Cruise Bruise Blog
April 12, 2009
Happy Easter
So, why not make two calls, at two different ports? That is a good question. Perhaps it because Cabo is one of the few places where the risk of crime on tourists is the lowest in Baja California. Mexico has become a hunting ground for Americans from Tijuana all the way to Ensenada and beyond.

In Ensenada this past fall, violence erupted in the tourism district, which is all of downtown Ensenada. Two were killed immediately and two hurt after a shooting in downtown Ensenada.  One armed shooter moved by the street Buccaneers of the division Embosomed Beach, downtown, nearby the Second Military Naval Zone.

The Ensenada police confirmed that the shooting started in the downtown tourism walk on the sidewalk, and ended near Sullivan park. A common thread among the violence is men traveling in SUVs and Hummers. This was the case in this incident.

Also last September, three people were executed on Sea of Cortez Street, in the city of Ensenada. Three subjects were raised and executed in the community of Chapultepec by heavily armed criminals circulating in at least four units. The incident led to the mobilization of more than 50 units of various corporations and the Mexican Army troops.

Things have become so bad in Ensenada, The annual Rosarito Ensenada 50 Mile Fun Bicycle Ride was canceled for the fall 2008 run after a Motocross rider was murdered.

Locals are reporting that Ensenada remains a haven for violent drug gangs,
"black commandos" and corrupt police.

Once past Ensenada, there is nothing else worth stopping at until Cabo. Beyond Cabo, up the Gulf Of Mexico coast means more fuel usage, such as stopping at La Paz, about 200 miles away by sea, adding about 400 miles roundtrip.

What the cruise line is not telling passengers about the night at sea in the middle of the Cabo visit is this. The passengers come back after the normal supper time. This means many who went into port, might have had both lunch and supper in port. That saves the cruise line some money.

Then, the passengers come back for the night life. They use the ship's casino, buy expensive alcoholic beverages and the crew get tips, most of which would be spent in Cabo San Lucas should the ship allow the passengers to stay there at night.

Of the most important concern is that even Cabo after dark has become a place tourists do not want to be. Shake downs by police are common, as are murders, drug cartel and army shoot outs, muggings and kidnappings.

A 29 year old Canadian tourist, Bouabal Bounthavorn, was shot and killed in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. According to police reports, Bounthavorn was shot three times in the head by a lone gunman in the luxury Hotel Riu in Cabo San Lucas last summer. His girlfriend was also shot, but recovered.

April 12, 2009
Missouri Man Pleads Guilty To Assault Aboard Carnival Fantasy
Drunk, disorderly and down right violent, a St. Louis, Missouri man slams his drink glass into the head of Carnival Fantasy security officer. The FBI took a dim view to this party animal, filing charges that could get him 10 years in prison. Read the story here


April 12, 2009
Crystal Harmony Discharges Into Monterey Sanctuary

Just added to the archives,  as the Crystal Cruises' Crystal Harmony left Monterey, California she discharged about 36,400 gallons of wastewater in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, a sea otter refuge off the coast of Big Sur, California.

This took place right after the cruise line promised in writing, the Crystal Harmony would not do exactly that. The story is here


April 12, 2009
Hebridean Cruise Line Files For Bankruptcy

Hebridean Cruise Line is facing insolvency with their cruise ship Hebridean Princess is in the hands of administrators.

Most recently the Hebridean Princess was chartered by the Queen Of England for her 80th birthday bash.

This follows the sale of Hebridean International’s other ship, Hebridean Spirit, which was sold for $7 million (£4.8 million) to a Middle Eastern buyer to be converted into a private yacht.


April 12, 2009
Cruise To Cabo San Lucas Mexico Stay Two Days In Port?

The insanity of this itinerary has not evaded me. Carnival Elation is going to be sailing to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and will be there for two days. Only the two days does not include the night in between.

The January 23, 2010 5-day cruise out of San Diego, California for example arrives at Cabo San Lucas at 8am on Monday, then leaves at 6pm that night. The ship goes out to sea, then comes back Tuesday morning at 7am and leaves again at 4pm.

Passengers booking the cruise are thinking they get two days at Cabo which would include one night for dancing and drinking in port unless they look at the time schedule.

The official line on the crazy planning is,  since Cabo doesn't have a cruise ship terminal, the passengers have to be tendered in. Since tendering on Tuesday morning if the weather is poor might not be possible, this would mean the passengers would have to be abandoned in Mexico.