Motorcycle Riding on a Cruise Ship?

Two Ways of Cruising

Ever heard of taking a motorcycle ride on a cruise ship vacation? It’s not only possible it’s the most amazing adventure. It is the best way to see a country or city when your ship docks at the port.

We love to take cruises. Recently we went on the Mexican Riviera cruise by on the Norwegian Joy. I actually received the cruise free from my gambling at Pechanga Casino and resort. (I’ll save the perks of gambling for another post).

Riding on the back of the motorcycle for me is the ultimate thrill, the feeling of total freedom, of immersing myself in the scenery around me while the wind blows through me. Motorbike travel is one of the best ways to explore, and the buzz it offers is indescribable in words. So why not next time you take a cruise rent a motorcycle when you get off the cruise ship?

Renting a Moto Scooter

The best way to see the ports on a cruise ship is on two wheels. Renting a motorcycle or a scooter is extremely easy and affordable. When you get off the ship just ask where you can rent a motorcycle or scooter or even an ATV. They rarely ask you if you have a motorcycle license. I recommend using Google maps or the map they provide you. However, it’s hard for me to read a big paper map while navigating from the back of the motorcycle.

It is really easy to find a place that rents scooters. Everyone is so friendly and helpful when you are in a port city or island. Just think of how much money you save renting the scooter versus purchasing a cruise ship excursion. Cruise ship excursions are not cheap! They also limit the amount of things you can see and how long you can spend at the sights. On your own, with a moto scooter, you can spend as little or as much time at each stop. Just don’t miss your boat when it leaves.

Off-Roading on a Mexican Riviera Cruise

It all started with my husband and me when we took a 3 day Mexican Rivera Cruise to Ensenada. We walked off the ship with no shore excursion planned and ready to explore. Immediately, after exiting the border building we saw quite a few places to rent 4 wheel ATVs and 2 wheel scooters. I didn’t see a regular motorcycle. My husband convinced me how much fun it would be to ride around Ensenada on an ATV. It wasn’t lying to me. I had the experience of my life. He even let me drive with him on the back of the ATV. My 6’5 foot guy riding Pillion. LOL. I thought the ATV would be more comfortable for me in the back seat?.

We had a fabulous ride along the Pacific Ocean. It was an amazing scenic ride out to the famous blowfish hole. I felt like I really experienced the city of Ensenada and the people when riding around on the ATV. It was like two shore excursions in one for half the price we would have paid on the cruise ship.

Mazatlan Scooter Rental

When we docked in Mazatlan we got off the cruise ship and walk through the terminal and there was a guy they’re renting scooters for about 50 bucks. He gave us a paper map that I put in my pocket and brought out my google maps app on my phone. It was really easy to navigate in Matzalan through the Golden Zone and made a lot of stops along their 17-mile beach. I got to see the colonial core of Viejo Mazatlán along with the ornate churches and photogenic Spanish mansions.

We stopped for lunch at an authentic restaurant off the beaten path where most locals eat. I think we rode on that scooter and covered the city in about 4 hours. The views, the people, the buildings and architecture I saw on the back of the scooter were miraculous. David had the time of his life riding his mini-motorcycle. Ha Ha.

Moto Scooter on Belize

When we did a Western Caribbean cruise with Norweigian one of the ports was Belize. You really only have 8 hours off the boat. I really wanted to see as much as I could in Belize especially the Mayan Ruin cities and temples. I think I had the best scenic views on the back of our moto scooter. and a scooter ride around the island provided us with the best scenic views. We got to see how people live on the island.

Belize on a motorcycle is by far the most adventurous and exciting island. It was so easy and convenient to explore on a moto scooter. I felt like we rode through a maze of fun and thrilling roads and made many interesting stops along the way.

St. Thomas American Virgin Island
Motorscooter Tour

As I write this post we are on the Norwegian Encore cruising the Eastern Caribbean. On St. Thomas we walked off the ship and asked 2 people where to rent a moto scooter. Right across the street, we found a great place for $70.00 we had the scooter all day. We rode up to the Moutain Top just as if we had booked a shore excursion. We had lunch at Duffy’s Love Shack (recommended by the guy who rented us the scooter).

We were able to explore most of the island in 3-4 hours with the moto scooter. I saw so many tour buses along the way and almost felt bad for the fellow cruise passengers cooped up in there. I recommend renting a scooter, motorcycle or an ATV on your next cruise. I promise you will have the time of your life and get to experience the island. It was the biggest adventure on my cruise to the Caribbean.