Optimize Marine Life Viewing
Consider cruising from mid-January through March for exceptional opportunities to observe marine life in the open waters of the Sea of Cortez. The sea separates the Pacific Oceans Baja California peninsula from Mexicos mainland. Blue, humpback and grey whales ply these waters on their migratory journeys. The giant blue whale weighing more than 150 tons creates a magnificent spectacle. Other wildlife inspiring a Sea of Cortez cruise are dolphins, sea lions along, frigate birds, blue-footed boobies and pelicans. Main cruise lines, luxury lines and expedition cruises offer trips during peak Mexico whale watching times for those seeking wildlife and whale encounters.
Waterproof Case For A Smartphone
Todays smartphones have become quite expensive. If youre spending any time on the beach or by a swimming pool, its best to protect your phone against water damage. Invest in a waterproof case that still allows you to use your phone to take pictures even when secure inside the pouch.
The lightweight phone pouch features a sturdy rope buckle and dual-sided clear windows to allow for use. Its available in various colours, from your traditional black and white to fun colors including pink, yellow, and orange.
Activities For All Ages
Carnival Panorama has so many fun activities for kids and kids at heart including a suspended ropes course that is truly challenging. A groundbreaking activity onboard is the SkyRide, a suspended two-lane bike course that tours riders around the upper decks and, at times, hovers over the ocean below. These activities are included in the cruise fare, adding great value for family fun.
More active fun is found at the indoor trampoline park and at SportsSquare, an outdoor deck packed with mini-putt, hoops, billiards and more interactive games. Then theres family-favorite Carnival WaterWorks with a few thrilling waterslide options and a splash zone with slides for the wee ones. The waterpark has red fun and blue fun themes coordinating with the Carnival’s Seuss at Sea programming. Of course, there are also a couple of pools for those who prefer to simply cool down in the hot sun.
Additional activities and entertainment onboard Carnival Panorama include interactive game shows, trivia challenges, dance parties, karaoke and an incredible host of live music and entertainment. Guests can take a gradual stroll around the entertainment decks and in one night be captivated with live musicians, then a comedian, and onto a magic show or theatrical performance.
Dining at Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse aboard Carnival Panorama
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About The Mexican Riviera
The Mexican Riviera is the Pacific coastline of Mexico. This region is also known as the gem of the Pacific. The ports of call along this picturesque coastline are each unique and special, offering individual characteristics and a hospitable hacienda charm that can only be found in the Mexican Pacific. The most popular ports of call in the Mexican Pacific include Ensenada, Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, Acapulco, and Ixtapa.
As a general rule, the longer the duration of the cruise, the more ports of call. This is especially true in the Mexican Riviera, where port cities are often situated at considerable distances from one another. With the exception of Ensenada, the Mexican Riviera features warm weather almost every day of the year. Summer hurricanes can affect cruise itineraries, so be sure to check with your cruise line in the event of any weather disturbances.
Hilton Los Angeles Airport
Set just a quarter of a mile away from the Los Angeles International Airport and featuring a complimentary shuttle service to and from the airport, the Hilton Los Angeles Airport is ideally situated for business travellers. Our hotel offers 1,234 stylish and comfortable guest rooms in which you can relax. Choose from four terrific dining options, keep on top of work in the business centre, and utilize 55,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space for seminars and conferences.
Distance/Airport: 1 mile
Transfers between Airport and Hotel Transfers between Hotel and Pier
Important Note: Accommodations are based on double occupancy per room.
Set just a quarter of a mile away from the Los Angeles International Airport and featuring a complimentary shuttle service to and from the airport, the Hilton Los Angeles Airport is ideally situated for business travellers. Our hotel offers 1,234 stylish and comfortable guest rooms in which you can relax. Choose from four terrific dining options, keep on top of work in the business centre, and utilize 55,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space for seminars and conferences.
Distance/Airport: 1 mile
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Best Places To Visit On Mexican Riviera Cruises
On your Mexican Riviera cruise, you will be able to visit several places during your shore excursions. Some of the best places to visit are as follows:
Tulum: It is renowned for its crystal-clear water, soft sand and swaying palm trees. You can even explore ancient Mayan ruins.
The Great Mayan Reef: This 600-mile long reef begins from the tip of the Yucatan Peninsula and extends through Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras. This is the perfect place to go scuba diving and snorkeling. You will be mesmerized by the sea creatures, including manatees and whale sharks, swimming lazily in the clear waters.
Sian Kaan Biosphere: This biosphere is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is spread over an area of 1.3 million acres. The tropical forest has spider monkeys, jaguars, and pumas. You can take the ancient Mayan route that involves a soothing boat ride that follows an old trading route.
Rio Secreto: This half-sunken cave is a wonderful place to swim and hike. The cave system has an underground river and the walls have face drawings that go back to the time of the ancient Mayans.
