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Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Melinda Crow is a Texas-based freelance writer and guidebook author. From camping to cruising, she's been writing about travel for 30-plus years. Her first cruise was on Carnival’s second ship, Carnivale. She prefers shore excursions involving history, wine or wildlife.
In addition to cruising, Ashley is obsessed with reading, lawn gnomes, pizza, cats, CrossFit, SEO and proper grammar.
also contributed to this story
August 5, 2024 • 12 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
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Quick summary
Cruises to Mexico offer a variety of experiences, from short Pacific Coast getaways to longer Mexican Riviera itineraries, with options for both party-focused and adventure-oriented travelers.
Popular ports include Ensenada, Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, Cozumel, Costa Maya and Progreso, with activities ranging from whale watching and water sports to cultural excursions and culinary experiences.
Major cruise lines operate year-round and seasonal sailings from ports like Los Angeles, San Diego, Galveston and New Orleans, catering to families, couples and solo travelers.
Expedition-style cruises and luxury options are available for those seeking smaller ships or more immersive nature experiences.
What to consider
Some cruises may not require a passport if departing and returning to the same U.S. port, but travelers should verify requirements before booking.
Itineraries vary in length, onboard amenities and port stops, so selecting the right cruise depends on your preferred travel style and interests.
Seasonal availability and ship features can affect the overall experience, with certain activities or destinations only offered at specific times of year.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of top cruise ships, itineraries and unique onboard features to help you choose the best Mexico cruise for your needs.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Cruises to Mexico have an appeal that’s hard to match.
Pacific Coast itineraries cover both Baja California (with stops in Ensenada) and the area farther south considered the Mexican Riviera (featuring the ports of Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta). Where else can you spend the morning whale watching from a small boat, followed by an afternoon of shopping or enjoying authentic Mexican cuisine?
The ports on Mexico’s eastern coast are often lumped together with other Central American ports or island destinations on Western Caribbean cruises. Do a bit of digging, and you can find three- to five-night cruises from Galveston, Texas; New Orleans; and Mobile, Alabama, that visit only Mexican ports, including Cozumel, Costa Maya and Progreso.
Beaches and water sports, as well as eating and drinking, are the primary attractions on cruises to Mexico. Both coasts offer ample opportunity to play in the sun and sand. The best Mexico cruises have lengthy port stops that provide plenty of time to explore, plus time on board the ship to relax and decompress.
You might even be able to cruise to Mexico without a passport if your cruise begins and ends in the same U.S. port.
So, what’s the best cruise to Mexico? Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line run year-round cruises from the Los Angeles area and Galveston ports, while Princess Cruises, Holland America, Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises and Disney Cruise Line offer seasonal cruises to Mexico from the West Coast.
Occasionally, you can find luxury cruises to the Mexican Riviera on lines Regent Seven Seas. Lindblad Expeditions and UnCruise Adventures offer nature-oriented small-ship opportunities in Baja California.
We scoured all the options and came up with the best Mexico cruises to help narrow your choices. Here’s what we found.
3-night Baja cruise on Carnival Radiance
Carnival Radiance. CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE
Carnival Radiance gets the nod for having a year-round schedule of short escapes to Mexico.
Carnival Cruise Line’s west coast Mexico cruises sail from the port of Long Beach, which is a fun destination in its own right, with beaches, water sports and the Aquarium of the Pacific.
Carnival Radiance (formerly Carnival Victory) underwent a complete refit in 2021, adding a dedicated comedy club, top-deck water attractions and the first-ever chicken joint from Shaquille O’Neal, aptly named Big Chicken.
The ship goes to Ensenada and back with one fun day at sea. Water sports and whale watching in winter are among the top activities in Ensenada for Carnival cruisers. For a local lunch in port, order fish tacos; Ensenada claims to have invented the dish. Some also claim Ensenada is the original home of the margarita. Drink enough of those, and it won’t matter if it’s true or not. If margaritas aren’t your thing, there are popular wineries in port worth checking out.
