This Cruise To Baja Mexico Finally Got Our Teens Off Their Phones
If you have a teen, you know. It’s not as challenging as traveling with a pint-sized dictator, but it’s close. When we travel with our teens, we have to make convincing arguments why they should leave their friends and instead spend time with us. A cruise to Baja, Mexico, with UnCruise Adventures?was an easy sell.
They had already taken an UnCruise through Alaska when they were younger. They said the two daily adventures we had, plus the fun kids they met on the small cruise ship during that weeklong family trip, made that vacation the best they’d ever taken. But a lot has changed since then. They are older, and social media has wiped out their attention spans. Luckily, there's no Wi-Fi on UnCruise sailings.? So, we were hoping this cruise through Mexico’s Sea of Cortez would meet their newly acquired high expectations and fill the void the absence of their screens would create.
So, this is what happened on our sailing through Baja Mexico's Sea of Cortez. It’s everything your family will need to know to decide whether a trip like this would be a great fit for your family.?
?[su_quote]Plus, if your family does decide to jump into this adventure, the company has provided us with a discount code that we included at the end of this article so our readers can save $500 on their own trips.[/su_quote]
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The Video of the UnCruise Baja Mexico Cruise
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What Is An UnCruise?
First off, when I mentioned to friends that we’d be taking a sailing trip with UnCruise, most of them had never heard of this company. Sure, they knew Princess, Norwegian, and Carnival Cruises, but an UnCruise is a ship for people who don’t typically like cruises. There aren’t 20 restaurants, big shows, or rollercoasters swinging over the Lido deck.?
UnCruise is like an expedition small ship cruise line with sailings that go to many parts of Alaska, which are so remote that big ships can’t get there.?
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UnCruise Adventures sails to:?
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There are three different types of UnCrusie sailings:
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On an UnCruise, families spend seven days connecting with 50-70 other passengers during twice-daily excursions, meals in one dining room, a nightly happy hour, and a presentation after dinner that talks about the area we'd be visiting the next day.
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The Night Before Our Baja, Mexico UnCruise
Included in the sailing rate to Baja Mexico is a stay at the? Barcelo Gran Faro Los Cabos Hotel, about a 15-minute drive from Los Cabos International Airport. This 350-room spacious resort is all-inclusive, and each room has a balcony facing the Sea of Cortez. Families are free to help themselves to food and drinks in the three restaurants or cool off in the five pools.?
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Meeting The Others
Night shadowed the resort when we finally arrived. We met a newlywed couple in their 70s at check-in who’d be sailing with us. Stephanie and her husband, Joe’s bright smiles extended from one side of their face to the other, and that good cheer stayed with them every time we saw them later during our voyage.?
After settling into our room, we made our way to the group dinner, where we’d meet the other guests. The other guests were already sitting around the table when we arrived. I realized our boys were the only kids. Not completely surprised because it was January, and school was in session. But I had hoped there might be other kids.
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[su_quote]Pro-Tip: Traveling during the shoulder season saves almost half on airfare and hotels. Have the teachers load the kids up with homework before you go![/su_quote]
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They found a two-top next to the big square table with all the adults, and we went around introducing ourselves as the servers poured wine and other drinks.
Founder and CEO Dan Blanchard, who’d be sailing with us, stood up to introduce himself and make a few jokes, explaining that although we had all received a trip itinerary, we should throw it out as the day would largely be dictated by the tides, the moods, and the animal sightings. No joke.
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[su_quote]“To lying, stealing and cheating. Lying with the one you love. Stealing precious moments and cheating death,” Dan toasted.[/su_quote]
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Cruise To Baja Mexico: Day 1 La Paz
After checking out of our rooms, we all deposited our belongings in a community room on property that had fruits, snacks, and drinks set out to make our wait comfortable until the bus arrived to transport us to our embarkation point in La Paz, Mexico. Everyone was free to utilize the resort amenities while we waited.
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Since we were a five-minute cab ride from old town San Jose del Cabo, we opted to share a cab with Stephanie and Joe and spend the time exploring. A few trinkets and photos later, we returned to board our coach bus.