Cozumel: This island is a major cruise port and most visitors head to San Miguel, where you will be able to visit markets and enjoy the different dining and drinking choices. You will be able to spend time at isolated beaches but if you enjoy crowds, head to the western side of Cozumel to relax in beach clubs and resorts.
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Make Sure Your Passport Is Current
Traveling to Mexico and Canada requires a passport. Many countries require passports be valid for six months after the completion of your travel. Its important to check your passport, to verify it will be valid for this period of time, and to be sure that it has not expired. You also want to make sure the name on the passport matches the name on the trip reservation! One other tipwhen we got a passport for our son a few years back, the had listed his birth town to be OK, when it should have been OR. Always completely read every letter of your passport, to make sure its accurate!
Remember that getting a NEW passport or renewing a passport usually takes time, so know that its not a last-minute thing that you can do! The post office has all of the information that you will need to apply or renew your passport.
Also, dont forget to pack your important documents, like airline tickets, printed cruise reservations, medical insurance cards and credit cards. Another tip is to keep copies of these documents in both your luggage and at home, just in case they are stolen or damaged.
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What To Pack For The Cruise
You should dress for a cruise with Princess the same way you would for any stylish land-based resort. After all, youre headed to tropical islands!
About a week before the cruise, I looked at my Cruise Personalizer to see how many nights were formal, and how many were casual. I then went through my closet and pulled out several black dresses for formal night options, and then counted the casual nights, and added those dresses. Easy! During the day I wore casual sun dresses and shorts and skorts.
For my husband, we packed one black suit with 2 ties , and then a sport jacket and dress shirts for the more casual evenings. For daytime, we packed shorts and t-shirts.
My point is this. Do not feel that you have to go out and buy a whole new wardrobe for a cruise. You do not need shimmery long dresses for formal nights, or tuxes. Almost anything goes with attire on a cruise, and I think its important that people know that. The Ruby Princess is flexible with their definition of formal, which I appreciate, as I dont have any super-fancy evening wear.
The very best wardrobe advice for the entire Mexican cruise is always to bring a sweater or light jacket, just in case evening temps drop, and you want to pop up to the top of the ship and take a midnight stroll, or stop off at the Movies Under the Stars® venue.
Lastly, I have a small purse the size of my iPhone. It was perfect to take with me everywhere I went, with my room key, lipstick, chapstick, and my phone.
Seek Out Local Restaurants
We enjoyed local, authentic food in each port! Before you leave town, research ahead, or talk to the locals about where to eat if you have time when you port.
In Mazatlan, after our Rhino jaunt through the town, Paul and I discovered a hole in the wall place to eat, enjoying a quick bite and the BEST margaritas, before we headed back to the ship. It was truly authentic and a fun place to land, as we had just driven through Mazatlan for 3 hours!
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Disney Cruise Line Will Return To The Bahamas Caribbean And The Mexican Riviera In Early 2023
Disney Cruise Line will return to the Bahamas â including Disneyâs private island, Castaway Cay â as well as the Caribbean and the Mexican Riviera in early 2023.
A variety of itineraries will set sail from U.S. home ports including Miami and Port Canaveral, New Orleans Galveston and San Diego.
Every cruise from Florida includes a visit to Disneyâs private island oasis, Castaway Cay.
Los Cabos Baja California Sur
Situated on the tip of the Baja Peninsula, Los Cabos is made up of two towns, Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo. This is a great spot for enjoying watersports such as snorkeling or diving, and whale watching in season. For those looking for arts and cultural attractions, head to San Jose del Cabo, a twenty-minute drive from Cabo San Lucas, and take a walk around the historical center and art district.
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Let The Staff Know Early If There Is A Special Event
My husband and I had a great surprise one night for dinner. Ill be sharing more on that later, in another post, but the staff sure makes birthdays, events, anniversaries, etc. a big deal on the ship!
Walking down our hallway I often saw balloons, cards, and all kinds of special things on doors with different celebrations going on!
You can also order Ultimate Balcony Dining for different occasions!
Disney Mexican Riviera Cruise 2020
Disney Cruise Line first started sailing to Mexico in 2011 The first Mexican Riviera Disney cruises were from Los Angeles, but the home port has now moved to San Diego.
For many people, a Disney Cruise San Diego is the perfect Disney cruise.
Disney cruise line is well known for offering the highest quality ships and guest satisfaction rates are amongst the highest in the industry. But what can you expect from a Disney Cruise to the Mexican Riviera?
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Siesta Or Fiesta We’ve Got The Best Mexico Cruise For You
Each port on our Mexican Cruise vacations is filled with fun and adventure including kayaking, zip lining, swimming with dolphins, scuba diving and much more. You’re never far from a beautiful beach or a good party in Norwegian’s cruises to Mexico. Explore old traditions and stunning towns when you cruise to the Mexican Riviera on Norwegian Bliss.
