Mexican Riviera Cruising on the Norwegian Bliss: Fun in the Sun

Mexican Riviera cruise ports

The most common ports of call on Norwegian’s Mexican Riviera itineraries are Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán and Cabo San Lucas.

Tip: If you’re booking shore excursions through NCL, watch out for the ‘activity level’ for each tour. Level 1 is the least strenuous category (generally bus tours), while level 3 will be more physically strenuous.

Be sure to bring along small bills for tips and small purchases when you’re visiting Mexico. Most shops will accept USD, but they will give you change in the local currency.

Puerto Vallarta:

I love the colorful buildings and beautiful beaches in Puerto Vallarta!

Did you know Puerto Vallarta became famous due to the filming of the movie The Night of the Iguana? Visit ‘Gringo Gulch’ and see where Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton lived.

If you want to explore Puerto Vallarta on your own, it’s easy to take a taxi to the Malecon, the Zona Romantica or the beaches.

Be sure to check out all the statues along the Malecon, and look for the signature seahorse sculpture and arches overlooking the Pacific Ocean. And don’t miss the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe (the church with a crown).

If you prefer to take a ship-sponsored shore excursion, choose from tours such as:

• Discover Puerto Vallarta Walking Tour (I’ve taken this one)

• Town, Country & Tequila

• Off-Road Bicycle Adventure

• Pirate Boat Adventure

Mazatlán

Mazatlán is my favorite Mexican Riviera cruise port. It’s the easiest to explore on your own – just follow the ‘blue line’ to the historic center and see the gorgeous church.

Stroll along the Malecon (oceanfront boardwalk) and enjoy miles of amazing beaches. They’re the best beaches for walking - nice and flat. And be sure to watch the brave cliff divers!

When you get tired and want to head back to the ship, just flag down a pulmonia. This open-air golf cart is the local transit of choice. Be sure to agree on a price before you get in (usually $10-$15 USD, depending on where you are starting from).

You’ve got plenty of options for shore excursions offered by Norwegian, such as:

• The Best of Mazatlan (which includes a stop to watch the cliff divers)

• Old Mazatlan Walking Tour (I’m a sucker for walking tours)

• Stone Island Beach Getaway

• Salsa & Salsa

• Hike to the Lighthouse

Cabo San Lucas

Cabo San Lucas is known for its stunning natural rock formations and the iconic El Arco (natural stone arch).

There are plenty of restaurants and shops around the marina. If you want to get to the beach, it’s easiest to take a small boat from the marina to the beach – otherwise, it will take you 30-40 minutes to skirt the marina and walk there.

Note: Cabo San Lucas is a tender port. This means that you’ll have to take a boat to get from the ship to the shore.

If you’re booking a tour independently, keep in mind that it can take a couple of hours before ‘independent’ travelers will be able to take a tender. (Priority is given to guests on NCL’s shore excursions.)

Here are some of the most popular shore excursions in Cabo San Lucas:

• Land’s End Boat Tour (This is one of my favorites – get up close to the Arch!)

• Chileno Bay Snorkel

• All Inclusive Catamaran Whale Watching Experience

• Baja Highlights

• Sometimes you’ll see a camel riding tour (plus Mexican lunch and tequila). That one was a unique experience I will never forget!

Onboard the Norwegian Bliss

I chose Norwegian for these Mexican Riviera cruises since they offer solo cabins. This means that if you’re traveling by yourself, you don’t have to pay 2x the cruise fare.

Solo offerings vary by ship, but on the NCL Bliss they have solo studio cabins, solo inside, solo oceanview and solo balcony staterooms.

Guests booking a solo cabin have access to the solo lounge on the Bliss (not available on all NCL ships). Each day there was a solo meetup, and you could choose to join a group of solo travelers for dinner if you didn’t want to eat by yourself. It’s nice to have a built-in group that you can join if you’re traveling solo!

Restaurants

Several dining venues are included (complimentary) in your cruise fare.

• Taste, Savor & the Manhattan Room: These are all the ‘Main Dining Rooms’ on the Bliss, and although they are three separate dining rooms, they all serve the same menu. The MDR is open daily for breakfast and dinner, and lunch on embarkation day and sea days.

