Before we ever saw Cabo San Lucas, we’d heard that it was the jewel of the Baja California steps when taking a cruise on the Mexican Riviera. And every time we’ve been there, the lasting impression has been the same — not enough time.
Part of the reason is that cruise ships have to tender passengers to the port at the tip of the Sea of Cortez. On our first trip, we recall having a four-hour stopover that was greatly reduced by “tender time” going to and from the pier. On our last trip, we had almost twice as long…still not enough.
Starting in December, Carnival’s lone remaining ship the waters of the Mexican Riviera, the Spirit (left), will sail 5, 6, 8 and 9-day cruises from San Diego that all include a 2-day stop at Cabo San Lucas. It’s not every cruise on the Spirit, but most of them.
For people who sail south along the Pacific Coast, it’s become a tired week-long route…Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas and back (throw in Acapulco on the 10-day cruises), and all the major cruise lines ran them. It seems that Carnival is listening to those passengers, and at the same time taking some attention away from the departure of the Elation earlier this year to Mobile.
At the same time, Carnival has introduced a few alternative ports in Mexico — Ensenada, La Paz, Zihuatanejo/Xtapa and Manzanillo. This isn’t unique in the industry, but two days in Cabo is. For us, it’s the most welcome change.