Editor’s observe: This information has been up to date with the newest info.
Cruises to Mexico have an attraction that is exhausting to match.
Pacific Coast itineraries cowl each Baja California (with stops in Ensenada), and the world farther south thought-about the Mexican Riviera (that includes the ports of Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta). The place else are you able to spend the morning whale watching from a small boat, adopted by a day of purchasing or having fun with genuine Mexican delicacies?
The ports on Mexico’s jap coast are sometimes lumped along with different Central American ports or island locations on Western Caribbean cruises. Do a little bit of digging, and you will discover three- to five-night cruises from Galveston, Texas; New Orleans; and Cell, Alabama, that go to solely Mexican ports, together with Cozumel, Costa Maya and Progreso.
Seashores and water sports activities, in addition to consuming and ingesting, are the first sights on cruises to Mexico. Each coasts provide ample alternative to play within the solar and sand. The most effective Mexico cruises have prolonged port stops that present loads of time to discover, plus time on board the ship to chill out and decompress.
You would possibly even be capable of cruise to Mexico with out a passport in case your cruise begins and ends in the identical U.S. port.
So, what’s one of the best cruise to Mexico? Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line run year-round cruises from the Los Angeles space and Galveston ports, whereas Princess Cruises, Holland America, Norwegian Cruise Line, Celeb Cruises and Disney Cruise Line provide seasonal cruises to Mexico from the West Coast.
Often, you will discover luxurious cruises to the Mexican Riviera on strains like Silversea and Regent Seven Seas. American Queen Voyages and UnCruise Adventures provide distinctive small-ship alternatives to cruise Mexican ports on each coasts.
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We scoured all of the choices and got here up with one of the best Mexico cruises to assist slender your selections. Here is what we discovered.
3-night Baja cruise on Carnival Radiance
Carnival Radiance will get the nod for having a year-round schedule of brief escapes to Mexico.
Carnival Cruise Line‘s west coast Mexico cruises sail from the port of Lengthy Seashore, which is a enjoyable vacation spot in its personal proper, with seashores, water sports activities and the Aquarium of the Pacific.
Carnival Radiance (previously Carnival Victory) underwent a whole refit in 2021, including a devoted comedy membership, top-deck water sights and the first-ever rooster joint from Shaquille O’Neal, aptly named Massive Hen.
The ship goes to Ensenada and again with one enjoyable day at sea. Water sports activities and whale watching in winter are among the many prime actions in Ensenada for Carnival cruisers. For an area lunch in port, order fish tacos; Ensenada claims to have invented the dish. Some additionally declare Ensenada is the unique residence of the margarita. Drink sufficient of these, and it will not matter if it is true or not. If margaritas aren’t your factor, there are standard wineries in port value trying out.
Who ought to go: It is no secret that Carnival’s Enjoyable Ships are often known as celebration ships. This brief hop to Mexico is good for residents of the Western states searching for an escape any time of yr. The ship’s environment is enthusiastic and enjoyable, which spills into Ensenada on the one port day of the cruise.
Associated: A newbie’s information to choosing a cruise line
4-night Baja cruise with Catalina Island on Disney Surprise
Disney Surprise is certainly one of Disney Cruise Line‘s oldest and smallest ships, carrying solely 2,700 passengers. Nevertheless, it is full of Disney adventures, together with a musical stage manufacturing of “Frozen,” character meet-ups and probably the most family-friendly cabins at sea. Surprise sails to Mexico from San Diego through the fall and winter.
Not each four-night cruise on Surprise contains Catalina Island, however in case you can snag one which does, it is an enormous bonus of household enjoyable. Actions within the port of Avalon on Catalina embody an incredible zip-line course of 5 strains. Hovering alongside the island’s hillsides 600 toes above the seashores beneath, the journey course takes over two hours to finish.
In case your crew is not into highspeed zipping, strive a backcountry bison expedition or a calming day on the seaside. Catalina is a captivating island with a European really feel, memorable meals and an enchanting historical past. The second port on the itinerary is Ensenada, the place the wildlife-watching or seaside enjoyable can proceed.
Who ought to go: Disney Surprise is a perfect ship for household cruise journey from the West Coast. Options embody the Marvel Superhero Academy contained in the Disney Oceaneer Membership, the exercise area for youths. You may have family-friendly lodging on board, most with cut up loos (one with bathroom and sink, the opposite with bath-shower combo and sink). Mother and father have loads of alternatives to get pleasure from an evening out with out the youngsters, eating on the adults-only Palo specialty restaurant or sampling an grownup beverage on the After Hours leisure district.
5-night Mexico cruise with Cabo in a single day on Majestic Princess
Princess Cruises‘ Majestic Princess is likely one of the largest ships that seasonally visits Mexico from Los Angeles. The vessel, which was initially constructed for the Chinese language market, has been Americanized, nevertheless it nonetheless options some nods that embody upscale onboard purchasing boutiques like Coach and Bulgari, plus a calming enclosed top-deck lounge with gathering areas and fake topiaries.
The ship sails five-night voyages that provide overnights in Cabo San Lucas. There are additionally some sea days blended in.