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We arrived in La Paz as the sun was setting so our first glimpse of the Safari Voyager was with a background of twinkling harbor lights and layers of yellow and salmon above.
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We recognized and said hi to passengers from the previous evening’s dinner as we waited in line to board the ship. Captain Andrea Kosto came around to introduce herself as we inched forward.?
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Our Rooms On Safari Voyager
When we boarded, a kind crew member, almost bouncing with excitement, led us to our rooms. The boys’ room - exactly like ours - was next door. They were marking their territory when I checked on them.
The rooms came equipped with two refillable water bottles and a pair of high-powered binoculars, which expedition guide Christian Lloyd later instructed us to carry as we navigated around the ship.?
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[su_quote]“Wildlife is everywhere,” Lloyd said, “Find your binoculars and wear them. If you’re anywhere near me, you’ll see something.”[/su_quote]
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Settled, we climbed the stairs to the lounge area. With a room full of windows, we enjoyed welcome cocktails and snacks during a slideshow presentation that gave us the week’s overview.
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Sea Of Cortez: Fast Facts
If you picture mainland Mexico as a hand, Baja California Sur (where La Paz and Cabo San Lucas are located) is the thumb. Between the thumb and hand is a peninsula called the Sea of Cortez, also known as the Gulf of California. There are 37 named islands within the Sea of Cortez and 900 islets and inlets. In terms of seas, this one is a youngster at only five million years old.
Sometimes referred to as the Galapagos of the North, this protected body of water has 891 species of fish, 10% of which are endemic. In fact, 39% of the world’s marine population lives in the 700-mile-long Sea of Cortez, and ? of the world’s cetaceans (whales, dolphins, porpoises) spend time there.?
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[su_quote]No wonder Jaques Custeau called it “The World’s Aquarium.”[/su_quote]
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“The area is more beautiful than it’s been in 200 years,” Blanchard told the passengers. “Regulation is bringing the wildlife back.”?
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Signing Up For UnCruise Excursions
To explore all the wonders we were about to witness, guests can choose from two daily activities that range in fitness and adventure style. Every night after dinner, we passed a sign-up board on our way up to the lounge for a nightcap and the Captain’s talk. The sheets were broken down into morning and afternoon departure times and activities. On this trip, most days offered hikes, skiff tours (sturdy inflatable rafts), snorkeling, stand-up-paddle boarding, kayaking, beach days, and on one day, a burro ride. So, each day, families could choose two activities.
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Cruise To Baja Mexico: Day 2 Isla San Jose
Every day started with the option to do an easy morning yoga stretch on the deck to prep our bodies for the adventures ahead. This body really appreciated it on the mornings it didn’t stay up late playing board games with the other passengers in the lounge.
Our second day started with a sea day, which meant we spent it cruising to get to our first destination.?
We used that time to get our gear (wetsuits that we kept on hangers aft of the ship deck - fins, snorkel, and mask in a wet bag). The crew gave us more prep talks and then lunch, and we finally arrived at the natural wonder of Isla San Jose.?
The crew set up a beach station with chairs, umbrellas, drinks, and snacks for those whose activity choice was to chill on the beach. Stephanie and Joe joined this group. The crew offered rides back every 30 minutes for those who wanted them up until “all aboard” time, which was 5 pm.
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Then, our family joined the others who wanted to snorkel. We divided into groups to take turns riding the skiffs to Punta Salinas, the best snorkeling section of the island. Then, we dropped into the water for our first snorkel.
I am a water person, so this was my heaven. Though maybe it was more like paradise instead of heaven since the water was a bit colder than I expected for Mexico. But, it was January, so I forgive it. The wetsuit helped, and then the marine life took my mind off it.
Schools of fish representing every color in a box of Crayolas took turns mesmerizing me as I struggled to capture them with my phone camera. I put my phone in a waterproof pouch, but there were technical difficulties, so if you watch the video, just imagine that you are getting 20% of the brightness we witnessed.
