Odyssey of the Seas is likely the first of many cruise ships that will reroute to avoid the popular port of Valencia, Spain, in the coming days to weeks while the region recovers from one of its biggest natural disasters in decades.
The city, which is located on the east coast of the Iberian Peninsula on the Mediterranean Sea, took the brunt of a severe storm that brought a year’s worth of rain in just one day.
This resulted in significant damage to infrastructure and loss of life – with the death toll reaching over 200 as of November 1, 2024.
With this in mind, Royal Caribbean has opted to cancel Odyssey of the Seas’ scheduled call on Valencia, which was scheduled for November 6, 2024, and will impact the cruise embarkingfrom Rome, Italy, on November 3, 2024.
Instead, the passengers of the Quantum-class vessel will spend the day in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, which is about 177 nautical miles to the east of Valencia.
“Recently, Valencia experienced severe flash flooding making it difficult to navigate the area. As a result, and to provide you with the best experience, we’ll need to skip our visit to Valencia, Spain, and enjoy a day in Palma de Mallorca, Spain instead,”Royal Caribbean wrote to impacted guests.
“We’re terribly sorry for the last-minute change – the safety and well-being of our guests, crew, and the communities we visit are always our top priority,”continued the letter.
Aside from this understandable change, the rest of the 14-night Transatlantic sailingis expected to unfold as scheduled.
The cruise, which primarily features sea days, will also call on Barcelona, Spain; Cartagena, Spain; Malaga, Spain; and Funchal, Madeira; before disembarking in New York City on November 17.
The Impact on Cruise Tourism
The Valencia cruise port, which has two berths capable of accommodating the world’s largest mega ships, is still able to safely dock cruise ships. However, the city itself is not yet able to welcome the thousands of tourists they bring with its usual fanfare.
On October 31, 2024, MSC Seaside became the first vessel to visit the port since the flash flooding began – which largely took place to allow for pre-scheduled disembarkation and embarkation of guests.
“Considering these exceptional circumstances, we strongly recommend that transit guests remain onboard and enjoy MSC Seaside’s amenities as the city has been devastated by the flood, with infrastructure and services massively disrupted,”Captain Danilo Cha wrote in a letter to current passengers.
Indeed, there is significant damage to roads and structures within the city, along with power outages, with many areas still flooded and inaccessible.
This also means that public transportation, from the high-speed rail service to the shuttle buses that usually drive guests the 2.5 miles from the dock to the city center, is also out of commission for the time being.
Throughout the month of November, the port is scheduled to welcome at least one cruise ship per day, almost daily.
Holland America’s Oosterdam, Celebrity Equinox, MSC Explora 2, Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas, and Fred. Olsen’s Borealis are just a sampling of the ships listed on the port schedule for the next week alone.
As it will likely take weeks to months to repair the damage caused by the flooding, it’s unclear if more ships will alter course like Odyssey of the Seas, or if some will come as planned for a modified visit like MSC Seaside.
With two back-to-back sailings cancelled for Regal Princess due to undisclosed technical difficulties, future cruisers have been anxiously waiting to find out if a third voyage would be scrapped.
The week-long Western Caribbean sailings that were scheduled to embark from Galveston, Texas, on October 27, 2024 and November 3, 2024, were both cancelled at the last minute – with passengers of the first voyage only learning the news two days before they were due to set sail.
But thankfully, Princess Cruises had some good news to share. In an update released on November 1, 2024, the Carnival-owned brand confirmed that the next sailing – another 7-night Western Caribbean cruise – will be able to go ahead as planned on November 10.
“Repairs on Regal Princess are progressing as planned in preparation for her scheduled November 10 departure from Galveston,”shared the cruise line.
“We are actively communicating with guests booked on this voyage to keep them informed. Our team remains focused on ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience, and we look forward to welcoming guests aboard,”continued the statement.
The 3,560-passenger ship will be operating a week-long cruise to Cozumel, Mexico; Costa Maya, Mexico; and Roatan Island, Honduras – and will continue to offer identical itineraries with Galveston as her homeport until mid-January 2025.
In fact, the two cancelled sailings would have been her first two voyages based out of her Texan homeport – as the vessel was in the middle of making her way to Texas from Southampton, U.K., when things started going wrong onboard.
While the cruise line has not confirmed the exact nature of the technical errors that temporarily removed the 2014-launched ship from service, it’s likelyconnected to an engine room firethat occurred during her recent Transatlantic crossing and subsequent power outages that happened later in the sailing.
Princess Cruises Increases the Compensation
Understandably, the guests who had been looking forward to their cruise vacations were disappointed by the last-minute cancellation.
Initially, Princess Cruises tried to make things right by providing guests with a full refund of their cruise fare and shore excursions reserved through the cruise line, and offered guests a 25% credit to use on a future booking.
They also offered to cover nonrefundable airfare change fees of up to $200 per person. But for some, this gesture wasn’t enough to match the inconvenience and disappointment they felt.
“You cancelled our cruise less than two days prior. 10 of us had this planned for over a year. You think 25% cruise credit covers this?!?”, one frustrated cruiser, who was supposed to be on the October 27 sailing, posted on X.
Perhaps in response to the online criticism, Princess also announced that they would be doubling the 25% future cruise credit to 50%.
“As a gesture of goodwill, guests who were affected by the cancellations of the October 27 and November 3 sailings will receive an increased Future Cruise Credit (FCC), raised from 25% to 50% of their original cruise fare,”the cruise line said in a statement.
“This enhanced FCC will be automatically applied to guest accounts and can be used for bookings made by May 31, 2025, and sailing by May 31, 2026,” continued the memo.
Most likely, if cruisers rebooked on Regal Princess in the future, they probably wouldn’t encounter this same issue – especially if it really is connected to a freak incident, like an engine room fire.
