We Did a 7-Day Mexico Cruise on a Budget. Here's What Happened...

Let me start by saying: we are not cruise people. Our ideal vacation usually involves avoiding crowds and discovering local gems, so booking a cruise was not exactly something I was looking forward to. I was mainly doing it for my kids, because I knew they would absolutely love it.

They had been completely obsessed with the idea after hearing about a Bahamas cruise their friends went on, so when I came across Royal Caribbean's "Kids Sail Free" deal, I knew I could not pass it up.

Booking It

As a family of five, my biggest concern when booking was having to pay for two separate rooms. Thankfully, Royal Caribbean offered a family suite with two small bedrooms, and while it had no balcony, it made up for it with plenty of space for all of us.

Total cost: $3,500 for all five of us, which was significantly cheaper than it would normally be. With a payment plan available, it was so much more manageable than paying it all upfront.

Why We Chose Baja Mexico

Since we live in California, our cruise options leaving directly from the state are fairly limited. Nearly all the dream itineraries depart from places like Canada, Texas, Greece, and the Middle East. Luckily, many Mexican cruises depart from Southern California, so we went with the Baja Mexico 7-day cruise.

📖 Why This Blog Exists

After booking, I searched everywhere for a blog about enjoying a cruise without shore excursions, or even just a cruise guide written from a family's point of view. I could not find either. So here we are.

Flashback: about a week before the cruise, my children and their friends desperately wanted to watch Titanic together. After a lot of begging, I finally said yes. Can someone please tell me why?

My 10-year-old Raya and 5-year-old Hasan loved it, which is to say they were fully sobbing during that scene. My newly minted teenager Layal, on the other hand, did not seem fazed at all. I assumed that meant she would not care about going on a cruise. Boy, was I wrong.

On January 10th, we drove from the Bay Area all the way to San Pedro. The kids were completely convinced we were catching a flight to a tropical island, which my husband and I found absolutely hilarious. As we got closer to the port and the ship came into view, the reality finally hit.

Raya and Hasan screamed with pure excitement. Layal? She was overcome with anxiety and did not even want to board. Not exactly the reaction I was hoping for, but we powered through.

The Ship

Once on board, the first order of business was obviously to explore. The sheer size of it was jaw-dropping. Fifteen floors, and packed with more than we could have imagined: water slides, a surf simulator with real water and surfboards, basketball and pickleball courts, a rock climbing wall, an ice skating rink, an Adventure Club for kids, a movie theater, outdoor movie nights, three pools and two jacuzzis, a Teen Lounge, spa, gym, mini golf, and so much more.

After the kids had their fill exploring, we settled in for some Mexican food and unlimited soft-serve ice cream by the pool. We got changed and hit the water, though they only swam for about an hour before we headed up a few levels to play mini golf.

The family suite: Totally exceeded expectations. A spacious, well-laid-out two-bedroom suite, perfectly sized for a family of five.

The Food

Beyond the poolside Mexican food, there are two main complimentary dining options on board.

🍽️ Royal Dining Room

A beautiful sit-down restaurant serving an impressive five-course meal. The menu features some genuinely unique options, and the decor is absolutely stunning. Honest take: the food was hit or miss for us. Still worth experiencing for the atmosphere alone.

🥗 The Windjammer

A casual buffet with an impressive range covering Middle Eastern, Indian, Japanese cuisine and so much more. The food here tasted better overall, and there are endless options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

The menu changes daily at both spots and covers cuisine from all over the world. And no matter where you eat, expect incredible staff who go above and beyond.

The Entertainment

The on-board schedule is packed from morning to night with genuinely phenomenal entertainment options. We never once felt like there was nothing to do, which for a self-proclaimed non-cruise family, was a very welcome surprise.

After two full days at sea, we finally arrived at Cabo San Lucas. And right away, this port was different from anything we expected.

⚓ Good to Know

Unlike most ports, Cabo does not have a cruise terminal. Instead, the ship anchors offshore and small boats called tenders take you to land. The ride is only about ten minutes, but it is a beautiful one with stunning views of El Arco and Lover's Beach along the way.

The moment you step off the tender, vendors swarm you from every direction. It can feel completely overwhelming, but if you walk with confidence, you will be absolutely fine.

💡 Survival Tip

Do not fall into the tourist traps. We kept saying "We're meeting someone, thanks!" and hurried along. Works every time.

Lunch: El Toroguero

We did not have a set plan for the day, which was unusual for us. But I knew I wanted to have lunch at El Toroguero, known for their incredible seafood. We pulled up Google Maps and started making our way there on foot, wanting to soak up the local streets, shops, and culture along the way.

Honest truth: our feet were very sore and it ate up a good chunk of our time. In the moment we wished we had just taken an Uber, but we also did not want to miss the local side of the city.

Uber tip: Ubers in Cabo are incredibly cheap compared to US prices. Do not be afraid to use them, especially when you are short on time or dealing with tired kids.

