With most major cruise lines offering stops along the Mexican Caribbean or Riviera, here’s how to choose which itinerary to book.
All major cruise lines—Carnival, Princess, and Royal Caribbean, to name just three—sailing in Mexico offer two itineraries. You can either sail up and down the Mexican Riviera via the Pacific Ocean—often departing out of the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro, 22 miles south of LAX—or cruise the Mexican Caribbean, along the Caribbean Sea from Cancun to Puerto Morelos (often referred to as Riviera Maya), likely departing out of South Florida (Fort Lauderdale or Miami).
Since it’s rare you’ll find a cruise traveling both coasts in a single sailing, this forces an impossible decision. You must pick one over the other. The Mexican Caribbean and Riviera offer beaches, water sports, arts and culture, and amazing food. Read on to discover the best choice for you, plus nitty-gritty details such as swimming conditions at the beach, shore excursions, landscapes and vistas, and local culture. But first, let’s define the regions and what towns are in each.