Popular Cruises to Mexico
Of the eleven cruise lines that sail to Mexico, only five — Carnival, Disney, Norwegian Caribbean, Princess, and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines — welcome families. All have special programs for kids as well as activities for parents who feel the need to have some private time.
Carnival Cruise Line
888-227-6482,
Carnival Cruise Line offers you four ships to choose from on Mexican Pacific Coast cruises — Carnival
Carnival Cruises are also famous for their midnight buffets. Free evening entertainment includes shows with singers and comedy acts, as well as music played by three bands and an orchestra. Billed as “Fun Cruises,” Carnival focuses on a Las Vegas–style atmosphere.
For Kids
“Camp Carnival,” Carnival Cruise Line's program for kids, features activities for four age groups: Toddler (ages two to five), Junior (ages six to eight), Intermediate (ages nine to twelve), and Teens (ages thirteen to fifteen). Those in the Toddler group get to watch cartoons, practice their numbers and colors, decorate cookies, and do sponge and face painting. Staff members help Juniors make puppets and put on a show, play Disney trivia games, paint T-shirts, have a beach party, learn about sea animals, and decorate cookies. Kids in the Intermediate group get to paint T-shirts, attend dance classes, play board games, make jewelry, go on scavenger hunts, put on a talent show, and take part in volleyball and ping-pong tournaments and a photography workshop. Teens have a pool party, attend midnight movies and a teen dance, take dance lessons, learn about skin and hair care, have a pizza and indoor beach party, play volleyball, and take part in a photography workshop.
Departure Ports/Ports of Call
The 88,500-ton, 2,124-passenger ship Carnival
Carnival's 70,367-ton, 2,052-passenger ship,
The 101,519-ton ship, Carnival
The following tables show sample itineraries for Carnival Cruises.
Table 6-1
Day |
Port |
Arrives |
Departs |
1 |
Long Beach |
Sunday 5:30 P.M. |
|
2 |
At Sea |
||
3 |
At Sea |
||
4 |
Puerto Vallarta |
8:00 A.M. |
10:00 P.M. |
5 |
Mazatlán |
9:00 A.M. |
4:00 P.M. |
6 |
Cabo San Lucas |
7:00 A.M. |
4:00 P.M. |
7 |
At Sea |
||
8 |
Long Beach |
Sunday 9:00 P.M. |
Table 6-2
Day |
Port |
Arrives |
Departs |
1 |
San Diego |
Wednesday 4:00 P.M. |
|
2 |
At Sea |
||
3 |
At Sea |
||
4 |
Acapulco |
1:00 P.M. |
|
5 |
Acapulco |
2:00 P.M. |
|
6 |
Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo |
9:00 A.M. |
6:00 P.M. |
7 |
Manzanillo |
7:00 A.M. |
4:00 P.M. |
8 |
At Sea |
||
9 |
Los Angeles |
Tuesday 7:00 A.M. |
Table 6-3
Day |
Port |
Arrives |
Departs |
1 |
Long Beach |
Fridays 5:30 P.M. |
|
2 |
Ensenada |
9:00 A.M. |
6:00 P.M. |
3 |
At Sea |
||
4 |
Long Beach |
Mondays 8:00 A.M. |
Table 6-4
Day |
Port |
Arrives |
Departs |
1 |
Miami |
Saturday 4:00 P.M. |
|
2 |
Cozumel, Mexico |
7:00 A.M. |
6:00 P.M. |
3 |
At Sea |
||
4 |
Grand Cayman Island |
7:30 A.M. |
4:30 P.M. |
5 |
Ocho Rios, Jamaica |
8:00 A.M. |
3:30 P.M. |
6 |
At Sea |
||
7 |
Miami |
Saturday 8:00 P.M. |
Table 6-5 outlines costs per person of each of the cruises listed above.
Table 6-5
Cruise |
Low Season |
High Season |
7-Night Mexican Riviera/Baja |
$699–1419 |
$1089–1869 |
3-Night Baja Mexico |
$319–369 |
$439–779 |
8-Night Mexican Riviera/Baja |
$729–$1569 |
&729–1569 |
3-Night/4-Day Baja Mexico |
$319–$369 |
$439–$779 |
7-Day Western Caribbean |
$499–$1349 |
$729–$1829 |
