Ever since I hit that jackpot on my January cruise, my inbox has basically turned into a casino‑offer firehose. And honestly… I’m not mad about it. One of those offers was too good to pass up: a quick 3‑day Baja Mexico cruise. I originally booked it as a solo trip, but a couple months later I added my son — his first cruise ever. I was pumped for him to experience ship life for the first time, and even more excited to spend some real quality time together.
Now, because I booked solo and added him later, we ended up in a converted solo cabin with bunk beds. Not exactly luxury sleeping arrangements, but hey — it worked. Pro tip: if you book solo and add someone later, double‑check what kind of room you’ll actually get. Trust me.
Road Trip + Sail Away
We hit the road from the Sacramento area at 4am and rolled into Long Beach around 11am. My son slept basically the entire drive (must be nice), while I powered through the 405 traffic like a champ. We arrived right at peak check‑in time, but thanks to Carnival’s Faster to the Fun pass, we breezed through security in about 15 minutes. People say it’s pricey — and it is — but skipping the long lines at both embarkation and debarkation is worth every penny.
Keeping It Simple (and Affordable)
Since it was just a 3‑day getaway, I kept things minimal:
Just the Faster to the Fun pass and the rental car. Onboard, the only additional costs were a specialty dinner and a little casino play. The whole point of this trip was low cost + high quality time, and we nailed it.
Father–Son Cruise Vibes
We ate every meal together, wandered the ship, played mini golf, hit the arcade, lounged in Serenity, and checked out the Mandalorian & Grogu movie under the stars. The weather was perfection — 80s all weekend — a beautiful escape from Sacramento’s triple‑digit heat. The only thing I wish I brought was a sweatshirt for the nighttime movie, but otherwise it was flawless.
Ensenada = One Mission: Lunch at La Guadalajara
When I’m in Ensenada, I have one priority: La Guadalajara. It’s my favorite restaurant in town — hands down. This was my first time going on a Sunday, and it was packed with locals (always a good sign). We waited about 15 minutes, and the food was as incredible as ever. If you’re visiting Ensenada, do whatever excursions you want… but eat lunch at La Guadalajara. It’s a short walk from the cruise drop‑off area, and it’s worth every step. My son loved it too, which made it even better.
Debarkation: Fast, Easy, and Back on the Road
Monday morning, thanks again to Faster to the Fun, we were off the ship in 15 minutes and in the car by 7:45am. Traffic in Long Beach and LA was rough, but at least we started early.
The Ship: Carnival Firenze
The Carnival Firenze is a stunner — Italian‑themed décor, beautiful spaces, quiet corners everywhere, and tons of photo‑worthy spots. The food leaned Italian, the buffet was solid, the MDR was great, and the specialty restaurants were fantastic. My son ordered a sushi roll that looked like art and a deep‑fried matcha dessert that tasted even better than it looked.
Entertainment? Awesome. Cruise director? Fantastic. Staff and room steward? Top‑tier.
Even with dietary restrictions, I had plenty of options — fruit, chicken, gluten‑free choices, low‑fat meals. And since I don’t drink soda or alcohol, the included coffee, juice, and water were perfect.
I’m heading back on the Firenze with my wife in November, and I already know she’s going to love it.
Ready for Your Own Quick Escape?
If a low‑cost, high‑fun 3‑day getaway sounds like your kind of adventure, I’d love to help you plan a trip you’ll never forget — whether it’s solo, with your kids, or with someone special. Let’s make it happen.