From ancient ruins to ultra-modern beach resorts, it is no wonder that Mexico features so heavily on cruise ship schedules, either as part of a Caribbean voyage or by sailing down the US West Coast.
Beyond Mexico’s Mayan cities are tropical treats such as Costa Rica and Nicaragua, often featured as part of sailings through the incredible Panama Canal.
California is a great starting point for cruises to the Mexican Riviera and spectacular Acapulco, and lends itself ideally to a pre or post-cruise stay in either Los Angeles, where most cruises depart from, or up the scenic highway in San Francisco.
Otherwise, jump on a Western Caribbean cruise from one of Florida’s ports and you’ll discover the laidback island of Cozumel, the thriving holiday resort of Cancun and Costa Maya on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsular, once home to indigenous Indians and the site of many Mayan remains.
Sights of South America
The marvellously restored ruins of Chichen Itza, with its imposing El Castillo grand pyramid, vies with the Tulum ruins, precariously poised on cliffs above the Caribbean, as the historic highlight of any Mexican cruise adventure. Cozumel is a famed diving destination with a national marine park and local restaurants serving up the largest and most potent margaritas you are ever likely to taste.
Such historic sites are in sharp contrast to the hedonistic delights of Acapulco, situated on Mexico’s west coast and often the starting point for Panama Canal fly-cruises. Besides its famous La Quebrada cliff divers and glorious beaches, the city is great for buying local handicrafts, art and designer fashion.
Acapulco is also the main draw for Mexican Riviera cruises, which sail south from LA via the Baja California Peninsula past Cabo San Lucas with its dramatic rock formations through the Sea of Cortez and on to Mexican ports such as Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo and Zihuatanejo.
Huatulco, Mexico's first eco-tourism resort, is increasingly attracting cruise ships and is an ideal base to explore miles of sand beaches.
Cruise ships make regular transits of the Panama Canal between the Caribbean and Pacific, either in the spring and autumn when they are switching from summer Alaska or Mexican Riviera itineraries to winter Caribbean cruises or for whole seasons. The 50-mile-long canal is a memorable experience in its own right and cruises through it also include calls at Panamanian ports of call such as Colon 2000 and Balboa.
Some cruises make partial transits - just going through one set of locks into the huge Gatun Lake at the entrance to the Canal before returning to the Caribbean.
Alternatively, there are regular six to eight-week long round-South America cruises which usually include a chance to visit the atmospheric site of the "lost" Inca city of Machu Picchu in Peru.
Two-week Round the Horn cruises usually run between Buenos Aires and Santiago during the UK winter months.
Equally atmospheric is the mighty Amazon - the largest and second-longest river in the world. Most cruises cover more than 1,000 miles to the state capital Manaus, famous for its 19th Century Opera House. But even that is still only a quarter of the river's length.
Our
Sorry, we could not find any cruises that match the options selected. Call us on 0845 460 6060 for expert advice on choosing the right cruise for you.