Holland America plans to boost number of Mexican Riviera cruises

Love to sail to the Mexican Riviera? Holland America hopes you do.

The Seattle-based cruise line announced Wednesday that it will sail 13 weeklong round-trip cruises from San Diego to Mexico starting in October. Two of those will be holiday cruises in December.

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It’s also bringing a bigger ship, the Westerdam, a Vista-class ship that carries 1,916 guests.

Itineraries include port stops at Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta, and three days at sea.

Holland America three years ago was the first line to return to Mazatlan after the company and other big cruise lines such as Carnival, Princess and Disney had abandoned the stop.

Cabo San Lucas at the tip of Mexico’s Baja Peninsula is one of the stops on the weeklong cruises from San Diego aboard Holland America.

(Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

At the time, cruise lines cited crime as the reason for skipping the port. For its part, Mazatlan built a cobblestone corridor so cruise passengers would feel safer about venturing into the city, and took measures to crack down on crime too.

Holland America will open its Mexican Riviera season Oct. 18 with an 11-day cruise that begins in Vancouver and sails to San Diego before heading on to Mexico.

Cruises will feature “On Location” events on board, including mariachi band performances and authentic Mexican cooking.

Fares start at $599 per person for an inside cabin, excluding taxes and port fees.

Info: Holland America Line, (877) 724-5425 or contact a travel agent

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