For a Mexican Riviera cruise in March 2027, Princess Discovery Princess edges out Royal Caribbean's Voyager of the Seas for most travelers — it typically runs $100–$200/person cheaper on base fares, includes more bundled value via Princess Plus, and is purpose-built for the West Coast Mexico itinerary. Voyager wins if you want more onboard entertainment and a livelier party atmosphere.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
The Mexican Riviera in March is peak season — spring break crowds, premium pricing, and two very different ships competing for your wallet. Voyager of the Seas (Royal Caribbean) and Discovery Princess are both solid choices, but they're not even close to identical in cost or experience once you add up everything you'll actually spend.
Base Fare Reality Check: What You're Actually Paying in March 2027
March is shoulder-peak for Mexican Riviera — prices are elevated but not at Christmas-week insanity. Both ships typically run 7-night itineraries out of Los Angeles (San Pedro), hitting Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán, and Puerto Vallarta.
Dave's take: Voyager's a mega-ship playground with way more bars, shows, and activities than you'll use in a week — perfect if you want total freedom to disappear into your own vacation. Discovery feels smaller and more intimate, which cuts both ways: fewer options, but you'll actually recognize people by day three. Pick based on whether you want to be anonymous or social, because that difference costs nothing extra but changes the entire trip.
— Dave Giovacchini, Travel Mutiny
Based on current 2025–2026 market rates projected forward, here's what you're looking at for a 7-night sailing:
| Cabin Category | Voyager of the Seas (RCCL) | Discovery Princess | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interior (per person) | $850–$1,100 | $750–$950 | Princess typically undercuts RCCL here |
| Oceanview (per person) | $1,000–$1,300 | $900–$1,150 | Similar gap |
| Balcony (per person) | $1,200–$1,600 | $1,050–$1,400 | Best value category on both ships |
| Mini-Suite / Junior Suite (per person) | $1,500–$2,100 | $1,300–$1,900 | Discovery has Reserve Collection perks |
| Full Suite (per person) | $2,500–$4,000+ | $2,200–$3,800+ | Both climb fast in March |
These are cruise-only base fares. Neither includes gratuities, drinks, Wi-Fi, or specialty dining.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
The Real Total Cost: Adding Up All the Extras
This is where the ships diverge sharply. Princess has aggressively bundled their add-ons through Princess Plus ($60/person/day) and Princess Premier ($80/person/day). Royal Caribbean still largely sells à la carte, though their packages have improved.
| Extra Cost Category | Voyager of the Seas (RCCL) | Discovery Princess |
|---|---|---|
| Gratuities | ||
| Drink Package (standalone) | $70–$95/person/day (Deluxe) | ~$60–$70/person/day (Plus tier covers this) |
| Wi-Fi (1 device) | ~$25–$30/person/day | ~$25/person/day (MedallionNet) |
| Specialty Dining (per cover) | ~$40–$55/person | ~$35–$50/person |
| Princess Plus bundle value | N/A | ~$60/person/day covers drinks + Wi-Fi + gratuities |
Bottom line for a couple on 7 nights, balcony cabin, with drinks and Wi-Fi:
- Voyager of the Seas all-in: approximately $4,200–$5,800 per couple
- Discovery Princess all-in (with Princess Plus): approximately $3,800–$5,200 per couple
Princess Plus is the key wildcard. At ~$60/person/day, it bundles the drink package, MedallionNet Wi-Fi, and crew appreciation (gratuities) into one charge. That's genuinely good value compared to buying each à la carte on either ship. If you drink even 4–5 alcoholic beverages a day, Princess Plus essentially pays for itself on drinks alone.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
Key Factors That Drive the Cost Difference
Ship Size and Crowd Factor Voyager of the Seas carries about 3,840 passengers at double occupancy. Discovery Princess carries around 3,660. They're similarly sized, but Discovery was built in 2022 — it's a newer, more modern ship. Voyager launched in 1999 and has been refurbished, but it's older infrastructure.
Itinerary Fit Discovery Princess homeports in Los Angeles and runs the Mexican Riviera as a core itinerary. Voyager of the Seas operates this route seasonally and may reposition — verify your March 2027 dates directly, as deployment can shift 12–18 months out.
Bundling Strategy Princess Plus at ~$60/person/day (covering drinks, Wi-Fi, and gratuities) creates a clear total-cost advantage over RCCL's à la carte model for most drinkers. Royal Caribbean's equivalent bundle (Unlimited package) runs closer to $95–$110/person/day for equivalent coverage and doesn't always include gratuities.
Cabin Quality Discovery Princess's balconies are newer and slightly larger. Voyager's Promenade-view interior cabins are a unique RCCL feature — fun novelty, zero natural light. Discovery's Reserve Collection mini-suites include reserved dining and priority embarkation, which is a genuine perk with no RCCL equivalent at the same price tier.
Entertainment This is where Voyager genuinely wins. The Royal Promenade, ice skating rink, rock climbing wall, and FlowRider give Voyager a clear entertainment edge for active travelers and families. Discovery Princess is elegant and well-appointed but plays it quieter. If you want to be busy and entertained at sea, Voyager.
Practical Tips to Save Money on Either Ship
Book Early for March — This Is Non-Negotiable March spring break inventory evaporates. Both ships will have premium pricing by fall 2026. Book balconies now if you can; they go first and the price gap between interior and balcony narrows early.
Princess Plus vs. À La Carte Math Before adding Princess Plus, calculate your realistic daily drink count. If you'll drink 5+ beverages/day (including specialty coffees, cocktails, wine at dinner), Princess Plus is almost certainly worth it. If you're a light drinker, skip it and pay à la carte.
Specialty Dining: Book Online in Advance On both ships, specialty restaurants book up fast in March. On Princess, specialty dining cover charges run $35–$50/person. On RCCL, expect $40–$55/person. Both offer dining packages — Princess's 3-meal package is typically better value than buying individually.
Wi-Fi Reality Check Both ships offer Starlink-class connectivity in 2026–2027. MedallionNet on Princess is well-regarded. RCCL has been upgrading but speeds vary by ship age — Voyager, being older, may lag Discovery on connectivity infrastructure. If seamless Wi-Fi matters, Discovery has the edge.
Avoid Port Day Specialty Dining Both ships discount specialty restaurants on port days (Cabo, Mazatlán, Puerto Vallarta) when most passengers are off the ship. If you're doing a port-day dinner onboard, you may find walk-in availability and occasional deals.
Which Ship Is Right for Which Traveler
| Traveler Type | Better Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Couples, 30s–50s, want elegant experience | Discovery Princess | Newer ship, better bundling, quieter vibe |
| Families with active teens | Voyager of the Seas | FlowRider, ice rink, rock climbing, Royal Promenade |
| Budget-conscious travelers | Discovery Princess | Lower base fares + Princess Plus value |
| First-time cruisers | Either — slight edge to Princess | Princess Plus simplifies the budgeting math |
| Entertainment-focused travelers | Voyager of the Seas | More onboard activities and unique features |
| Loyalty program members | Whichever line you're already loyal to | Status perks are worth more than ship differences |
One honest caveat: Voyager of the Seas' Mexican Riviera deployment for March 2027 is not confirmed as of mid-2025. RCCL moves ships around. Verify this itinerary is actually sailing before you plan around it. Discovery Princess running the LA–Mexico route in March is essentially a certainty — it's her home turf.
Run the full numbers for your specific sailing, cabin type, and spending habits with CruiseMutiny before you commit to either ship — the right answer depends entirely on what you'll spend onboard, not just what you pay at booking.
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