• Garden Café: This is the buffet on the NCL Bliss. It’s open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Everyone is sure to find something to enjoy at the buffet.

• The Local Bar & Grill: The local has pub-style fare (think burgers or fish & chips) and you can eat at the rail overlooking the atrium to watch activities. My favorite dish is the Lechon Asado (a Cuban roast pork dish).

• American Diner: A lot of people miss this 50s-style diner since it’s up on Deck 17. Note: The milkshakes cost extra.

• Observation Lounge: This is my favorite spot on the ship, the perfect place to read or play a game of cards as you take in the sea views. They offer light bites throughout the day, from cereal and fruit to quiche and desserts.

There are also several specialty dining restaurants to enjoy on the Norwegian Bliss. If you purchased the More at Sea package, one or more specialty dining meals will be included for you. If you don’t have the specialty dining package, then there are fees to dine at these restaurants.

Reservations for specialty dining open up in advance of your sail date (varies by length of cruise and your cabin type). Be sure to book early to get your preferred time slot, or book ASAP on embarkation day.

Some of the specialty dining restaurants I’ve enjoyed on the NCL Bliss include:

• Cagney’s Steakhouse: If you’re hankering for a steak, this is your place. I highly recommend the grilled thick-cut bacon appetizer. You’ll need to save room for dessert, like the massive 7-layer chocolate cake!

• Ocean Blue: This restaurant focuses on seafood and was my favorite specialty restaurant on my first Bliss sailing. The potatoes au gratin side is decadent, and I still dream about the key lime meringue pie (pictured).

• La Cucina: This Italian restaurant is sure to hit the spot. Start with the spaghetti carbonara and choose from main dishes like grilled salmon, osso buco or pork scallopine in a marsala wine sauce. The dessert menu features Italian favorites like tiramisu and cannoli, but I went with the ricotta cheesecake with lemon curd.

• Le Bistro: In the mood for French cuisine? Start your meal with the quintessential onion soup gratinée or the escargots, if you’re a fan. Everyone I talked to raved about all of the main dishes. I chose the Dover sole and it was excellent.

Entertainment:

Day or night, there are plenty of activities on the Norwegian Bliss to keep you entertained.

Whether you enjoy trivia, trying your luck at the casino, relaxing by the pool or getting a massage, Norwegian has something for everyone.

Kids (and the young at heart) will love the race track, mini golf, laser tag and water slides.

Evening entertainment really shines, with featured shows nightly ranging from guest vocalists to comedians to production shows. You’ll find musicians playing in bars and lounges throughout the ship for you to enjoy along with your beverage of choice.

Evening entertainment highlights include:

• Jersey Boys: If you love the music of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, you will want to reserve your spot to see Jersey Boys! I’ve seen it multiple times and it never fails to impress. It’s offered several times on a 7-day sailing and is a must for Broadway fans.

• ICONS: The talented vocalists of the Bliss treat you to an evening of songs by iconic performers. You’ll be singing along with favorites from legendary artists ranging from Celine Dion to Dolly Parton to Neil Diamond to Ricky Martin.

• The Beatles Experience: Do you love the Fab Four? Be sure to attend one (or more) shows by this Beatles tribute band. Most performances are held in the Cavern Club. It’s a cozy (read: smaller) venue, so be sure to show up early to get a set. Some performances are held in the Bliss Theater, which has room for everyone.

Tip: You can reserve your spot for Jersey Boys and Icons 21 days before your sail date, at ncl.com or on the NCL app.

The best time to take a Mexico cruise is November through April.

To make your Norwegian cruise even more enjoyable, be sure to book with the More at Sea package. More at Sea includes drinks, some specialty dining, wi-fi minutes and a $50 shore excursion credit in each port (for the first passenger in the cabin). If you choose to add in the drinks and/or specialty dining, you will be charged gratuities for those cruise enhancements. I always add More at Sea to my NCL cruises, as it’s an extremely good value.

I’ve sailed with 8 different cruise lines: Norwegian, Celebrity, Oceania, Crystal, Royal Caribbean, Princess, Holland America and even a Viking river cruise. Each cruise line has its unique strengths. Some cruises I choose for a unique itinerary, some for price and others as a luxury splurge for a special occasion. I’d love to help you find the perfect cruise for you!

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Cruises page.