The majority of Carnival cruises out of San Diego are to Baja California, a Mexican peninsula located south of California and known for its warm weather and picturesque beaches. Since Baja California is relatively close to San Diego, cruises to this area generally don't run more than five days---perfect for a long weekend. Carnival has two ships that make this journey: the Carnival Elation and the larger Carnival Spirit. Both of these ships have a slew of amenities, such as spa services and world-class dining. The Spirit offers its guests a fine-dining steakhouse experience; the Elation provides guests with their own on-deck mini-golf course. Stops on these cruises include Ensenada, Cabo San Lucas and Catalina, an island off the coast of California.
If you're looking for a longer cruise, Carnival offers an eight-night cruise on the Carnival Spirit that explores the wonders of the Mexican Riviera. This trip ventures further south than Baja California, heading to such Mexican locales as Acapulco (where the ship usually docks for more than 24 hours, allowing ample time to soak up the sun), Zihuatanejo and Manzanillo. Because of the distance and the length of the cruise, you'll also be treated to four days at sea, where you'll be able to enjoy all of the amenities the Carnival Spirit has to offer. This cruise is the perfect length if you want to combine exploration in a foreign land with relaxation.
Carnival offers one cruise departing from San Diego on the Elation that will take you through the Panama Canal. This 15-day cruise is perfect if you want to experience a variety of stops in the Western Hemisphere: The ship stops in seven different ports, including Cabo San Lucas and Acapulco in Mexico; Puntarenas, Costa Rica; Cartagena, Colombia; Grand Cayman Island; and Tampa, Florida. In between ports and the seven full days at sea, the ship spends an entire day moving through the Panama Canal on its trek from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean. The vessel arrives back in the United States at Mobile, Alabama.
Go to the Carnival website to book any of these cruises or for more information. The website will be able to give you information on each of these cruises and ships; it will also provide sections on the various ports and provide reservation specials.
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