Several cruise lines offer voyages to the Mexican Riviera including the following: Royal Caribbean, Princess Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Holland America, Norwegian Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line and Crystal Cruises. Cruise trip durations will vary with each different cruise line, but most will offer a minimum of four days to a maximum of 14 days. If you don't live near your departure city, you will want to book your airfare ticket as soon as possible, at least 10 days to 2 weeks in advance for the best possible flying rates.
Your least expensive time of year to take a cruise is November to March as this is the tourism off-season. Late spring (April and May) would also be a better time to sail, but the prices will be a bit higher as they are during the high tourism season (June to August) when the weather is at its warmest. Warmer weather also brings about more travelers too, so you must weigh your options and choose what time of year would be best for your budget and family.
The ports of call you'll visit are on the Western-Pacific coast of Mexico. The most common stops made are to Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta and Acapulco. During the high tourism season, many of these ports are known as "party towns". If you're traveling here solo with friends or as a couple, this may be the perfect time for you. If you plan to travel here with family, the off-season voyages may be more your speed. Several of the ports offer scenic tours such as whale watching, snorkeling, swimming with dolphins, or perhaps if you're truly adventurous, you may want to tackle a cliff diving excursion.
Since you'll be traveling outside of the United States, a passport is required. Another must-bring item is your personal identification containing your picture; either a driver's license or student ID is recommended for when you stop off in port. You will want to carry both of these identifications with you no matter where you go. The sun's rays are strong in this part of the world, so another must-bring item is a good sunscreen. For even if it's overcast outside, the sun's rays can still be damaging to your skin.
Weather is not usually a factor when traveling to the Mexican Riviera, as it's fairly consistent, never falling below temperatures in the lower 70s. But to ensure you avoid hurricane season, it would be wise not to travel here from June to October.
