8 Best Mexico Cruises For Every Type Of Traveler
Itineraries along the Pacific Coast visit both Baja California (including stops in Ensenada) and the region farther south that is commonly referred to as the Mexican Riviera (featuring the ports of Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta). Where else can you spend the morning aboard a tiny boat viewing whales, and then spend the afternoon shopping or indulging in authentic Mexican cuisine?
On Western Caribbean cruises, the ports that are located on Mexico’s eastern coast are frequently grouped together with other ports or island itineraries that are located in Central America. If you look hard enough, you may find cruises departing from Galveston, Texas; New Orleans, Louisiana; and Mobile, Alabama that only call at ports in Mexico, such as Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Progresso. These cruises typically last between three and five nights.
The main attractions of cruises to Mexico include the country’s beautiful beaches, a variety of water sports, and the delicious food and drink. Playing in the sand and sun is easily accessible on Mexico’s Pacific and Atlantic coastlines. The best cruises of Mexico are those that stop at Mexico’s ports for extended periods of time, allowing passengers ample opportunity to disembark and discover the country’s many wonders.
If your cruise departs from and returns to the same port in the United States, you might not even need a passport to travel to Mexico on the ship.
What are the most reliable and expedient methods for sailing to our neighbour to the south? Princess Cruises, Holland America, Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, and Disney Cruise Line are some of the cruise lines that offer seasonal itineraries to Mexico from the West Coast. Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line operate cruises from the ports in the Los Angeles area throughout the entire year.
Luxury cruise companies such as Silversea and Regent Seven Seas will occasionally provide itineraries that take passengers to the Mexican Riviera. Both American Queen Voyages and UnCruise Adventures provide passengers with the opportunity to explore Mexican ports on both coastlines of the country on intimate small ships.
We researched all of the available alternatives and selected the top Mexico cruises so that you can make an informed decision. This is what we discovered.
Cruise on the Carnival Radiance for 1 night in Baja
The Carnival Radiance deserves recognition for offering a full calendar of quick getaways to Mexico during the entire year.
The port of departure for Carnival Cruise Line‘s trips along the west coast of Mexico is Long Beach, which is an exciting destination in its own right thanks to its beaches, water sports, and the Aquarium of the Pacific.
The ship that is now known as Radiance was once known as Carnival Victory. In 2021, she received a full refurbishment that included the addition of a specialised comedy club, top-deck water features, and Big Chicken, Shaquille O’Neil’s first ever chicken shop.
The trip to Ensenada and return on the cruise includes one exciting day at sea. During the winter months, water sports and whale watching are two of the most popular things for Carnival cruise passengers to do in Ensenada. Fish tacos are a specialty of the city of Ensenada, which lays claim to being the culinary originator of the meal. Additionally, there is the opinion that Ensenada was the birthplace of the margarita. If you consume enough of those, it won’t matter if the statement is accurate or not. If margaritas aren’t your style, Port is home to a number of well-known wineries that are definitely worth visiting.
Who needs to leave: It is well knowledge that Carnival’s Fun Ships are what are commonly referred to as party ships. Residents of the western states who are searching for a quick getaway at any time of the year can consider making the quick trip to Mexico. On the one and only day that the cruise makes a port stop, the attitude on board is upbeat and enjoyable, and it carries over into Ensenada.
Cruise of Catalina Island and Baja for two nights on the Disney Wonder
With a maximum capacity of only 2,700 people, the Disney Wonder is likely one of the oldest ships in the Disney Cruise Line fleet. On the other hand, it is jam-packed with Disney experiences, including as a musical stage production of “Frozen,” meet-and-greets with characters, and cabins that are the most family-friendly available at sea. During the fall and winter months, Wonder departs from San Diego to sail to Mexico.
Catalina Island is not included on every four-night trip on the Wonder, but if you are able to score one that does, it is a fantastic opportunity for family-friendly activities. An incredible zip-line course consisting of five lines is one of the activities that can be enjoyed at the port of Avalon on Catalina. It takes more than two hours to finish the challenging obstacle course that winds up the slopes of the island’s mountains, 600 feet above the beaches below.
If your group isn’t interested in high-speed zipping, you may take them on a bison hunt in the Rockies or take them to the beach for a day of relaxation. Catalina Island has a captivating atmosphere that is reminiscent of Europe, mouthwatering cuisine, and a rich history. Ensenada is the second port that you will visit on this trip, and here you can continue having fun at the beach or watching wildlife.
