Cruises

Mexico has become one of the leading destinations worldwide for cruise ship travel, with more than 10 million tourists arriving at Mexico’s coasts aboard international cruise liners each year, according to figures from Mexico’s Tourism Board (CPTM).

The country’s growing cruise ship infrastructure would bear this out, with destinations such as Tabasco, which welcomes its first cruise ship in the summer of 2009 at its new Dos Bocas dock, Chiapas, and the Costa Maya, which scrambled to rebuild its popular port after hurricane damage, offering travelers expanded itineraries to explore.

The ports along the coasts of the Pacific Ocean (such as Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan), the Mexican Caribbean (Cozumel) and the Sea of Cortez (Ensenada, Los Cabos), where most foreign visitors arrive, are equipped with modern infrastructure and state-of-the-art terminals offering comfort and safety.

Though fairly new, the Costa Maya’s port at Majahual has grown to become one of the most important destinations for cruise liners, welcoming the largest cruise ship in the world, the 6,000-passenger Voyager of the Seas, every two weeks.

According to the 2008 Travel Trends Survey conducted by Travel Leaders (formerly Carlson Wagonlit Travel Associates), travel agents named “Caribbean cruising and Cancun to be among the most popular international ‘destinations.’” They also reported that cruises were their clients’ second-most popular type of vacation.

Top cruise liners with Mexico itineraries, such as Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Holland America and Crystal Cruises, offer everything from luxury cruises to accessible family packages, as well as cruises for newlyweds, singles and even nudists.