Thursday
Mar112010
Choosing Cruising
Thursday, March 11, 2010 at 05:22PM
Today's post is courtesy of veteran family travel writer and Santa Clarita mom of three Mimi Slawoff. You often see her byline in L.A. Parent as our go-to writer for the magazine's Let's Go section, where she covers everything from dude ranch getaways to theme park excursions. Here she reports on her latest Carnival cruise outing.
Our family vacation last summer was among the best we’ve had. Not because it was the most exotic or action filled. But because it was relaxing, budget-friendly, and our family of five enjoyed every minute together. In fact, it was smooth sailing from start to finish.
We spent five fabulous nights onboard the Carnival Elation ship sailing through Baja, enjoying a fun cruise with good food, entertainment and activities. Every few years or so, we choose a cruise for our summer vacation. For us, cruising is a hassle-free, value-priced vacation that offers a plethora of activities we can do together or individually.
It's dress-up night for Bruce (from left), Michael, Megan, Mimi and Christina.
Last July, we gathered our brood, ages 14, 18 and 20, and sailed off into the sunset from San Diego. The 14-deck Elation had just begun operating a series of three-, four- and five-day cruises with two itineraries departing from San Diego. The five-day cruises departing Saturdays feature two full days in Cabo San Lucas; the five-day cruises departing Mondays include both Cabo and Ensenada. In addition, Carnival’s Elation has cruises departing Thursdays that visit Cabo. (These itineraries are valid through April 2010.) Baja trips, starting at $184 per person, are also available from Long Beach.
On our itinerary, we visited Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada. When our kids were young, they always went with the flow. With teens, it’s more like riding out a riptide. So we agreed early on that on this trip we would be spontaneous and flexible. Translation: easy on the rules and plans. My kids rallied for sleeping in, eating at all hours and simply enjoying the ship’s amenities.
Shortly after boarding, we explored the Elation and enjoyed beautiful views of the San Diego skyline as we left the port around 5 p.m. We signed up our 14-year-old daughter, Megan, in the Circle C program, for ages 12-14. The cruise line’s popular children’s programs include Camp Carnival for ages 2-11, and Club 02 for ages 15-17.
“Carnival carries more kids than any other cruise line, and we expect to host 650,000 this year alone,” says Carnival spokesperson Jennifer de la Cruz.
Megan floated in and out of the young teen club, choosing from a myriad of activities such as dances, video games, karaoke, parties and games. Onboard deals offered Teen Spa Specials and Ice Cream Teen Menu; shore excursions included parasailing. Meanwhile, our older kids found plenty to do – and not do. Christina was content to read a book poolside, while Michael joined in frequent pick-up basketball games with young guys his age.
With the luxury of time on our hands, Bruce and I indulged in grown-up fun, such as wine tasting with the maître d’ in the dining room. About 20 people showed up in shorts and sundresses to sample domestic and international wines.
Mealtimes were always a pleasure. For breakfast, we alternated between Tiffany’s, a large cafeteria that serves full breakfast and lunch buffets, and the dining room’s more formal sit-down breakfast. Dinners were the best. We had arranged for an early dinner seating, 6 p.m., and were pleased to find we had a private table in the Inspiration dining room, one of two formal restaurants. Our head waiter, Erich, and assistant server, Putu, were wonderful and indulged our son Michael’s appetite for three nightly entrées (he’s tall and thin, and I don’t know where he puts all that food). Erich and Putu quickly learned our names, as well as our food and beverage preferences. They were so friendly that by the end of the week, my husband Bruce sang a duet (“That’s Amore”) with Erich during an Italian-themed dinner.
Compared to newer, larger ships outfitted with onboard theme parks, the Elation is simple although more than sufficient. It has three pools (one equipped with a waterslide), a 12,000-square-foot spa and fitness center, a library where you can check out books and games, a casino, and several lounges with bars. Daily and nightly shows take place in the Japanese-themed Mikado Lounge, a multilevel, 1,200-seat theater.
Bright and early on the third day, the ship glided slowly into Cabo San Lucas, located at the southern tip of the Baja peninsula. We stood on the outside deck for better views of Los Arcos, the famous rock formations and arch that are situated where the Pacific Ocean and Sea of Cortez merge. The beach beckoned and our kids couldn’t wait to explore Cabo. The ship dropped anchor and we boarded tenders to reach the shore.
Our plan was to swim and lounge at a nearby beach, followed by lunch (per Michael’s request) at Cabo Wabo Cantina, owned by musician Sammy Hagar. We were approached by a slew of taxi operators but chose one who agreed to a private ride for $12. After swimming in the warm, gentle surf, we hailed a cab (about $5) from the closest luxury hotel to bring us to nearby Cabo Wabo. We lingered over tacos, enchiladas and margaritas before walking back to the ship. Along the way we browsed through shops for small souvenirs. The heat was stifling and by the time we reached the ship, we were exhausted. But we all agreed it was a great day.
When the ship pulled into port in Ensenada at the end of the week, the kids chose to stay onboard. Bruce and I took a short walk about town but returned to the ship to join the kids for mini golf and ping pong. As the ship departed for San Diego in the late afternoon, we lounged on chairs at the back of the ship, tanned, relaxed and content.
