Best Cruises to Mexico

The 2,713-passenger Disney Wonder first debuted in 1999 and was updated in fall 2016, rolling out new family-oriented amenities and entertainment offerings like meet and greets with Disney characters and Frozen, A Musical Spectacular.

The ship offers plenty of onboard activities, with 10 designated family areas, six youth clubs and seven adults-only spaces. While younger passengers play at age-appropriate clubs, grown-ups can relax at the adults-only Quiet Cove Pool. Infants and toddlers in swim diapers are limited to specified kids' wet play and splash areas (this is a requirement by the United States Public Health Service, not a Disney-specific rule). 

In terms of dining, Disney Wonder offers six options, including one adults-only specialty restaurant. At night, adults can unwind and enjoy After Hours, a section of the ship that features three nightclubs and lounges.

Like the majority of the ship, staterooms are designed with families in mind. Interior staterooms can accommodate up to four passengers, while larger Suites can sleep up to seven. All cabins come equipped with flat-screen TVs, seating areas and classic Disney designs. Recent cruisers noted the expensive cost of a trip on the Disney Wonder, but most felt the quality of service was top-notch. 

In 2019-20, Disney Wonder departs from a range of ports, including Galveston, Texas and San Diego, California. It sails to destinations in Canada, the Caribbean, the Panama Canal and more.

Originally launched in 2008 and updated in late 2015, Eurodam carries up to 2,104 passengers and 876 crew members.

The ship’s 11 decks include five cabin categories: Interior staterooms (141 to 284 square feet), Ocean View and Verandah staterooms, and Signature and Neptune Suites. All cabins come equipped with plush Euro-Top mattresses and flat-screen TVs. Suites received updates to the furniture, carpeting and bathrooms, as well as a USB outlet on the bed's headboard and a Bose Bluetooth speaker. 

Recent cruisers of Eurodam were pleased with the versatile selection of nine dining venues. Most notably, the ship offers Tamarind, which serves exotic fare from Southeast Asia, China and Japan. 

Daytime activities range from the new America's Test Kitchen to the BBC Earth Experiences. More active pursuits include two swimming pools and sports courts. In the evenings, passengers can sip cocktails at one of the bars or lounges or take in a show at the Lincoln Center Stage or B.B. King's Blues Club.

In 2019-20, Eurodam departs from Fort Lauderdale, San Diego, Seattle and Vancouver for sailings in the Caribbean, Alaska, Hawaii and Tahiti, Mexico and more. 

Borrowing its name from the former city of New Amsterdam (now known as New York City), this 2,106-passenger member of the Holland America fleet launched in 2010 and is famous for its extensive art collection valued at more than $3 million. Guests can admire works from Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein through a complimentary self-guided iPod tour.

Passengers can also pass the time by the pool or in the Greenhouse Spa, while more enriching programs include the new America's Test Kitchen, the BBC Earth Experiences and photography classes in the Digital Workshop, powered by Windows. While the ship offers youth clubs for kids ages 3 to 17, most activities are geared toward adults.

When it comes to dining, guests can choose from seafood at the popular Sel de Mer French restaurant, New York Pizza on the pool deck, Asian delicacies at Tamarind and more. Several casual eateries and the main dining rooms are included at no extra cost.

Meanwhile, staterooms range from Interior cabins to expansive Signature, Neptune and Pinnacle Suites, all of which are equipped with Sealy Premium Euro-Top mattresses and flat-screen TVs.

In 2019-20, Nieuw Amsterdam departs from Barcelona, Rome, Fort Lauderdale and Venice for sailings in the Caribbean and Europe.

Built in 2017, the 3,804-passenger, 1,821-crew-member Norwegian Joy was refurbished and redeployed to Alaska in 2019. Accommodation options include Inside, Oceanview and Balcony staterooms, as well as Suites, Concierge rooms (which come with concierge service) and The Haven cabins (which include 24-hour butler service and private sundecks). 