Who needs to leave: The Disney Wonder is an excellent option for West Coast itineraries that include family cruises. Within the Disney Oceaneer Club, which is an area for children to play and have fun, there is something called the Marvel Superhero Academy. On board, you’ll find apartments that are suitable for families, the majority of which feature separate bathrooms (one with toilet and sink, the other with bath-shower combo and sink). There are many other ways for parents to spend a night out without their children, such as dining at the Palo speciality restaurant, which is reserved exclusively for adults, or trying out the adult beverages available at the After Hours entertainment sector.
The Navigator of the Seas will take you on a three-night trip across Mexico, including an overnight at Cabo.
The Navigator of the Seas, owned by Royal Caribbean, is the largest cruise ship that travels to Mexico nonstop from the port of San Pedro on the west coast of the United States (Los Angeles). Water slides, the iconic FlowRider surf simulator, and a rock-climbing wall are just some of the upper deck activities on this ship, which was purpose-built to provide thrills for passengers of all ages. Onboard dining options include Johnny Rockets Express and Hooked Seafood, which are two of the line’s more recent additions to the restaurant scene. Other indoor activities include laser tag and escape rooms.
Even if an overnight stay in Cabo San Lucas is not included on every five-night voyage, it is still our top pick among all the short cruises to Mexico that depart from the West Coast of the United States.
After all of the other cruise ships have left Cabo, passengers aboard the Navigator will have the opportunity to experience the city’s vibrant nightlife. Who’s up for a street taco tour? Tequila shots, anyone? In what other way can you savour freshly fried churros late at night on the corner of a street? This route does not include any stops other than Cabo, so you will have two days at sea to relax and enjoy the ship.
Who needs to leave: Foodies and adventure seekers will enjoy themselves on this voyage. Sport fishing, wildlife watching, boat trips, camel rides, kayaking, parasailing, and snorkelling are just some of the daytime activities that may be enjoyed in Cabo. When you factor in the nighttime sampling trips, everything is taken care of.
On the Allure of the Seas, passengers can enjoy a 4-night cruise through Mexico in addition to a stop in Roatan.
The Allure of the Seas is the largest cruise ship that has ever departed from Galveston, and the port has constructed a gleaming new terminal just to accommodate the mammoth vessel.
The Allure, which is a member of Royal Caribbean‘s Oasis class and thus one of the world’s largest cruise ships, has capacity for 5,492 guests when both cabins are occupied. The ship boasts an open-air AquaTheater at the rear of the ship for high-diving and acrobatic shows. Additionally, the ship has an ice skating rink, a garden with living plants in the centre of the ship, and some of the most opulent Royal Caribbean suites across the fleet.
The seven-night cruises provide passengers with sufficient beach time in Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Roatan, Honduras, as well as a third port of call in Belize. The remainder of the vacation consists entirely of having fun on the ship while sailing across the seas of the Gulf for three consecutive sea days.
Who needs to leave: Big-ship enthusiasts will be in heaven on an Allure cruise through Mexico. Because of the low cost of flights into Houston’s two airports, the city is easily accessible from at least a dozen states in the centre of the United States. And for Texans who can drive to the port in a little less than a day, the option of spending a pleasant day at the beach on Galveston Island either before or after the trip makes selecting this sailing a no-brainer.
A voyage along the Mexican Riviera for five nights on the Carnival Panorama
The Carnival Panorama is the second largest ship that departs from the West Coast and sails to Mexico. It is packed with entertaining activities in the Carnival manner.
This ship is a veritable playground, complete with water slides, an indoor trampoline park, and a ropes course that soars high above the decks that it will make your heart pound and give you goosebumps. The seven-night cruises set sail from Long Beach and feature stops at all of the major ports in western Mexico, including Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta, where the ship remains until the twilight hours.
The cruise itinerary includes three sea days, giving passengers plenty of time to relax and enjoy the ship. The coolest aspect is that this floating roller coaster travels along this route throughout the entire year.
Who should go: Due to the fact that many of the onboard activities are designed specifically for preteens, adolescents, and young adults, it is an excellent option for families with children in these age groups. Adults-only facilities such as the Serenity sun deck retreat, the luxurious Cloud 9 Spa, and the Havana suites with their own private pool deck are available for use for couples who are travelling without their children.