Learn From Our Guests Ask & Answer
Even the most seasoned travellers have questions. With Ask & Answer, you don’t have to go far to get those questions answered. The bonus – the questions and answers come from fellow cruisers!
Learn about the latest ships and destinations by browsing hundreds of questions posted by real cruisers. If you happen not to find what you’re looking for, you can even post a question of your own.
Real questions. Real answers. All from real cruisers.
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Best Time For Mexican Riviera Cruises
The Mexican Riviera is a year-round destination, though most lines call during the fall/winter and spring shoulder seasons. Temperatures remain balmy most of the year. August and September can be on the hot side temperatures in the 90s coupled with humidity can be a little unpleasant.
Siesta Or Fiesta Weve Got The Best Mexico Cruise For You
Each port on our Mexican Cruise vacations is filled with fun and adventure including kayaking, zip lining, swimming with dolphins, scuba diving and much more. Youre never far from a beautiful beach or a good party in Norwegians cruises to Mexico. Explore old traditions and stunning towns when you cruise to the Mexican Riviera on Norwegian Bliss.
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Where Do Mexican Riviera Cruises Begin
Depending on the cruise line, you will embark in either Los Angeles or San Diego. Its important to know your embarkation port so your shuttle or taxi will drop you at the right one.
Los Angeles has two ports: the World Cruise Center and the Long Beach Cruise Terminal . It can take more than an hour to get to either cruise port from LA International Airport .
- Princess Cruises and Norwegian sail from San Pedro
- Carnival Cruises sails from Long Beach.
San Diego also has two terminals: the B-Street Pier & Cruise Ship Terminal and the Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier. Most cruises depart from the B-Street Pier & Cruise Ship Terminal. Both terminals are approximately 10 minutes drive from San Diego International Airport .
These cruise lines sail from San Diego:
- Carnival Cruise Line.
- Norwegian Cruise Line.
- Princess Cruises.
Even if its a 10-minute trip to the terminal, weve experienced enough unforeseen travel delays to recommend arriving a day or two early. You dont want to miss the boat!
Might as well take advantage of your time in these Southern California cities before departing on your cruise.
- If in LA, pay a visit to Griffith Park or walk along Santa Monica Pier.
- If in San Diego, visit the famous San Diego Zoo with this skip the line ticket. Or, relax along Black Beach while you watch the locals ride the waves.
Mexican Riviera Sailings From California
Sail for 3-10 days on a Mexico cruise departing from San Francisco, Los Angeles or San Diego, California and returning to the port of embarkation. Popular ports of call on the Mexican Riviera are Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta, plus Manzanillo for the longer cruises. Cruise lines offering December excursions to the Mexican Riviera include Princess, Carnival, Norwegian and Holland America. Shore excursions provide an opportunity for visiting beaches and a day of local culture wearing an optional light jacket or sweater for a day of land-based activities. December highs along the Mexican Riviera are 80 degrees Fahrenheit on average with days that are typically rain free.
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How To Cruise To Mexico In December Weather
Thinking about a warm weather holiday cruise in December? Mexico fits the bill nicely for a cruise with the entire family during the vacation period when school is out. With extensive coastlines on the Pacific Ocean, Sea of Cortez and Gulf of Mexico, Mexico is convenient for cruise ship departures from California, Florida and several additional U.S. cities. Weather-wise, near-perfect conditions mean sunny days are typically in a comfortable range around the mid-70s Fahrenheit.
Best Things To Do On Mexican Riviera Cruises
Quebrada Cliff Diver Show: You can watch this show in Acapulco. During the day, watching the divers dive into the crystal clear water while in the night, the show can be awe-inspiring as the divers hold torches and plunge into the inky dark water.
Whale Watching: Go on a boat excursion off the coast of La Paz to spy whales swimming gracefully in the water. You will also be able to spot sea lions and dolphins frolicking in the azure waters.
Copalita Eco-Archaeological Park: Take time to visit Huatulco where this park is located. The wetlands offer refuge to a wide variety of birds. As you explore the expansive park on foot, you will come across several ancient ruins that are believed to be over 2,000 years old.
Yelapa Forest: Located outside Puerto Vallarta, the forest has a stunning waterfall that is worth exploring. This excursion requires you to go on a horseback ride to traverse the forest.
Ensenada: Enjoy delicious fish tacos that are made from freshly grilled or fried fish. Once you taste the taco, you will never want to eat any other type of taco.
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Be Prepared To Haggle
Vendors in Mexican mercados are accustomed to haggling over price, so never pay the marked or state price. Bargaining with the merchant isnt rude or a sign of being an Ugly American its the way business is done. On the other hand, dont be rude and dont offer vendors a ridiculously low price. A good rule of thumb is to settle for about 20 percent off the original price.