Traveling with the Jones

During my recent 7-day California Coastal cruise on the Star Princess, I booked a shore excursion through Princess Cruises to tour Los Angeles and Hollywood during the port call in Long Beach, California.

The tour, which cost $69 per person, was focused on the Chinese Theatre, Olvera Street and the Los Angles Farmers Market.

After boarding our coach and driving from Long Beach, we stopped at Olvera Street in the oldest part of downtown Los Angeles. The city was founded in 1781 by Spanish settlers just southeast of here near the Los Angeles River. The town was named El Pueblo de Nuestra Seí±ora Reina de los íngeles as the marker in the photo above indicates.

We had about 30 minutes to walk around this historic area which today is mainly a pedestrian alley with both indoor and outdoor shops.

Back on the bus, our tour guide pointed out various sites in downtown Los Angeles before we headed to Hollywood.

Once at Hollywood Boulevard, we got off the bus for about an hour to walk around.  Our guide first pointed out key sites, and then we had time to explore on our own.

First, we got a good photo-op view of the Hollywood sign.

We could walk along part of the 1.3 mile long Hollywood Walk of Fame, and find our favorite “stars” among the more than 2,500 five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars embedded in the sidewalks along 15 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street in Hollywood, California.

We got to view the outside of the TCL Chinese Theatre, the most sought-after theater for movie premieres.

Most fun here is to find the hand prints, foot prints and signatures of your favorite stars in the concrete slabs in front of the theater. There are more than 200 different ones.

Gregory Peck’s was one was another favorite of mine.

Back to the bus, our next stop was at the Los Angeles Farmers Market. Here we had more than an hour to find lunch among the hundreds of restaurants, shops and food stalls.

I chose the Banana Leaf restaurant that features Malay and Singaporean cuisine.

Back on the bus once again, we headed to the famous shopping district of Rodeo Drive. This was a view from the bus, as this tour does not stop here.

Finally, we headed back to the freeway to the Port of Long Beach. This was a good day to do a tour as Long Beach is the first port of entry on the California Coastal cruise itinerary after Ensenada, Mexico. Since the ship is re-entering the United States, everyone on the ship must get off and clear customs. With a ship of 2,600 people, that can be a long wait if you aren’t planning to go anywhere.

Another option in Long Beach is to tour the Queen Mary.

After a long day of bus riding around Los Angeles, I was ready to head back to the comfort of the Star Princess.

This shore excursion was detailed and reasonably priced, and gave a good overview of the highlights of Los Angeles and Hollywood. It is, however, a lot of time riding on a bus, and viewing sites from the bus, or standing outside of them.

Have you visited Long Beach via a cruise ship? What did you enjoy doing while in port? Please share in comments below. 

Are in considering a cruise on Princess? Check out these other posts on my recent California Coastal Cruise on the Star Princess:

• Trying Out San Francisco’s New Cruise Ship Terminal at Pier 27
• Views from the Star Princess Cruise Ship
• A Look at the Sabatini’s Menu on Princess Cruises’ Star Princess
• A Look Inside Interior Cabin B-625 on the Star Princess Cruise Ship
• A Quick Visit to Ensenada, Mexico via the Star Princess Cruise Ship
• How Joining a Roll Call on Cruise Critic Made My Solo Cruise a Blast

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On a recent 7-day California Coastal cruise on the Star Princess, my new shipboard friend Angela and I enjoyed dinner at Sabatini’s Italian restaurant.

This specialty restaurant requires reservations and has a $25 per person cover charge.

Choosing an appetizer is tough. There are a number of delicious-sounding choices. We both enjoyed the Burrata alla Panna con Carpaccio di Pomodori, described as hand-formed cow’s milk cheese with creamy lava center on tomato carpaccio, with balsamic syrup.

It’s creamy and yet meaty, and is a huge chuck of burrata, which I think of as butter-cheese. This would be a good appetizer to share if you are having several, as it is quite filling.

We did not order the Calamari Fritti (crispy fried squid in a cone, served with lemon garlic dip) but our terrific waiter brought it anyway. He has listened to our discussion and questions when ordering, and said, “You should try the Calamari as well.”

In the background of the photo you can see the remnants of our Sapori d ‘Italia – the starters from the chef served before the appetizers consisting of Rosemary Flatbread with Prosciutto, Marinated Green & Black Olives, and both Herbed & Spicy Focaccia Grissini

Elite Princess cruisers at my regular dining table recommended the Sformato di Carciofi Gratinati al Castelrosso appetizer, and of course they knew what they were talking about. The twice-baked artichoke soufflé with castelrosso cheese sauce is delightful. It was probably my favorite dish of the evening.

The photo above lists all of the antipasti except the Burrata. Which would you choose?

Then there is the pasta course, with another tough choice.

The Spaghetti allo Scoglio includes a plethora of seafood in a cherry tomato sauce with langostino, diver scallops, tiger shrimp, vongole and black mussels. 

As soon as I got those beady eyes and shells away from the pasta, I enjoyed every bite.

Meanwhile Angela enjoyed the Penne con Brasato di Manzo, braised short rib over penne with grana padano cheese on top.

Also quite delicious.

Now it was time for the main course. Although there are numerous choices, our decision was easy: the Tris d’Aragosta for both of us.

