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| | | Enjoy white sandy beaches, snorkeling and scuba diving in coral lagoons, ancient Mayan ruins, open-air markets, tequila factories, bullfights, regional cuisine and more. November-May is the prime cruising time, but Mexican cruises are also popular in the more rainy summer months; the best deals are in autumn, during hurricane season. | | |
| Typical costs: | - Short 3-5-day getaway cruises either to Baja California from the western US or along the Gulf of Mexico from eastern ports start as low as $150-$500 and jump to $1,000 or more for high-end luxury ships (all prices per person double occupancy).
- Small-ship whale- and wildlife-oriented trips of 8-9 days through Baja California and the Sea of Cortez run $2,100-$3,000, but go as high as $4,000-$5,000 or more for luxury yacht trips.
- Cruises of 7-14 days along the Mexican Riviera on the west coast start at $550-$3,300 per person double occupancy; 14 days on a luxury ship is $2,100-$15,000 or more (all prices per person double occupancy).
- Sailing to ports in the Gulf of Mexico along the eastern coast, 7-day cruises average $500-2,200 per person double occupancy. More extensive itineraries generally become part of a Western Caribbean cruise.
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| What should be included: | - Although there is some overlap, there are three basic Mexican cruise itineraries:
- Baja California and the Sea of Cortez are on Mexico's northwestern coast just south of California. The relatively inexpensive 3-4-day Baja cruises generally usually visit Catalina and Ensenada, although smaller ships provide longer, more nature- and wildlife-oriented trips. CruiseMagOnline.com highlights a small-ship photography cruise through Baja.
- Mexican Riviera cruises feature fabled ports such as Acapulco, Cabo San Lucas and Mazatlan, as well as others along Mexico's Pacific coastline.
- Gulf of Mexico cruises sail the eastern coast (parts of which are also called the Mayan Riviera) to towns along the the Yucatan Peninsula, including Cozumel and Cancun as well as lesser known ports. Mayan ruins are located throughout the area.
- Baja California and Mexican Riviera cruises generally depart from Long Beach, San Diego, Los Angeles and even San Francisco, while Gulf of Mexico cruises may depart from Florida, Louisiana, Alabama or Texas.
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| Additional costs: | - Be sure the quoted price includes all port fees and taxes, which can add $100-$250.
- On-shore excursions are extra, and the cost depends entirely on the activities chosen. Strolling around is free, but there can be bus or cab fare required between the dock and the town.
- Tipping adds $5-$10 daily per traveler or an additional $70-$140 for a couple on a seven-day trip. Some cruise lines, such as Radisson Seven Seas, Seabourn, Silversea and Windstar, include tips in the price.
- Fares on luxury ships generally include everything except bar drinks and port excursions, while more mass-market vessels offer lower ticket prices but may charge for special shows, restaurants, spa treatments or other shipboard activities. The total cost could be double the low fare.
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| Discounts: | - Most cruise lines give early booking discounts and many have low rates for seniors.
- Some people travel with family and friends to get a group cruise rate.
- If a specific ship and exact itinerary aren't important, there are often last minute bargains available on cruises which haven't sold out.
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| Shopping for a mexico cruise: | |
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Article updated March 2007 |
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