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[su_quote]Although I will snorkel and love it with every opportunity, the best part was doing it with the boys.?[/su_quote]
Watching them discover this part of the world was as magical for me as it was for them as they discovered it. Floating next to them, my heart filled as they rapidly poked through the water, pointing to marine life that captured their imagination.
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Happy Hours On UnCruise
After everyone has had their fill of fun and showered it off in their cabins, they can meet in the lounge at 5:30 pm for a happy hour cocktail or drink and enjoy a prepared snack buffet. There are tables of various sizes set around, and people gather in chairs to talk, or read, or play board games. Some walk around the deck just outside to gaze at the sea and passing islands. This was about the time the sun set, so photos were phenomenal.
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Meals On UnCruise
Families won’t go hungry on an UnCruise. All the meals are served in the dining room with various-sized tables to accommodate those who want a date night, a family meal, or a gathering to meet new friends. People joined tables with those they didn’t yet know at every meal. There are also snacks available in the lounge.
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DON'T MISS! Set Sail On These 6 Best Cruises For Teens
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Cruise To Baja Mexico: Day 3 Agua Verde
This, for me, was one of the two best days. In the morning, the family all chose different activities. There’s win #1. I’d already experienced an incredible sea life snorkel with the boys, and after their continuing bickering, a little break from them sounded perfect. I chose a group kayak tour in a single kayak. And there is win #2.
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Kayaking Around
As I slowly paddled around the protruding karsts and outcrops of the volcanic island, birds resembling prehistoric creatures perched on rocks covered in layers of white guano. Bright pelicans and the cleanest seagulls I’d ever observed flew around the unpopulated island. Salt air drifted into my nose and across my face. I paddled into nooks and enjoyed the sound of the water quietly splashing against the shoreline.
If I were a bird, this is where I’d want to live, too.
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The group decided to paddle to Rockos Solitario, where we observed creatures dressed in impossible colors.
We saw Pelicans, Blue-Footed Boobies, Frigates, American Oystercatchers, and Sally Lightfoot Crabs living their best lives.
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Because I was alone, I didn't have to process this peaceful experience through anyone else's lens. As a mother and wife, that's rare. Even as humans, it's a gift to be left to our own thoughts to take in the brilliance of a natural environment like this one.
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Meanwhile, Howard joined a group on a three-hour hike.
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I found the boys playing chess in the lounge after lunch. They hadn't done that in years. They had gone on the skiff tour, and I said a prayer of gratitude that neither had drowned the other.
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Burro Riding With The Romero Family
In the afternoon, we all signed up for the burro and donkey ride with the Romero family, who live on the island. On every UnCruise trip, the company connects passengers with locals where they can enrich their community.
Dan had met the patriarch of the Romero family, Alejo, in 1984 when Dan and his wife misjudged the time they’d need to leave to get back to La Paz by car, so as night swallowed the dirt roads, Alejo offered them a room in his house. They’ve been friends ever since.
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On every Baja, Mexico UnCruise, Alejo and his family assemble a pack of donkeys and burros from their lands and borrow those of their neighbors. They herd them down to the beach to meet the UnCruise group and guide passengers along the Padre Trail, which showcases the beauty of the rough terrain that’s been their ancestral home for hundreds of years. As we plodded along the trails, passing hidden rivers, lakes, and old cemeteries, we could see why.
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After the ride, we perused the jewelry the Romero family also made from elements found on the island: whole seashells on leather straps, some cut in cross-sections, rock and gem necklaces and earrings, leather pouches and purses, and even knives (no we wouldn’t let the boys have these). I proudly bought two necklaces for myself and some as souvenirs.
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Then Dan asked the entire clan to line up so we could meet them all.
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That night, the crew served barbecue on the deck, and everyone milled around, talking and taking in the unspoiled beauty of the islands bobbing in the distance.
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Cruising In Mexico: Day 4 Isla Carmen + Isla Danzante
We enjoyed another morning of snorkeling in Isla Carmen and it was even prettier than before. Schools of fish swam in layered sheets of bright colors. Pretty as it was, I was grateful for the wetsuit.
