Cruise Association Says

Mexican Riviera Itineraries On The Rise

Vacationers Can Visit Ports From Quaint To Cosmopolitan

As more travelers become experienced Caribbean cruisers, they arediscovering a new tropical paradise, the Mexican Riviera, which offers sensational scenery, some of the best beaches in the world and a formidable array of cultural attractions. According to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the Mexican Riviera has grown into one of the top fivecruise destinations in the last five years, and for good reason.

Typically, CLIA member line ships call at suchdestinations as California's Monterey and Catalina Island, and the Mexican ports of Acapulco, Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, Ixtapa/Zihautanjeo, Manzanillo and Mazatlan. Cruises from seven to 11 days set sail from Los Angeles, Long Beach, San Diego and San Francisco.

"It's no wonder that Mexican Riviera cruises continue to grow in popularity," said Terry L. Dale, president and CEO of CLIA, the chief marketing organization for 20 premier cruise lines and nearly 17,000 North American travel agencies. "These cruises have it all - charming villages, bustling cities, fabulous food and culture and miles and miles of flawless beaches."

Travelers will visit a cornucopia of coastal villages and towns along the California and Mexican coasts. California's 70-square mile Catalina Island harkens back to a more gentrified time in history. Visitors can ocean kayak, mountain-bike through conversancy lands and take advantage of many types of water sports. And, travelers won't want to miss the Wrigley Memorial Garden, created in memory of chewing gum magnate William Wrigley Junior.

Another California port favorite, Monterey, is renowned as a golfer's paradise - and a town that offers spectacular views of the harbor at Fisherman's Wharf on the Monterey Peninsula. Cruise guests sailing in November won't want to miss the Monarch Grove Sanctuary, which is the ultimate during the November butterfly-viewing season. An excursion along Seventeen Mile Drive showcases the region's redwood forest and jagged Pacific coast.

The glittering city of Acapulco is renowned for its legendary nightlife, restaurants, beaches and the La Quebrada cliff divers - who leap from 130-foot rock formations into the sea below. The city is also known for excellent fishing - particularly sailfish, snorkeling and scuba diving. The pulse of the city is its main street, Avenida Costera Miguel Alemán, where travelers will find most of Acapulco's attractions.

Quaint Cabo San Lucas is home to gorgeous beaches and a wide range of water-related activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving, marlin fishing, surfing and kayaking. The town features an underwater nature preserve, a short boat ride away from the harbor and the famous Land's End rock formations.

With more than 250 restaurants and a hip nightlife scene, Puerto Vallarta still maintains the charm of an old-fashioned Mexican village with cobblestone streets and blossoming bougainvillea. In addition to shops and galleries, the town boasts ecotourism activities like mountain biking though the Sierra foothills and whale watching.

In Ixtapa, guests will find spectacular beach areas, including a two-mile strip that extends along the hotel zone, Playa del Palmar. The town also boasts two 18-hole golf courses and a 600-slip yacht marina with restaurants and shops. Down the coast from Ixtapa is Zihuatanejo, a historic fishing village located in a sheltered bay only a mile and a half wide.

Manzanillo, one of Mexico's most vibrant and active seaports, is one of thegreatest fishing spots around the globe - and also features one of the world's best golf courses. The landscape is nothing if not diverse, as travelers will find jungles and mountains, palm trees and beaches.

Mazatlan's harbor is set against a breathtaking mountain range and is blessed with magnificent beaches. A renowned fishing destination, Mazatlan is also known for excellent seafood. For the active traveler, a walk up to El Faro, the second-highest lighthouse in the world, provides panoramic views of the town.

The Following Is A Listing Of Cruise Lines Offering Mexican Riviera Cruises This Year  

CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES

Carnival Cruise Lines' Carnival Pride and Carnival Spirit Mexican Riviera itineraries blend the line's "Fun Ship" ambience with mariachi bands that perform at select ports. Carnival Pride sails year-round on seven-day voyages from Long Beach, Calif., to Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas. Carnival Sprit offers seasonal eight-day cruises from San Diego to Acapulco, Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa and Manzanillo.

CELEBRITY CRUISES

Celebrity Cruises' Infinity offers two 10- and 11-day voyages from San Diego in April that visit Monterey and Catalina Island, Manzanillo, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas. Mercury features 10- and 11-day itineraries from San Diego that are available on select dates in April, October and November. Ports include Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, Acapulco, Zihautenejo/Ixtapa and Manzanillo.

CRYSTAL CRUISES

Highlighting Crystal Cruises' Mexican Riviera offerings is a 14-day Christmas and New Year's cruise out of Los Angeles on December 21 aboard Crystal Symphony. With ports of call that include San Diego, Cabo San Lucas, Acapulco, Zihuatanejo, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, and La Paz, this year marks Crystal Symphony's first Mexican Riviera holiday voyage roundtrip from Los Angeles since 2002.

HOLLAND AMERICA LINE

From whale watching near Cabo San Lucas to discovering the famous Copper Canyon from Topolobampo, Holland America Line explores the natural wonders of the Mexican Riviera on 32 cruises. Oosterdam and Zaandam feature seven- and 10-day cruises traveling roundtrip from San Diego. Oosterdam operates on 29 seven-day itineraries while Zaandam offers three 10-day journeys enabling more in-depth exploration.

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE

Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Star features eight-day itineraries that provide guests with full days in the ports of Zihautenejo/Ixtapa, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas. The itineraries also offer overnight calls in Acapulco, with the ship departing the city after midnight. The sailings also include three days at sea. In all, 25 sailings along the Mexican Riviera.

PRINCESS CRUISES

Four Princess Cruises' ships ply the waters of the Mexican Riviera. Golden Princess makes her West Coast debut with roundtrip sailings from San Francisco and a one-way voyage from Acapulco. Dawn Princess offers a series of sailings out of San Francisco. Diamond Princess operates roundtrip voyages from Los Angeles. Island Princess features a special Mexican Riviera holiday voyage.

REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES

Regent Seven Seas Cruises' Seven Seas Mariner departs Dec. 18 on an eight-night voyage roundtrip from Los Angeles that calls at San Diego, Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta, spending Christmas day at sea. The cruise features Le Cordon Bleu Cooking Workshops and a Club Mariner's children's program. Other Regent ships incorporate Mexican Riviera ports on Panama Canal itineraries.

ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL

Royal Caribbean International's Vision of the Seas operates on seven-night Mexican Riviera itineraries that sail roundtrip from Los Angeles. The cruises are offered through April 30 and again from September 24 through Dec. 31. The itineraries call at Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta. Shore excursions include adventuresome options that enable guests to trek through jungles and plantations.

SILVERSEA CRUISES

Silversea Cruises offers a nine-day cruise roundtrip from Los Angeles on September 17 aboard Silver Shadow. Calls include Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada. Optional shore excursions include an ATV off-road adventure through the "Outback" of Cabo San Lucas and a flight aboard a Cessna Caravan from Puerto Vallarta to a village in the Sierra Madre Mountains.

For additional information on Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), please visit their website at Cruising.org