The Vanishing Mexican Riviera

2012 could be your last chance to take a 7-night Mexican Riviera cruise in the SUMMER!

(EDITOR'S NOTE: AS OF 2018, CARNIVAL HAS 7 NIGHT MEXICAN RIVIERA CRUISES YEAR ROUND!)

As unbelievable as it seems, Carnival will send Splendor around South America in February of 2013, and then on to her new home in New York City for cruises to the Caribbean and Bermuda.

In March of 2013, Carnival will send Miracle westbound through the Panama Canal, but after two Mexican Riviera cruises on March 31 and April 7, 2013, followed by her 15-night Hawaii cruise on April 14 that ends in Vancouver, Miracle will be in Alaska for the summer.

"But wait," experienced Carnival fans will ask, "What about Spirit?" Spirit has summered in Alaska and wintered in California/Mexico for years, but after this summer's Alaska season, she'll head to the South Pacific to be stationed year round in Australia.

I understand the allure of Australia, having personally experienced an amazing cruise in the region, but it's certainly a bit longer to Sydney than to Long Beach or San Diego for Californians. Make no mistake, I think you would love to take an Australia/New Zealand cruise, and I highly encourage you to do so, but we are saddened that even Carnival is moving away from our West Coast.

However, take heart. You can still take a week on Carnival in the Mexican Riviera this summer, and while none of the cruise lines have the same presence they've had in past years, pulling ships and splitting the itineraries of remaining ships between Mexican Riviera, West Coast and Hawaii cruises, you can still take a Mexican Riviera cruise most weeks from September 2012 through early May 2013. However, it has become more important to book early.

Carnival Inspiration, which replaced Paradise last year, will continue to alternate 3 and 4 night cruises to Ensenada year round, so you can still take short cruise escapes on any given week from Long Beach. With fewer seven night Mexican Riviera cruises, expect these shorter escapes to escalate in price, too. Book early!