| Cruises to Mexico aren't what they used to | | | | mix. |
| be…they're much, much more. Whether | | | | Food & wine |
| you're single or married, gay or lesbian, with or | | | | The Radisson Seven Seas also offers a special |
| without children, on a low-carb diet or abandoning | | | | Food & Wine spotlight cruise on the Mariner in |
| it, blind, a nudist, or just a die-hard Disney fan, | | | | March. The cruise, which sails from Los Angeles |
| Mexico has the cruise for you. As an added | | | | and stops in Cabo San Lucas, Acapulco and |
| bonus, those who travel to Mexico via a cruise | | | | Huatulco in Oaxaca, features a Cordon Bleu |
| wont need a passport to do so until 2008! | | | | cooking school and Sonoma Valley wines. Max |
| While millions of tourists flock to Mexico every | | | | McCalman, chef formageur from New York's |
| year by land and air, the country has also become | | | | Picholine Restaurant will provide expert tips, |
| the world's top cruise destination, with cruises | | | | instruction and 24/7 wine tasting. |
| becoming more popular and lifestyle specific every | | | | Mickey on board |
| year. | | | | Disney Cruise Line is also increasing its presence |
| According to recent statistics released by | | | | to Mexico, offering a variety of cruises to Mexico |
| Mexico's Tourism Secretariat (Sectur), some 6.5 | | | | including calls to Cozumel on the Caribbean side, as |
| million passengers arrived to Mexico's ports in | | | | well as calls to Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and |
| 2005. The most popular port is by far on the | | | | Puerto Vallarta on the Pacific side. Disney offers |
| island of Cozumel, located just south of Cancun in | | | | special programs for children, teens and as well as |
| the Mexican Caribbean. According to Mexico's | | | | adults, offering something for the entire family. |
| Communications and Transportation Secretariat, | | | | The Disney Magic ship to Mexico's western ports |
| 754 ships arrived to Cozumel in the first ten | | | | has been enhanced by a 24-by14 foot jumbo LED |
| months of 2006, carrying some 1.5 million | | | | screen for poolside movies and an expanded |
| passengers. The second most popular port is | | | | fitness and spa center for adults. |
| Costa Maya on the Mexican Caribbean, which | | | | Low carbs and smart kids |
| received 263 ships, carrying more than 500,000 in | | | | Carnival's Fun Ships will make more than 1,100 |
| the first ten months of 2006. | | | | calls to Mexican ports in 2005, with Mexico being |
| Mexico boasts two dozen port cities. Apart from | | | | by far the most popular destination for Carnival. |
| Cozumel and Cabo San Lucas, Ensenada, Puerto | | | | Carnival has also diversified its offerings by adding |
| Vallarta and Mazatlan are the most popular ports | | | | low carb meals to its menus and expanding its |
| along the Pacific coast, while Costa Maya in | | | | kids programs to focus on art, music, science, |
| Quintana Roo State and Puerto Progreso in | | | | reading and physical fitness. |
| Yucatan State are the most popular on the | | | | Gay travel |
| Caribbean side. In addition to being bustling | | | | Atlantis ( is one of the largest gay travel tour |
| metropolises in their own right, offering the best | | | | operators offering cruise packages to Mexico. The |
| in shopping, cultural activities and cuisine to the | | | | Mexican Riviera cruise is one of the most popular, |
| traveler, most ports are also located just a | | | | offering five Mexican destinations in eight days on |
| stone's throw from the country's leading | | | | the new Radiance of the Seas ship. Rated by |
| archaeological treasures and other attractions. Part | | | | Conde Nast Traveler's Readers' Choice as one of |
| of the popularity of cruises can also be attributed | | | | the best ships in the world, Radiance of the Seas |
| to the traveling public's desire to experience more | | | | offers among its many amenities a rock-climbing |
| destinations in one vacation, with most cruises | | | | wall, two pools and an African-themed solarium |
| offering stops in at least three or four different | | | | complete with 17-foot high stone elephants and |
| destinations. | | | | waterfalls. In Mexico, the ship will visit Ixtapa, |
| According to Sectur, in the past two decades the | | | | Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San |
| number of cruise ships stopping in Mexican ports | | | | Lucas. |
| has increased dramatically, with most major cruise | | | | Clothing optional |
| lines now serving the Gulf, Central Pacific and | | | | For au naturel travelers, Bare Necessities offers a |
| Caribbean, having incorporated these popular | | | | variety of clothing-optional cruises. And also offers |
| destinations into their itineraries. In 2005, the | | | | clothing optional packages including information on |
| Mexican government invested more than US $7 | | | | nudist resorts in Mexico. |
| million in the development of the Port of Chiapas, | | | | Blind cruises |
| Mexico's newest cruise destination. The port | | | | Damar Travel at 800-999-6101 offers cruises for |
| welcomed its first passenger vessel in February | | | | the blind to Mexico. |
| 2006. | | | | Below are some of the many cruise lines that |
| As the number of cruise passengers increases, | | | | dock in Mexican ports as part of their regular |
| the demand for a variety of services and themes | | | | routes: |
| have also increased, what the cruise industry | | | | Carnival Cruise Lines, Crystal Cruises, Disney |
| often refers to as lifestyle cruises. | | | | Cruises, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise |
| Below are just some samples of new cruise | | | | Lines, Princess, Royal Caribbean International, |
| offerings: | | | | Celebrity Cruises, Radisson Seven Seas Cruises, |
| Sun salutations | | | | P&O Cruises |
| The Radisson Seven Seas hosts several lifestyle | | | | About the Mexico Tourism Board |
| cruises, among them a yoga cruise from Ft. | | | | The Mexico Tourism Board (MTB) brings together |
| Lauderdale, Florida, to Cozumel, featuring Michael | | | | the resources of federal and state governments, |
| Lechonczak and Robin Whitney Levine, a New | | | | municipalities and private companies to promote |
| York City-based husband and wife yoga team, | | | | Mexico's tourism attractions and destinations |
| who will bring the art and science of yoga to | | | | internationally. Created in 1999, the MTB is |
| guests of the luxurious 700-guest Seven Seas | | | | Mexico's tourism promotion agency, and its |
| Mariner. Their daily onboard program will offer a | | | | participants include members of both the private |
| variety of options for men and women, yoga | | | | and public sectors. The MTB has offices |
| beginners and experts of all ages. Classes on | | | | throughout North America, Europe, Asia and Latin |
| meditation and aromatherapy will round out the | | | | America. |