We sailed the Mexican Riviera on Discovery Princess in March 2025 — 8 days, three Mexican ports, and two full days at sea in each direction. The ship was excellent. The ports were more mixed. Here’s the honest version of both.
Mexican Riviera Cruise Itinerary at a Glance
| Day | Port | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Los Angeles | Embarkation |
| Day 2 | At sea | — |
| Day 3 | Cabo San Lucas | Tender port — lifeboats to shore |
| Day 4 | Mazatlán | City tour, market |
| Day 5 | Puerto Vallarta | Ship excursion to resort |
| Days 6–7 | At sea | Mini golf, movies, chef’s show |
| Day 8 | Los Angeles | Disembarkation by 9 a.m. |
Before the Cruise: Los Angeles
We arrived in Los Angeles the day before the cruise and stayed at a hotel near the port — the right call, because LA is genuinely not a walking city. Having a hotel within walking distance of the terminal made the morning straightforward.
Boarding was the one rough patch. A porter takes your heavy luggage at the port and delivers it to your cabin — use this service, it’s worth it. Then comes the check-in queue. With all passengers arriving in the same 11 a.m.–2 p.m. window, we waited about an hour. Once on board, it was forgotten quickly.
Tip: Arrive closer to 11 a.m. — the queue builds as the afternoon goes on.
Day at Sea: Getting to Know the Ship
The second day — a full day at sea — is the best time to explore the ship properly.
Breakfast in the buffet set the tone: salmon, chicken pudding, fruit, and more. After that, we tried the gym — decent equipment for both cardio and strength training, though smaller than expected for a ship this size.
The afternoon was spent at the adults-only pool area — hot tub, pool, sun deck. Calm and rarely crowded, even with 3,660 passengers on board.
The evening was the formal night. Champagne tower, captain’s speech, a live show, then dinner at the main restaurant. The day ended at the bar with Mexican music.
Note: Princess Cruises does not have a White Night party like MSC or Costa — if that’s something you enjoy, factor it in.
Cabo San Lucas: Land’s End and Sea Lions
Cabo San Lucas is a tender port — the harbor is too shallow for a large ship to dock, so passengers take lifeboats to shore. A little nerve-wracking the first time, but it’s a short trip and the views going in are worth it.
What we did: A boat tour to the point where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez — one of the more dramatic natural features on the whole itinerary. Along the way, sea lions on the rocks. The tour was genuinely impressive.
The tipping culture in Cabo was more aggressive than anywhere else on the trip — even small interactions came with an expectation. It’s worth knowing in advance so it doesn’t catch you off guard.
After the tour, we wandered the town, bought drinks, and headed back to the ship for a balcony afternoon.
Evening: ABBA tribute show — energetic, well performed, and the best organized show of the cruise.
Mazatlán: Old Town, Market, and a Sunset
Mazatlán was the most authentically Mexican stop on the itinerary — and the most relaxed.
What we did: A small group city tour (8 people, about 4 hours). The old town, a notable church, views from the hill over the city, and the new coastal district. The local market had crafts and souvenirs at fair prices.
The pace was unhurried, and the guides weren’t pushy. A good contrast to Cabo.
The evening back on board: a dinner at the ship’s grill restaurant, followed by the evening show.
Puerto Vallarta: The Resort Excursion
For Puerto Vallarta, we booked a ship-organized excursion to La Dulce Vista resort — about an hour’s drive from the port.
The honest assessment: it wasn’t our favourite stop. The road to the resort gives you a glimpse of everyday Mexico — unpaved roads, plastic bottles, dogs and chickens on the street. It’s an interesting contrast to the tourist centres, but not exactly scenic.
The resort itself is well maintained — pool, tequila tasting (bottles available to buy, up to $80), lunch included. But we already had a pool on the ship, and a better one. The $100 per person price tag was hard to justify in hindsight.
Tip: For Puerto Vallarta, consider exploring the old town independently instead — it’s walkable, colourful, and free.
