Mexico, for decades one of cruising's classic destinations, is really several different destinations rolled into one, each with its own distinctive flavor.

There's the Mexican Riviera, the country's Pacific-facing coastline – rugged and rocky, but lined with soft, bronzed beaches and a huge number of ultra-luxurious resorts and hotels – which first rose to fame during Hollywood's Golden Age, when Tinseltown's royalty (Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, and others) descended upon its seaside towns and villages for the privacy they afforded. Today, it remains just as charming and laid-back as ever, popular with fishermen, foodies, surfers, and other types of travelers. A majority of Mexican Riviera itineraries depart from California (Long Beach/Los Angeles and San Diego, especially) and select sailings include a visit to Catalina, SoCal's scenic island paradise.

Cruisers can also opt for a sailing that calls upon Mexican ports along the Caribbean Sea and/or the Gulf of Mexico. The beaches here are just as extraordinary as those you'll encounter out west, but in different ways – white sands instead of gold, palm trees in place of limestone formations, and the waters are calmer. Many of Mexico's most important Mayan ruins are also located in the east including Chichén Itzá and Tulum.

But no matter where you go in Mexico, you're sure to find a fiesta. All told, Mexico offers cruisers well over 6,000 miles of coastline to explore, and both sides boast great weather virtually year-round. There's also tons of art, history, and culture to discover, eco-adventures to be had in Mexico's lush tropical jungles, and plenty of opportunity to savor the country's authentic and internationally admired cuisine.

All of the top cruise lines cruise to Mexico including the Mexican Riviera and the Western Caribbean/Eastern Mexico including:

• Carnival Cruise Line
• Royal Caribbean International
• Norwegian Cruise Line
• Princess Cruises
• Disney Cruise Line
• Celebrity Cruises
• Holland America Line

Cruisers interested in a Western Caribbean itinerary, featuring visits to select Mexican destinations, can set sail from any of eight departure ports located along the U.S. East Coast and the Gulf of Mexico including:

• Mobile, Alabama
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
• Miami, Florida
• Port Canaveral, Florida
• Tampa, Florida
• New Orleans, Louisiana
• New York, New York
• Galveston, Texas