2026 Cruises From California: Discover Puerto Vallarta & Cabo San Lucas
California is a beautiful point of origin for your next cruise. Norwegian Cruise Line embarks from ports in San Diego and Los Angeles. Whether you're headed north toward Canada or south to the Panama Canal, Norwegian has a cruise adventure that will take you there in style. Norwegian's cruises from California in 2026 range from five to 19 days, so there's something for everyone.
Keep on reading to discover more about our 2026 cruises from California.
Ready to start planning? Explore all California cruises.
Mexican Riviera Cruise Vacations From California
Mexican Riviera cruises depart from San Diego and Los Angeles. You can incorporate three additional ports of call on a seven-day cruise or add just one port of call in Mexico on a five-day round-trip. You'll stop in one or all of the following destinations.
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Offering 26 miles of picturesque beaches and a charming Mexican village, Puerto Vallarta is a quieter alternative to Acapulco. Cruise excursions let you get a close-up view of local wildlife, swim with dolphins and sea lions, snorkel with sea turtles, or go whale watching. In downtown Puerto Vallarta, you can take a historic walking tour, see the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, tour a Mexican tile factory, or indulge in a tequila tasting.
Mazatlán, Mexico
Known as the “Pearl of the Pacific on Mexico's Gold Coast, Mazatlán offers an idyllic getaway with all the amenities of an upscale beach resort. You'll find a variety of shore excursions that provide taco and tequila tastings, salsa making and dancing, and bar hopping. You can tour the town on foot, via two-passenger mini-Rhinos, or aboard a topless bus. If you want to venture beyond the city, you can book a ziplining adventure, an ATV tour, or other rugged excursions to satisfy your inner thrill-seeker.
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Cabo San Lucas is a lively cruise port with ample shopping and dining destinations just a short walk from the pier. If you want to relax for the day, head to the Veleros Beach Club, where you'll find an open bar and luxurious lounge chairs. You can also book excursions to explore the beaches and coast by electric bike, a semi-submersible, kayak, or sailboat.
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
2026 Pacific Coast Cruises From California
This five-day round-trip cruise departs from Los Angeles with two additional ports of call in Canada. If you prefer a longer trip, you can leave from San Diego on an eight-day one-way cruise with a more diverse itinerary. Pacific Coast cruises include at least two of the following ports of call.
Victoria, British Columbia
Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, is among the stops on Norwegian's five-day Pacific Coast cruises. Decked out with British-style tea shops and Tudor architecture, this is a city out of time that still embodies its storied history. The Butchart Gardens, dating back 121 years, is a prime destination, while the 106-year-old Plaskett Telescope at the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory, also known as the Centre of the Universe, is another fascinating place to visit. You're sure to leave Victoria feeling enriched and enlightened after your time in the city.
Vancouver, British Columbia
Vancouver is a port of call on the five-day cruises, and the disembarkation point for Norwegian's eight-day Pacific Coast cruise. If you're debarking in Vancouver, you can take a two-hour city tour on your way to the airport, that introduces you to local highlights, including the second-largest Chinatown in North America, the Gastown steam clock, and historic Stanley Park.
You could also spend the day in Vancouver before cruising back to Los Angeles, and enjoy a tram ride up Scenic Grouse Mountain, or explore Vancouver on foot. This is an extremely walkable city, and you'll find plenty to see just strolling through areas such as Coal Harbour and Gastown.
Ensenada, Mexico
Ensenada is one of the stops on the eight-day Pacific Coast cruise tour. This bustling beach resort is a great place to purchase local handicrafts or indulge in Mexican cuisine. A foodie haven, it's home to delicious fish tacos and the freshest ceviche. Estero and Mona Lisa beaches are popular for sunbathing and whale watching.
Book an excursion inland to the Guadalupe Valley to experience Mexico's version of Napa. If you enjoy gourmet cheese pairings with your wine, you must visit the stone cheese cave at La Cava de Marcelo. Ensenada offers some of the most distinctive culinary experiences on the Pacific Coast.
Santa Barbara, California
You'll also stop at Santa Barbara on Norwegian's eight-day Pacific Coast cruise. This is a tender port where you'll dock offshore and take a smaller boat to the city. Take a walking tour of stunning Spanish architecture or venture into wine country. Old Mission Santa Barbara, built in 1786, is a must-see for history buffs. Explore the mission museum, tour the Historic Mausoleum, or attend religious services.
