Cruise association says Mexican Riviera itineraries on the rise.

http://www.cruise-reviews.com/news/n...sp?FNewsID=785
Cruise association says Mexican Riviera itineraries on the rise. Vacationers
can visit ports from quaint to cosmopolitan
As more travelers become experienced Caribbean cruisers, they are
discovering a new tropical paradise, the Mexican Riviera, which offers
sensational scenery, some of the best beaches in the world and a formidable
array of cultural attractions. According to the Cruise Lines International
Association (CLIA), the Mexican Riviera has grown into one of the top five
cruise destinations in the last five years, and for good reason.


Typically, CLIA (www.cruising.org) member line ships call at such
destinations as California's Monterey and Catalina Island, and the Mexican
ports of Acapulco, Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, Ixtapa/Zihautanjeo,
Manzanillo and Mazatlan. Cruises from seven to 11 days set sail from Los
Angeles, Long Beach, San Diego and San Francisco.


"It's no wonder that Mexican Riviera cruises continue to grow in
popularity," said Terry L. Dale, president and CEO of CLIA, the chief
marketing organization for 20 premier cruise lines and nearly 17,000 North
American travel agencies.

"These cruises have it all - charming villages, bustling cities, fabulous
food and culture and miles and miles of flawless beaches."


Travelers will visit a cornucopia of coastal villages and towns along the
California and Mexican coasts. California's 70-square mile Catalina Island
harkens back to a more gentrified time in history. Visitors can ocean kayak,
mountain-bike through conversancy lands and take advantage of many types of
water sports. And, travelers won't want to miss the Wrigley Memorial Garden,
created in memory of chewing gum magnate William Wrigley Junior.


Another California port favorite, Monterey, is renowned as a golfer's
paradise - and a town that offers spectacular views of the harbor at
Fisherman's Wharf on the Monterey Peninsula. Cruise guests sailing in
November won't want to miss the Monarch Grove Sanctuary, which is the
ultimate during the November butterfly-viewing season. An excursion along
Seventeen Mile Drive showcases the region's redwood forest and jagged
Pacific coast.


The glittering city of Acapulco is renowned for its legendary nightlife,
restaurants, beaches and the La Quebrada cliff divers - who leap from
130-foot rock formations into the sea below. The city is also known for
excellent fishing - particularly sailfish, snorkeling and scuba diving. The
pulse of the city is its main street, Avenida Costera Miguel Alemán, where
travelers will find most of Acapulco's attractions.


Quaint Cabo San Lucas is home to gorgeous beaches and a wide range of
water-related activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving, marlin fishing,
surfing and kayaking. The town features an underwater nature preserve, a
short boat ride away from the harbor and the famous Land's End rock
formations.


With more than 250 restaurants and a hip nightlife scene, Puerto Vallarta
still maintains the charm of an old-fashioned Mexican village with
cobblestone streets and blossoming bougainvillea. In addition to shops and
galleries, the town boasts ecotourism activities like mountain biking though
the Sierra foothills and whale watching.


In Ixtapa, guests will find spectacular beach areas, including a two-mile
strip that extends along the hotel zone, Playa del Palmar. The town also
boasts two 18-hole golf courses and a 600-slip yacht marina with restaurants
and shops. Down the coast from Ixtapa is Zihuatanejo, a historic fishing
village located in a sheltered bay only a mile and a half wide.


Manzanillo, one of Mexico's most vibrant and active seaports, is one of the
greatest fishing spots around the globe - and also features one of the
world's best golf courses. The landscape is nothing if not diverse, as
travelers will find jungles and mountains, palm trees and beaches.


Mazatlan's harbor is set against a breathtaking mountain range and is
blessed with magnificent beaches. A renowned fishing destination, Mazatlan
is also known for excellent seafood. For the active traveler, a walk up to
El Faro, the second-highest lighthouse in the world, provides panoramic
views of the town.