Baja cruises are also available from Long Beach. If you’re looking for a longer cruise, consider the Carnival Splendor, which offers year-round, seven-day Mexican Riviera service from Long Beach. For more information, visit www.carnival.com.
Our family vacation last summer was among the best we’ve had. Not because it was the most exotic or action filled. But because it was relaxing, budget-friendly, and our family of five enjoyed every minute together. In fact, it was smooth sailing from start to finish.
We spent five fabulous nights onboard the Carnival Elation ship sailing through Baja, enjoying a fun cruise with good food, entertainment and activities. Every few years or so, we choose a cruise for our summer vacation. For us, cruising is a hassle-free, value-priced vacation that offers a plethora of activities we can do together or individually.
It's dress-up night for Bruce (from left), Michael, Megan, Mimi and Christina. Last July, we gathered our brood, ages 14, 18 and 20, and sailed off into the sunset from San Diego. The 14-deck Elation had just begun operating a series of three-, four- and five-day cruises with two itineraries departing from San Diego. The five-day cruises departing Saturdays feature two full days in Cabo San Lucas; the five-day cruises departing Mondays include both Cabo and Ensenada. In addition, Carnival’s Elation has cruises departing Thursdays that visit Cabo. (These itineraries are valid through April 2010.) Baja trips, starting at $184 per person, are also available from Long Beach.
On our itinerary, we visited Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada. When our kids were young, they always went with the flow. With teens, it’s more like riding out a riptide. So we agreed early on that on this trip we would be spontaneous and flexible. Translation: easy on the rules and plans. My kids rallied for sleeping in, eating at all hours and simply enjoying the ship’s amenities.
Shortly after boarding, we explored the Elation and enjoyed beautiful views of the San Diego skyline as we left the port around 5 p.m. We signed up our 14-year-old daughter, Megan, in the Circle C program, for ages 12-14. The cruise line’s popular children’s programs include Camp Carnival for ages 2-11, and Club 02 for ages 15-17.
“Carnival carries more kids than any other cruise line, and we expect to host 650,000 this year alone,” says Carnival spokesperson Jennifer de la Cruz.
Megan floated in and out of the young teen club, choosing from a myriad of activities such as dances, video games, karaoke, parties and games. Onboard deals offered Teen Spa Specials and Ice Cream Teen Menu; shore excursions included parasailing. Meanwhile, our older kids found plenty to do – and not do. Christina was content to read a book poolside, while Michael joined in frequent pick-up basketball games with young guys his age.
With the luxury of time on our hands, Bruce and I indulged in grown-up fun, such as wine tasting with the maître d’ in the dining room. About 20 people showed up in shorts and sundresses to sample domestic and international wines.
Mealtimes were always a pleasure. For breakfast, we alternated between Tiffany’s, a large cafeteria that serves full breakfast and lunch buffets, and the dining room’s more formal sit-down breakfast. Dinners were the best. We had arranged for an early dinner seating, 6 p.m., and were pleased to find we had a private table in the Inspiration dining room, one of two formal restaurants. Our head waiter, Erich, and assistant server, Putu, were wonderful and indulged our son Michael’s appetite for three nightly entrées (he’s tall and thin, and I don’t know where he puts all that food). Erich and Putu quickly learned our names, as well as our food and beverage preferences. They were so friendly that by the end of the week, my husband Bruce sang a duet (“That’s Amore”) with Erich during an Italian-themed dinner.
Compared to newer, larger ships outfitted with onboard theme parks, the Elation is simple although more than sufficient. It has three pools (one equipped with a waterslide), a 12,000-square-foot spa and fitness center, a library where you can check out books and games, a casino, and several lounges with bars. Daily and nightly shows take place in the Japanese-themed Mikado Lounge, a multilevel, 1,200-seat theater.
Bright and early on the third day, the ship glided slowly into Cabo San Lucas, located at the southern tip of the Baja peninsula. We stood on the outside deck for better views of Los Arcos, the famous rock formations and arch that are situated where the Pacific Ocean and Sea of Cortez merge. The beach beckoned and our kids couldn’t wait to explore Cabo. The ship dropped anchor and we boarded tenders to reach the shore.
Our plan was to swim and lounge at a nearby beach, followed by lunch (per Michael’s request) at Cabo Wabo Cantina, owned by musician Sammy Hagar. We were approached by a slew of taxi operators but chose one who agreed to a private ride for $12. After swimming in the warm, gentle surf, we hailed a cab (about $5) from the closest luxury hotel to bring us to nearby Cabo Wabo. We lingered over tacos, enchiladas and margaritas before walking back to the ship. Along the way we browsed through shops for small souvenirs. The heat was stifling and by the time we reached the ship, we were exhausted. But we all agreed it was a great day.
When the ship pulled into port in Ensenada at the end of the week, the kids chose to stay onboard. Bruce and I took a short walk about town but returned to the ship to join the kids for mini golf and ping pong. As the ship departed for San Diego in the late afternoon, we lounged on chairs at the back of the ship, tanned, relaxed and content.
Baja cruises are also available from Long Beach. If you’re looking for a longer cruise, consider the Carnival Splendor, which offers year-round, seven-day Mexican Riviera service from Long Beach. For more information, visit www.carnival.com.
tagged Carnival cruise line, Elation, cruising, family travel in Travel
Carnival cruise line, Elation, cruising, family travel in Travel