There are five inclusive dining options and eight specialty venues on board, the latter of which offer cuisines from Japan, France and Italy. Complimentary restaurants include the ship's three main dining rooms; The Local, a 24-hour pub; and the Garden Café, a casual spot with floor-to-ceiling windows that offers breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Cruisers will find plenty of things to do on board, from shopping at duty-free stores and luxury boutiques to watching stand-up comedians and full-scale productions like the Broadway musical Footloose. The ship also offers a spa, laser tag, a racetrack, a casino, mini-golf, a fitness center, two aqua parks and more. 

In 2019-20, Norwegian Joy sails from Miami, Los Angeles, Seattle and Vancouver to ports across Alaska, the Caribbean, the Mexican Riviera, the Pacific Coast and the Panama Canal.

With offerings like movie screenings beneath the stars and massages at the adults-only Sanctuary, Ruby Princess is a good choice for couples. Debuted in 2008, the ship was most recently refurbished in October 2018 to add new top-deck dining options like Slice Pizzeria and Coffee & Cones. Ruby Princess holds 1,200 crew members and 3,080 guests.

In terms of lodging, 80 percent of exterior cabins are appointed with balconies, and all rooms come equipped with flat-screen TVs and minifridges. While Interior cabins range from 158 to 162 square feet, Balcony category cabins offer more space and Pullman beds to accommodate extra guests. As of January 2020, each guest aboard Ruby Princess will receive an OceanMedallion wearable device to unlock his or her stateroom, make onboard payments, track down friends and family and more.

Reviewers are complimentary of the ship's onboard programming and amenities. Activities include a nine-hole putting course, duty-free shopping boutiques and enrichment opportunities through the Discovery at SEA program. Dining is just as diverse, with a total of 11 venues to choose from. Come nightfall, travelers can try their luck at the casino, see a show in the theater or dance until the wee hours at the top-deck nightclub.

In 2019-20, Ruby Princess offers itineraries in California, Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico and more.  

Launched in April 2018, Norwegian Bliss carries 4,004 passengers and 1,716 crew members. Cabin layouts range from one-person Studios to The Haven villas, penthouses and suites, which offer private sun decks, king-sized beds and 24-hour butler service. The ship also features staterooms and suites with complimentary access to the Thermal Spa Suites.

Onboard entertainment options are plentiful on Norwegian Bliss. In addition to enjoying standard ship amenities like pools, a miniature golf course and kids clubs, cruisers of all ages can spend days at sea zipping around the race car track, playing laser tag, riding the arcade's virtual rollercoaster and more. Meanwhile, adults will love gambling in the casino, catching a performance at the theater, and sipping cocktails in the ship's 16 bars, nightclubs and lounges.

When it's time to eat, cruisers can order room service or grab a complimentary bite in one of three Main Dining Rooms, the buffet restaurant or the 24-hour pub. Guests staying in The Haven accommodations can also dine in The Haven Restaurant. An additional 13 coffee shops, quick-service eateries and a la carte restaurants that serve specialty cuisines like Mexican, Italian and Texas-style barbecue are available as well.

In 2019-20, Norwegian Bliss departs from ports in Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, Seattle and Vancouver, British Columbia, for sailings throughout Alaska, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Panama, Mexico and the Pacific Coast.

First launched in 1998, the 2,600-passenger Grand Princess underwent a renovation in March 2019 that added new top-deck dining venues like Slice Pizzeria, The Mix, Salty Dog Grill and Coffee & Cones. The Princess Theater was also refreshed to provide a more immersive audio experience. Other onboard amenities include the adults-only Sanctuary, duty-free boutiques and educational programs through the Discovery of SEA program.

The ship houses numerous dining venues, including three main dining rooms, four specialty venues and a variety of casual eateries serving classics like burgers and pizza. Come nightfall, passengers can enjoy cocktails at their pick of lounges.

