Mexican Riviera Heating Up as Cruise Destination
 Diane Tierney - The Star
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| | Sun and sand just two of the many temptations awaiting travellers. |
You can watch for whales, fish for marlin and swim with sea lions on a Mexican Riviera cruise.
Mexico has a fascinating marine life of super-sized mammals and fish, as well as death-defying cliff divers, a sizzling nightlife, fascinating archeological sites, great souvenir shopping and sugary beaches. It's no wonder the Cruise Holidays 2007 Travel Trends Survey showed Mexican Riviera cruises jumped from fifth to third place in popularity.
In 2006, cruises to Mexico trailed behind the Caribbean, Alaska, Europe and Hawaii, but this year, Mexico danced its way into third. Why? Cruises to this region offer good value for a sunny holiday with plenty to see and do.
Prices start for as low as $599 (U.S.) per person for a week with Princess Cruises (airfare excluded), making a cruise an affordable vacation choice at an all-inclusive floating resort.
Holland America and Princess are just two of many lines spicing up their itineraries.
Holland America offers more than 40 Mexico cruises sailing round trip from San Diego next year. The line is highlighting Mexico's Sea of Cortez in 2008 by increasing the number of 10-day cruises it offers aboard the Ryndam to the region. There are now 15 choices, four more than in 2007.
The cruises offer viewing of sea lions and whales as well as shore excursions to such scenic treasures as Mexico's Copper Canyon. This rail journey is considered by many to be one of the most spectacular in the world, climbing to 7,200 feet (533 metres) above sea level.
The Oosterdam continues its popular, seven-day cruises, with 28 voyages in 2008. The line offers seven-day cruises departing Jan. 5 through April 19 and Oct. 4 through Dec. 27, including two holiday-season sailings. Ports visited include Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán, La Paz, Cabo San Lucas, Topolobampo and Loreto.
Puerto Vallarta has busy markets and fine shops that complement the town's colonial charm. Mazatlán is famous for its beautiful beaches and resort flair. In Cabo San Lucas, passengers can go sea kayaking, whale watching, snorkelling at nearby Los Islotes (home to a sea lion colony), sport fishing for tuna, marlin and billfish at La Paz, and scuba diving.
Cruise fares start at $999 (U.S.) per person, double occupancy, without airfare. For more information call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (877-724-5425) or visit www.hollandamerica.com
Princess Cruises has been sailing to Mexico for more than 40 years. Passengers can choose from many shore excursions, such as salsa dancing/salsa cooking classes, being a dolphin trainer for a day, yacht racing and more.
The Sapphire and the Star sail from both Los Angeles and San Francisco. Together, the two floating resorts offer 38 Mexican journeys, with seven-day or 10-day vacations. The Sapphire sails from Los Angeles, with 32 departures between Sept. 27, 2008 and May 2, 2009. This favourite seven-day roundtrip route takes in the ports of Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas. The Star sails a more in-depth exploration of the Mexican Riviera with 10-day cruises from San Francisco, calling at Acapulco, Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas. The ship sails between Oct. 11, 2008 and April 27, 2009.
Early booking fares begin at $599 per person, based on double occupancy, for seven-day sailings, without airfare.
For information call 1-800-PRINCESS, visit www.princess.com.
Diane Tierney is a freelance writer based in Oakville, Ont. |
Vallarta Weddings
Travel & Outdoors | August 2007 
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