Long Beach, Calif. - The largest operator on the Mexican Riviera, Carnival Cruise Line, said it will continue to offer a robust year-round program in 2016.
The Carnival Miracle sails year-round on three different week-long itineraries from Long Beach, calling at Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan; Cabo San Lucas and a two-day overnight stay in Puerto Vallarta; and Puerto Vallarta and a two-day overnight in Cabo San Lucas.
The Miracle also offers a 13-day Mexican Riviera "Carnival Journeys" voyage to Cabo San Lucas, La Paz, Mazatlan, Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa, Manzanillo and Puerto Vallarta.
At press time, Carnival was finalizing its deployment through spring of 2018.
Princess Cruises sails close to 40 cruises this season, ranging from three-and five-day cruises from Los Angeles to Catalina Island and Ensenada, to seven-day cruises Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas, and eight-day cruises that also call at Manzanillo aboard the Crown Princess and the Ruby Princess.
In addition, the Grand Princess sails 11 10-day cruises from San Francisco, this winter, calling at Los Angeles, San Diego, Cabo San Lucas, La Paz, Loreto and Puerto Vallarta, but only three cruises next year.
For 2017, Princess is cutting back on its Mexican Riviera deployment. The company did not respond to requests for comment.
Norwegian Cruise Line has two ships on the Mexican Riviera: the Norwegian Jewel sailing 26 seven-day cruises from Los Angeles, both this winter and next year, and the Norwegian Sun on three 11-day cruises from San Diego this season and next year.
The Jewel calls at Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas. The Sun calls at Acapulco, Cabo San Lucas, Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa, overnight in Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas.
Norwegian had not published its 2017-2018 program at press time.
Holland America Line sailed six seven-day Mexican Riviera cruises aboard the Veendam in November and December, but will return for 16 seven-day departures from October through March for 2016-2017 and one seven-cruise on the Maasdam in April. Its 2017-2018 program has not been published yet.
Simon Douwes, senior director of deployment and planning, told Cruise Industry News that the increase in Holland America's deployment reflects the good job local authorities have done in addressing the safety concerns of the past and as a result there is higher demand for these itineraries.
Original article