Getting ashore
Puerto Vallarta is usually a dock stop.
Most ships dock at Puerto Vallarta, which usually makes the day simpler: walk off the ship, meet your tour, and get back on board without tender queues.
Mexico
Puerto Vallarta Cruise Port
Puerto Vallarta is a long port day with regular dockside arrivals and moderate cruise traffic throughout the year, but concentrated in December through April.
Usually docks
Moderate traffic
~10h typical visit
Mid-size ships
What to expect in Puerto Vallarta
How much time will you have?
About 10h is typical
Most cruises spend 9h to 10h in Puerto Vallarta, which makes it a relatively long port day compared with many stops.
How busy does Puerto Vallarta get?
Some dates are noticeably busier than others.
Multiple ships are in port on roughly 34% of days, so the exact date can change the port experience considerably.
- Typical day: ~3,950 passengers
- Busy day: 7,600+ passengers
- Multiple ships on 34% of days
Check your date
November 2026
Jump
Quieter
Busier
Ships
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Thu
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Where Puerto Vallarta fits into a cruise
Puerto Vallarta is most commonly visited on Mexican Riviera itineraries, often alongside Mazatlan and Long Beach .
Commonly arrives from
Puerto Vallarta
Commonly continues to
When to cruise to Puerto Vallarta
Cruises visit year-round, with the busiest season from December through April.
Cruises visit year-round, with the busiest season from December through April.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Visits
72
71
72
81
26
13
12
18
24
58
53
94
Who sails here?
Ships visiting Puerto Vallarta typically carry around 3,348 guests, with Discovery Princess, Norwegian Encore, and Carnival Panorama calling most often.
Most frequently visiting ships
- 1 Discovery Princess 32 calls
- 2 Norwegian Encore 26 calls
- 3 Carnival Panorama 25 calls
- 4 Navigator of the Seas 22 calls
- 5 Island Princess 12 calls
- 6 Koningsdam 12 calls
Next port calls
Nov 2 Disney Magic
Nov 4 Discovery Princess
Nov 5 Carnival Firenze · Norwegian Encore
Nov 9 Disney Magic
Nov 10 Carnival Panorama
Cruises that visit Puerto Vallarta
Celebrity Summit
Tampa → George Town, Great Exuma Island → Cartagena → Los Angeles
Apr 18, 2027 · 15 nights
Visits Puerto Vallarta on day 13
$1,693 interior · $113/night
47% below typical · 3-month low
Discovery Princess
Los Angeles → Cabo San Lucas → Puerto Vallarta → Los Angeles
Oct 16, 2027 · 7 nights
Visits Puerto Vallarta on day 5
$544 interior · $78/night
23% below typical · 3-month low
Discovery Princess
Los Angeles → Cabo San Lucas → Puerto Vallarta → Los Angeles
Oct 23, 2027 · 7 nights
Visits Puerto Vallarta on day 5
$799 suite · $114/night
26% below typical · 3-month low
Discovery Princess
Los Angeles → Cabo San Lucas → Puerto Vallarta → Los Angeles
Apr 24, 2027 · 7 nights
Visits Puerto Vallarta on day 5
$619 balcony · $88/night
22% below typical · 3-month low
Norwegian Star
San Diego → Cabo San Lucas → Puerto Vallarta → San Diego
Dec 26, 2026 · 7 nights
Visits Puerto Vallarta on day 5
$1,599 suite · $228/night
44% below typical · Price trending down
Norwegian Encore
Los Angeles → Cabo San Lucas → Puerto Vallarta → Los Angeles
Feb 7, 2027 · 7 nights
Visits Puerto Vallarta on day 5
$439 interior · $63/night
27% below typical · 3-month lowCruise routes that include Puerto Vallarta
These route families show how cruise lines usually package Puerto Vallarta, so you can compare the whole trip instead of judging this stop by itself.
Mexican Riviera
Cabo San Lucas → Mazatlan → Puerto Vallarta
From Los Angeles · 7–8 nights · Next Oct 31
From $349 interior · $50/night
Best departure: 26% below typical
95 upcoming departures · 6 ships
Panama Canal · Bahamas
George Town, Great Exuma Island → Cartagena → Colón + 3 more
From Tampa · 15 nights · Next Apr 18
From $1,693 interior · $113/night
Best departure: 47% below typical
1 upcoming departure · 1 ship
Mexican Riviera
Puerto Vallarta → Cabo San Lucas
From San Diego · 6 nights · Next Dec 20
From $839 suite · $140/night
Best departure: 49% below typical
1 upcoming departure · 1 ship
Mexican Riviera
Puerto Vallarta → Cabo San Lucas → Ensenada
From San Diego · 7 nights · Next Oct 30
From $1,218 interior · $174/night
Best departure: 19% below typical
4 upcoming departures · 2 ships
Mexican Riviera · West Coast
Cabo San Lucas → La Paz → Loreto + 6 more
From San Diego · 18 nights · Next Mar 20
From $1,649 interior · $92/night
Best departure: 11% below typical
1 upcoming departure · 1 ship
Mexican Riviera
Cabo San Lucas → La Paz → Mazatlan + 1 more
From Los Angeles · 11 nights · Next Oct 13
From $887 interior · $81/night
Best departure: 25% below typical
1 upcoming departure · 1 ship
Related ports near Puerto Vallarta
Tap to view port guide, ship schedules, and best time to visit.
Tap to view port guide, ship schedules, and best time to visit.
FAQ about cruises visiting Puerto Vallarta
Which cruise itineraries usually include Puerto Vallarta?
Cruises that call at Puerto Vallarta often follow itineraries such as Mexican Riviera Loop from Los Angeles: Cabo San Lucas & Mazatlan, Panama Canal Repositioning via George Town, Great Exuma Island, Cartagena & Panama Canal, and Mexican Riviera Loop via Puerto Vallarta & Cabo San Lucas.
Plan your route
Explore cruises that visit Puerto Vallarta
See itineraries, compare routes, and find the best way to include Puerto Vallarta in your trip.