Two Days at Sea: The Best Part of the Trip
The two return sea days from Puerto Vallarta to Los Angeles were genuinely the highlight.
- Mini golf and basketball on deck
- Burgers, pizza, and ice cream by the pool — all included
- Evening movies on the outdoor deck
- Tax-free shopping
- Hot tub when the wind picked up
The chef’s show on the penultimate day was the best single event of the entire cruise. The head chef and restaurant manager hosted — unexpectedly funny, genuinely entertaining, and unlike anything we’d seen on a cruise before. Don’t miss it.
The final day buffet: mussels, shrimp, freshly baked cakes. A proper send-off.
Disembarkation: Los Angeles
We docked at 6 a.m. and had to be off the ship by 9. Enough time for a final breakfast. Suitcases left in the hallway the night before are collected and waiting at the terminal — the process was calm and well organised.
Arriving back into Los Angeles port — cargo ships, yachts, the city skyline — marked the end of the trip properly.
Full Cost Breakdown: Mexican Riviera Cruise for 2
| Expense | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 8-day cruise (Discovery Princess, 2 people) | €1,600 | All meals included |
| Cabo San Lucas excursion | $20/person | Boat tour to Land’s End |
| Mazatlán city tour | $30/person | Small group, 4 hours |
| Puerto Vallarta resort excursion | $100/person | Ship-organized, includes lunch |
| Flight Riga → LA return (Turkish Airlines) | €479/person | — |
| Hotel in LA (1 night, pre-cruise) | €63 | Near the port |
| Food & drinks ashore, souvenirs | Variable | Budget €30–50/day per person |
Total for 2 people (excluding flights): approximately €1,860 + shore excursions Per person including flights: approximately €1,400–1,500
FAQ: Mexican Riviera Cruise
How much does a Mexican Riviera cruise cost? Our 8-day cruise on Discovery Princess cost €1,600 for two people — all meals included. Add flights from Europe (€479 per person on Turkish Airlines), a pre-cruise hotel in LA (~€63), and shore excursions ($20–100 per person per port). Total per person including flights: approximately €1,400–1,500.
Is Cabo San Lucas a tender port? Yes — the harbor is too shallow for large ships to dock. Passengers take the ship’s lifeboats to shore. The ride takes about 10 minutes and the views going in are good. Factor in extra time for tendering when planning your day ashore.
Is the Puerto Vallarta ship excursion worth it? In our experience, no — not the resort excursion. The $100 per person price is hard to justify when the ship has better pools on board. A better option is exploring Puerto Vallarta’s old town independently — it’s walkable, free, and more interesting.
Which Mexican Riviera port is best? Cabo San Lucas for the natural scenery (Land’s End, sea lions). Mazatlán for the most authentic Mexican atmosphere and the best city tour. Puerto Vallarta has a beautiful old town that’s worth exploring on foot rather than via a resort excursion.
Is the Mexican Riviera itinerary worth it? The ship — yes. The ports are mixed. If you’re drawn to Princess Cruises, the Mexican Riviera works as an introduction, but a Mediterranean or Caribbean itinerary on the same ship would offer more varied port experiences.
What is the chef’s show on Discovery Princess? An onboard cooking demonstration hosted by the head chef and restaurant manager. It’s genuinely funny — more comedy show than cooking class. It takes place near the end of the cruise. Worth planning your evening around.
Verdict: Is the Mexican Riviera Cruise Worth It?
The ship is worth it. Discovery Princess delivers on food, comfort, and entertainment — the chef’s show, the adults-only pool area, the final day buffet, and the formal evening are all highlights.
The itinerary is more of a personal call. Cabo San Lucas is the strongest port — the boat tour to Land’s End is genuinely impressive. Mazatlán is relaxed and authentic. Puerto Vallarta disappointed us, mainly because of the excursion choice — next time we’d explore the old town independently.
If you want a comfortable ship with good food and don’t mind that the ports are beach-and-market rather than historic city stops — yes, it’s worth it.