This main dish includes lobster three ways – lobster tail, lobster orzotto and lobster bisque sauce. The lobster orzotto is similar to risotto, but made with pearl barley instead of rice, which makes it a hearty dish. Plus, it’s full of lobster bits. The bisque sauce on the lobster reminded me of Catalan-style bisque that you would find in Spain.

The murals and curved booths are a nice touch in Sabatini’s.  Angela and I were much too full for dessert, but we had to look at the menu. And, then, of course, choose are favorites for a taste.

A new chocolate journey dessert – chocolate tiramisu with espresso gelato – delicious!

I believe this is the Zabaglione of whisked Marsala foam with ladyfingers, but I’m not certain.

If you’ve dined in Sabatini’s, perhaps you know for certain.

If so, please share in comments below, as well as your favorite dish on the Sabatini’s meun. 

Are you a cruising foodie? Do you like to try specialty restaurants on cruise ships? Check out these posts:

• A Look at the Tamarind Restaurant Menu on Holland America’s Nieuw Amsterdam
• A Look at Holland America’s Updated Canaletto Restaurant Menu
• The Dim Sum Lunch at Tamarind Onboard Holland America’s Eurodam
• A Peek at Holland America’s New Pinnacle Grill Menu
• An Evening at Le Cirque onboard the Veendam
• 7 Favorite “Naughty” Pleasures on the Seabourn Sojourn
• 11 Days of Menus from the Seabourn Sojourn World Cruise

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Recently I took a 7-Day California Coastal cruise on Princess Cruises’ Star Princess, sailing round-trip from San Francisco.

The only international port call on this cruise was Ensenada, Mexico.

Here is the view from the deck of the Star Princess as we were pulling into port. I didn’t have high expectations for my visit to Ensenada.

Located on the Baja California Peninsula, Ensenada is only 78 miles south of San Diego.

We had visited twice before, both times on a cruise ship. Our first visit was on a 3-day weekend cruise from Los Angeles, with Ensenada as the only port stop. This was the first cruise that I convinced Mr. Jones to take with me. It was the 4th of July holiday weekend, and the ship was one of Carnival’s older ones in its fleet, and it was packed with people of all ages, and many, many children.  After we got to out to sea, they announced that when we were in our one port stop of Ensenada, not to expect any alcohol, as it we would be there on an election day so all alcohol sales were banned.  That didn’t seem like such a big deal to us, but much of the crowd on the ship was angry, and that made for a rough cruise.

A few years later, we visited Ensenada again during a weekend Royal Caribbean cruise. This time, we took one of the ship’s tours to a winery and bullfighting ring, and our visit was more interesting.

For this visit, I simply wanted to get some walking in, enjoy a margarita or a cold beer and try one of the famous fish tacos.

While there is a shuttle from the pier (I think it cost $2 US dollars each way), I was happy to walk.  The Ensenada Cruiseport Village has good sidewalks, and it’s about a 20-minute walk to the main shopping/dining/drinking area of Ensenada.

I made it all the way to Avenue Ruiz, home of the original Cantina Hussong’s, which dates to 1882 when it was a small coach stop and restaurant offering beer for a nickel and whiskey for a dime.

Hussong’s is most famous for its bartender Don Carlos Orozco inventing the margarita in October, 1941.  Mr. Orozco concocted a mixture of equal parts tequila, Damiana and lime, served over ice in a salt-rimmed glass, for Margarita Henkel \, who was the daughter of the German Ambassador to Mexico, and who frequented the bar.

Unfortunately, when I visited around 11:15 am on a Monday morning, the bar doors were still locked.  No original margarita for me, although I can always try one in the Las Vegas Hussong’s in Mandalay Bay.

Down at the end of Ruiz Avenue, many folks where enjoying a drink and/or food at the Papas & Beers. As I was ready for a rest, I headed to the bar and ordered a beer.

The very friendly staff served it up cold, with fresh limes and salt. Plus, the code for free Wi-Fi.

I decided that I was staying for a while.

Since I was staying for a second beer, I decided food was in order. And when in Ensenada, Mexico, food is all about the fish tacos. The Papas & Beer version did not disappoint.

I especially liked the “add-your-own” toppings of cabbage, pico de gallo and creamy dressing.

Later, I learned that Papas&Beer was founded in 1983 with a focus on ice cold mugs of beer, large plates of French fries and free bumper stickers. The idea was conceived over a few beers and plates of potato skins in San Diego, hence the name Papas&Beer.

Now I was ready for the walk back to the ship. The walk was scenic and pleasant.

There are two security checkpoints to get into the pier — before the ship security checkpoint that is after some in-port shops.

Back out on deck of the Star Princess, I enjoyed the view as we departed Ensenada, sailing away to Long Beach, California.

My key take away from my day in Ensenada: it’s a terrific place for a good walk, delicious fish tacos, and cold beer, with friendly bartenders.

Have you visited Ensenada, Mexico by cruise ship? What’s your favorite thing to do while in port? Please share in comments below.

Do you like to travel by cruise ship? Check out these posts on other cruise ports around the world:

• Views from Lerwick and surrounding areas in Scotland’s Shetland Islands
• 17 Fun Facts About Kodiak, Alaska
• 7 Fun Facts About Fuerte Armador, Panama
• Touring Goa, India by Taxi
• Thai Gastronomy at the Blue Elephant Cooking School in Phuket, Part 1
• Cruising With a 12-Year-Old: Labadee, Royal Caribbean’s Private Resort in Haiti

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Or, check out our boards on Pinterest and/or our photos on Instagram.