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Cruise to Vallarta

Cruise line profiles

Five lines sail the Pacific route to Vallarta. They are genuinely different products.

Ship choice matters more on the Mexican Riviera than on most routes, because sea days are a large share of the itinerary. A family-focused megaship and an adults-oriented premium ship will give you two completely different weeks for a similar fare.

Carnival Cruise Line

Typical fare band: $$

The high-energy, best-value family option on the Pacific route. Long Beach year-round, a huge activity programme and the lowest entry fares to Vallarta.

Strengths

  • Lowest fares on the route, frequently under $600 for seven nights
  • Excellent children’s programming from age 2 upward
  • Long Beach sails year-round — easiest drive-to port in Southern California
  • Carnival Panorama is purpose-built for this itinerary

Worth knowing

  • Busy, loud ships — this is the point, but know it before booking
  • Adult-only spaces are limited compared with premium lines
  • Spring break sailings (March) skew very young
Ships on this route
Carnival Panorama, Carnival Firenze, Carnival Miracle
Departs from
Long Beach (Los Angeles)
Typical itineraries
7-night Long Beach round trip: Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán, Puerto Vallarta.

Best for: Families with children, first-time cruisers and anyone prioritising value.

Princess Cruises

Typical fare band: $$$

The premium adult-leaning choice. Quieter ships, the best adults-only deck space on the route and a stronger enrichment programme.

Strengths

  • The Sanctuary — genuinely peaceful adults-only sun deck
  • Strong food programme and specialty dining without a crowd
  • Frequent 10-night itineraries that add Manzanillo or Loreto
  • San Francisco departures for travellers in Northern California

Worth knowing

  • Fares run 30–50 % above Carnival for the same week
  • Children’s facilities exist but the demographic skews older
  • Some itineraries tender at secondary ports — Vallarta always docks alongside
Ships on this route
Discovery Princess, Royal Princess, Majestic Princess
Departs from
Los Angeles, San Francisco
Typical itineraries
7-night Los Angeles round trip, or 10-night sailings adding Manzanillo and a sea day.

Best for: Couples, retirees and travellers who want quiet deck space and better food.

Royal Caribbean

Typical fare band: $$$

The activity-led megaship experience: rock walls, surf simulators, skydiving simulators and a very large ship to explore.

Strengths

  • Best-in-class onboard activities for teenagers
  • Ovation of the Seas is the largest ship regularly calling at Vallarta
  • Strong loyalty programme if you already sail Royal
  • Excellent entertainment production values

Worth knowing

  • Seasonal on this route — most sailings are winter repositioning
  • Very large passenger counts mean slower tender and gangway flow
  • Onboard extras add up quickly
Ships on this route
Navigator of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas
Departs from
Los Angeles
Typical itineraries
7 and 9-night Los Angeles round trips, October to April.

Best for: Families with teenagers and travellers who want the ship to be the destination.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Typical fare band: $$$

Freestyle cruising — no fixed dining times, no formal nights, and the broadest specialty restaurant line-up on the route.

Strengths

  • No assigned dining or dress codes at all
  • Excellent solo cabins — rare on this route
  • Free at Sea promotions often include drinks or excursion credit
  • Strong Broadway-calibre theatre on the Bliss and Encore

Worth knowing

  • Base fare is low but upsells are constant and aggressive
  • Specialty dining is where the good food is — budget for it
  • Pacific season is shorter than Carnival’s
Ships on this route
Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Jewel
Departs from
Los Angeles, San Francisco
Typical itineraries
7-night Los Angeles round trips and repositioning sailings from San Francisco.

Best for: Solo travellers, foodies and anyone who hates fixed dining times.

Holland America Line

Typical fare band: $$$

The quietest, most classically-minded ships on the route, with the strongest music programming and the longest itineraries.

Strengths

  • Music Walk — B.B. King’s Blues Club and Lincoln Center Stage
  • San Diego departures avoid Los Angeles traffic entirely
  • Regular 10 and 14-night Mexican Riviera itineraries
  • Smaller passenger counts mean faster disembarkation in port

Worth knowing

  • Older average passenger age — lively is not the word
  • Fewer facilities for children under 12
  • Longer itineraries need more annual leave
Ships on this route
Koningsdam, Zuiderdam, Eurodam
Departs from
San Diego, San Francisco
Typical itineraries
10-night San Diego round trips adding Manzanillo, Loreto or La Paz.

Best for: Couples and retirees who want a calm ship and a longer, deeper itinerary.

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