MEXICAN PORTS WELCOME CRUISE SHIPS

Our neighbor to the south is a popular destination for cruise ships, whether they are pulling into the port of Puerto Vallarta or visiting San Miguel on Cozumel. Cruising to Mexico is a great way to warm up when winter temperatures freeze your toes. Step into the warm Caribbean Sea at Costa Maya or soak up the sunshine of the Pacific coast in Ensenada. Here are a few ideas for a Mexican getaway from U.S. ports.

Miami – Circumnavigate the island of Cuba on this 7-night cruise to the western Caribbean on the Norwegian Getaway. You’ll enjoy a full day at sea to explore this gigantic ship and then land in Honduras and Belize. Other ports of call include Costa Maya and the diving capital of the west, Cozumel.

Fort Lauderdale – For an upscale adventure on a luxury line, consider a 14-day cruise from Port Everglades on the Caribbean Princess. This itinerary goes all over the Caribbean, with ports of call in the west and the east. It stops in Cozumel, Grand Cayman, St. Martin and St. Thomas, with a stop in the middle back in Fort Lauderdale. To sweeten the deal, Princess Cruises is offering up to $250 in onboard credit for members of the military.

Galveston – The Houston-area port of Galveston – the 5th busiest port in the U.S. – offers many opportunities to cross the Gulf of Mexico and land in Cozumel, with some itineraries stopping at Progreso or the Cayman Islands. Royal Caribbean International, Carnival Cruise Line and Disney Cruises offer three to six-day Western Caribbean cruises that include ports in Mexico.

Long Beach – Take a 7-day cruise on the Carnival Splendor for less than $100 a day. This voyage leaves in January, 2019 with two departure dates. Ports of call include Cabo, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta. If you want a shorter getaway, try the Carnival Inspiration in February. It offers a 4-day cruise to Cataline Island and then stops in Ensenada. Both cruises are lots of fun, as Carnival promises.

New Orleans – The Carnival Triumph and Royal Caribbean’s Vision of the Seas both sail from the port of NOLA, with four- to seven-day voyages that include Mexican ports. The Norwegian Breakaway offers a 7-day cruise that includes both Cozumel and Costa Maya. For a taste of luxury, sail on the Crystal Symphony from New Orleans in December and see Costa Maya, Belize City, Roatan and Cozumel. Other Carnival ships sailing from New Orleans include Valor, Glory and Dream.

Tampa – Holland America, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruises all sail from Tampa with stops in Mexico, including Cozumel and Costa Maya. Some of these itineraries include a stop in Havana, Cuba. For a budget-friendly option, try a 7-day sail on the Royal Caribbean ship, Rhapsody of the Seas for about $75 a day per person. You’ll sail from Tampa to Costa Maya, Belize City, Roatan and Cozumel.

San Francisco – The elegant and stately Grand Princess sails out of San Francisco Bay on 10-day trips to the west coast of Mexico, with departure dates from October to March. If you are thinking of going the other way, this ship sails north to Alaska in the summer months. For a bit of luxury small-ship cruising, try Oceania Insignia’s 20-day voyage through the Panama Canal to New York City with stops in Cabo and Acapulco.

If you really want to empty the piggy bank, there’s an 18-day cruise on the Oceania Regatta that sails from San Francisco to Cabo and Acapulco before crossing through the Panama Canal. This trip ends up in Miami after stops in Colon, Cartagena and Havana. Now that’s a cruise!