When we finally arrived, we ordered oysters, shrimp cocktail, tostadas, grilled octopus tacos, carne asada tacos, and tamarind, mango and strawberry smoothies. Every single thing was absolutely amazing, bursting with flavor and tasting like the most authentic Mexican food we have ever had.

Stop: The Glass Factory

Next, we took an Uber to The Glass Factory, and this one is a genuine must for families. We arrived just in time to sneak into a live presentation, which turned out to be absolutely perfect timing.

Watching the artisans create hand-blown glass art right in front of us was completely mesmerizing. The skill and precision involved was stunning, and the kids were utterly fascinated from start to finish.

While you're there: The on-site shop carries stunning jewelry and decorative pieces at surprisingly reasonable prices. We left with some beautiful souvenirs and zero regrets.

Hidden Gem: Chileno Bay

After the presentation, we got talking with the tour guide and asked him what he would recommend doing next. Without hesitation, he told us to skip all the main tourist beaches and head to his personal favorite instead: Chileno Bay.

We took his advice, grabbed an Uber, and headed over. Once again, we arrived to find almost entirely locals. No crowds, no chaos, just stunning crystal-clear water and a peaceful stretch of beach that felt like it was meant to be kept secret.

🤿 If You Have Time

Chileno Bay is known as one of the best snorkeling spots in Cabo. We did not have enough time to snorkel and we are still kicking ourselves for it. If you can, build in extra time here specifically for that.

Quick Stop: Taqueria El Paisa

On the way back to the ship, we stopped at Taqueria El Paisa, a highly rated taco spot right next to the marina. The hibiscus drinks and horchata were so refreshing, and honestly worth grabbing even if you are just passing through.

⏱️ Heads Up

We were rushing to make it back in time, so we could not fully enjoy the experience. We also had to eat everything on the spot because they would not allow us to take any food back onto the ship. Factor in some extra time here so you are not in the same boat as us.

Back on the Ship

Once back on board, we hit the pool and water slides before showering and getting ready for the evening. We headed to the Windjammer for dinner and then made our way to the ice skating show, which completely blew us away.

It was the perfect end to our first full day on land, and we went to bed buzzing with excitement for what Mazatlán had in store for us next.

As soon as we pulled into Mazatlán, I knew this place was my vibe.

Unlike Cabo, which felt polished and touristy, Mazatlán had an authentic charm that was immediately different. Fewer crowds, a more laid-back atmosphere, and a stunning coastline with El Faro Lighthouse standing proudly on a hill in the distance.

Once we left the ship, no tenders this time, we immediately started walking. The Malecón stretches 13 miles along the coast, making it one of the longest beachfront promenades in the world, and every step of it is filled with ocean views, colorful street art, and genuine local life.

The Malecón: One of the longest beachfront promenades in the world at 13 miles. Walk as much or as little of it as you like, but do not skip it entirely.

Breakfast: Rico's Café & Bar

Our first stop was Playa Olas Altas, a gorgeous beach along the way, and we grabbed coffee and breakfast at Rico's Café and Bar nearby. The coffee was strong, the fresh juices were perfect, and every dish was full of flavor.

Hidden Gem: The Natural Ocean Pool

Further along the Malecón, we stumbled upon one of the most unexpected things we have ever come across while traveling: a natural ocean-fed pool with a built-in waterslide, right there along the rocks.

To reach it, you climb down a spiral staircase carved directly into the rock face, which opens up to the most stunning crystal-clear water fed by the Pacific Ocean.

📍 Pin This for Next Time

We did not have enough time to swim here and it is one of our biggest regrets from the whole trip. If you are visiting Mazatlán with extra time to spare, this is an absolute must. Build it into your day from the start.

Exploring: Centro Histórico

After dragging ourselves away, we continued walking toward Centro Histórico, passing colorful colonial houses, cobblestone streets, and vibrant street art around every corner. It felt like the kind of neighborhood you could wander for hours without ever running out of things to discover.

Unexpected highlight: We stumbled across a Beatles-themed art display completely out of nowhere. Who does not love a random Beatles moment in the middle of Mexico?

Puerto Vallarta was our final port stop, and while we were starting to feel the tiredness of the trip, this city gave us a second wind. The cobblestone streets of the Zona Romántica, the vibrant art scene, and the incredible food scene made it impossible not to fall in love.

Final Thoughts

Would I do it again? Without hesitation, yes. The cruise was genuinely one of the most memorable trips we have taken as a family, and it completely changed how I think about this kind of travel. The ship itself is an experience, the ports are extraordinary, and doing it without shore excursions, just exploring on our own terms, was absolutely the right call for us.

The verdict: If you have kids who love adventure and you want a trip that covers multiple countries without the stress of planning every detail, a family cruise is worth every penny. Just make sure you get to Mazatlán early.