Sapphire Princess — 5-Night Mexico & Baja

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Before you sail

What the fare covers, what it doesn't, and how this itinerary actually runs.

Your one sea day

The pool loungers and the shaded spots go early on a sea day — by eight in the morning on a full ship, and this one carries 2,670 guests. Reserving one and leaving it is against the rules on most lines and crew do clear them, so send someone early rather than at ten.

Day one and the last day are half-days

A 5-night cruise is really 4 full days. Boarding runs into the afternoon and you are off the ship early on the last morning.

Money on board · Carnival Cruise Line

Already in the fare

Most meals in the main dining rooms, Lido Marketplace buffet, and several casual venues like Guy's Burger Joint and BlueIguana Cantina are covered.Entertainment such as stage shows, live music, comedy club performances, and trivia are part of the base fare.Access to the fitness center and outdoor sports courts is included.Supervised youth programs for various age groups are available at no extra charge.Basic beverages like water, iced tea, standard coffee, hot tea, and juices at breakfast are provided.

The drinks package

The Cheers! drinks package typically costs around $70-85 USD per person, per day, including the automatic service charge, when purchased pre-cruise; it is usually a little more expensive if bought on board.

Break-even: It generally takes about 5-7 alcoholic drinks, or a mix of premium coffees, sodas, and a few alcoholic beverages, to break even each day.

This package usually suits guests who plan to enjoy multiple alcoholic drinks daily, along with sodas and specialty coffees; those who drink sparingly or prefer the included beverages may find it less beneficial.

Gratuities: An automatic service charge, typically around $16-18 USD per person, per day, is added to your account; guests in suites usually incur a slightly higher daily amount, and you can generally prepay these or adjust them at Guest Services if needed.
Wifi: Connectivity costs vary by plan, with the cheapest 'Social' package allowing access to messaging apps and some social media, but it usually will not support video streaming or voice calls; check current plan details and pricing with the line when you book.

Costs that surprise people

Specialty Dining. Dining at venues like the Steakhouse, Bonsai Sushi, or Cucina del Capitano incurs an additional per-person cover charge or à la carte pricing.
Shore Excursions. While you can explore ports independently, shore excursions booked through the ship come with an extra cost per person.
Spa Services. Treatments at the Cloud 9 Spa, such as massages or facials, and access to the thermal suite on some ships, are not included in the base fare.
Casino and Arcade. Any gambling in the casino or playing games in the onboard arcade will add charges to your folio.
Professional Photos. Photos taken by the ship's photographers are available for purchase, either individually or as a package.
Room Service After Hours. While some room service items are always free, certain menu items or orders placed late at night may incur a delivery fee or an à la carte charge.

Ways to spend less

Pre-purchase packages. Booking drink packages and Wi-Fi plans before sailing can often result in a lower price compared to purchasing them on board.
Utilize included dining. Enjoy all meals at the main dining rooms, Lido Marketplace, Guy's Burger Joint, and BlueIguana Cantina to avoid extra dining costs.

AI-written guidance, not a quote. Prices and policies change and vary by sailing — confirm anything that matters with the cruise line before you book.

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1San Diego· United States

Depart 17:00

Embark in San Diego.

Getting ashore in San Diego

No guide for this port yet.

Day 2Ensenada· Mexico

Arrive 08:00 · Depart 17:00

Ensenada ('inlet', pronounced [enseˈnaða]) is a city in Ensenada Municipality, Baja California, situated on the Pacific Coast of Mexico. Located on Bahía de Todos Santos, the city had a population of 279,765 in 2018, making it the third-largest city in Baja California.

Getting ashore in Ensenada

No guide for this port yet.

Day 3

Before you sail

What the fare covers, what it doesn't, and how this itinerary actually runs.

Your one sea day

Day one and the last day are half-days

A 5-night cruise is really 4 full days. Boarding runs into the afternoon and you are off the ship early on the last morning.

Money on board · Carnival Cruise Line

Already in the fare

The drinks package

Break-even: It generally takes about 5-7 alcoholic drinks, or a mix of premium coffees, sodas, and a few alcoholic beverages, to break even each day.

Gratuities: An automatic service charge, typically around $16-18 USD per person, per day, is added to your account; guests in suites usually incur a slightly higher daily amount, and you can generally prepay these or adjust them at Guest Services if needed.
Wifi: Connectivity costs vary by plan, with the cheapest 'Social' package allowing access to messaging apps and some social media, but it usually will not support video streaming or voice calls; check current plan details and pricing with the line when you book.

Costs that surprise people

Specialty Dining. Dining at venues like the Steakhouse, Bonsai Sushi, or Cucina del Capitano incurs an additional per-person cover charge or à la carte pricing.
Shore Excursions. While you can explore ports independently, shore excursions booked through the ship come with an extra cost per person.
Spa Services. Treatments at the Cloud 9 Spa, such as massages or facials, and access to the thermal suite on some ships, are not included in the base fare.
Casino and Arcade. Any gambling in the casino or playing games in the onboard arcade will add charges to your folio.
Professional Photos. Photos taken by the ship's photographers are available for purchase, either individually or as a package.
Room Service After Hours. While some room service items are always free, certain menu items or orders placed late at night may incur a delivery fee or an à la carte charge.

Ways to spend less

Pre-purchase packages. Booking drink packages and Wi-Fi plans before sailing can often result in a lower price compared to purchasing them on board.
Utilize included dining. Enjoy all meals at the main dining rooms, Lido Marketplace, Guy's Burger Joint, and BlueIguana Cantina to avoid extra dining costs.

AI-written guidance, not a quote. Prices and policies change and vary by sailing — confirm anything that matters with the cruise line before you book.

Sapphire Princess — 5-Night Mexico & Baja

Route map

Trip highlights

Before you sail

Money on board · Carnival Cruise Line

Day-by-day itinerary

About the Sapphire Princess

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Before you sail

Money on board · Carnival Cruise Line