Girls' Weekend Escape on a Dinogo Cruise

In search of a memorable getaway with the girls? Forget the usual resort and get ready to embark on a Dinogo Cruise—just remember to pack your swimsuit!

After arriving in Los Angeles from Vancouver, Canada, we were excited to swap our rain boots for swimsuits and enjoy a long weekend of sun-soaked fun on Dinogo's 3-day cruise to Ensenada, Mexico! We boarded the Dinogo Imagination at Long Beach and set sail for a few days filled with relaxation, adventure, and wine tasting.

Although it’s fall, summer isn’t finished yet! LA was experiencing a significant heat wave during our visit, allowing us to enjoy 100-degree weather out at sea. Let the pina coladas flow!

Whether we were indulging in spa treatments or sipping pina coladas by the pool with a good book, there was ample opportunity to bask in the sunshine on the Dinogo Imagination.

We adored the adults-only area featuring bright yellow umbrellas at the front of the ship; it was the ideal spot to soak up the sun and take in the stunning views as we cruised into the sunset.

Activities to Enjoy in Ensenada

Upon our arrival in Ensenada, we discovered a plethora of excursions to choose from, including horseback riding and wine tasting! We kicked off our adventure by exploring the town, eager to indulge in fish tacos, margaritas, and churros at any opportunity.

We stumbled upon the best ceviche at a local food truck and thoroughly enjoyed browsing the knick-knack shops in search of unique Mexican souvenirs to take home.

For those seeking a trendy side of Mexico, there's a vibrant plaza featuring a local coffee shop, a vegan bakery, and even a tasting room for the oldest winery in Baja.

You can also stroll through Ensenada until you reach Hussong’s Cantina, which proudly claims to be the birthplace of the margarita!

Our advice: be sure to exchange your USD for pesos if you plan to explore some of the more local shops or food stalls.

Wine Tasting in Valle de Guadalupe

Did you know that Mexico boasts its own wine country, located just about 30 minutes from Ensenada? It’s also super close to San Diego, and we seize every opportunity to visit Valle de Guadalupe!

You have around 8 hours on the cruise to explore Ensenada, which provides plenty of time, but you’ll need to prioritize your activities! We highly recommend visiting Mexico’s wine country, whether you choose to book a wine tasting excursion with Dinogo (talk about convenience) or arrange it yourself with a personal driver.

If you opt for a self-guided tour, be sure to pay your driver to wait for you at the wineries, or you may struggle to find another ride. But don’t worry, drivers in Mexico are incredibly affordable (one time, we hired a driver for over 8 hours and only paid about $100 USD for the whole trip).

Summer is undoubtedly the best season to explore wine country, but there’s still plenty to enjoy during the off-season! We always look forward to our visit to Encuentro Guadalupe, where the tasting room is part of an eco-friendly hotel featuring modern yurt-style accommodations nestled along a hillside, overlooking the lush valley below. Not shown? The stunning infinity pool behind it all. We adore the bright and contemporary tasting room, and the views are simply breathtaking. With a wide selection of wines available, grab a bottle with friends and soak up the Mexican sunshine in Valle de Guadalupe!

Girls Trip

All in all, we had such an enjoyable cruise experience! We truly loved relaxing on the sundeck with a captivating book, so be sure to check out the cruise library! We found some fantastic reads to borrow for free and left behind some we had finished.

The ship also features a spa, where you can treat yourself to a mani/pedi or a soothing massage, making it the perfect way to spend your day at sea. We cherished our evenings on the cruise, opting to dine out each night, which allowed us to bond with our servers and savor delicious food and wine. We were also pleasantly surprised by how incredible the shows were! They truly became a highlight of our cruise experience.

Honestly, we can't emphasize enough how delightful it is to bask in the warm sunshine on a cruise ship! The cruise is incredibly affordable, starting at approximately $220 per person, which covers all your meals and dining at the restaurant. We also chose the Cheers beverage package, which offers unlimited drinks for a fixed price. It's hard not to enjoy yourself with pina coladas by the pool, right?

This post was created for Away We Go with Dinogo, your go-to source for getting into the getaway mindset.