Regal Princess generally has a good reputation. At only around 10 years old, she is still fairly young, and underwent a refurbishment in 2017.
That said, cruise ships operate 24/7 all year long, and sometimes things simply go wrong – although the crew members do work hard to maintain the ships.
If you’re on the fence about booking that next cruise, Royal Caribbean is going to make it easier by giving you more time to hold a booking before pulling the trigger.
On October 28, 2024, Royal Caribbean officially changed its courtesy hold policy, which lets guests and travel advisors temporarily hold reservations without a deposit.
The new guidelines give cruisers up to five days to book a held itinerary.
“We are pleased to share an update to our courtesy hold policy aimed at providing a more streamlined booking experience, making your bookings easier to manage, and encouraging your clients to finalize their reservations earlier,”the cruise line stated in a letter to travel advisors.
“The amount of time allotted for a courtesy hold is dependent upon the number of days prior to sailing,”Royal Caribbean said, while also pointing out that it will no longer offer extensions, so once the hold period ends, a deposit is required to keep the booking.
Royal Caribbean previously allowed potential guests to hold a booking with no deposit for 24 or 48 hours. The booking hold guaranteed a cabin selection and cruise price would not be lost, giving passengers the opportunity to sleep on it before committing.
Under the revised policy, the hold time varies on how close the sail date is. For trips within the next 30 days, there’s no hold time – meaning the reservation must be confirmed with a deposit to secure.
However, sailings 31 to 45 days out can be held for one day, those 46 to 90 days out can be held for two days, and those more than 91 days out get the full five days.
Booking deposits have to be received before the courtesy hold window closed, as was the case under the old policy.
“Please note that any booking created before October 28th will be honored under the existing option date policy,” added the cruise line.
The courtesy hold updates affect only FIT (Free Independent Traveler) bookings, which are individual reservations.
Group bookings will continue to follow the existing deposit schedule, which allows for holds for 30 days without deposits. (Although groups requiring 16 or more staterooms are required to pay an initial deposit of $50 per stateroom.)
The Advantage of Courtesy Holds
Courtesy hold policies are common features among cruise lines and airlines, allowing guests to temporarily reserve a space without committing to a deposit. These policies give potential cruisers a window to make decisions or coordinate with fellow passengers and finalize their plans.
Royal Caribbean Amenities (Photo Credit: Marathon Media)
These holds offer benefits to both the passenger and the cruise lines. For guests, a courtesy hold can reduce the pressure of making an instant decision, giving them time to verify travel documents, align with other travelers, and confirm availability at work or other personal responsibilities.
It also allows passengers not to miss out on special sales and travel deals with limited booking timeframes advertised to inspire cruising when they weren’t actively seeking to plan a voyage.
Cruise lines also benefit by improving the booking experience, reducing the likelihood of late cancellations, and minimizing overbookings, so this new policy is a win-win for cruisers and Royal Caribbean alike.
With the new courtesy hold, Royal Caribbean one-upped its competitors. Other lines, such as Norwegian Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line, and Celebrity Cruises offer courtesy holds for 48 hours.
Carnival Cruise Line fans are not happy. Looks like AARP changed its discount available for members of Carnival Cruise Line, lowering the rate from 10 percent to 8 percent off.
This translates to a $92 price tag for a $100 Carnival gift card and $460 for a $500 card, where previously, the savings allowed members to buy the same $100 card for $90.
Initially, some cruisers logged onto AARP and found gift cards for the cruise line missing altogether.
The sudden change sparked angry discussions on social media, where members voiced disappointment, even reaching out to Carnival Cruise Line’s Brand Ambassador, John Heald, with not-so-kind feedback.
“I received a large amount of bollockings this morning about a change to the percentage of something to do with the gift cards,”he posted on his page. “This has nothing to do with the cruise line.”
“That’s what happens when thousands of cruisers listen to tips in this group and sign up for AARP. Supply and demand,”wrote a cruiser on a public Facebook page not operated by Carnival Cruise Line.
“Getting a $500 gift card for $460 is still awesome though,” the passenger went on to say. “Still saving and happy to be cruising.”
Although Heald went on to say the gift cards rates are determined “by the people that distribute them,” AARP’s discounts are created in partnership with various companies, including cruise lines.
As some noted, the discounts can come and go and fluctuate due to demand and cruise ship availability, just as regular discounts are offered by the cruise lines themselves.
How Rewards Offer Savings
AARP, typically reserved for ages 50 and older, offers its members the opportunity to purchase discounted digital gift cards for various retailers and services through its AARP Rewards program, a special loyalty program that members need to enroll in.
These gift cards, of which only five per month can be purchased, can be redeemed for cruise bookings and onboard spending just like cash, helping cruise guests save money on travel.
However, AARP clearly defines the Carnival Cruise Line gift cards are a “limited time offer, while supplies last.”
AARP Carnival Gift Card
Members of AARP can also find discounts under their membership benefits, along with savings in various categories beyond travel, such as entertainment, health and wellness, and dining.
The company also features Limited Time Deals. For example, a current Limited Time Deal provides free Surf Wi-Packages on 2025 Grand Voyages of Holland America Line, while a standard Cruise Deal features up to $200 onboard credit on select cruises on the same cruise line.
AARP’s travel discounts, for the most part, are pretty decent. Members can find coupons and online offers and also link their membership to participating travel brands to rack up rewards points. It advertises that it saved its members $580 million in everyday and travel discounts in 2023.
But, AARP works much like credit card rewards programs, which may offer their own discounts and gift card options. Anyone attempting to score a cruise deal should scour through each of their memberships and credit cards to find the best deals, not to mention travel agents, booking engines, and the cruise lines themselves.
Carnival Cruise Line, for example, is currently offering a sale through Sunday, November 3, 2024, with up to 40 percent off sailings through April 2027 with free room upgrades and 50 percent off deposits.
