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Cruises to Ensenada

380 Reviews
1 Award
Ensenada (Photo:alysta/Shutterstock)

About Ensenada

Ensenada, known as Baja's "Love Boat" port, is no longer a sleepy resort town. Each year, some 4.5 million visitors descend on this seaside city 68 miles from the border, joining 325,000 residents. Fishing, processing and shipping have made Ensenada Mexico's second busiest port.



It's quite a change from 1542 when Portuguese explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo sailed into the sheltered bay in his quest for the mythical Northwest Passage, or sixty years later, when Sebastian Vizcaino named the area Ensenada de Todos los Santos after All Saints' Day. Over the centuries, many have left their mark here, from Spanish missionaries and Russian settlers to gold miners and gamblers.



The result is eclectic mix -- from Mexico's oldest winery and Baja's first cantina to a plaza featuring statues of national heroes. In addition to expected attractions like the large tourist shopping area and fish market, Ensenada also offers the unexpected - an elegant Prohibition-era casino and a blowhole that spews water sixty feet into the air.

Ensenada is an informal city dependent on fishing, shipping and tourism. Among the highlights are fresh seafood, cantinas, crafts shopping, sport fishing and winter whale watching. Beaches are located north and south of the city.

  • More about Ensenada

  • Why go to Ensenada?

  • Ensenada Cruise Port Facilities?

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Royal Princess
Royal Princess

15 Night
Hawaii CruiseDetails

1,725 Reviews
Leaving:San Francisco
Cruise Line:Princess Cruises
Mar 27, 2023
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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Royal Princess
Royal Princess

7 Night
U. S. Pacific Coast CruiseDetails

1,725 Reviews
Cruise Line:Princess Cruises
Apr 16, 2023
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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Norwegian Joy
Norwegian Joy (Photo: Norwegian Cruise Line)

7 Night
Mexican Riviera - Los AngelesDetails

376 Reviews
Leaving:Los Angeles
Cruise Line:Norwegian Cruise Line
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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Norwegian Jewel
Norwegian Jewel

7 Night
Mexican Riviera - San DiegoDetails

2,314 Reviews
Leaving:San Diego
Cruise Line:Norwegian Cruise Line
Apr 2, 2023
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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Virgin Voyages

3 Night
Ensenada CruiseDetails

2,258 Reviews
Leaving:Los Angeles
Cruise Line:Royal Caribbean International
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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16 Night
Hawaii CruiseDetails

1,813 Reviews
Leaving:Los Angeles
Cruise Line:Princess Cruises
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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7 Night
Mexican Riviera - San DiegoDetails

2,314 Reviews
Leaving:San Diego
Cruise Line:Norwegian Cruise Line
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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Cruise Critic Favorite

7 Night
Pacific Coastal CruiseDetails

2,169 Reviews
Leaving:Los Angeles
Cruise Line:Celebrity Cruises
Apr 1, 2023
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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5 Night
U. S. Pacific Coast CruiseDetails

2,182 Reviews
Cruise Line:Princess Cruises
Nov 21, 2023
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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20 Night
Repo - Panama CanalDetails

2,106 Reviews
Leaving:Seattle
Cruise Line:Norwegian Cruise Line
Oct 30, 2023
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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18 Night
Circle HawaiiDetails

567 Reviews
Leaving:San Diego
Cruise Line:Holland America Line
Nov 22, 2023
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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7 Night
U. S. Pacific Coast CruiseDetails

1,813 Reviews
Leaving:Los Angeles
Cruise Line:Princess Cruises
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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Cruise Critic Favorite

20 Night
World CruiseDetails

390 Reviews
Leaving:Vancouver
Cruise Line:Oceania Cruises
Sep 7, 2023
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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4 Night
Catalina & Ensenada CruiseDetails

2,258 Reviews
Leaving:Los Angeles
Cruise Line:Royal Caribbean International
Feb 12, 2024
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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7 Night
Mexican Riviera - Los AngelesDetails

1,304 Reviews
Leaving:Los Angeles
Cruise Line:Norwegian Cruise Line
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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More about Ensenada

Why go to Ensenada?

Pros:

Ensenada offers a killer food scene if you know where to look, from ceviche carts to margarita joints

Cons:

Be wary: If you get dropped off at a local beach away from town, you might be walking back

Bottom Line:

The port's main shopping and dining district is full of diversions, if you don't mind a hard sell

Ensenada Cruise Port Facilities?

Ensenada's cruise dock features a market with numerous vendors. In addition to souvenirs, there's a pharmacy and liquor store.

Getting Around?

The cruise ship pier is within easy walking distance of Avenida Lopez Mateos, the main tourist zone for shopping and dining. Alternatively, taxis and shuttles are available at the dock to take passengers on the short ride downtown. Taxis are also available at corner stands along Avenida Lopez Mateos.

Currency & Best Way to Get Money?

Mexico's currency is the peso, divided into 100 centavos. In addition to the peso, US dollars are widely accepted in Baja, as are credit cards. ATM machines for withdrawing pesos are available in several downtown banks.

Language?

Spanish is the official language, with English spoken throughout the tourist areas.

Where You're Docked?

Cruise ships share an industrial harbor with commercial and sport fishing fleets, shipping containers and tankers.


Ensenada Cruise Reviews
I've been to Ensenada a few times but it had been quite a few years so I opted for the La Bufadora trip. Read More
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labseldest
Unfortunately Ensenada was too cool for the beach, but it was still a great day to walk around! We walked all around the port and downtown area, had some good food, and saw some interesting sights.Read More
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wally4ever
I last visited Ensenada 25 years ago. At the time the port smelled of sewage and disabled, old women were begging on most street corners. This time was entirely different. The city is cleaner and better maintain tRead More
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Sawduster1
We had a great time on the adult-only wine tour of Guadalupe Valley in Ensenada. We went to two wineries, one large and one family-owned. We learned a lot about how to make wine and enjoyed the tastings. I thoughtRead More
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Corgi211

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