Mexican Riveria Which Ship is best?

We're trying to plan our next cruise. Just my husband and myself age 37 and we're trying to figure out the best cruiseline/ship to Mexico. We've been on the 4-day RCI twice and Carnival once. Any input from someone who has tried Princess, RCI, NC or Carnival to the mexican riveria would be helpful. Also, what's the best time of year to go there weather wise?

Thanks, Lisa

We are also looking at doing the Mexican Riveria. Have been on NCL, Princess and RCI. Liked Princess the best but a'm looking at Celebrity in Oct. Fall is the best time as far as i concern. Kids are back in school and it's before the snowbirds show up and the weather is still very warm. Parents were in Mazatlan last October and the said it was great and quit. For me it's between Celebrity and Princess. Celebrity goes out of San diego on there 11 day, better than L.A.

Can you tell me what you liked beter about Princess than RCI? I'd appreciate any input. Thanks, Lisa

Doing 10 day Celebrity Summit 10 day Mexican Riveria Sept 30 2005 I think you all should join us!:D

Other than that each line offers slightly different styles so if you have preferences choose that if not choose on time and price!

happy cruisin

We did the Diamond Princess Mexican Riviera itinerary this April 2005 with our two children. We loved Princess, loved the itinerary and loved the PAX mix. My kids and I really enjoyed the freshwater pools and pottery painting. My kids couldn't say enough about the kids' program. I could go on and on about why we enjoyed Princess.....

My only comparison are two cruises on the NCL Dawn- one out of NY that was okay and a Western Caribbean which we really enjoyed.

We liked Princess so much we've booked next April 2006 vacation on the Coral Princess.

As for time of year, we're tied to April school vacation.........our weather was terrific but you may have more choices!!! Also, we need to choose a cruise line that is appropriate for kids when we're travelling with our kids. Our choice may be different when we finally take an adult only vacation, but I think I'd still stick with a Princess ship!

Good luck!

We're taking the Summit out of LAX (San Pedro) on 10/10/05 for a 7 day Mexican Riviera Cruise. We have 3 sea days and 3 port days. Cabo, P.V. and Mazaltan. We love Celebrity and the Summit is a great ship.

Mari

You are right, the Summit is beautiful! We did a 10 day Southern Caribbean on her last year. Did you go to the Normandie? I still drool when I think of the goat cheese souffle!!! My husband laughed at me about that one until he tasted it. LOL Anyway, we were going to do that trip as well, but the Vision worked out better for us in October (different week), so we will be roughing it...ha! ha! I say that because we had a Concierge Balcony on the Summit and we are booked in an oceanview deck 3 on the Vision and I hear those are kind of cramped. But...who cares, any day on a cruise is better than a day at work!!! At any rate, enjoy the Summit, she is a beauty and the service truly is fabulous! Linda

P.S. We were lucky enough to get invited to the Captain's Table for dinner, what a great experience. Don't know how we rated that one, but if it ever happens again, we'll be some happy cruisers!

Cabo-do lovers beach or medano beach or just drink onshore

Mazatlan-gotta do randis happy horses or if not into horses then goto goldern zone and drink margaritas

Puerta Vallaerta-go downtown to malecon to visit and drink up ambience or go to krystal hotel for massage and swim in pools with margaritas or go see where night of iguana was filmed long time ago....here are some pics to entice you also ses our pics from mercury on this site to get another view....

http://community.webshots.com/album/330890473AhasNk

We have been 2 there, once on Statendam of HAL and once on Mercury of Celebrity Lines. I loved them both. Check their itinary and prices.

Passengers of all ages, we had great table mates, loved it.

We have been there on RCI, Carnival and Princess. All were great. We took Celebrity to Hawaii and that was great too. This year we are going on NCL to Mexico. We have not found a line that we have hated yet. All have different pros and cons, but in the end, all are GREAT! Good luck deciding.:)

Personally for the money HAL,s MS Oosterdam is actually quite good. HAL is not just for the older folks any more.:D

Went on the Carnival three times to Mexico..

Elation..Oct.

Elation..Dec.

Pride..Jan.

Rccl once..

Vision of the Seas..March.

Panama cruise that went to Cabo in Dec. too..that Dec cruise

hotter than the other Dec. cruise.

Oct. was the warmest cruise (80's to 90's)

The other months (70's to 80's)

Of course all different years.

You just take your chances with the weather what ever

month you choose. You'll have a GREAT time!

Had a great time on ALL of the cruises!

See a few of you have been on the Summit.

Going on this ship in April 2006..two week Hawaii out

of San Pedro.

Can't wait!

Which did you prefer RCI or Carnival?

I'll toss in a recommendation for NCL's Star. A well laid out, well maintained ship. We like her well enough we've cruised on her twice.

We took her last Christmas to the Mexican Riviera, and although Cabo is far enough north that the weather was a bit cooler, the other three ports were shorts and tanktops all the way. Personally I think winter or fall is a good time to do this cruise. There's just something about sporting a tan in the dead of winter.

Age wise, NCL tends to get a pretty diverse mix. NCL is also a bit more laid back with their freestyle cruising.

I don't think you can go too far wrong with any of the cruise lines that do the Mexican Riviera. It's a good itinerary.