A discount is a discount. Enjoy them when you can find them!
Everyone wants to relax on a cruise vacation, and for some travelers, that means the ability to lounge in comfort with a cozy robe. But who gets robes on Carnival cruise ships?
Having a fresh robe hanging in the closet is a well-known perk for suite guests, but it isn’t limited to just passengers who book these elite staterooms.
The question of who gets a robe was brought to the attention of John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line’s Brand Ambassador, by a concerned guest ready to set sail who wants to be able to relax in such a cozy style.
“We will be staying in a standard ocean view cabin on the Miracle,”the guest explained.“I was told on our roll call that there will be no bathrobes in the room and they are only for suites. When did Carnival become class-based? Are me and my [girlfriend] not good enough to get a bathrobe?”
Roll calls are often social media groups, pages, or forums for guests booked on the same sailing to connect. Unfortunately, these groups can be filled with false information and rumors, leading to misunderstandings.
Heald responds to hundreds of inquiries, questions, and comments nearly every day, often debunking such misinformation – including about Carnival Cruise Line’s comfy bathrobes.
“Thank you and just to confirm that everyone, regardless of the room you book can ask your brilliant cabin attendant for a bathrobe and one shall be given,”he said.“Oh and by the way, I am working with the beards on getting bigger sizes as well.”
While bathrobes may automatically be placed in suite staterooms, anyone onboard a Carnival ship – regardless of their stateroom category – can request a robe to enjoy.
Carnival’s robes are a cozy honeycomb weave in a velour fabric, with “Carnival” embroidered on the front. Each robe has two front pockets and a thick, matching cord for adjustable closure. The robes are available for purchase for $58.95 each, and make a great gift for cruise lovers and Carnival fans.
But do people really use the robes onboard Carnival ships? Every so often, passengers might spy a robe-clad relaxed guest heading to or from the ship’s spa, and the robes are often seen around the pools or even casually in the buffet.
Many guests responded to the original commenter, noting that they enjoy wearing the robes while sipping coffee on their balconies.
Other popular uses include snuggling up to watch Dive-In movies on the pool deck, relaxing in the adults-only Serenity area onboard, or just an afternoon nap by the pool.
Why Aren’t Robes Still in Most Staterooms?
The guest’s confusion about “no bathrobes in the room and they are only for suites” may be from past experiences. Years ago, bathrobes were automatically placed in different categories of staterooms, including all balconies and ocean views.
In recent years, however, the cruise line has discontinued that distribution in part to cut down on laundry. Even if robes were not used during a cruise, it would be necessary to ensure they were cleaned between sailings so they were sanitary for the next guests.
By making robes available by request only, a tremendous amount of laundry can be saved, conserving water, detergent, and crew members’ time.
Furthermore, by removing unused robes from staterooms, guests’ closet space is maximized and unwanted robes will not be taking up either closet or hanger space.
In addition to cozy bathrobes, there are other items any Carnival cruise guest can request for their stateroom, no matter what type of cabin they have booked.
Extra pillows or blankets, softer mattress pads, extra towels, more hangers, and buckets of ice are all popular requests, and cabin attendants can provide any of them upon asking.
Have you ever enjoyed a Carnival cruise robe? What about other requests in your stateroom? Share your luxury tips on the Cruise Hive boards!
While some brands are stricter than others, most guest-facing companies – on land and at sea – have a dress code in place that they deem appropriate for their employees.
In Carnival Cruise Line’s case, this usually comes in the form of uniforms while working, practicing good personal hygiene and grooming, and wearing appropriate outfits even when off duty in guest areas.
However, one recent guest felt this didn’t go far enough and wanted to know Carnival’s stance about tattoos, which this particular person felt shouldn’t be seen by guests.
“I’m curious about tattoos in Carnival’s employee rule book…Many of the crew – our head waiter even – was covered in tattoos. Is Carnival allowing their crew people to have tattoos that are still visible?,”the guest asked Brand AmbassadorJohn Heald on his public Facebook page.
“People in America are having tattoos removed before applying for jobs because most employers do not want their employees having them. They are intimidating to older people which many of Carnival Cruise Lines customers are,”the guest continued, making their anti-tattoo stance clear.
Likely to this passenger’s displeasure, Heald confirmed that crew members are allowed to show off their ink as long as the tattoos aren’t offensive, such as by featuring bad words or depicting violent imagery.
“We do allow the crew to have tattoos and as long as they are not offensive in any way they do not have to cover them up. My view is the tattoo does NOT change the service or fun the crew will bring you,” Heald replied.
This inclusive stance was appreciated by many who voiced their opinions in the more than 2,000 comments – and certainly by the tattoo-bearing crew members across the 27-ship fleet.
Cruise Guests Celebrate Tattoos
For many who choose to get tattoos, their ink celebrates a meaningful event or person in their life. Another way to think about it is the body art is a representation of their story.
There are also approximately 40,000 crew members currently working on Carnival cruise ships who come from 120 nations world wide – and tattoos hold extra special meaning to some cultures.
For Heald and many cruise guests, the tattoos are a source of fascination and intrigue – with the brand ambassador inquiring about tattoo etiquette in a later Facebook post.
“As somebody who does not have a tattoo, I have never been brave enough to get one, can I ask this question to those that do? Is it OK to ask somebody what a tattoo means, what its significance is or is that too personal [of a] question to ask?,”Heald asked.
Carnival Cruise Line Crew (Photo Copyright: Cruise Hive)
The consensus in the more than 1,000 comments was that it’s okay to ask about the tattoos respectfully, as many said they would love to discuss the meaning of their designs.
“Tattoos are expressions and typically have significant meaning behind them. They are works of art. They are expensive. They are an investment in ourselves. Ask away!,”replied one enthusiastic Facebook user.
