm currently on the Inspiration getting ready to set sail and will also write a review although it's almost the exact same ship and excursions. I'll respond better when I return or hopefully others can respond as well - La Bufadora, the Wine Tour and the Cheese Tour are the three most popular Ensenada tours. SadieN has done this trip many times so I'll defer to her about recommendations :)[emoji3].

 

Thanks so much for reading my reviews and answering some questions. Have a blast on your trip!!! :D

[aubreyc1988]

Hi Aubrey - glad you decided on this trip as I knew it was between this and an NCL cruise. Hope you had a great time!!! Your comments are spot on. Cheers!

 

Thanks - It WAS a fun cruise, but I think you had a better time - my sailing had plumbing problems - which was not fun - but c'est la vie :)

[beshears]

The blow holes are nice to see, but to me, nothing exciting.

[Cruiseboy06]

Sweet Awesome review. I will be on Imagination for first time in August :-) I'm going with my friend, his husband, and one of friends of theirs..

It will be so much fun.. We will be rocking the boat...

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[tensixmom]

Such a helpful review... thank you so much... Do you happen to know whether MILK is included in the regular cost? I don't need the Soda package but I do go through a fair amount of milk.

[SadieN]

Ask for milk in the MDR at any meal. It's out at the buffet during breakfast, need to ask for it at other times. There are carafes near the coffee stations if you just want a drop.

Skim, whole and chocolate milk are available.

[tensixmom]

Ask for milk in the MDR at any meal. It's out at the buffet during breakfast, need to ask for it at other times. There are carafes near the coffee stations if you just want a drop.

Skim, whole and chocolate milk are available.

 

Thank you so much!

[CruiseDreaming]

Kobayashi,

 

I know it's been a while since you did this cruise, but your review is so excellent I thought I'd try here to have my question answered. On port days, does anyone know what time the dining room is open for breakfast? I would love to eat there, but we will have early excursions. Any info would be great.

 

Kerrie :)

[JGB]

Mdr=7 30...lido deck=7

[SadieN]

Lido opens around 6 for continental and about 30 minutes later for the hot line.

[CruiseDreaming]

thanks.

 

Kerrie :)