Discovery Princess is a large, well-equipped ship with genuinely good food, a comfortable cabin, and a solid entertainment programme. The Mexican Riviera itinerary, on the other hand, was more mixed. Here’s an honest account of both — what worked, what didn’t, and whether it’s worth booking.
Discovery Princess at a Glance
| Ship class | Royal class |
| Passenger capacity | 3,660 |
| Ship length | 330+ metres |
| Cabins | 1,400+ |
| Itinerary | Mexican Riviera |
| Departure port | Los Angeles |
| Trip length | 8 days |
Mexican Riviera Itinerary
| Day | Port |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Los Angeles (embarkation) |
| Day 2 | Day at sea |
| Day 3 | Cabo San Lucas |
| Day 4 | Mazatlán |
| Day 5 | Puerto Vallarta |
| Days 6–7 | Days at sea |
| Day 8 | Los Angeles (disembarkation) |
The itinerary itself was the least impressive part of the trip. The natural landscapes are beautiful and the Mexican culture is interesting — but several stops felt more transactional than immersive. Tips were constantly expected, and at times it felt like nothing more than being a walking wallet. The ship was excellent; the ports were not always. If I sailed Princess again, I’d choose a different itinerary but keep the same ship.
Discovery Princess: Honest Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Food quality — genuinely good | No water park |
| Separate adult pool area | Theater is smaller than the ship’s size suggests |
| Waiter service at the buffet | Higher price than MSC or Costa |
| Cabins with automatic lighting and good TV | Buffet gets crowded during peak hours |
| Mini golf | Long check-in queue (1 hour) |
| Well-organized disembarkation |
Boarding: What to Expect
The boarding process was the one rough patch of the trip. All passengers had the same check-in window — 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. — which meant a long queue. We waited about an hour to check in.
One useful thing: porters at the port will take your heavy luggage and deliver it directly to your cabin. Worth using — it makes the boarding process much easier even if the queue is long.
Once on board, the wait was forgotten quickly.
Tip: Arrive closer to 11 a.m. rather than later — the queue builds through the afternoon.
The Cabin
We booked a balcony cabin — and it was worth it.
- Size: approximately 20 m² plus a 4 m² private balcony
- Beds: two singles that convert to one large double
- Bathroom: shower, well designed
- Technology: automatic lighting, satellite TV with live news and films
- Storage: mini-fridge, safe, wardrobe, desk, hairdryer
The automatic lighting system was a genuinely nice touch — small detail, but it makes the cabin feel more considered than standard cruise accommodation. Some cabins include a pullout bunk, making them suitable for up to four guests.
The balcony was used every morning. If your budget allows, book a balcony cabin — the difference between watching the ocean from your room and watching it from a shared deck is significant.
Food: The Highlight of the Trip
Food was the strongest part of the Discovery Princess experience — and what I remember most from the whole cruise.
The Buffet
Open 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. — water, tea, and coffee available around the clock. The selection is wide: puddings, smoothies, salmon, fresh fruit, and more. Waitstaff bring coffee and juice to your table, which is a step above the typical buffet experience.
The final day buffet was particularly good — mussels, shrimp, and a full dessert spread.
Tip: Breakfast crowds peak around 9 a.m. Arrive earlier for a calmer atmosphere and no queue.
The Main Restaurant
Located on Decks 5 and 6, with two different approaches:
- Deck 5: Fixed dining times — book in advance via the Princess app before boarding
- Deck 6: Flexible — arrive anytime between 6 and 10 p.m., same menu, no reservation needed
We didn’t know about the reservation system before our first sailing, so we ended up on Deck 6 by default. It worked well — after long days ashore, the flexibility to decide at 8 p.m. that we were ready for dinner suited us better than a fixed slot.
The menu changes daily. No prices on the menu — everything is included. You can order multiple starters, mains, and desserts.