Ultimately, crew members have enough rules to follow without being policed on their tattoos, and the cruise lines certainly run a tight ship (pun intended).
Not only do they already have to adhere to role and rank-specific dress codes, but they also have strict rules to follow in terms of where onboard they are allowed to relax and unwind and when and how they interact with guests.
Crew members have to stick to strict rules on what gifts they are allowed to accept from guests and aren’t necessarily allowed to get too chummy with the passengers in the name of appropriate behavior and professionalism.
Between the strict rules and the struggles of working long hours while being away from their loved ones for months at a time, the tattoos are one thing the crew members can bring from home and be proud of without worry.
Mexico has become one of the top tourist destinations on the planet. With an abundance of world-class cruise ports offering scenic beaches, vibrant cultural experiences, and amazing amenities, it’s no surprise that it is particularly popular with cruise travelers.
This in-depth guide will cover everything you need to know about some of the best Mexican cruise ports to explore.
All in all, Mexico is home to 14 primary cruise ports, each offering different experiences. From bustling and incredibly popular destinations like Cozumel and Playa del Carmen to smaller and more intimate cruise ports like Progreso Cruise Ship Terminal, the country offers incredible cruise passenger options.
With 20 cruise ports in the country, roughly nine of which could be classed as major cruise ports, it is no surprise that the cruise industry plays an integral role in the Mexican economy.
These ports funnel over 3.8 million international cruise passengers into the country per year, enhancing the country’s already booming tourism industry.
In the first half of 2024, Mexican ports hosted over 1,200 cruise ships, including the world’s biggest, Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas.
These visiting cruise passengers also injected over $325 million into the local economy, which does not even cover the money the cruise lines themselves pay to dock at the ports and restock on supplies like food, beverages, and other essentials.
With the number of ships and cruise passengers visiting the country rising steadily each year, Mexico has a target of eventually hosting over nine million cruise passengers annually. This is only part of a larger national strategy to increase Mexico’s tourism revenue year over year.
Mexico’s cruise ports vary substantially in size and how many cruise passengers they welcome each year. Here is a basic ranking of some of the top cruise ports from largest to smallest, based on physical size, port facilities, cruise passenger capacity, and how frequently cruise ships call at them: Cozumel, Costa Maya, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, Acapulco, Ensenada, Progreso, Cabo San Lucas, and Playa del Carmen.
The Top Mexico Cruise Ports
Now that you understand how important Mexico is for the cruise industry and how important the cruise industry is for the Mexican economy, let’s look at the seven best and biggest cruise ports in the country. We’ll describe the layout of these hugely important cruise ports and cover their unique highlights, attractions, and locations.
Acapulco Cruise Port
Norwegian Cruise Ship Docked in Acapulco, Mexico (Photo Credit: ackats).
Situated on Mexico’s Pacific Coast in the state of Guerrero, the city of Acapulco was once known as a playground for the rich and famous of Mexico and beyond.
Historically one of the most important ports and tourist destinations, Acapulco is home to a major cruise port that now faces serious competition from the country’s growing cruise destinations.
This port is about 240 miles south of Mexico City and is well-connected by road and air. The Acapulco Cruise Port, also known as Terminal Maritima de Acapulco, is close to beautiful beaches, an incredible nightlife scene, and rolling tropical mountains.
Cruise Lines that Visit
With the city nicknamed “the Pearl of the Pacific,” the Acapulco cruise port is a hugely popular port of call for numerous cruise lines, including Norwegian Cruise Line, Holland America Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, and Disney Cruises.
Piers and Terminals
Acapulco has one main cruise terminal, the Terminal Maritima de Acapulco, near the city center. The terminal can accommodate a single mega cruise ship and offers guests free Wi-Fi, indoor waiting areas with air conditioning, clean and accessible restroom facilities, and on-site shopping, including a duty-free shop.
Nearby Attractions
Acapulco is famous for its cliff divers, known as La Quebrada Cliff Divers. This must-see attraction has been running since 1934 and involves watching divers jump off a 115-foot-high cliff into the ocean.
Other highlights include the San Diego Fort, which dates back to 1616 and offers stunning views of the harbor. The Fort houses the Acapulco Historical Museum, which covers the history of Mexico from pre-colonial periods to the present day.
Cozumel Cruise Port
Cruise Ships Docked in Cozumel, Mexico (Photo Credit: JJava Designs)
Cozumel is an island located just off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. This location makes it ideal for cruise ships navigating the Caribbean Sea, and the island itself is a major tourist destination.
Located just 12 miles from Mexico’s mainland, it also sits just across from Playa del Carmen. This is the largest and busiest cruise port in Mexico, with three piers and terminals (Puerta Maya, Punta Langosta, and International Pier), as well as a capacity of over four million passengers per year, Cozumel Cruise Port is the busiest and largest in the country.
Cruise Lines that Visit
Due to the scale of Cozumel Cruise Port, nearly every major cruise line visits the island, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, MSC Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Virgin Voyages, Cunard Line, Oceania Cruise Line, Viking Ocean Cruises, and P&O Cruises.
Piers and Terminals
Thanks to its stunning beauty and ideal location for visiting ships, Cozumel is Mexico’s biggest and most famous cruise port. In fact, it consists of three main cruise terminals: Puerto Maya, which is owned by Carnival; Punta Langosta; and the International Pier, one of Royal Caribbean’s main Mexican cruise ports. All three terminals are located along the island’s southwestern coastline.
Each of the three terminals features a single pier, but the one found at Puerto Maya branches out in a Y shape, allowing two cruise ships to dock at the same time. A ferry pier called Ferry Ultramar Cozumel, located in San Miguel, also provides direct ferry services to nearby Playa del Carmen.