After lunch, we sailed to Isla Danzante, where the crew set up a beach station and let passengers play with the water equipment.
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Howard chose to SUP and though I initially hesitated because of the windy weather conditions - and the fact that I was wearing clothes and no bathing suit - I ended up accepting the challenge as always because I can't back down. While I struggled with the paddle board and the wind that pushed me back the second I stopped paddling, the boys wisely went exploring tide pools around the harbor.
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After accepting defeat from the wind, Knox and I went on a walk up a steep embankment that led to a ridge overlooking the harbor.
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I realized quickly that the platform sandals I wore would not fit the robust activity level required of my footwear. Since I saw people in their 70s doing it, I thought I could plow through it. I did it, but there were definite slips and slides, and expedition guide Kaikee almost had to send a rescue party.
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That night, while we sat with another couple for dinner, the boys sat at a large table with a bunch of adults of various ages. I could see them all talking, and it made me happy to see the boys interacting in ways that pushed them out of their comfort zone. Later, one woman pulled me aside to comment on how mature my boys were. I asked if she was talking about my boys.
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Cruise To Baja Mexico: Day 5 Puerto Escondido to Magdalena Bay
We started our morning a bit earlier when we woke up anchored off Puerto Escondido. A bus waited at 8 am to take us to Puerto Adolfo Lopez Mateos, about two hours away. There, we were scheduled to take panga boats to observe grey whales that had migrated from the Arctic. Grey whales migrate further than any other whales. They begin arriving in December and stay until about May but the optimal spotting times are between January and April.
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It was windier than we expected when we arrived. A newly built square surrounded by vendors stocked items tourists may need or want. I wanted something warmer, so I bought a cute pink pancho-style hoodie. As we flew across the ocean in our power boat, looking for the elusive pairs of nursing whales. I was very grateful for it.
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Every year, between December and April, grey whales come to birth and nurture their calves in the three lagoons in Magdalena Bay. The sheltered ocean provides a wide variety of sustenance to mom and baby.We had a few sightings. Sometimes, the curious whales come straight to the boats, and passengers can gently pet them. We experienced this on a previous trip when we stayed in nearby Loreto. But they were too busy to say hi this time.
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Afterward, Dan and the crew surprised us with a bonus trip to the town of Loreto. That is where?the 900-mile El Camino Royal begins at the first Spanish Misson in North America, Misión de Nuestra Se?ora de Loreto Conchó. This royal road winds its way north to Solano, California, where it passes 48 missions administered over the centuries by either Jesuits, Franciscans, or Dominican priests.
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Inside, we walked through the church then through an adjacent building. I stopped at a painting of Queen Calafia, a mythological queen that lured Spanich soldiers to Baja California in the 1500s.
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We visited a pastry shop for treats and coffee and walked around the town square. The boys searched for vintage items in the souvenir shops. They didn't find them.
That night, during dessert, the crew brought slices of cake to everyone celebrating a birthday or anniversary. Howard got one because his birthday was the next day. Everyone sang.
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Cruise To Baja Mexico: Day 6 Espiritu Santo National Park
I’m not going to bury the lede here. This was the best day.?
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[su_quote]The world has made it easy to view wildlife. Unfortunately, the trade off is that usually involves taking the animals out of the wild.[/su_quote]
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This was the day we got to swim with sea lions. Now, sea lions can be temperamental. I’ve had them pretend to torpedo me during previous scuba dives. At that point, there wasn’t much I could do, so I just closed my eyes. They’re definitely sneaky little creatures, and as we prepared to go into the water, they were true to their nature.
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Los Islotes
We arrived in our skiff to Los Islotes, a duo of islets in the northern part of Espiritu Santo National Park, a UNESCO designated Biosphere Reserve and World Natural Heritage Site. It is also the largest sea lion colony in the Sea of Cortez. Depending on who you ask, there are between 500-800 sea lions living on about 20 territories on these islet rocks. The area is heavily regulated and visitors must have a certified guide escort them to the area.