Pools and Sun Deck
Adult-Only Area
A large (shallow) pool, two hot tubs, arranged over two levels. Calm, rarely crowded, no children. This is where we spent most of our sea days.
Main Pool Area
Two larger pools, several whirlpools, a giant screen showing films and cartoons. Ice cream, pizza, and burgers available poolside — all included in the fare. Busy on sunny days, especially with families.
Tip: If crowds aren’t your preference, the adult area is consistently quieter throughout the day.
Evening Shows
The entertainment programme was strong — with one exception.
- Night 1: Magic show — underwhelming
- ABBA tribute: Good — nostalgic and well performed
- Rock opera: Energetic staging, genuinely impressive
- Cooking show (final day): The best evening of the trip — the crew combined cooking demonstrations with actual comedy, and it worked
The shows are worth planning around. For the popular performances, arrive early — seats in the middle of the theater go fast.
Crowds
With 3,660 passengers on board, crowds are a reality. The ship manages them reasonably well — the adult pool area is consistently calm, disembarkation was well organized with staggered times — but the main buffet at peak hours is genuinely busy.
Plan your day slightly differently from the majority: earlier breakfast, adult pool rather than main pool, early arrival at shows.
Cost Overview: Discovery Princess
| Item | Notes |
|---|---|
| Cruise fare | Higher than MSC or Costa — premium positioning |
| Balcony cabin | Recommended — worth the upgrade |
| All meals | Included (buffet + main restaurant) |
| Drinks | Extra — water ~€5, wine from €8, coffee ~€4 |
| Poolside food (pizza, ice cream, burgers) | Included |
| Shore excursions | Extra — book in advance for popular stops |
| Gratuities | Added automatically — check the daily rate when booking |
Note: Discovery Princess is priced higher than MSC or Costa for comparable itineraries. The difference shows in food quality, cabin technology, and service — but it’s a meaningful price gap.
FAQ: Discovery Princess Review
Is Discovery Princess worth the price compared to MSC? Depends on your priorities. Discovery Princess is noticeably better for food quality, cabin comfort, and service. MSC is more affordable and competitive on European itineraries. If dining and cabin quality matter to you, Princess is worth the extra cost.
Is the Mexican Riviera a good cruise itinerary? The ship is excellent; the ports are mixed. Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta are the strongest stops. Mazatlán is less developed for cruise visitors. If you’re drawn to Princess ships, consider a different itinerary — the Caribbean or Mediterranean — and return to the Mexican Riviera once you’ve seen what Princess does elsewhere.
Is a balcony cabin worth it on Discovery Princess? Yes. The cabins are well designed and the balcony gets used daily — for morning coffee, watching sunsets, and sea days. The automatic lighting and good TV make the cabin genuinely comfortable to spend time in.
How crowded is Discovery Princess? At capacity, 3,660 passengers is a lot. The adult pool area is the best escape. The main buffet at 9 a.m. is the busiest point of the day — arrive earlier or later and it’s manageable.
What are the best shows on Discovery Princess? The cooking show on the final day was the standout — genuinely funny and well executed. The ABBA tribute and rock opera were both solid. Arrive early for good seats.
Does Discovery Princess have a water park? No — this is one of the genuine gaps compared to newer Royal Caribbean or MSC ships. If a water park is important to your group, look at other ships.
Verdict: Is Discovery Princess Worth It?
The ship — yes, without hesitation. The food is the best we’ve had at sea across multiple cruise lines, the cabin is comfortable and well equipped, and the adult pool area makes sea days genuinely relaxing. The evening shows are worth attending.
The Mexican Riviera itinerary is more of a personal preference call. If you enjoy beach towns and Mexican culture, it works. If you want richer port experiences, choose a Mediterranean or Caribbean itinerary on the same ship.
Bottom line: Discovery Princess is a premium ship that delivers on food, comfort, and entertainment. Book a balcony cabin, use Deck 6 for flexible dining, get to the cooking show early, and arrive at embarkation before noon.