How about joining us on the Sapphire Princess on New Years Eve. We took the Coral Princess last year to the Panama Canal on New Years and loved it so much that we booked the Sapphire this year. It leaves L.A. on New Years eve day for the Mexican Riviera. I have read so many good reviews about this ship

We did the 7 night on the Vision in May (Cabo, Mazatlan and PV) and loved it. We booked the NCL Star for Oct (Acapulco, Ixtapa, PV and Cabo) for their 8 night. Wanted a different ship and slightly different itinerary. Really wanted to go back to Cabo and PV and do more exploring since we really liked both places. Mazatlan was nice but our least fav of the three. Looking forward to the new itineraries in Oct for more new places.

Vision is a smaller ship but still nice and big so you dont feel crowded. The Star is bigger and seems to have more to offer (and looking forward to giving Freestyle dining a try).

I suggest just checking the amenities on each ship you are considering as well as the ports (and time at each port). Regardless of which one you go with, the Mexican Riviera is a great trip!

We're doing the 10-day Mexican Riveria cruise on the Dawn Princess in November. You get the 3 usual Mex Riveria stops plus San Diego and Catalina Island. We live in the Bay Area so no flights necessary! If not from Bay Area, then think about visit to SF pre or post-cruise. It's a great city!! The price is ridiculously cheap right now - $750 pp for a 10 day cruise! I've been on sister ship Sun Princess, which was terrific, so expecting great things from Dawn.

I am putting together a 8 night Cruise Critic Group Cruise aboard the NCL Star 04/02/06. We have stops in Acapulco, Ixtapa, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo. I have been to two out of the four ports so I am excited about the getting to go somewhere new. This is over Spring Break and it is shaping up to be a good group. We have 7 cabins so far including four families. If you would like more info drop me an email, natesfirewife@yahoo.com , or check out the link in my signature. Our group name is "Shooters and Stargaritas" and it's going to be one great party. :) I have taken the Vision (RCCL) to Mexico and personally I like my ships a little bigger. After being on the Radiance Class I just found that there wasn't as much to do or eat!

Misty

We went on a Thanksgiving cruise to mexico last year. Loved it -now we are doing it again on the Sapphire. However we are princess and windjammer devotees.

Hello!

My husband and I cruised on the Diamond Princess in November '04. It was a beautiful ship..... we celebrated our 15th Anniversary. The food was delicious, Sabatini's was so relaxing and there was mucho food... seemed like it never ended!! The pizza place by the pool was our usual stop for lunch :) The rooms (we had a balcony) were so nice, the only small problem was the shower... my husband is 6'4" and had some "issues" with the size of the shower stall, it was fine for me @ 5'0"!!. The "nightlife" was kind of subdued, ended up dancing by ourselves at the nightclub?! Not many children, although it was not Summer or a Holiday time. We booked all our excursions through Princess.... @ Puerto Vallara we took the Jungle Hike w/Lunch on a beach... it was so fun, nothing formal, great food, PRETTY SCENERY, and a beautiful beach! In Mazatlan we did the Deer Island Kayak Tour, The Kayaking was fun and the Island was pretty.... only a small amount of snacks were offered.... wish it was as plentiful as the Puerto Vallarta Tour! We did the ATV tour in Cabo..... it was in the "Desert" so was not as scenic but my husband LOVES Dirt Biking and ATV's so this was his favorite pick.... went to Cabo Wabo and the mall after. They were kind enough to let us off at the mall and give us directions to Cabo Wabo... I feel Princess is a perfect choice for a romantic couple's cruise.... we want to take our children (13 and 8) on a cruise next summer.... probably will choose Royal Carribean or Carnival just because they seem to have more families aboard! One last tip.... might want to visit the Casino in the a.m., my husband won a $550 Jackpot on the slots... only spend $1.50?? We are usually not lucky people so this was a special treat, it was the last day of our cruise so we actually came home with $$$$$. Enjoy whatever you choose!!! Cruising is Wonderful!!!

Robin

We are book on the Dawn Princess for Oct 31st. Have been on sister ship Sun Princess, Coral Princess......just the right size. Also been on Grand Princess, but found it a little too big. The thing I love best is the Personal Choice Dining....because when on a cruise I find early seating is too early and late is too late LOLOL. Don't think Princess could ever disappoint.

Angie

I think you'll have a good time regardless of the ship but I think we liked Vision the best out of the one's we've taken.

We have done Princess, RCL, and Celebrity and each has its own little things you like and dislike. I have never had a cruise I didn't enjoy.:)

'97- Nordic Empress Bahamas

99 Monarch of Seas Southern Carribean

2001 Sun Princess Alaska

2003 Century Eastern Carribean

2004 Grand Princess Medterreanan

2005 Sovereign of Seas Bahamas

I think you really need to look at time in port and what ports the ships stop at. We have only been on RCCL but in April are going on the NCL Star with the CC Group Cruise. We picked this one because it had one more night and instead of Mazatlan we stop in Acapulco and Ixtapa. We were not that impressed with Mazatlan the last time and are looking forward to new ports. We fell in Love with Puerto Vallarta on a land trip about four years ago and we travel there once a year. Then we tried Cabo and decided that was good too, but better without the kids!

Any questions about our Cruise Critic Group Cruise in April? Drop me an email, natesfirewife@yahoo.com .

Misty

would love to go on this New years cruise. But, what about the $. Please contact me @ rpinphx@cox.net if you have a group going or know of a good agent.

Thanks

Robyn