The recently refurbished accommodations are outfitted with amenities like flat-screen TVs and minifridges. Though only 76 percent of exterior cabins offer private balconies – a lower percentage than other ships in the fleet – guests describe cabins as comfortable and spacious. Plus, thanks to a nearly 2-to-1 guest-to-crew ratio (the ship features 1,150 crew members), past cruisers describe the onboard service as attentive and friendly. What's more, as of March 2020, each guest aboard Grand Princess will receive an OceanMedallion wearable device to unlock his or her stateroom, make onboard payments, track down friends and family and more.

In 2019-20, Grand Princess departs from San Francisco, Los Angeles and more for sailings in Alaska, Hawaii, Asia, the California coast and Mexico. 

The 2,054-passenger Carnival Inspiration was last refurbished in November 2018 (it originally launched in 1996) and includes several "Fun Ship 2.0" features, such as the BlueIguana Tequila Bar and Guy's Burger Joint.

The ship appeals to multiple traveler types, with a variety of activities and amenities ranging from the Punchliner Comedy Club and six bars and lounges to a mini-golf course, video game arcade and WaterWorks water park. During the day, younger guests can participate in age-appropriate kids clubs while parents relax and sip cocktails at the Serenity Adult-Only Retreat.

When it’s time to dine, guests can choose between two main dining rooms, a coffee bar and the Lido buffet, which offers everything from pizza to salad. However, passengers won’t find any specialty dining venues. Past cruisers gave mixed reviews of the food quality.

Carnival Inspiration offers fewer cabin categories than newer Carnival ships, but cruisers can still choose from Interior, Ocean View and Suite category accommodations. All cabins come appointed with flat-screen TVs and 24-hour room service.

In 2019-20, Carnival Inspiration departs from Los Angeles for sailings in Mexico. 

Recently updated in 2018, Maasdam can carry up to 1,258 passengers and 569 crew members. Traveling with fewer guests means there are more spots in onboard learning programs like BBC Earth Experiences and the popular Digital Workshop, powered by Windows. Plus, you'll likely find fewer crowds at the pool deck and in the Greenhouse Spa. While the ship does offer youth clubs for kids, most activities are geared toward adults. In 2018, Holland America Line introduced the new EXC In-Depth Voyages aboard the Maasdam, which explore fascinating corners of the world over 12 to 32 days. Passengers can also participate in excursions on smaller Zodiac boats to get up close and personal with the destinations' flora and fauna. 

Dining options on Maasdam range from steaks and seafood at the Pinnacle Grill to pasta dishes at the Canaletto Restaurant to vegetarian and low-carb plates at the Rotterdam Dining Room. Interior cabins are appointed with sofas and flat-screen TVs, while travelers who upgrade to Lanai staterooms receive private balconies. For more luxury, splurge on one of three suite categories, which include whirlpool baths and access to a private lounge area (in Neptune suites). 

In 2019-20, Maasdam sails from a variety of ports – including San Diego and Sydney – to destinations in Alaska, Australia, Mexico and the Pacific Coast. 

More colorful than most of Holland America's fleet, Oosterdam launched in 2003 and was last updated in 2016. The 1,964-passenger ship houses 812 crew members, making the passenger-to-crew ratio roughly 2-to-1.

The ship features six stateroom categories: Inside, Ocean View, Verandah, Signature Suite, Pinnacle Suite and Neptune Suite. All accommodations are outfitted with Sealy-Premium Euro-Top mattresses, flat-screen TVs and plenty of storage space.

Like other Vista-class ships, Oosterdam is equipped with a large pool and a sizable spa and fitness area, along with America's Test Kitchen, BBC Earth Experiences and sports courts. While there are kids and teens clubs for younger passengers, most of the activities and entertainment on the ship are geared toward adults.

When it's time to dine, guests can enjoy varied dishes in the main dining room, Italian fare at Canaletto or more casual options. On select nights, guests can dine on French seafood dishes from Sel De Mer at the Pinnacle Grill. 

In 2019-20, Oosterdam departs from ports in Fort Lauderdale, San Diego, Seattle, Vancouver and more. Itineraries include destinations in Alaska, Australia, Hawaii and Tahiti, Mexico, the Panama Canal and the Pacific Coast.