BajaNomad

Great news from Baja Ferries!

chippy - 7-30-2025 at 01:37 PM

They finally got the Cabo Star online for the La Paz / Mazatlan route. This ship is a huge step up from that old pos Mexico Star. I'm already booked for Nov.

https://www.bajaferries.com.mx/noticia/143





geoffff - 7-31-2025 at 09:38 AM

Nice!

The last time I made that crossing was 20 years ago on the Cimmaron. Remember that?

Several uncertain days of waiting before we could board. Overnight voyage. Onboard was only one small crowded stuffy passenger room of seats, with toilet water sloshing in from the bathroom. We snuck back into our camper van and slept in there (violating The Rules - but we weren't the only ones).








mtgoat666 - 7-31-2025 at 10:37 AM

The proposed San Diego - Ensenada ferry is supposed to start service next week, August 8. Ya, sure, you betcha. News yesterday is they are still waiting on USA federal permissions.

Their website is a not ready for prime time. https://aztecaferries.com/

I suspect it is smoke and mirrors at this time. Anyone laid eyes on the actual ship?

chippy - 7-31-2025 at 01:51 PM

Quote: Originally posted by geoffff  
Nice!

The last time I made that crossing was 20 years ago on the Cimmaron. Remember that?

Several uncertain days of waiting before we could board. Overnight voyage. Onboard was only one small crowded stuffy passenger room of seats, with toilet water sloshing in from the bathroom. We snuck back into our camper van and slept in there (violating The Rules - but we weren't the only ones).











I do remember. It was pre Baja Ferries and TMC. Do you remember the ferry from Cabo to PV? That was the best! My old Luv pickup was 35 dollars back in the late 70s and early 80s.

StuckSucks - 7-31-2025 at 03:32 PM

Quote: Originally posted by chippy  
It was pre Baja Do you remember the ferry from Cabo to PV? That was the best! My old Luv pickup was 35 dollars back in the late 70s and early 80s.


I do - took that one in '86 after racing in the Baja Mil to La Paz. I went top shelf and got my own stateroom for maybe 11$. As I recall, we left Cabo at noon and got into Puerto Vallarta at 6am the next morning. It was sobering to learn that I was in the Central Time Zone. A week later I drove home to SoCal.

wilderone - 7-31-2025 at 04:09 PM

That is a beautiful ship.

AKgringo - 7-31-2025 at 06:33 PM

In March of 86 I intended to take the Cabo/P.V. ferry, but it was discontinued at that point in time. I had to drive back to La Paz and take the ferry to Mazatlan.

We were a family of five in a Suburban pulling a small boat. What an adventure, and so affordable in those days!

surfhat - 8-1-2025 at 07:55 AM

Around '76 a girlfriend and I took the overnight Cabo to PV ferry on our way to Puerto Escondido Oaxaca in her pickup truck. This was after a few weeks camping on the East Cape at my favorite point break. Magic times they were.

When the ferry was cancelled I understood why. That overnight crossing got rough.

While I don't get seasick, that night tested my constitution. Many Mexicans on board that night were not so fortunate. There was the smell of vomit everywhere below deck so we spent the night on the deck out in the fresh air.

I doubt having a small tight cabin would have been an improvement over the fresh air we found up on the deck. Breathing deep kept our stomachs in fine shape. Good thing we skipped a meal that evening.

It was a great start of a couple of months long roadtrip surf adventure. That night on the deck did not inspire much sleep but the moonlight over the swells promised good waves to come. Somewhere I have pics of it all and much more.

Peace love and fish tacos all you Baja loving nomads.

JZ - 8-1-2025 at 08:08 AM

Very nice looking boat.




What about pets on the new ship?

AKgringo - 8-2-2025 at 04:28 PM

The terms and conditions of traveling with my large dog on the old boat were not acceptable to me. I wonder if the new vessel has a better spot for the kennel and is accessible during the voyage?

chippy - 8-3-2025 at 09:41 AM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo  
The terms and conditions of traveling with my large dog on the old boat were not acceptable to me. I wonder if the new vessel has a better spot for the kennel and is accessible during the voyage?



Baja Ferries' Cabo Star has a pet policy that allows pets, specifically cats and dogs, to travel with passengers. Pets must be in a kennel and registered with Baja Ferries. You'll need to provide vaccination records and a medical certificate from your veterinarian. There are pet-friendly cabins available, but they are limited and must be booked in advance. Service dogs are allowed in passenger areas with proper documentation.
Key Details:
Pet Types: Dogs and cats are accepted as domestic pets.
Kennel Requirement: Pets must be transported in a kennel.
Registration: Pets need to be registered with Baja Ferries.
Documentation: You must provide vaccination records and a medical certificate from your veterinarian.
Pet-Friendly Cabins: Limited pet-friendly cabins are available and need to be booked in advance.
Service Dogs: Service dogs are allowed in passenger areas with proper documentation.
Location: On board, there's a designated area for pets.
Fees: There's a fee for transporting pets, which may vary (e.g., $650 pesos, according to one source).
Booking: You can book pet-friendly cabins online or at Baja Ferries offices.
Restrictions: Pets are generally not allowed to roam freely on the ferry, and may need to stay in their kennel or designated cabin.