You can also cruise this route on Carnival Firenze, one of Carnival's two "Fun Italian Style" ships (adopted from sister cruise line Costa). However, that ship mainly sails four- and five-night itineraries from Long Beach.
Who should go: It’s no secret that Carnival’s Fun Ships are known as party ships. This short hop to Mexico is ideal for residents of the Western states looking for an escape any time of year. The ship’s atmosphere is enthusiastic and fun, which spills into Ensenada on the single port day of the cruise.
4-night Baja cruise with Catalina Island on Disney Wonder
MATTHEW MICAH/GETTY IMAGES
Disney Wonder is one of Disney Cruise Line's oldest and smallest ships, carrying only 2,700 passengers. However, it’s packed with Disney adventures, including a musical stage production of “Frozen,” character meet-ups and the most family-friendly cabins at sea. Wonder sails to Mexico from San Diego during the fall and winter.
Not every four-night cruise on Wonder includes Catalina Island, but if you can snag one that does, it’s a huge bonus of family fun. Activities in the port of Avalon on Catalina include an amazing zip line course with five lines. Soaring along the island’s hillsides 600 feet above the beaches below, the adventure course takes more than two hours to complete.
If your crew isn’t into high-speed zipping, try a backcountry bison expedition or a relaxing day at the beach. Catalina is a charming island with a European feel, memorable food and a fascinating history. The second port on the itinerary is Ensenada, where the wildlife-watching or beach fun can continue.
Who should go: Disney Wonder is an ideal ship for family cruise travel from the West Coast. Features include the Marvel Superhero Academy inside the Disney Oceaneer Club, the activity space for kids. You’ll have family-friendly accommodations on board, most with split bathrooms (one with toilet and sink, the other with bath-shower combo and sink). Parents have plenty of opportunities to enjoy a night out without the kids, dining at the adults-only Palo specialty restaurant or sampling an adult beverage at the After Hours entertainment district.
5- and 6-night Cabo overnight cruises on Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas
Quantum of the Seas. ROYAL CARIBBEAN
Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the Seas is one of the largest vessels ever to sail from Los Angeles.
Quantum of the Seas carries 4,180 passengers at double occupancy. The ship features skydiving and surfing simulators, a bumper car pavilion, robotic bartenders and laser tag. The ship has so many included and extra-fee dining options that you'll be hard-pressed to try them all on a five- or six-night sailing.
The allure of this itinerary is the overnight in Cabo San Lucas. (The six-nighter also includes a visit to Ensenada.) After all those other cruise ships say adios to Cabo, cruisers can explore the city’s nightlife. Street taco tour, anyone? Tequila flights? How else can you enjoy late-night freshly fried churros on a street corner?
The rest of the trip is all about fun on the ship as you cruise the Pacific Ocean waters.
Who should go: A Mexico cruise on Quantum of the Seas is ideal for big-ship lovers. Myriad flights into Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and the area's smaller regional airports make it accessible to most of the Western states. For Californians who can drive to the port in less than a day, the fun of a beach day in nearby Long Beach before or after the cruise makes this sailing an easy choice.
7-night Mexican Riviera cruise on Discovery Princess
Discovery Princess in the Mexican Riviera. PRINCESS CRUISES
When Princess Cruises’ Discovery Princess isn’t in Alaskan waters, it can be found cruising to the Mexican Riviera from the Los Angeles port at San Pedro.
The seven-night itinerary includes Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta, plus three sea days to enjoy the ship, which carries 3,660 guests. Discovery Princess brings a bit of elegance to the riviera with afternoon tea and the ability to order the Ultimate Balcony Breakfast to your cabin’s private veranda (for an additional charge).
For a true splurge, book one of two Sky Suites on Discovery Princess. Each suite has two bedrooms and a luxurious 1,000-square-foot balcony for unrivaled views.
Who should go: This is the best Mexico cruise for those seeking Princess' relaxed upscale mode of cruising. Children are always welcome on Princess, and there are plenty of connecting rooms and cabin options with third and fourth bunks. Though the ship offers a youth program, don’t expect waterslides and thrill rides. The vibe on board is low-key, and the average age is a bit older when compared to Royal Caribbean or Carnival.
7-night Mexican Riviera cruise on Carnival Panorama
Playa Los Muertos beach in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. WESTEND61/GETTY IMAGES
Carnival Panorama is loaded with Carnival-style fun. From a jaw-dropping, nail-biting ropes course high above the decks to waterslides and an indoor trampoline park, this ship is a crash course in playtime. The seven-night itineraries sail from Long Beach and include the main western Mexico ports of Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta, where the ship stays into the evening hours.
With three sea days, cruisers have plenty of time to enjoy the ship. The best part is that this floating thrill ride cruises this itinerary year-round.
Who should go: It’s a great choice for families with tweens and teens because so many of the onboard activities are geared to them. Couples sailing without kiddos can enjoy adults-only areas like the Serenity sun deck retreat, a plush Cloud 9 Spa and Havana cabins with their exclusive pool deck.
7-night expedition to Baja California with UnCruise
Pelican and kayakers in Baja with Safari Endeavour in the background. UNCRUISE ADVENTURES
UnCruise Adventures does Mexico with an entirely different approach to cruising.
Leave the party ships and the thrill rides behind for an expedition adventure aboard the 66-passenger Safari Voyager. The ship sails from La Paz, Mexico, between January and June, taking passengers in search of gray whales, whale sharks, rays and an amazing variety of sea life, as well as wildlife on dry land.
Activities include kayaking, Zodiac boat rides, snorkeling, hiking and, of course, downtime at the beach. Safari Explorer is somewhat basic in its amenities. You can expect cabins that are quite cozy, but there's ample public space on deck to watch for sealife and meet your fellow passengers.
UnCruise fares include all meals, excursions, equipment, beverages (including alcohol) and airport transfers, leaving you free to enjoy the adventure.
Who should go: This cruise is for physically fit adults and families with kids ages 8-17 seeking adventure in the wilds and waters of Baja California.
10-night Mexico cruise with Cabo overnight on Grand Princess
The Princess Cruises ship Grand Princess. PRINCESS CRUISES
Princess Cruises' 2,600-passenger Grand Princess and 3,080-passenger Emerald Princess sail seasonal 10-night Baja Peninsula & Sea of Cortez itineraries from Los Angeles.
The Grand Class vessels have an intimate feel and are on average 20% smaller than Princess' newer Royal Class ships (such as the previously mentioned Discovery Princess). The interiors revolve around lively, piazza-like atriums with cafes and boast large theaters and multiple restaurants and bars.
Each sailing calls in La Paz, Loreto and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, with an overnight stop in Cabo San Lucas. In La Paz, catch some rays on the soft golden sand and take a dip in the turquoise water, or dive down to see the astonishing underwater world by snorkeling or scuba. In Loreto, step back in time to the 17th century at Mission San Javier with its stunning stained-glass windows and the bell tower of Our Lady of Loreto. Then enjoy the seafood specialties of the area, including tender "chocolate" clams cooked on hot stones (best accompanied by the citrus tang of an authentic margarita). Keep an eye on the sea while you're in these charming towns and you might also spot whales swimming by.
Four sea days allow you to rest up from your adventures ashore.
Who should go: This cruise is for anyone who enjoys exploring port cities more in-depth than what’s offered by a standard port call and who appreciates less of a party atmosphere on board. Daytime activities in Cabo include sport fishing, wildlife watching, boat rides, camel rides, kayaking, parasailing and snorkeling. Add in evening tasting tours, and you’re set.
The best cruises to Mexico are the ones that suit your travel personality. Whether you’re looking for a party atmosphere or adventure, there’s a ship waiting to take you to Mexico any time of year.
Focus your search on round-trip itineraries from major ports in Los Angeles and San Diego. You’ll also find options for cruises to Mexico's west coast from San Francisco. Mexico cruises from Galveston, New Orleans and even Mobile, Alabama, focus on the country's Caribbean shores.
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
