Navigator of the Seas: Seven-Night Cabo, Vallarta and Mazatlán Cruise

We sailed round-trip from Los Angeles and visited three incredible Mexican ports: Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán and Puerto Vallarta. Our travel style for this cruise was relaxed and flexible, with a focus on enjoying the sunshine, exploring a bit of each port and simply unwinding as a group. Embarkation and debarkation in LA were smooth and well-organized, which is always a great start and finish to any sailing.

Our first stop was Cabo San Lucas. Since it’s a tender port, getting ashore requires a little extra planning, but it was worth it for the scenic marina views and laid-back energy. We kept it casual here, exploring the shops around the marina and soaking in the vibrant beachy atmosphere. Cabo is great for strolling, people-watching and browsing local crafts — especially when you just want to ease into vacation mode.

Navigator of the Seas in Cabo

Next was Mazatlán, which ended up being one of the more pleasantly surprising ports. The city has a rich blend of old-world charm and coastal beauty. We explored the historic downtown area, visited the cathedral and admired the local art scene. Mazatlán has a more authentic, less touristy feel than some other cruise ports, which we really appreciated. It’s ideal for travelers who enjoy culture, history and a slower pace. Pro tip: Do not be turned off when you look at the port — the shuttles take you right into the heart of town and are included.

Our final port, Puerto Vallarta, was without a doubt the highlight! We’ve been here many times before and absolutely love it. This time, we spent the day strolling along the Malecón, dipping in and out of shops and art galleries and enjoying a beachside lunch at La Palapa. Sitting at a table in the sand with a margarita in hand and the sound of the waves rolling in? That’s our version of paradise. Puerto Vallarta continues to be one of our favorite places in Mexico, and it delivered again on this trip.

Onboard, Navigator of the Seas has plenty to offer for a mid-sized ship. The Main Dining Room was consistent, with solid service and a rotating menu, though it began to feel repetitive by the end of the week. The Windjammer buffet offered a wide range of options for breakfast and lunch, but as expected, it could get busy during peak hours. We appreciated the break from the routine with specialty dining, which was very much needed on a longer sailing. We enjoyed a delicious dinner at Jamie’s Italian for a change of pace. I had the lasagna and it did not disappoint. The specialty venues are definitely worth considering if you’re sailing for seven nights or more and want a little variety.

As much as we enjoyed our time onboard, we did find that Navigator is better suited for shorter sailings. Having previously cruised on her for a four-night itinerary, the ship felt like a great fit. But on a seven-night cruise, we started to feel like we’d exhausted most of the onboard activities and entertainment options by day five.

The Amped pool deck on Navigator of the Seas

For families in particular, the kids' club experience can make or break a cruise, and this time around, Adventure Ocean fell a bit short. Our seven-year-old daughter, Claire, who’s cruised before and usually loves the kids program, didn’t find this one as fun or engaging. In her words, she wanted more activities and crafts versus the “ball games.” The space also felt smaller, and the energy just didn’t match what we’ve experienced on other Royal ships.

Still, we had a wonderful time together as a family and with friends. The service was friendly, the ports were beautiful and there’s something special about being able to hop on a ship from the West Coast and escape to Mexico for a week. That said, this cruise reinforced for us that longer itineraries are better suited to larger ships with more to explore.

Navigator of the Seas is a solid choice for shorter cruises — three to five nights — where her size and offerings really shine. For week-long or longer cruises, we’d recommend upgrading to a larger ship if you're looking for a more immersive onboard experience, especially when sailing with kids. Either way, there’s no denying the joy of cruising to the Mexican Riviera, and we’re grateful for another round of sun, sea and unforgettable memories.

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