Do you have $174 and four days with nothing to do? Then go to www.carnival.com and book yourself on a mini cruise to Baja Mexico!  You will have to plan ahead to get the best rate, but just think: you will have something awesome to look forward to.  You will even have time to hit the gym and get your body ready to hit the beaches!

Most cruises include some or all of the following activities: singles meet 'n' greet, full gambling casino, karaoke, nightclub shows, youth programs, year round supervised children's activities (ages 2-15), midnight shows, fitness classes, beauty seminars, guest talent show, on board duty-free shopping, late night deck party, classes de baile, couples games, and pool games.

Most of us can’t live without access to the “mainland” while out at sea.  For those of us with that “problem”, the cruise ships offer 24-hour Internet Cafés or even a complete “bow2stern” wireless network.  But if you are not checking to see if your new amorsito sent you a tweet, you better be out there checking out the cuerasos by the pool or taking a salsa class.

Then of course, you’ve got the fun waiting for you at the two ports, Catalina Island and Ensenada.  In Catalina, you can go snorkeling or kayaking or for those that want to relax, there is always the coastal whale watching adventure.  Then when you hit Ensenada, there is SHOPPING, and in case you haven’t had your fill of umbrella-laden cocktails, there is always the famous “Papas and Beer”.

How About Travel Documentation for Cruises?

With the new passport laws coming into effect June 1, 2009, any U.S. citizen traveling on cruises that begin and end in different U.S. ports, or begin or end in a foreign port, must have a passport or other recognized document.  For a complete list of accepted documents, see www.travel.state.gov.  If you are traveling on cruises that begin and end in the same U.S. port, you only have to show proof of citizenship (such as a birth certificate) and a government-issued photo ID (such as a driver’s license).  Non-U.S. citizens need a valid Alien Resident Card, or a valid passport and a valid unexpired U.S. Multiple Re-entry Visa, if applicable.

Be sure to check out the entire line of cruises.  You will be sure to find something that will tickle your fancy!