Safari Voyager will take you on a journey to Baja for a total of 6 nights.
UnCruise Adventures takes a very different approach to cruising around Mexico than most other companies.
As you embark on an expedition experience aboard the 66-passenger Safari Voyager, you may say goodbye to the party ships and the adrenaline rides for good. Between the months of January and June, the ship departs from La Paz, Mexico, to take tourists in search of grey whales, whale sharks, rays, and an incredible diversity of other water life, in addition to the species that can be found on land.
Mule rides, kayaking, Zodiac boat trips, snorkelling, hiking, and of course, chilling out at the beach are all included in the lineup of activities. The features and conveniences offered by Safari Explorer are not particularly advanced. You can anticipate accommodations that are on the cosier side, but there will be plenty of public area on deck for you to mingle with other guests and observe the marine life.
All of your meals, excursions, equipment, beverages (including alcoholic drinks), and airport transfers are covered by the price of your UnCruise fare, leaving you free to focus on the journey itself.
Who should go: This cruise is for individuals who are in good physical shape along with families who have children between the ages of 8 and 17 who are looking for adventure in the wilderness and waterways of Baja, California.
Discovery Princess will take passengers on a 7-night cruise along the Mexican Riviera.
From the port of San Pedro in Los Angeles, the newest ship owned by Princess Cruises sails to the Mexican Riviera whenever it is not operating in the waters surrounding Alaska.
This trip will take you to Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta over the course of seven nights. Additionally, you will get three sea days to explore the ship, which can accommodate 3,660 passengers. A touch of sophistication is added to the French Riviera by the Discovery Princess, which offers amenities such as afternoon tea and the option to have the Ultimate Balcony Breakfast delivered to your cabin’s private veranda (for an additional charge).
Although the design and decor of the Discovery Princess are comparable to those of the majority of Princess ships, the Discovery Princess is distinguished from the rest of the fleet by the presence of two Sky Suites. Each suite features two bedrooms as well as a beautiful balcony that is one thousand square feet in size and offers unparalleled views.
Who Should Go: Those who are interested in experiencing Princess’ laid-back yet upmarket manner of sailing should book this trip to Mexico. On Princess, families are always welcome, and the ship offers a variety of connected rooms and cabins that include third and fourth bunks for guests’ convenience. Even though there is a youth programme available, the ship does not have any water slides or other exciting rides. When compared to Royal Caribbean or Carnival, the atmosphere on board is more laid-back, and passengers tend to be of a slightly older age.
Ocean Navigator will take you on a land and cruise vacation of Mexico for 8 nights, beginning in Cozumel and ending in Cancun.
The Ocean Navigator, which is operated by American Queen Voyages, is specially intended to sail along the coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. This ship can accommodate a maximum of 202 passengers and calls at less well-known locations such as Valladolid, Campeche, and Huatulco.
The ship exudes the atmosphere of a river cruise ship; although it is far larger than the majority of ocean-going vessels, it is refined and pleasant, and it has ample public spaces, both inside and out. The majority of cabins range in size from 140 to 185 square feet, which is slightly less space than what can be found on larger ships.
The cruise vacation features overnight stays in hotels both at the start and the finish, as well as a diverse array of exciting activities and free time in between. This itinerary is somewhere between a traditional cruise and an expedition sailing, with plenty of onboard enrichment and shore excursions centred around history, archaeology, and culture. The cruise line that operates this itinerary is known for its river cruises on U.S. waterways, and this itinerary sails on one of those waterways.
Who should go: American Queen Voyages caters to individuals as well as couples with a programme that focuses more on enrichment than pure adrenaline-pumping excitement. You will get the opportunity to hike Mayan pyramids, however the hikes will range from easy to moderate. Don’t expect strenuous trips.
Bottom line
The cruises through Mexico that are the best fit for you are the ones that take you there. At any season of the year, there is a ship ready to transport you to Mexico, where you can find a party environment or go on an adventure, depending on your preferences.
You should concentrate your search on itineraries that depart from major ports in Los Angeles, San Diego, and Galveston; however, you will also find possibilities for cruises to Mexico that depart from San Francisco, New Orleans, and even Mobile, Alabama.
