This post contains affiliate links. We may earn compensation when you click on the links at no additional cost to you.
Sailing on a family cruise with Princess Cruises was beyond exciting as was seeing all the bright colors in Ensenada, Mexico. Come see why this cruise was loved by everyone in the family.
Tons of thanks to Princess Cruises PR for hosting us on this special cruise. All opinions are mine and those of family. We hope you enjoy this insight, review, and tips of the California Coastal Cruise Review.
Day 7 started with coffee in our room to enjoy as we cruised into Ensenada Mexico!
Docking was super quick in this port, and before we knew it, we were in port and could see all the beautiful colors that Ensenada is known for!
We headed down to the International Cafe for some fruit and then back to our room for a morning of surprises!
The first surprise was a balcony breakfast with champagne (for Pete and me) and juice for the girls! They were able to customize it for us to make it vegetarian too! This is an upgraded option, and I highly recommend doing it if you have a balcony in your room. There are also dinners you can have in the same fashion that I have heard wonderful things about that too.
And then because it was our last full day on the ship we went to the buffet for a second breakfast too! Don’t judge.
And then the biggest surprise of all… a bridge tour! We learned so much, and the girls were thrilled to be invited by the Captain for this special experience!
They shared all sorts of information with us, and it was fascinating to see just how much goes on behind the scenes to make sure that all the guests of the ship have a great vacation. From a team back at headquarters that is there around the clock to assist the ships to the team on board that is always checking weather radar maps, physically patrolling the ship and everyone in the bridge we knew we were in good hands on a Princess Cruises family vacation.
We were starving after that (slight exaggeration, we just really wanted more pizza!) so we enjoyed a couple of slices and swimming!
And ice cream too! Round the clock ice cream flows on the ship!
We debated going on shore and then decided to experience more of the ship.
Seven days isn’t enough time to see and do everything… the 12 and 5-year-old went to kids club while the 14-year-old met up with friends at the International Cafe and had some coffee.
I went to the spa and had the best pedicure I’ve ever had. It was the “fire & ice” pedicure… I highly recommend it!
Pete waited for me in The Sanctuary aboard the Crown Princess.
Oh my! The Sanctuary! I can’t believe that I waited until the last day to go there. It was heaven! I have a whole post that I am writing just about The Sanctuary because it was THAT awesome!
Inside is adults only. It’s an upgrade, so there is a fee to use it. We paid $20 each for a half day. In the morning I stopped in and picked out our lounge chairs and then they had them ready and waiting for us when we got there. There is a special healthier menu that you can order from for a $3 delivery fee per person, and they even serve afternoon tea to you.
And before we knew it hours had passed, and it was dinner time! The Little one and I relaxed on our balcony as we cruised out of Ensenada (I had picked her up from kids club) and then we got ready for dinner. She and the 12-year-old had the buffet (Pete and I were there too and had some snacks). Then it was back to kids club for them both. We had offered to bring them with us to our dinner, but both of them declined. If kids club was open through meals, I doubt we would have seen either of them at all. That is how much they loved the clubs!
We finally saw the teen again at dinner.
We went back to Sabatini’s for dinner. We found it is well worth the $25 cover charge per person, and the teen loved everything she was served there as did we. We all ordered the same things we had the last time, and it was nice having a “kinda” kid free meal… although I would have loved having the other two with us. Although this is a bit more luxurious than the other dining rooms, it’s totally kid friendly, and they cater to the whole family.
After dinner, we took a walk and admired the Mexican decorations to celebrate our time in Mexico!
The teen kept admiring this sombrero and bought it as a souvenir!
And then we stopped for our nightly coffee!
And then we headed back to kids club to pick up the Little One.
It was pajama night, and they were watching Frozen, so she pretty much had the best night of her life (her words)! She said goodbye to her amazing kids club leaders and kept her tears back as best she could. She was just so happy for all the fun and sad because it was over.
Before I even knew it this happened… she hasn’t slept this well in well, forever!
Bright and early the next morning, we found ourselves back in regular life. We woke up at 6 am, Pete went and got us coffee and breakfast that we enjoyed in our room as we docked back in San Pedro. By 8 am we were in our disembarkation area, and we were off the ship by 9 am. The whole process was very smooth and easy.
We’ve been off the cruise ship for 48 hours now, and I am still on a cruise high! Adjusting to regular life has been a bit rough… I’m still shocked when I can’t order room service and that I have to make my own bed. But I am much more relaxed and refreshed and ready to get back to life with a new found enthusiasm!
It was a vacation we will always remember, and we can’t wait to start planning our next cruise adventure!
Are you planning any vacations right now?
PS. See our complete Crown Princess, Princess Cruises Review and Detailed Daily Posts Here.
It sounds like such a lovely experience. I would love to take that cruise one day.
OMG, these pictures are heavenly! Looks like you had an amazing time, thanks for sharing this!
