If you’re planning your first Mexican Riviera cruise, first of all — great choice.
After four cruises to the Mexican Riviera, including our most recent trip aboard Princess Cruises’ Royal Princess, I can honestly say this itinerary is one of the easiest and most relaxing cruise vacations for first-time cruisers.
But there are definitely a few things I wish I had known before my very first cruise to Mexico — especially when it comes to choosing the right itinerary, timing excursions, selecting a cabin, and understanding how cruise logistics actually work.
So if you’re feeling a little overwhelmed trying to figure it all out, here are the biggest things I think first-time Mexican Riviera cruisers should know before they go.
1. Choosing the Right Cruise Line Matters More Than You Think
One of the biggest mistakes first-time cruisers make is choosing a cruise line based only on price.
Different cruise lines have very different personalities, service levels, atmospheres, and experiences. Some feel more relaxed and traditional, while others are more energetic or modern.
Before choosing your cruise, think about:
- the type of atmosphere you enjoy
- your budget
- the level of service you want
- whether you prefer a quieter or more active experience
Once you narrow down the type of cruise experience you want, choosing the actual ship and itinerary becomes much easier.
2. A 7-Day Mexican Riviera Cruise Is Perfect for First-Time Cruisers
If this is your first cruise, I highly recommend a typical 7-day Mexican Riviera itinerary departing from Los Angeles or San Diego.
Most include:
- Cabo San Lucas
- Mazatlán
- Puerto Vallarta
- 3–4 sea days
This balance is ideal because it gives you time to experience both:
- relaxing sea days
- busy port days
Without feeling exhausted by the end of the trip.
You’ll also quickly learn what kind of cruiser you are. Some people discover they love sea days. Others realize they prefer more port-intensive itineraries.
A first cruise teaches you a lot.
3. Arrive the Day Before Your Cruise If You’re Flying
If you live close enough to drive to Los Angeles or San Diego, same-day arrival is usually fine.
But if you’re flying in or driving a long distance, I strongly recommend arriving at least one day early.
Cruises will not wait for delayed flights, traffic, or travel issues. If your ship departs at 4 or 5pm, boarding may actually begin as early as 10am or 11am.
Getting in the day before removes a huge amount of stress and also gives you time to enjoy Los Angeles or San Diego before your cruise begins.
4. You Probably Won’t Need to Speak Spanish
This surprises many first-time cruisers.
Throughout our Mexican Riviera cruise, English was widely spoken almost everywhere we went — including excursions, restaurants, and many local vendors.
Learning a few basic Spanish phrases is always appreciated, but you shouldn’t feel nervous if you don’t speak Spanish fluently.
5. Bring Some Cash Into Port
Most places in the ports accept credit cards, but having some cash with you is still a really good idea.
I especially wished I had cash available for:
- tipping excursion guides
- small local purchases
- food stalls
- vendors
US dollars are widely accepted throughout the Mexican Riviera, so there’s usually no need to exchange currency if you’re traveling from the United States.
6. Excursions Are Worth Considering
You absolutely can explore ports on your own, but excursions often give you a much deeper experience of the destination.
Depending on your interests, excursions can include:
- cultural tours
- snorkeling
- ziplining
- scuba diving
- ATV rides
- food tours
- beach experiences
There are typically two ways to book excursions:
- directly through the cruise line
- through reputable third-party excursion companies
Cruise line excursions are simpler because the ship handles the timing and logistics for you.
Third-party companies often offer more unique experiences and smaller group tours, but you’ll need to pay closer attention to timing.
7. Pay Attention to Ship Time vs Local Time
This is one of the most confusing things for first-time cruisers.
On our cruise, the ship stayed on Pacific Time while Puerto Vallarta operated on Mountain Time. Phones updated automatically, which could easily create confusion if you weren’t paying attention.
This becomes especially important when booking third-party excursions.
Always double-check:
- ship time
- local port time
- excursion departure times
- all-aboard time
Because the ship absolutely can leave without you.
8. Tender Ports Take Longer Than You Expect
In Cabo San Lucas, ships anchor offshore and use smaller boats called tenders to bring passengers into port.
This process takes extra time.
You may need to:
- wait for a tender ticket
- stand in line
- ride the tender to shore
If you’re booking an independent excursion, make sure you build in enough extra time for this process.
9. Cabin Location Matters More Than Most People Realize
When booking your cabin, most people focus only on:
- inside
- oceanview
- balcony
- suite
But location on the ship matters too.
For example:
- port side cabins may offer sunrise views when sailing south
- starboard side cabins often face sunsets
- aft balconies provide incredible wake views
We stayed in an aft balcony cabin on this trip and absolutely loved it.
You’ll also want to think about:
- motion sensitivity
- noise
- elevator proximity
- convenience
Small cabin decisions can make a surprisingly big difference in comfort.
10. Reserve Dining, Spa Treatments & Packages Early
Many cruise lines allow you to reserve:
- specialty dining
- spa treatments
- WiFi
- drink packages
Before your cruise even begins.
This is important because:
- popular dining reservations can book up quickly
- spa pricing is often cheaper pre-cruise
- drink/WiFi packages are usually discounted ahead of sailing
If you already know what you want, booking early can save both money and frustration.
11. Travel Insurance Is Absolutely Worth It
I know travel insurance can feel unnecessary — until something goes wrong.
Over the years, I’ve personally experienced:
- delayed flights
- canceled flights
- lost luggage
And I know others who’ve dealt with medical emergencies while traveling.
Cruises especially can become extremely expensive if medical evacuation or emergency transportation is needed.
Travel insurance gives you:
- financial protection
- support during emergencies
- peace of mind
And for me, that alone makes it worth it.
Final Thoughts on Mexican Riviera Cruises
A Mexican Riviera cruise is one of the best options for first-time cruisers because it combines:
- relaxing sea days
- beautiful ports
- easy logistics
- approachable itineraries
Without feeling overly complicated or exhausting.
And once you take your first cruise, you’ll quickly start figuring out what type of cruising experience fits you best.
Need Help Planning Your Cruise?
If you’d rather not sort through all the cruise options yourself, I’d be happy to help.
I’ve worked in the travel industry for over 20 years and specialize in helping travelers plan smooth, well-thought-out cruise vacations without the overwhelm.
You can learn more or reach out here: