Carnival Announces First West Coast Port Development With Ensenada Bay Village Project
Credit: ITM Group & Hutchinson Ports
Carnival Cruise Line, in partnership with ITM Group and Hutchison Ports ECV, has officially announced the creation of a new cruise destination in Ensenada, Mexico. The new development, called Ensenada Bay Village: Treasures of Baja, represents a roughly $26 million investment and marks a major upgrade for cruise traffic on Mexico’s Pacific coast.
The unveiling took place December 5, 2025 at the existing Ensenada cruise terminal, with representatives from Carnival, the port operator, and local officials present, including Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy.
What Ensenada Bay Village Will Offer: Culture, Dining, Adventure, and Relaxation
Ensenada Bay Village will be the most immersive cruise destination on Mexico’s West Coast. The project blends entertainment, culture, shopping, dining, and adventure, all designed to deliver a comprehensive shoreside experience for cruise guests.
Highlights Include:
A full commercial and entertainment district styled after 18th-century Californian architecture, mixing Mediterranean facades, traditional tiles, and old-town charm that reflects Ensenada’s historical identity.
Gastronomic and cultural experiences with local flair: a chocolate factory, a beer factory, wine and cheese tastings, and a tequila experience, all intended to showcase Baja and Mexican products.
A wellness-and-relaxation zone including a spa (with massage cabins and hot-spring-style pools), a beach-club vibe with heated pools, pool bars, fire pits, and a specialty restaurant.
An “adventure park” component called “Legends of Adventure” featuring zip-lines, an off-road style “Dune Rally,” and boat canals and river-ride features, aimed at guests wanting more action ashore.
From relaxing spa time to authentic food and local cultural experiences to high-energy activities, Ensenada Bay Village aims to appeal to a wide variety of cruise passengers.
Port Capacity, Timeline, and Cruise Line Visits
When completed, Ensenada Bay Village will include a next-generation cruise terminal capable of docking two cruise ships simultaneously. The complex is designed to handle up to 9,000 passengers per day, signaling a significant capacity boost for the region.
Construction is expected to take about two years, with a potential opening window in late 2027 or early 2028, depending on scheduling and construction progress.
Given these timelines, ships from Carnival’s West Coast fleet, such as the Carnival Panorama and Carnival Legend, will likely be the first ships to call upon the port upon its completion.
It’s also possible that other cruise lines owned by Carnival Corp, such as Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, and Cunard might schedule calls at Ensenada Bay Village as part of future itineraries.
Significance: Ensenada Transforms from Stopover to Cruise Destination
For years, Ensenada has often served as a “necessary foreign port stop” on West Coast cruise itineraries: admired for its culture, wine country, and natural surroundings, but rarely seen as a highlight destination in itself.
With Ensenada Bay Village, that appears to be changing. The new port aims to deliver a curated, resort-style environment similar to what cruise-goers have grown accustomed to at private islands or purpose-built cruise destinations.
Local officials characterize this project as a move that will elevate Ensenada’s role on the global cruise map - enhancing tourism infrastructure, creating jobs, and offering cruisers a compelling reason to stay longer and enjoy more at the port.
For travelers on the fence about West Coast cruises, the addition of Ensenada Bay Village could make a major difference - transforming an ordinary port visit into a full-fledged vacation destination, complete with dining, shopping, adventure, relaxation, and culture - just steps off the ship.
Ensenada Bay Village Map
© ITM Group & Hutchinson Ports
For more information about the new Ensenada Bay Village project, visit this link.