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So, our UnCruise expedition leaders took us to meet the official guides at the juvenile rookery. We all took turns putting on our gear, sitting on the edge of the skiff, and slipping into the water. As I attempted to drop in, a sea lion pup mischievously started nibbling at my extended fins, hovering inches above the water. I thought it was so cute until the sucker grabbed on tight and gave a big yank. I had to grab onto the skiff rope to keep from toppling into the water! Yes, that was supposed to be my destination anyway, but at this point, there were several naughty pups swimming right beneath me and I’ll admit, that made me a bit nervous to fall right on top of them.?
I held on, but the rascal pulled so hard, my fin almost came off. At this point, I’m laughing/screaming, and swiveling my body back towards the inside of the boat for leverage. Luckily, the little guy gave up to go and torment someone else. I guess kids are stubborn across species!
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I finally got into the water and watched as our guide played with several sea lions. They seemed to know him. All around, the braying of the adult males bounced off the water and the rock walls. Beneath, the clarity of the water allowed us to see the pups spinning, curling, and twisting in all directions. One grabbed the end loop of the life preserver our guide floated with and started to swim it away. The boys were mesmerized. Knox was a little nervous watching the bold animals swim around us. One came right up to Kaleb, seeming to want to be petted, and then he too petted Kaleb with the top of his head. Kaleb hesitated, unsure, and then broke into a huge grin, laughing. “Mom, did you see that?”
We interacted and played with the juveniles for about half an hour. (Watch the embedded video to see the silliness. ) Although their playful antics were just ways for them to explore and release energy, their frolics unleashed the awe in the adults and the wonder in the kids.
Sadly, Howard had to miss this day because he got sick the previous night and stayed in bed, even though it was his birthday. I wasn’t feeling great either, but couldn’t miss the sea lions. We both missed the afternoon activity of exploring a mangrove forest.
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Cruise To Baja Mexico: Day 7 Isla San Francisco
After resting part of the day before, we thought a little sun would be great so when the crew set up a beach station for passengers to explore Isla San Francisco, we opted to go out of our cabin. It was low tide, so the skiff couldn’t go too close to shore, so we walked through water for what felt like a mile and actually could have been. The boys used this opportunity to splash each other until bodies were being thrown, and chases ensued.
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These are the times I can laugh about their sibling rivalry and know it’s lighthearted fun. My heart warmed when Kaleb spotted something in a rock once we got to the beach and called Knox over to investigate. once they finished observing whatever animal or fungus they found, Kaleb called out, running,
[su_quote]Come on, Knox, let's explore the island![/su_quote]
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These kinds of things don’t happen back home.
Then I went on a walk across the island while Howard laid down in the sun to soak up some healing Baja Mexico sunshine.
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Last Dinner
That night, after dinner, we got to acknowledge and applaud the entire Safari Voyager team. From cooks, to porters, to guides, to officers, it took every single one of them to create the magic we had all experienced during our voyage at sea.
The guides put together a slide show of photos they’d taken of passengers during the week and we watched in the lounge, giggling and cheering in the dark, enjoying our final nightcaps.
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Although a family’s exact trip is guaranteed to be unique to their sailing, what's guaranteed is that parents will get to detox from their daily hustle and connect with their kids in a meaningful way. Kids will find out what it feels like to be a kid outside of social media, practicing the arts of curiosity and conversation. For one week, life transforms into a search for breaching whales, the brightest birds, the most playful sea lions, and the most exhilarating hike on the islands spread across the Sea of Cortez. It’s not only the world’s aquarium, it’s also the world’s best family adventure.
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HUGE Discount Code On All UnCruise Sailings
I reached out to UnCruise Adventures and begged them to give our readers a discount, and they did!!!! If you want to book a cruise and save $500 (even one that's on sale!) use the discount code LAFAM500
Friends, you will thank us and your photo albums will be filled with pictures of your once-in-a-lifetime experience!
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