Royal Caribbean International, the industry leader in exciting cruises for families and active vacationers, today announced its 2009-10 Mexican Riviera cruise season. Vacationers can choose from 55 departures, ranging from four- to seven-night Mexico cruises, from the homeports of Los Angeles and San Diego. Guests will sail aboard the Voyager-class Mariner of the Seas, the largest cruise ship to be homeported in the Pacific Ocean, and Radiance of the Seas, the newest and largest ship to offer short cruises on the West Coast. In addition, vacationers can choose from four Panama Canal crossings aboard Serenade of the Seas. Bookings for 2009-10 Mexican Riviera and Panama Canal cruises open Tuesday and Thursday, respectively.

“For the first time, Royal Caribbean is offering a second choice for cruisers to embark on a Mexico cruise from the Southern California port of San Diego,” said Alice Norsworthy, senior vice president, Marketing, Royal Caribbean International. “Vacationers, as well as groups and incentives travelers will now have more choices for the best cruise offerings from the West Coast to visit the timeless colonial charms of the Mexican Riviera aboard the industry’s most innovative cruise ships.”

Mariner of the Seas’ seven-night Mexican Riviera itinerary sails round-trip from Los Angeles with ports of call at Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan. One of the largest cruise ships in the world, Mariner offers guests revolutionary amenities, such as an onboard ice-skating rink, full-size basketball court, inline skating track, iconic rock-climbing wall, and the Royal Promenade, a boulevard of shops, restaurants, bars and lounges that runs nearly the length of the ship.

For the 2009 autumn season, Radiance of the Seas will feature a four-night itinerary with a call at Cabo San Lucas, and a five-night itinerary which also calls at Ensenada. Radiance is one of Royal Caribbean’s Radiance family of ships, which features the highest percentage of oceanview staterooms in the line’s fleet, and a 10-story atrium with glass elevators offering spectacular vistas of the sea.

Vacationers also can choose four distinct Panama Canal crossing itineraries, ranging from 13 to 15 nights, with departures from Miami, San Diego and San Juan, Puerto Rico aboard Serenade of the Seas, another Radiance-class ship.

On every Royal Caribbean ship, guests enjoy the line’s award-winning Broadway-style musical revues from Royal Caribbean Productions, multiple onboard bars, lounges and discos throughout the ship, and Vegas-style gaming in the Casino Royale. The ships’ onboard Day Spa also offers a full range of rejuvenating treatments, and the adults-only Solarium pool provides a more sedate and relaxing environment.

Younger cruisers will laugh and learn in the line’s top-rated Adventure Ocean kids programming with teen-only spaces fleetwide. Or, the whole family can stay in, order room service – always complimentary 24 hours a day – and catch a popular on-demand movie.

Throughout, every guest will enjoy Royal Caribbean’s Gold Anchor standard of friendly and engaging service from staff and crew.