Following is a listing of cruise lines offering Mexican Riviera cruises this
year:


CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES

Carnival Cruise Lines' Carnival Pride and Carnival Spirit Mexican Riviera
itineraries blend the line's "Fun Ship" ambience with mariachi bands that
perform at select ports. Carnival Pride sails year-round on seven-day
voyages from Long Beach, Calif., to Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San
Lucas. Carnival Sprit offers seasonal eight-day cruises from San Diego to
Acapulco, Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa and Manzanillo.


CELEBRITY CRUISES.

Celebrity Cruises' Infinity offers two 10- and 11-day voyages from San Diego
in April that visit Monterey and Catalina Island, Manzanillo, Puerto
Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas. Mercury features 10- and 11-day itineraries
from San Diego that are available on select dates in April, October and
November. Ports include Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, Acapulco,
Zihautenejo/Ixtapa and Manzanillo.


CRYSTAL CRUISES

Highlighting Crystal Cruises' Mexican Riviera offerings is a 14-day
Christmas and New Year's cruise out of Los Angeles on December 21 aboard
Crystal Symphony. With ports of call that include San Diego, Cabo San Lucas,
Acapulco, Zihuatanejo, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, and La Paz, this year
marks Crystal Symphony's first Mexican Riviera holiday voyage roundtrip from
Los Angeles since 2002.


HOLLAND AMERICA LINE

From whale watching near Cabo San Lucas to discovering the famous Copper
Canyon from Topolobampo, Holland America Line explores the natural wonders
of the Mexican Riviera on 32 cruises. Oosterdam and Zaandam feature seven-
and 10-day cruises traveling roundtrip from San Diego. Oosterdam operates on
29 seven-day itineraries while Zaandam offers three 10-day journeys enabling
more in-depth exploration.


NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE

Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Star features eight-day itineraries that
provide guests with full days in the ports of Zihautenejo/Ixtapa, Puerto
Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas. The itineraries also offer overnight calls in
Acapulco, with the ship departing the city after midnight. The sailings also
include three days at sea. In all, 25 sailings along the Mexican Riviera.


PRINCESS CRUISES

Four Princess Cruises' ships ply the waters of the Mexican Riviera. Golden
Princess makes her West Coast debut with roundtrip sailings from San
Francisco and a one-way voyage from Acapulco. Dawn Princess offers a series
of sailings out of San Francisco. Diamond Princess operates roundtrip
voyages from Los Angeles. Island Princess features a special Mexican Riviera
holiday voyage.


REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES

Regent Seven Seas Cruises' Seven Seas Mariner departs Dec. 18 on an
eight-night voyage roundtrip from Los Angeles that calls at San Diego, Cabo
San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta, spending Christmas day at sea. The cruise
features Le Cordon Bleu Cooking Workshops and a Club Mariner's children's
program. Other Regent ships incorporate Mexican Riviera ports on Panama
Canal itineraries.


ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL

Royal Caribbean International's Vision of the Seas operates on seven-night
Mexican Riviera itineraries that sail roundtrip from Los Angeles. The
cruises are offered through April 30 and again from September 24 through
Dec. 31. The itineraries call at Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerto
Vallarta. Shore excursions include adventuresome options that enable guests
to trek through jungles and plantations.


SILVERSEA CRUISES

Silversea Cruises offers a nine-day cruise roundtrip from Los Angeles on
September 17 aboard Silver Shadow. Calls include Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta,
Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada. Optional shore excursions include an ATV
off-road adventure through the "Outback" of Cabo San Lucas and a flight
aboard a Cessna Caravan from Puerto Vallarta to a village in the Sierra
Madre Mountains.

Media wrote:
http://www.cruise-reviews.com/news/n...sp?FNewsID=785

Another California port favorite, Monterey, is renowned as a golfer's

How many ships go to Monterey?

Thus spake "Media" :

http://www.cruise-reviews.com/news/n...sp?FNewsID=785

Even Sisker beat you on this one.
--
dillon

I didn't climb to the top of the
food chain to become a vegetartian.