San Francisco, California
Cruising eight days along the Pacific Coast, Norwegian stops in San Francisco. The City by the Bay is a hotspot for sightseeing, with destinations such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf, Coit Tower, and Alcatraz. Foodies must try iconic meals such as Mission burritos, sourdough bread, and Dungeness crab. Take your culinary experience to the next level with an Iron Chef-style shore excursion where you'll prepare your seasonal masterpiece.
Astoria, Oregon
On Norwegian's eight-day Pacific Coast cruise, Astoria is the final port of call before debarking in Vancouver. Here, you'll meet the Clatsop Cruise Hosts, a volunteer group of greeters who provide directions, recommendations, and a warm welcome to guests at the cruise port. The riverfront and downtown are very walkable, catering to a laid-back day of exploration. If you prefer an organized excursion, the Ultimate Oregon Coast excursion includes a trip along Highway 101 to the Tillamook Air Museum, the Tillamook Cheese Factory, and Cannon Beach.
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
2026 Panama Canal Cruises From California
If you're looking for a longer cruise vacation, Norwegian's Panama Canal cruises are an unforgettable option. Embark from San Diego on a 15-day cruise or from Los Angeles for a 16- or 19-day trip. The 15- and 16-day cruises disembark in Miami, Florida. Norwegian's 19-day cruise stops in Miami but disembarks in New York.
These Panama Canal cruises include numerous ports of call. Here are some of the stops you can explore.
Acapulco, Mexico
Acapulco is on Mexico's Pacific coast. The cruise terminal is across from the town square, but most of the city's action happens in the Golden Zone, at Playa Condesa. Acapulco has a reputation as a city that never sleeps. A popular hot spot for the rich and famous, Acapulco lends itself to celebrity sightseeing in the city.
The area around Acapulco has an abundance of engaging shore excursions. Take a trip to the Sea Turtle Rescue Center to see baby turtles and learn how the center returns hatchlings to the sea. History buffs can take a trip to the San Diego Fort and the Acapulco Historic Museum. If you want a rich nature experience, book an excursion to the Botanical Gardens and Tres Palos Lagoon. Despite its reputation as a party destination, Acapulco truly has something for everyone.
Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala
Puerto Quetzal is the largest Pacific Ocean port in Guatemala. This port town offers a quaint range of attractions and amenities, including live music, cafes, vendor stalls, and a jade museum. Puerto Quetzal also serves as a gateway to many inland excursions. You can explore ancient Mayan ruins at iximche or visit Casa Santo Domingo on the grounds of a 1500s monastery. Nearby Antigua has museums, art galleries, restaurants, and stores that you can peruse for hours.
Puntarenas (Puerto Caldera), Costa Rica
Puntarenas greets guests with a variety of lunch counters and souvenir stalls. Surrounded by beautiful beaches and exotic islands, this cruise port is the perfect entry point for unforgettable activities. Book a raft tour along the Corobici River, skirting the Palo Verde National Park. Exotic wildlife, such as roseate spoonbills, white ibises, howler monkeys, and white-faced monkeys, abounds in the lush landscape.
View the landscape from above with a walk in the clouds on a guided tour of the suspended bridges through San Luis Park. Scarlet macaws, hummingbirds, and keel-billed toucans call the upper reaches of this forest home. From the Andalusian horse show to the Natuwa jaguar and macaw sanctuary, the wild delights never cease around Puntarenas.
Panama City (Pacific Cruise Terminal), Panama
Founded in 1519, Panama City offers a distinctive blend of historic intrigue and contemporary excitement. See the sights aboard a restored railcar on the first continental railroad, from a gondola aerial tram, racing down a zipline, or coasting on an eco-cruise.
Cartagena, Colombia
This cruise port terminal is the gateway to great coffee, stunning architecture, and foodie delights. Enjoy a charming folkloric show, take a walking tour of the city, or relax at the luxury Makani Beach Club. Anything you do here will feel like an indulgent delight.
Ready To Explore on a Pacific Coast Cruise?
If you want to book a cruise tour from California, now is the time to secure your spot. Check out Norwegian's exciting offerings today to discover the cruise of your dreams.
