Mexico Cruises
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All you Need to Know
by Travel Journalist Tony Peisley
Some people are never satisfied. Give them sunshine and sensational beaches lapped by the Pacific Ocean and that still isn't enough. They still have to invent even more exotic ways of enjoying themselves.
Which is why on my first cruise to the Mexican Riviera back in the 1970s, I was greeted by the bizarre sight of what appeared to be people dropping from the sky by parachute. In fact, I was witnessing an early version of para-sailiing in the place that invented it: Puerto Vallarta.
But I was even more amazed by Acapulco. Already renowned for its flashy hotels, manicured golf courses and spectacular nightlife, the most popular visitor attraction - then and still now - are the fearless La Quebrada cliff-divers.
By day and even more spectacularly by floodlit night, these brave (or foolhardy) young men bravely thread the eye of a needle when diving 130ft down into the rock-strewn waters below.
The other Riviera ports of Manzanillo, Mazatlan, Zihuatanejo and - a newcomer to these itineraries – the eco-resort of Huatulco are less commercialised than big city Acapulco but this is still a cruise that appeals more to beach and ocean-loving hedonists than to history-seekers. (For Mayan ruins, you really need Mexico's Gulf and Caribbean-facing coastline). Unless you are movie history buffs, of course, as many Hollywood classics (from “Night of the Iguana” to “10”) have been filmed along this coastline.
In port, the tours concentrate on snorkelling, diving, sports fishing and even some whale-watching (off Cabo San Lucas on the Baja California) while independent time can be spent happily searching for bargains among the many silver jewellery stores.
Although Acapulco is visited on many world cruises and is also used as the starting or finishing point of trans-Panama Canal cruises, the Mexican Riviera is a destination in its own right with cruises usually starting in Los Angeles, San Francisco or, occasionally, San Diego.
Some cruises are winter-only with ships switching to Alaska in the summer but there are also ships which cruise there year-round.
DOS and DON'TS of Mexican Riviera Cruising
DO think about adding a few days before and/or after your cruise in LA or San Francisco. It is a long flight from the UK so you will enjoy the cruise even more if you have chilled out by the time you board the ship.
DON'T miss out on the trip to Alcatraz if you do stay in San Francisco - it is a fascinating tour of America's most notorious prisons.
DO take all the PR about California's climate ("It never rains in Southern California" etc) with a pinch of salt. San Francisco is often misty and chilly while even LA can be cool in the winter so pack warm clothes for that as well as the shorts and swimsuits you will need for the year-round sun of the Mexican Riviera.
DON'T expect to go walkabout straightaway in Acapulco. It is a very big city and chances are the ship will be docked some distance away from the action so be prepared to take taxis if you don't take the tours.
30 Nov 2008
12 Oct 2008
26 Oct 2008
