The Mexican Riviera,
in December

The first week of December, 2019. Carnival Miracle out of Long Beach for seven nights down to the Mexican Riviera. We didn't know it at the time, but this was our last big trip before the world spent a year mostly staying home. Looking back, it's a sweet one to have caught — the December timing, the same ship that took us through Hawaii three years earlier, and a coastline that doesn't care about the calendar.

We've now done the Mexican Riviera three times — December 2019 (this trip, on Miracle), February 2022 (on Carnival Panorama), and February 2023 (on NCL Joy). Each time it's been a little different and absolutely worth doing. Here's the December version.

Why December —

Here's a thing we've learned across three Mexican Riviera trips: the season matters more than you'd think. The February runs are perfect-weather, peak-whale-watching, and energetic — lots of West-Coast families on school-break trips. December is different. It's quieter, the on-ship vibe is more relaxed (and noticeably more grown-up), and the ship's holiday decorations turn the whole trip into a kind of warm Christmas pageant. If you've already done a February Mexican Riviera and want to try it again, do December next.

We didn't know it then, but this was the last trip we took before everything changed. Looking back, it's a generous trip to have caught — warm water, a familiar ship, and a coastline that doesn't keep time. — Greg, in hindsight

The Miracle, candidly —

Carnival Miracle is a mid-size, older ship — built in 2004, refurbished a few times since. It's not the Panorama (which is the newer, bigger, splashier Vista-class). What Miracle has going for it is the quieter, more intimate feel of a smaller ship. Same Carnival energy — the food, the drinks, the friendly staff — but without the crowds the newer ships pull. If you've sailed on a big-ship Carnival and want something more contained, Miracle is a great pick. (We feel the same way about it that we do about NCL Jewel — older, smaller, gentler.)

The three ports —

The Mexican Riviera ports don't change much. We've written about Cabo, Mazatlán, and Puerto Vallarta in the previous Mexican Riviera post, so we won't repeat the port-by-port breakdown here. The short version: Cabo is the cinematic arrival (the arch, Land's End); Mazatlán is the underrated one (historic centro is beautiful); Puerto Vallarta is the polished, walkable one with great food and a long malecón.

See all 26 photos from this trip →

What we'd do differently —

1. Book the holiday-decorated cruise on purpose. Carnival's December sailings lean into the season — wreaths, Christmas trees, a holiday show, the works. It is genuinely lovely. If you're sailing in December, book early — Carnival's holiday sailings sell out faster than the same itinerary in other months.

2. Same advice as always — skip the bus tours. Local taxis and pulmonias get you more for less in all three ports.

3. Whale-watching add-on if your dates work. December is the start of humpback season in Baja. Cabo and PV both run small-boat trips. Worth doing if you can.

Want to go? —

Carnival, NCL, and Princess all run Mexican Riviera cruises year-round from Long Beach, San Diego, and Los Angeles. 5-night, 7-night, and 10-night options. December is one of our favorite months for this itinerary — the warm-weather pre-Christmas escape that always feels exactly right.

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Read the other Mexican Riviera trips: 7-night on Carnival Panorama (Feb 2022) · 5-night on NCL Joy (Feb 2023)