Each of the three terminals offers modern amenities, including free Wi-Fi, duty-free shopping, restaurants, air-conditioned waiting areas, and easy access to transportation. Plus, the piers are equipped to handle the world’s largest cruise ships, so none of the terminals are tender ports.
Nearby Attractions
Whether you want to explore San Miguel and take in the cultural experiences the town has to offer or visit some of the stunning beaches that line the island’s 30-mile coastline, there is plenty to do in Cozumel.
If you’re willing to take the ferry to Playa del Carmen, you can also visit the ancient Mayan city of Tulum, one of the country’s most iconic historical sites and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Cozumel’s Dolphin Discovery at Chankanaab Park is just three miles away from Puerto Maya and the International Terminal, and it offers visitors the opportunity to interact with dolphins and other marine animals.
Costa Maya Cruise Port
Costa Maya Cruise Port, also called Mahahual Port, is located near the Belize border on the country’s southern Caribbean coast. Situated along the Yucatan Peninsula, it features two cruise ship piers and is often the second busiest behind Cozumel. It’s a popular final stop for cruise itineraries that follow Mexico’s Caribbean coastline.
Cruise Lines that Visit
Costa Maya is a popular stop for several major cruise lines, including Carnival, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Virgin Voyages. No cruise lines use it as a home port, but many feature it as a regular port of call on their Western Caribbean itineraries.
Piers and Terminals
Like Cozumel, it is a major cruise port capable of hosting up to four full-sized cruise ships simultaneously. All four cruise ship berths line a single pier, the Costa Maya Cruise Dock. This enormous pier is so long that an electric shuttle transports cruise passengers with mobility issues to the mainland.
Despite its impressive size, the cruise port offers more of a resort-like experience for visiting passengers than some Mexican cruise ports in bigger tourist centers, like Cozumel. This resort experience is enhanced by a saltwater swimming pool, a private beachfront lined with cabanas and loungers, a shopping plaza, several restaurants, a spa, and all-inclusive food and drink packages.
Nearby Attractions
Costa Maya is the ideal destination for those looking to see a more rural and historical side of Mexico. The famous Chacchoben Mayan Ruins are the main highlight, and they’re located just 55 miles from the port.
The nearby beach town of Mahahual is also just a couple miles from the terminal, so it is easy to visit. You can even rent a golf cart from the cruise port, which you can then drive into the town and explore at your own pace.
Plus, the port is surrounded by a thick jungle, adding to the remote atmosphere and enabling adventurous shore excursions, like ATV tours of the forest floor.
Ensenada Mexico Cruise Port
Cruise Ship in Ensenada (Photo Credit: David J. Mitchell / Shutterstock)
Ensenada Mexico Cruise Port is located along the northern edge of the Baja California Peninsula, roughly 78 miles south of San Diego and 204 miles south of Los Angeles.
Due to its proximity to the American border, Ensenada is one of the key Pacific cruise ports. It has two piers and steady visits from major cruise lines, making it important for shorter cruises along the Mexican Riviera.
Cruise Lines that Visit
The port is frequented by ships belonging to major cruise lines, like Carnival, Princess, and Royal Caribbean. With two main piers that allow three cruise ships to dock at any given time, it is not a tender port.
No cruise lines use it as a permanent homeport, as most will depart from California, but it is still one of the busiest ports of call in all of Mexico.
Piers and Terminals
As mentioned, Ensenada has two main piers and a commercial terminal where cargo ships and other large vessels dock. The cruise terminal offers free Wi-Fi, is fully accessible, has tourist information desks, and has the Ensenada CruisePort Village, a major entertainment area with shops, restaurants, and other amenities.
Nearby Attractions
The world-famous La Bufadora is a natural blowhole roughly 18 miles from the terminal. Watch ocean waves fly into the air from this natural geologic water spout. You will also notice the enormous Mexican flag, which is the world’s largest and flies above the harbor.
While most people associate Mexico with tequila, Ensenada is considered part of the Baja Peninsula wine region, so another popular activity is visiting the numerous vineyards near the port. You can even book wine tours that allow you to learn the history of Mexican wines and, more importantly, sample them.
Cabo San Lucas Cruise Port
Cruise Ships Docked in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico (Photo Credit: Wirestock Creators)
Cabo San Lucas Cruise Port is also found on the Baja California Peninsula, but at its southern tip, roughly 900 miles south of Ensenada Cruise Port.
Cabo San Lucas is consistently ranked as one of Mexico’s most popular tourist destinations, but the port is smaller than those discussed above. While it is still a major cruise destination, Cabo San Lucas Cruise Port functions exclusively as a tender port.
The port facilities are too small to handle some mega ships that cruise along the Baja Peninsula. Rather than docking, shops drop anchor in Cabo San Lucas Bay, and passengers take a roughly 10-minute tender boat ride to one of the three tender docks.
Cruise Lines that Visit
Numerous cruise lines use Cabo San Lucas’s tender docks, including Celebrity Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Oceania Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Crystal Cruises, and Princess Cruises.
Since it is a tender port, no cruise lines use this small port city as a home port. Instead, it is seen as a popular port of call where cruise passengers can enjoy an afternoon of beach fun and water-based activities.
Piers and Terminals
Since Cabo San Lucas Cruise Port is a tender port, it does not have any piers. Rather than having cruise ships docking alongside a pier, the port relies on tender boats, which use one of three tender docks. These small docks are located directly beside the city’s marina.
The fully outdoor terminal offers limited amenities, meaning there is no complimentary Wi-Fi, souvenir shops, or restaurants at the port; however, the tender docks are just a pleasant ten-minute walk to the heart of the city. From here, they can enjoy a variety of restaurants, bars, shops, and resorts that offer day passes.