I would love the sanctuary part, I so could use that now – time to myself. Looks very relaxing!
Every post about this cruise keeps getting better and better! How amazing. Would love to visit here esepcially on a cruise!
I SO need this! Is there anything better than poolside pizza and ice cream? No. No there isn’t.
Day 7 sounded really relaxing. That ocean view is so nice. It’s really cool that the little one is enjoying the Kid’s Club each day too!
Wow! Looks like you all had an amazing time. This is one of the many things I want to do with my family. Thanks for sharing!
I definitely want to try a cruise now too. The amenities are just so great.
Looks like you all had a great time! I always hate coming back down to reality after a vacation like that. The Sanctuary looks like heaven!
We love taking cruises! that one looks like you enjoyed yourselves.. I need a sanctuary now:)
This cruise looks like fun! II want to go on vacation, on a cruise NOW!
That is exactly how I feel!!!!
All the food on that cruise looks amazing! It seems like you all had an amazing time.
This looks like such an amazing trip. I have always wanted to go on a cruise. I would love to go on the boat. It looks so beautiful.
Your entire family sounds like you had the time of your lives on that cruise! I agree with your teen–I would have purchased that sombrero also!!
Each day looks better and better, we need a vacation so bad like this one. You all look so relaxed.
I really have heard so many great things about Crown Princess. We are going on our first cruise this Fall and I cannot wait for the non stop food!
I can’t wait to hear about your trip! I want to take the fam on the cruise so bad!
I need to go to Mexico! How fun it looks like you are having.
I’ve never been on a cruise but I love what they offer for the kids. Love the Kids Club option and the constant food..
That looks like so much fun. I could really use pool side fast food after this week.
I haven’t been on a cruise in so long. I remember it was awesome, though. A cruise is one of those things that can make you feel completely rejuvenated.
I love those decorations! What a cool adventure for the girls- I love that your youngest loved it so much that she wanted to go without you- that says a lot about how wonderful the clubs were!
I want to try a cruise. I’m worried I’ll get seasick.
Beautiful pictures!! So many memories are made with family on a cruise. We can’t wait to go on another one, one day!! 🙂
This looks like a blast! My daughter is hoping we take her on a cruise soon, and I’m liking these ports!
What a beautiful cruise! The food looks like pieces of art!
That’s so great that they have some many things for the kids to enjoy! Super cool your daughter had so much fun she cried when it was over 😉
It looks like you had a lot of fun. I bet the bridge tour was really neat. I am so ready to go on another cruise.
I have never been on a cruise before. My husband and I would love to be able to go on one someday. These are some great photos.
Looks like a great time. We did a cruise to ensenada mexico on our honeymoon. It was so fun!
I love going on cruises! It looks like you all had a wonderful time – such a gorgeous ship, too! I cannot wait until we can go on another one!
We have visited Ensenada a few times and really enjoyed our time there. I am in love with the Mexican decor they had on the boat in honor of your port.
It sounds like you had a wonderful cruise. I would love to plan our next cruise vacation soon. 🙂
Oh that cruise sounds wonderful! I’ve never been on a cruise but I would take full advantage of EVERYTHING, oh yes I would. It looks like you had fun!!
I am so wanting to take a cruise. You guys are having a great time
What a great way to end! I definitely feel you on the cruise high, tough to get back to normal
Wow! This stop is just stunning. The scenery is so beautiful with the crystal clear blue waters. Sigh..Wish I could be there too!
I’ve never been on a cruise. It sure looks like an amazing way to take a vacation. I’ll look forward to the rest of your posts.
It looks amazing! A cruise is at the top of my travel bucket list. I haven’t had the chance yet, but am not sure about going as a family. I almost want to go just with my husband. It looks like the perfect way to escape our usual life here.
I would still be on cruise high too. It must have been a magical experience.
This looks like an amazing trip. Your pictures are fantastic, they make me want to sail away right now. The Sanctuary definitely looks like its worth the extra charge. Afternoon tea looks amazing.
This cruise looks like tons of fun, I am so glad you’re having fun!
Oh man! All your pictures make me want to go so much!
Cruising is so fun. It always takes a couple days to stop feeling the sway of the ship.
I never knew they could fit so many things on a boat. Your family looks like they are having so much fun.
This looks like a fun cruise! I need to take a cruise already!
This cruise looks AMAZING! I really need to go on one. Thank you for sharing!
Looks like everyone had a lot of fun and enjoyed the trip! Thanks for sharing!
It was so fun boarding their Caribbean Princess last spring! I’ll definitely have to do it again someday.
What a stunning port. The champagne breakfast looks seriously decadent. What a great way to start the day!
That sounds like some awesome pizza! I’m not a huge pizza fan, but I would try that.
You guys look like you are having a blast!! I want my parents to go on a cruise for the first time so I am going to look into this Princess Cruise for them. Thanks!