Don't forget the Mexican Riviera!

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Sometimes, we take the Mexican Riviera for granted.  Most West Coast cruisers started with Ensenada and soon moved on to the Mexican Riviera ports of Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta. 

 Fun in the sun is the name of the game, with lots of time spent at beaches and more-than-a-few cervezas and Margaritas sometimes finding their way to our lips. 

While the ports may be the same (although there are some cruises that stretch the itineraries to include some more unusual ports like Loreto, La Paz and Manzanillo), the ships continue to evolve. 

Carnival has three ships cruising from Long Beach almost every week, including the popular seven-night Mexcian Riviera aboard newer-generation ships like Splendor and Miracle, but for the fall, it is NCL that is really breaking away with Norwegian Bliss. 

With lots of alternative restaurants and innovative entertainment, Bliss would be a ground-breaking mega-ship for the West Coast even without a race track.  Yes, you read that ride.  There's a race track on board for your family to speed around! 

 We only have Bliss --- the ship, not Mexican Riviera cruises --- for the rest of October, but you could take a trip through the Panama Canal early in November, if you like.

 State-of-the-art ship fans will get another treat in the spring with the arrival of the gorgeous Royal Princess.

 Between fall and spring, Princess actually devotes more ships to the West Coast than Carnival, with three based in Los Angeles and one in San Francisco.  They spend a lot more time going to the fantastic destination of Hawaii and the Wine Coast, but they still do plenty of Mexico.  Did you know Princess began cruising the Mexican Riviera --- and in fact coined that phrase --- in 1965?

 The Mexican Riviera was the most common destination on "The Love Boat" during its long TV run, but you may not have noticed that because most of the focus was on the shipboard fun.  You can be the star of your own episode on any cruise, though of course there isn't a national TV audience, which takes the pressure off your performance. 

 And perform you may, singing karaoke or taking part in some other show, as well as specially-themed parties.  Princess celebrates a Festival of the World on board for the Day of the Dead in November, and fiestas on other sailings.  Michelle, a first time cruiser aboard Carnival Splendor right now, asked about special parties on her cruise and was happy to learn of an optional chance to wear Halloween costumes.  I look forward to hearing how she liked her seasonal cruise.  

But before getting totally off the subject, there are more cruise lines in the area between fall and spring.  From San Diego, Holland America does a lot of Mexican Riviera cruises as well as Hawaii. 

Probably the most popular cruises of all from So Cal are Disney's brief stays on the shoulders of the Alaska season.  If you've ever wanted to try Disney, this is a terrific opportunity, as there are cruises as short as two nights.  Disney cruises are a pricier cruise than most. 

Rarely upscale line for well-healed adults like Regent or Crystal come to town for a sailing or two, so if that interests you, we need to start planning now. 

I'd be happy to help you choose the perfect room on the best ship for you.