Cruising out of California

[prettypersuasion]

Hey everyone! My husband and I are planning our first cruise for our wedding anniversary. We never got a honeymoon so it's very important to us that we have a great cruise. We would like to sail out of California to Mexico. I'm having a hard time figuring out which cruise line is the best for us. We want at least 7 days, preferably a cruise that doesn't have many children (if that's even possible), and we want it to have a fun atmosphere with activities on the boat. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Tips for cruising are also welcome. Thanks in advance!

[Cuizer2]

Hey everyone! My husband and I are planning our first cruise for our wedding anniversary. We never got a honeymoon so it's very important to us that we have a great cruise. We would like to sail out of California to Mexico. I'm having a hard time figuring out which cruise line is the best for us. We want at least 7 days, preferably a cruise that doesn't have many children (if that's even possible), and we want it to have a fun atmosphere with activities on the boat. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Tips for cruising are also welcome. Thanks in advance!

 

Back in the day there were five lines that regularly sailed from California to Mexico. Now, it is just Carnival and Princess and that is only about once per month. Since you don't want too many children, I recommend Princess at a time when school is normally in session.

[Host Walt]

Holland America's Westerdam has weekly sailings from San Diego beginning in October 2016. The current schedule is weekly until at least February 2017.

[paul929207]

You will find "a fun atmosphere" and activities on all three lines. You are more likely to encounter children on Carnival

[navybankerteacher]

Back in the day there were five lines that regularly sailed from California to Mexico. Now, it is just Carnival and Princess and that is only about once per month. Since you don't want too many children, I recommend Princess at a time when school is normally in session.

 

Far more than one sailing per month - also Norwegian and HAL cruise to Mexico from California on 7 day itineraries.

[Cruisin' Chick]

Ask friends, family members, or co-workers who have been on cruises for recommendations of a travel agent. Go in person with an idea of your budget and what times of the year you can go. A good cruise specialist will be able to match you with the right ship and cruise line or give you advice as to what you need to change (time of year or budget for your cruise line and cabin preference).

 

Unfortunately, some cruise lines have seemed to forsake the west coast but there are Mexican Rivera cruises as well as coastal, Hawaiian (from the west coast), Panama Canal, and repo cruises to the northwest. If you want to avoid a kid-full cruise, you have to time it for when school is in session, even though there's homeschooled kids who have a bit more flexibility. But the mass market cruise lines have great kids' programs.

[whataboutport]

Is it still unsafe to go to Mazatlan? Or it's ok now?

[Flatbush Flyer]

Back in the day there were five lines that regularly sailed from California to Mexico. Now, it is just Carnival and Princess and that is only about once per month. Since you don't want too many children, I recommend Princess at a time when school is normally in session.

 

 

Oceania: LA to LA with Mexican ports.

[6rugrats]

Is it still unsafe to go to Mazatlan? Or it's ok now?

 

http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings/mexico-travel-warning.html

[zoncom]

I would also consider one of Rubys 15N to Hawaii out of LA. ROUND TRIP,so hopefully no air required for you.From $1419 Inside at one of your local CA discount agencies.Cannot name them. I no longer find Mexico safe. Several lines have stopped doing Mexico.

Ruby sails Feb 14, March24, April18, 2016.

Edited January 9, 2016 by zoncom

[bonsai3s]

Hey everyone! My husband and I are planning our first cruise for our wedding anniversary. We never got a honeymoon so it's very important to us that we have a great cruise. We would like to sail out of California to Mexico. I'm having a hard time figuring out which cruise line is the best for us. We want at least 7 days, preferably a cruise that doesn't have many children (if that's even possible), and we want it to have a fun atmosphere with activities on the boat. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Tips for cruising are also welcome. Thanks in advance!

 

Welcome to Cruise Critic! You are fortunate to have found this website...wished we had found it sooner. You will find members here that will provide you with outstanding details and helpful information.

 

Cruise ports in California are San Diego, Long Beach, San Pedro, and San Francisco. Hopefully you are within driving distance to all of them.

Since it's your first cruise...smile, make friends, have fun and bring only one thing: an open mind. (We have British friends we met over 20 years ago on a cruise and still exchange Christmas cards.)

 

7-day Mexican cruise, with lots of activities, and no children: This would've been an easy answer had Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas was still cruising out of San Pedro. Regrettably, very few Royal Caribbean ships sail California currently. As someone else suggested, take a look at Princess or perhaps Celebrity. (Note: Longer cruises typically won't have many children unless it's summer. Summer is also an expensive time of the year to cruise.)

 

There are loads of good tips on Cruise Critic but here's a few we abide by:

* Don't overpack.

* Try new things. (That includes food but in moderation.)

* Find a quiet spot on the ship.

* Find time to exercise. (Avoid early morning...it's the busiest. Early afternoon is the best time...everyone's napping.)

* If you can't exercise while onboad...walk, walk, walk when visiting ports.

* Happy Anniversary! You'll meet happy cruisers who will be celebrating their 30, 40, and 50 year anniversaries. :)