sdf1903 Posted July 26 #1 Share Posted July 26 Hello Cruised the Caribbean a few times and now thinking of trying the Mexican riviera either November 2025 or March 2026. It’s the standard itineraries we are looking at but not sure whether to book or not. Idea is to cruise as part of a few days in the LA and San Diego areas. Perhaps too much of an open question but are these cruises good/popular? Are they likely to be similar to the Caribbean? Travelling from Scotland and don’t know anyone that has ever been that side of the US/Mexico. From what I’ve seen I’m quite keen to try one. Been looking specifically at NCL but doesn’t have to be. thanks steven Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruiserBruce Posted July 26 #2 Share Posted July 26 Are they popular? Well, based on the number of ships in the Mexican Rivera, compared to the number sailing the Caribbean, you wouldn't think them popular, as there is probably 4 or 5 times as many ships in the Caribbean. But they are still attractive...many people love them. For those of us on the West Coast of the US, they are very easy, and reasonably priced. The general nature is similar to the Caribbean, but a little less focus on water sports. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njhorseman Posted July 26 #3 Share Posted July 26 Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta, two of the most commonly visited ports on Mexican Riviera cruises are rather urban. The atmosphere in these fairly large cities, and even in Cabo San Lucas is far different than it is in lesser populated places in the Caribbean like the US or British Virgin Islands or Sint Maarten. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theosprey247 Posted July 26 #4 Share Posted July 26 There is more variety of activities for you to do in the Mexican Rivera than the Caribbean. The Caribbean has it beat in beaches, but that’s about it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Hlitner Posted July 27 #5 Share Posted July 27 When we want a cruise for sun/sand/ and relaxation, we head to the Caribbean. When we want a winter home, we live on the Mexican Riviera (Puerto Vallarta). Would we recommend flying from Europe to our west coast to take a Mexican Riviera cruise? Probably not. But, if you happen to be on the west coast, and like to cruise, than the Mexican Riviera is a great option. Another alternative is taking a Panama Canal cruise that gets you some of the Caribbean, Central America, Hank 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdf1903 Posted July 27 Author #6 Share Posted July 27 1 hour ago, Hlitner said: When we want a cruise for sun/sand/ and relaxation, we head to the Caribbean. When we want a winter home, we live on the Mexican Riviera (Puerto Vallarta). Would we recommend flying from Europe to our west coast to take a Mexican Riviera cruise? Probably not. But, if you happen to be on the west coast, and like to cruise, than the Mexican Riviera is a great option. Another alternative is taking a Panama Canal cruise that gets you some of the Caribbean, Central America, Hank Thanks Hank. That’s interesting and I think you might be right about the Panama Canal. We have been looking at that this morning and considering that as an alternative 👍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATSEAMYLIFE Posted July 28 #7 Share Posted July 28 On 7/27/2024 at 7:38 AM, Hlitner said: Would we recommend flying from Europe to our west coast to take a Mexican Riviera cruise? Probably not. Hank Totally agree, coming from Europe much better to do one of the many itineraries in the Caribbean. For the best of both worlds do a Panama Cannel cruise from San Juan to California. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfaaa Posted July 29 #8 Share Posted July 29 If you like history, Panama cruise is a must. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATSEAMYLIFE Posted August 5 #9 Share Posted August 5 On 7/28/2024 at 7:31 AM, ATSEAMYLIFE said: Totally agree, coming from Europe much better to do one of the many itineraries in the Caribbean. For the best of both worlds do a Panama Cannel cruise from San Juan to California. We did a full transit from San Juan to San Francisco. But if I was to do it again I would just do a partial transit from the Caribbean side. After a few locks it's like watching paint dry. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike45LC Posted August 5 #10 Share Posted August 5 4 hours ago, ATSEAMYLIFE said: After a few locks it's like watching paint dry. Just treat it as another Sea Day, and enjoy the ship. I advise others, but I can't do it. I am outside on the balcony or a nice viewing area on deck glued to my binoc's looking for wildlife. But I agree that after the first lock, the excitement pales. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATSEAMYLIFE Posted August 5 #11 Share Posted August 5 1 minute ago, Mike45LC said: Just treat it as another Sea Day, and enjoy the ship. I advise others, but I can't do it. I am outside on the balcony or a nice viewing area on deck glued to my binoc's looking for wildlife. But I agree that after the first lock, the excitement pales. Bigger issue for me is the Caribbean side is much prettier than the Pacific side. I would just as soon stay there. I would like to see the new cannel. I think recently there's been an issue with water flow into the locks due to drought. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njhorseman Posted August 5 #12 Share Posted August 5 7 hours ago, ATSEAMYLIFE said: We did a full transit from San Juan to San Francisco. But if I was to do it again I would just do a partial transit from the Caribbean side. After a few locks it's like watching paint dry. You're entitled to your opinion, but I've taken six full transits and I've found or learned something new each time. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njhorseman Posted August 6 #13 Share Posted August 6 2 hours ago, ATSEAMYLIFE said: Bigger issue for me is the Caribbean side is much prettier than the Pacific side. I would just as soon stay there. I would like to see the new cannel. I think recently there's been an issue with water flow into the locks due to drought. If you're bored transiting the original locks then you're certainly not going to find the new locks very interesting as there's less to see. Yes, there have been restrictions on the number of ships permitted to transit the canal on any one day due to drought, but rainfall has recently increased and the canal authorities have been increasing the number of permitted daily transits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATSEAMYLIFE Posted August 6 #14 Share Posted August 6 2 minutes ago, njhorseman said: If you're bored transiting the original locks then you're certainly not going to find the new locks very interesting as there's less to see. Yes, there have been restrictions on the number of ships permitted to transit the canal on any one day due to drought, but rainfall has recently increased and the canal authorities have been increasing the number of permitted daily transits. Good to know, but I have other places to see and to little time. I can't see doing any cruise six times especially the Panama. We did Alaska three times from different embarkation/debarkation ports and Alaska never disappoints. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njhorseman Posted August 6 #15 Share Posted August 6 9 minutes ago, ATSEAMYLIFE said: Good to know, but I have other places to see and to little time. I can't see doing any cruise six times especially the Panama. We did Alaska three times from different embarkation/debarkation ports and Alaska never disappoints. None of the six cruises that included Panama Canal transits were the same, They were six long cruises of three to over five weeks duration each that happened to include a Panama Canal transit as one day of the cruise. On one the ship also made a port call at Fuerte Amador on the Pacific side, which gave passengers a day to explore Panama. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATSEAMYLIFE Posted August 6 #16 Share Posted August 6 3 minutes ago, njhorseman said: On one the ship also made a port call at Fuerte Amador on the Pacific side, which gave passengers a day to explore Panama. We stopped there on an unscheduled port stop so the crew could all go buy electronics. They all came back carrying TV's, computers, stereo's, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njhorseman Posted August 6 #17 Share Posted August 6 17 minutes ago, ATSEAMYLIFE said: We stopped there on an unscheduled port stop so the crew could all go buy electronics. They all came back carrying TV's, computers, stereo's, etc. Buying electronics...that sounds like the stop was at Colon on the Atlantic side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATSEAMYLIFE Posted August 6 #18 Share Posted August 6 29 minutes ago, njhorseman said: Buying electronics...that sounds like the stop was at Colon on the Atlantic side. My mistake it was Balboa where we stopped. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now