You will find shaded benches at the docks, a tourist information kiosk, and basic restroom facilities, but that is about it. There is no parking, but there is a taxi pickup and drop-off point for those looking to explore beyond the immediate area.
Nearby Attractions
Cabo San Lucas is famous for its nightlife, so there are plenty of bars and nightclubs around the marina. It is also a major beach destination, with the world-famous Medano Beach being located just over two miles from the port.
The iconic Arch of Cabo San Lucas, or El Arco, is a unique granite rock formation that extends from the mainland into the meeting point between the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez.
This natural wonder is one of Mexico’s most photographed environmental features, so it is well worth visiting by boat. Cabo San Lucas also has an incredible scuba diving scene, partially due to the abundance of coral reefs immediately off its coast.
Playa del Carmen
Photo Credit: posztos / Shutterstock
Playa del Carmen is a small port city located on the mainland of the Yucatan Peninsula, directly across from the island of Cozumel. While it does not have a typical cruise terminal, its single pier handles a ferry service that delivers passengers from Cozumel via a 40-minute voyage.
Some cruise ships also anchor off the shore of Playa del Carmen, allowing tender boats to ferry their passengers to the colorful town for a day of exploration and fun.
Even though it is a hugely popular tourist destination, Playa del Carmen only features a single, fairly small pier. This pier functions as a secondary port accessed by ferry from Cozumel.
Still, hundreds of thousands of cruise passengers visit it each year. Plans are also underway to convert this smaller port into a full-scale cruise port in the near future.
Since Playa del Carmen is seen as a day-trip destination for cruise passengers who have docked at one of Cozumel’s three cruise terminals, passengers from all major cruise lines visit it.
While the Federal Government of Mexico plans to expand the port and transform it into a full-scale cruise ship port, these plans have been on hold for several years.
Nearby Attractions
Playa del Carmen has a colorful and vibrant, five-mile-long strip called Fifth Avenue, or Quinta Avenida, that features numerous restaurants, stores, bars, a movie theater, and even a casino. There is also a beach and numerous public restrooms throughout the town.
Since Playa del Carmen, like Cozumel, is a resort destination, you’ll see numerous tourists walking the strip and enjoying the sunshine anytime you visit.
Playa, as it is known locally, also acts as a gateway to Mexico’s Mayan past, with local excursion operators offering return transportation to iconic sites like the town of Akumal and the Tulum ruins. Xcaret Park, an ancient Mayan-themed ecological park, is also located just six miles southwest of Playa del Carmen, so it is another popular attraction for visiting cruise passengers.
Progreso Cruise Port
Cruise Ship Docked at Progreso Cruise Port (Photo Credit: Nazar Skladanyi)
Progreso Cruise Port is also located on the northern coastline of the Yucatan Peninsula, making it an ideal destination for cruise ships voyaging along the Gulf of Mexico. The cruise port is located directly in the heart of the city of Progreso, so it is incredibly convenient for cruise passengers wanting to explore the oceanfront promenade and everything else this tourist-friendly city offers.
Cruise Lines that Visit
Progreso is growing in popularity as a port of call, especially amongst the main Caribbean cruise lines. Today, it is visited by Celebrity Cruises, MSC, P&O Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Crystal Cruises, and Cunard Cruise Line.
Since it is not a homeport for any cruise line, parking is limited near the pier; however, there are pickup and drop-off spots for taxis and shuttle buses directly beside it.
Piers and Terminals
One of Progreso’s most iconic features is the single pier extending over four miles from the shoreline, making it the longest pier in the world. This tremendous length allows cruise ships to dock in waters that would otherwise be too shallow.
The enormously long pier has two cruise ship berths, allowing two ships to dock anytime. Once passengers enter the pier, they are greeted by two modern terminal buildings.
They can then take shuttles which transport visitors on the four-mile journey to the mainland. Although these modern terminals do not provide free Wi-Fi, they have most of the other conveniences you would expect, including a tourist information area, a small souvenir store, and air-conditioned waiting areas.
Nearby Attractions
While most visitors spend their time exploring the city, especially the Malecon Internacional Boardwalk, which is a pedestrian boardwalk that is lined with restaurants, stores, public restrooms, and a picture-perfect beach, the town is also known for its proximity to some of the most iconic Mayan ruins.
With the Ancient City of Chichen Itza and Uxmal both just 104 and 77 miles away from the cruise port, respectively, it is easy to book a day trip to either site.
Puerto Vallarta Cruise Port
The Puerto Vallarta Cruise Port is located along Mexico’s Pacific-facing coast in the state of Jalisco, just three miles north of downtown Puerto Vallarta.
Like many of Mexico’s coastal cities, Puerto Vallarta is known for its stunning beaches and rich cultural history. It is the busiest cruise port on Mexico’s Pacific coast and can handle more than one full-sized cruise ship at a time.
The cruise port is also known as Marina Vallarta Maritime and Cruise Terminal, and the surrounding area is famous for its modern all-inclusive resorts and year-round sunshine.
Cruise Lines that Visit
The port has two piers, called Dock 1 and Dock 2. Dock 1 is primarily visited by Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean cruise ships, while Norwegian Cruise Line and Princess Cruise Line use Dock 2. Dock 1 features two cruise ship berths rather than a single berth, so the port allows up to three cruise ships to dock at any time.
Royal Caribbean even uses Puerto Vallarta as a home port for some of its vessels, which is convenient for international travelers. The port is only four miles from the Licenciado Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International Airport (PVR). With affordable taxi and shuttle services from the airport, passengers can complete the journey in less than 15 minutes. The port also maintains its own parking lot, with $11 overnight daily rates.
Piers and Terminals
As mentioned, Puerto Vallarta Cruise Port has three docking points—all three line the city’s shoreline, surrounding a deep-water harbor. Terminal facilities include tourist information booths, air-conditioned waiting areas, and public restrooms.