In spite of everything these different cruise ships say adios to Cabo, cruisers on board Majestic Princess can discover town’s nightlife. Road taco tour, anybody? Tequila flights? How else are you able to get pleasure from late-night freshly fried churros on a avenue nook?
Who ought to go: This cruise is for anybody who enjoys exploring port cities extra in-depth than what’s provided by a typical port name and who appreciates much less of a celebration environment. Daytime actions in Cabo embody sport fishing, wildlife watching, boat rides, camel rides, kayaking, parasailing and snorkeling. Add in night tasting excursions, and also you’re set.
Associated: Ship-sponsored vs. impartial shore excursions on cruises: Which must you guide?
6- and 7-night Mexico cruises plus Roatan on Royal Caribbean’s Concord of the Seas
Royal Caribbean’s Concord of the Seas is likely one of the largest vessels ever to sail from Galveston, and there is a shiny new terminal designed to deal with the behemoth.
A part of the road’s Oasis Class, which incorporates the world’s largest cruise ships, Concord of the Seas carries 5,479 passengers at double occupancy. The ship options an open-air AquaTheater at its aft for high-diving and acrobatic reveals, an ice skating rink, a few of the most extravagant Royal Caribbean suites throughout the fleet and a park with stay crops within the heart of the ship.
There are a number of variations for sailings of each durations, however each provide ample seaside time at Cozumel and Costa Maya, plus a 3rd cease in Roatan, Honduras. The remainder of the journey is all about enjoyable on the ship as you cruise the Gulf waters for 2 to a few sea days, relying on itinerary size.
Who ought to go: A Mexico cruise on Concord of the Seas is good for big-ship lovers. Cheap flights into Houston’s two airports make it accessible to at the very least a dozen central U.S. states. And for Texans who can drive to the port in lower than a day, the enjoyable of a seaside day on Galveston Island earlier than or after the cruise makes this crusing a simple selection.
7-night Mexican Riviera cruise on Carnival Panorama
Carnival Panorama is loaded with Carnival-style enjoyable. From a jaw-dropping, nail-biting ropes course excessive above the decks to waterslides and an indoor trampoline park, this ship is a crash course in playtime. The seven-night itineraries sail from Lengthy Seashore and embody all the principle western Mexico ports of Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta, the place the ship stays into the night hours.
With three sea days, cruisers have loads of time to benefit from the ship. The most effective half is that this floating thrill journey cruises this itinerary year-round.
Who ought to go: It is a fantastic selection for households with tweens and teenagers as a result of so most of the onboard actions are geared to them. {Couples} crusing with out kiddos can get pleasure from adults-only areas just like the Serenity solar deck retreat, an opulent Cloud 9 Spa and Havana staterooms with their unique pool deck.
7-Night time Expedition to Baja California with UnCruise
UnCruise Adventures does Mexico with a wholly totally different strategy to cruising.
Go away the celebration ships and the joys rides behind for an expedition journey aboard the 66-passenger Safari Voyager. The ship sails from La Paz, Mexico, between January and June, taking passengers in the hunt for grey whales, whale sharks, rays and an incredible number of sea life, in addition to wildlife on dry land.
Actions embody kayaking, Zodiac boat rides, snorkeling, mountaineering and, after all, downtime on the seaside. Safari Explorer is considerably fundamental in its facilities. You possibly can count on cabins which are fairly cozy, however ample public area on deck to look at for sealife and meet your fellow passengers.
UnCruise fares embody all meals, excursions, gear, drinks (together with alcohol) and airport transfers, leaving you free to benefit from the journey.
Who ought to go: This cruise is for bodily match adults and households with children ages 8-17 looking for journey within the wilds and waters of Baja, California.
Associated: Massive vs. small cruise ships: Which can I like higher?
7-night Mexican Riviera cruise on Discovery Princess
When Princess Cruises’ latest ship is not in Alaskan waters, it may be discovered cruising to the Mexican Riviera from the Los Angeles port at San Pedro.
The seven-night itinerary contains Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta, plus three sea days to benefit from the ship, which carries 3,660 friends. Discovery Princess brings a little bit of magnificence to the Riviera, with afternoon tea and the flexibility to order the Final Balcony Breakfast to your cabin’s personal veranda (for a further cost).
Whereas Discovery Princess is just like most Princess ships in design and decor, it has one thing no different ship within the fleet has — two Sky Suites. Every suite has two bedrooms and an opulent 1,000-square-foot balcony for unmatched views.
Who ought to go: That is one of the best Mexico cruise for these looking for Princess’ relaxed upscale mode of cruising. Kids are at all times welcome on Princess, and there are many connecting rooms and cabin choices with third and fourth bunks. Although the ship affords a youth program, do not count on waterslides and thrill rides. The vibe on board is low-key, and the typical age is a bit older when in comparison with Royal Caribbean or Carnival.
Backside line
The most effective cruises to Mexico are those that fit your journey character. Whether or not you are searching for a celebration environment or journey, there is a ship ready to take you to Mexico any time of yr.
Focus your search on round-trip itineraries from main ports in Los Angeles, San Diego and Galveston. You may additionally discover choices for cruises to Mexico from San Francisco, New Orleans and even Cell, Alabama.
Planning a cruise? Begin with these tales:
