Carnival Cruise｜Long Beach - Ensenada Thanksgiving Route Guide 🚢

Our first family cruise this Thanksgiving—sharing practical tips for those planning a similar trip with kids! 🧳 Packing Tips One carry-on per kid, one shared carry-on + backpack for adults Thanksgiving at sea is chilly—pack warm layers (I underpacked 😢) Allowed: alcohol under 750ml, canned soda. Plastic water bottles not allowed (they tossed my 12 bottles 😭) Ship water is $5+/bottle; bring instant coffee (ship coffee is terrible) 🅿️ Parking Arrive early for cruise terminal parking: 📍 231 Windsor Way, Long Beach, CA 90802 💰 $26/day, elevator leads straight to boarding 🍽️ Dining Buffet on Deck 10+ open until 2 AM, 24-hour ice cream 🍦 Use the app to reserve Main Dining Room (Decks 3-4) for breakfast/dinner Thanksgiving dinner included turkey with all the trimmings 🦃 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Kids & Entertainment Kids Club: Daycare available, but kids must be picked up for meals. After 10 PM: $9/hour—great value! Adult Zones: Grab a drink while kids are entertained 🍹 Hot Tubs: Packed when chilly, pools were quiet Casino: Mostly slot machines, lively crowd Shows: Hard to catch jokes if English isn’t strong—good time for a drink 🍻 Gym: Deck 12, useful for burning off buffet calories 💪 🏝️ Port Highlights Day 2: Catalina Island Beautiful scenery, clear water—great for snorkeling if warm. Rent a golf cart or explore on foot. Day 3: Ensenada 20-min walk to downtown. Head to the seafood market first: $5/person cooking fee (steam/fry), garlic flavor costs extra. Clams $3, fish $3–5 each. Shellfish are okay but don’t expect too much～ Local 7-11 has cheap alcohol & soda—restock here 🍾 🎉 Day 4: At-Sea Activities Perfect day to book a specialty dining package for a nicer meal. ☀️ Day 5: Disembarkation Wake up, enjoy breakfast, then queue to leave. 💎 Overall Experience Great for family relaxation—kids had fun, adults found their own pace. Would cruise again! #CruiseTravel #CarnivalCruise #ThanksgivingCruise #LongBeach #Ensenada #FamilyTrip #TravelTips