Nearby Attractions
Since Puerto Vallarta is considered to be one of the top vacation destinations in Mexico, it is a great place to experience Mexican culture and cuisine firsthand. There are plenty of beachside restaurants, and numerous all-inclusive resorts allow visiting cruise passengers to purchase day passes.
Los Arcos Marine Park is also just seven miles from the port. This national marine wildlife preserve features natural rock arches, a coral reef, and a series of small islands where tourists can view sea lions basking in the sun. Plenty of excursion providers offer boat tours of Los Arcos and deep-sea fishing experiences further out in the Pacific Ocean.
Mazatlan Cruise Port
Photo Credit: gbautista87 / Shutterstock
Also located on Mexico’s Pacific Coast, Mazatlan Cruise Port is in the state of Sinaloa. This small cruise port is located on the edge of the city of Mazatlan, at the side of a commercial shipping port.
Once you enter the city, passengers will quickly learn why it is such a popular destination for Mexican and international travelers. Not only is it an inviting city filled with restaurants, stores, and other attractions, but it is also home to a 14-mile-long beachside boardwalk.
Located on the mainland right where the Gulf of California opens to the Pacific Ocean, the waters that line Mazatlan are also known to be incredible for deep-sea fishing, making it a major destination for fishing enthusiasts, as well as cruise and resort tourists.
Cruise Lines that Visit
Although Mazatlan Cruise Port is not a tender port, it can be quite crowded due to the commercial container ships and oil tankers that share the port.
For this reason, fewer cruise lines visit than some ports that line the Baja California Peninsula, but it is still a popular stop for several major cruise lines, including Carnival, Norwegian Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, and Holland America Line.
None of these cruise lines use it as a home port, but it is a common port of call on the way to Puerto Vallarta.
Piers and Terminals
Mazatlan Cruise Port features a single main terminal, allowing up to four cruise ships to dock at any time. Rather than using a pier, cruise ships form a straight line directly alongside the shore of the deep-water Urias Harbor.
Once passengers disembark, they are greeted by a basic cruise terminal with a duty-free shop, public restrooms, a shuttle loop, and other tourist services. Unfortunately, the port does not offer free Wi-Fi, but it is easy to find once you make your way to the city.
Nearby Attractions
The historic Plaza Machado is a family-friendly courtyard where cruise passengers can enjoy looking at traditional buildings and find numerous restaurants and cafés. The Centro Historico is the city’s historic old town, where you can also explore some of the colorful buildings and traditional architecture, as well as several museums, art galleries, and old-fashioned restaurants.
Just two miles from the cruise port, visitors can also explore the beaches that make up the city’s “Golden Zone.” These white sand beaches are one of the city’s most famous features and partially explain why it has been a major tourist destination for over 100 years.
Are Cruise Ports in Mexico Safe?
Cruise Ships Docked in Cozumel, Mexico (Photo Credit: JorgeSuarez)
While Mexico as a whole is often seen as a fairly unsafe country, tourism is a critical component of the country’s economy, so extra care is taken to ensure the safety of cruise ports.
In the more developed tourist areas, like Cozumel and Puerto Vallarta, a strong security and police presence ensures that the ports and the surrounding areas are safe and welcoming places for international tourists and visiting cruise passengers.
While the cruise ports we highlighted above are all considered safe by local representatives, the cruise industry itself, and according to various government travel advisory boards, like the US Department of State, you should always practice basic precautions when you explore any cruise port. Leave valuables on the ship, travel in groups, and stick to the more well-known, tourist-friendly neighborhoods.
The Best Time to Visit Mexico
The best time to cruise to Mexico is during the dry season, which runs between November and April. Not only is this when you can expect the most sunshine, but the temperatures are pleasant, and the humidity is minimal.
Plus, you avoid the potential risks of hurricane season, which runs from June to November, especially on the Gulf of Mexico side of the country.
That said, if you choose to travel to any of the cruise ports we discussed above outside of the dry season, there can be some benefits, as crowds tend to be at a minimum, and it is possible to secure a good deal on a cruise package.
However, make sure you check for updates frequently, as your voyage and itinerary can be altered depending on weather conditions.
Earlier today, on October 31, 2024, MSC Seaside arrived in Valencia, Spain, for her scheduled port call. However, her visit was likely not what anyone wanted or expected.
This is because Spain is currently in the midst of coping with one of the worst flooding disasters in decades – which so far has claimed at least 158 lives, with more missing, and resulted in significant damage and loss of power.
The storm, which made landfall on Tuesday, October 29, has been identified as a “gota fria.” According to the BBC, these are natural weather events with intense rainfall that occur in the region in the fall and winter – but this storm was particularly severe due to global warming.
Unfortunately, the majority of the damage has been in Valencia, with the eastern city (located on the east coast of the Iberian Peninsula on the Mediterranean Sea) taking the brunt of the heavy rains.
But since calling on the port would not put any of MSC Seaside’s up to 5,331 guests in any danger, as the storm has now moved north, the captain and has team decided not to cancel the planned visit.
#Spain’s nat'l weather agency says #Valencia received a year’s worth of rain in 8 hrs on Oct. 29, causing flash floods turning streets into rivers, destroyed homes, swept away vehicles & left a rising death toll.
The vessel is also operating multiple itineraries simultaneously, which range in length from 17 to 23 days, and a good portion of cruisers were expecting to disembarkand a new round of passengers were supposed to embark in the Spanish city – which to the relief of many, was still able to take place.
While the exact itineraries vary a bit, the end goal is for the 153,516-gross ton vessel to end up in Miami, Florida, on November 17, 2024 – which will be her homeport throughout the winter as she sails throughout the Caribbean and the Bahamas.
“We will proceed to embark in Valencia tomorrow morning to accommodate disembarkation and embarkation of guests,” Captain Danilo Cha advised guests in a letter on October 30.
This is a good thing as guests preparing to sail didn’t need to scramble to make new travel arrangements or find lodging, and guests disembarking would not find themselves stuck at sea longer than planned.
However, those disembarking had another hurdle in that the Valencia Airport was temporarily closed due to the natural disaster, disrupting around 80 flights, as was the high-speed train to Madrid, Spain.
But as of the time of this writing, the airport has resumed operations – but the high speed rail service is suspended until November 3 due to infrastructure damage and many forms of public transit are simply inaccessible.
Flooding Impacts the Port Experience
With multiple sailings occurring simultaneously onboard MSC Seaside, not everyone was embarking or disembarking during the visit. Some simply wanted to explore the popular port – which is famous for being the City of Arts and Sciences.
However, the flooding has made it impractical – and in many cases unsafe – for guests to come ashore and partake in planned shore excursions. Many roads remain closed, making popular activities inaccessible.
As such, MSC advised its passengers to stay onboard and cancelled all shore excursions.
“Considering these exceptional circumstances, we strongly recommend that transit guests remain on board and enjoy MSC Seaside’s amenities as the city has been devastated by the flood with infrastructure and services massively disrupted,”Captain Cha wrote to impacted guests.
Cruise Ship Docked in Valencia (Photo Credit: Ana del Castillo)
All guests who booked a shore excursion through the cruise line will be provided with a full refund in the form of an onboard credit.
That said, guests were not forbidden from going ashore on their own – even though the cruise line advised against it.
But Captain Cha made it clear that it would be up to the guests to make their own way and return to the port on time to avoid missing the ship’s departure. Normally, this wouldn’t be an issue – but the damage and blocked off roads likely made this more of a challenging task.
“Guests who decide to go ashore independently should note that we will not be able to provide transportation services between the ship and the city, so we encourage you to make independent arrangements if available. Please ensure your timely return to the ship…”wrote Captain Cha.
Valencia’s city center is about 2.5 miles from the cruise port – and the current condition of the route to and from the dock is unclear. Although some might find this distance walkable, the cruise lines usually provide shuttles for convenience.
With first responders still looking for missing survivors and assessing the damage, it’s unclear when operations will return to normal in Valencia.
Ships from several major cruise lines are scheduled to call on the province capital city in the coming days – including Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Azamara, and more – and it’s likely that their guests will be met with a similarly altered experience compared to the normally active and lively tourism paradise.
As any homeowner knows, renovations often take longer than expected. And that seems to be the case for cruise ships too, or at least for Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Encore.
The 169,116-gross-ton ship is getting some significant changes when it goes into dry dock from November 18 to December 2, 2024, as previously reported in August. However, new details have revealed closures that will affect passengers during the vessel’s return to sea on December 3, 2024.
Currently repositioning from a season in Alaska on a 21-night voyage between Seattle, Washington, and Miami, Florida, Norwegian Encore is finally getting an adult-only outdoor area, Spice H2O, which is a popular feature of Norwegian Cruise Line’s Breakaway, Epic, and Escape vessels.
“These new enhancements will beautifully complement the ship’s existing family-friendly offerings, such as the 1,110-foot-long Norwegian Encore Speedway, the Aqua Park with two multi-story waterslides, and the Galaxy Pavilion, NCL’s immersive virtual reality complex,”the cruise line stated.
Unfortunately, the new addition will not be ready to debut during its post-dry-dock, 12-night transatlantic journey from Southampton, England, back to Miami, leaving passengers void of an adult-only spot.
Spice H2O also seems to require more space than originally planned and the cruise line announced it is permanently closing the ship’s Laser Tag arena to give it the space it deserves.
“Rest assured, there will still be a wide variety of activities including virtual games at the Galaxy Pavilion, thrilling rides on the Speedway, the Aqua Park, and exceptional dining at venues such as Ocean Blue, Onda by Scarpetta, Cagney’s Steakhouse, Los Lobos, Le Bistro, and more,”Norwegian Cruise Line continued.
Speaking of dining, the dry dock includes the expansion of Cagney’s Steakhouse and Teppanyaki. It was originally reported that the two restaurants were relocating to spaces occupied by Los Cabos and Coco’s, and that the former dining areas would no longer be a part of the dining lineup.
Looks like Los Cabos will remain, but the two-week dry dock won’t be enough time to complete the work on Teppanyaki’s expansion. The restaurant will remain closed for the first four days of its transatlantic cruise, reopening on December 8, 2024.
The original dry dock plans also highlighted the ship’s Ocean Blue seafood dining area would be transformed into the Mediterranean-inspired seafood dining Palomar, found on Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Prima.
With this latest announcement, it appears Ocean Blue will remain as is.
Spice H2O Norwegian Encore (Rendering Courtesy: Norwegian Cruise Line)
Additional updates originally released look to be on target, including new looks for the exclusive Haven suites, and the addition of 24 new balcony staterooms, utilizing space from Norwegian Encore’s Observation Lounge.
The new staterooms increase the vessel’s passenger capacity from 4,004 to 4,052 at double occupancy.
Norwegian Encore Crossing Atlantic Twice Before Caribbean Season
Once Norwegian Encore finishes her current journey on November 3, 2024, she will set off on a last pre-dry-dock voyage to Portugal, Spain, Belgium, and France, arriving in Southampton on November 17.
After passengers disembark, the ship will begin its dry dock in an unspecified area before welcoming passengers back onboard on December 3, 2024. On December 15, 2024, the vessel will begin a winter season in the Caribbean through March 30, 2025.
It is anticipated that Spice H2O will be open in time for these sailings, which offer 7-night roundtrip itineraries from PortMiami to Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas; St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; and Puerto Plata/Amber Cover, Dominican Republic.
