Azamara Journey
January 7, 2025

Miami, Florida, offers docking at PortMiami. Travelers explore South Beach and Wynwood Walls. Excursions visit Everglades National Park. Local markets sell Cuban sandwiches. The peak season, December to April, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures art deco and Atlantic vistas. Dining onboard includes stone crab, a Floridian favorite. Souvenirs, like seashell crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Seminole history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the subtropical climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Miami’s urban charm offers a vibrant American stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of vibrant nightlife and scenic wetlands, making Miami an engaging destination for exploring Florida’s southern coast.

Oranjestad, Aruba, offers docking at Oranjestad Port. Travelers explore Arikok National Park and California Lighthouse. Excursions include snorkeling at Baby Beach. Local markets sell keshi yena. The peak season, December to April, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures cacti landscapes and Caribbean vistas. Dining onboard includes funchi, an Aruban favorite. Souvenirs, like aloe crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Arawak history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while water shoes enhance reef exploration. Oranjestad’s vibrant charm offers a lively Aruban stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of natural parks and scenic beaches, making Oranjestad an engaging destination for exploration.

Kralendijk, Bonaire, offers docking at Kralendijk Port. Travelers explore Washington Slagbaai Park and Klein Bonaire. Excursions include snorkeling at Bari Reef. Local markets sell kadushi soup. The peak season, December to April, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures flamingos and Caribbean vistas. Dining onboard includes keshi yena, a Bonairean favorite. Souvenirs, like salt crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Arawak history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while water shoes enhance reef exploration. Kralendijk’s coastal allure offers a vibrant Bonairean stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of marine biodiversity and scenic islands, making Kralendijk an engaging destination for exploration.

Willemstad, Curaçao, offers docking at Willemstad Port. Travelers explore Queen Emma Bridge and Punda’s colorful buildings. Excursions include snorkeling at Tugboat Beach. Local markets sell keshi yena. The peak season, December to April, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Dutch architecture and Caribbean vistas. Dining onboard includes stobá, a Curaçaoan favorite. Souvenirs, like blue curaçao crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Antillean history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while water shoes enhance reef exploration. Willemstad’s vibrant charm offers a lively Curaçaoan stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of colonial heritage and marine adventures, making Willemstad an engaging destination for exploration.

Cartagena, Colombia, offers docking at Cartagena Port. Travelers explore San Felipe Castle and Old Town’s colorful streets. Excursions include Rosario Islands snorkeling. Local markets sell arepas. The peak season, December to April, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures colonial walls and Caribbean vistas. Dining onboard includes sancocho, a Colombian favorite. Souvenirs, like emerald crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Spanish colonial history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while comfortable shoes enhance historic walks. Cartagena’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Colombian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic fortresses and scenic islands, making Cartagena an engaging destination for exploration.

Returning to Cartagena — see Day 8 above for port info.

Panama Canal Transit, Panama, offers scenic cruising without docking. Travelers view Gatun Locks and Centennial Bridge from the ship. Excursions include canal history tours. No facilities exist; provisions are ship-based. The peak season, December to April, brings dry weather for canal cruising. Photography captures engineering marvels and Pacific vistas. Dining onboard includes arroz con pollo, a Panamanian favorite. Souvenirs, like molas, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover canal history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while binoculars enhance lock viewing. Panama Canal’s industrial allure offers a vibrant stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of engineering feats and scenic waterways, making the Panama Canal an engaging destination.

Manta, Ecuador, offers docking at Manta Port. Travelers explore Montecristi’s Panama hat workshops and Pacoche Wildlife Refuge. Excursions include snorkeling at Isla de la Plata, known as the “Poor Man’s Galapagos.” Local markets sell ceviche. The peak season, June to November, brings milder weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Pacific beaches and artisan markets. Dining onboard features locro de papa, an Ecuadorian potato soup. Souvenirs, like woven hats, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Manta’s fishing heritage. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while snorkeling gear enhances marine exploration. Manta’s coastal vibrancy offers a dynamic Ecuadorian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of artisanal crafts, wildlife, and marine adventures, making Manta a compelling destination for exploring Ecuador’s Pacific coast and cultural traditions.

Guayaquil, Ecuador, offers docking at Guayaquil Port. Travelers explore Malecón 2000’s riverfront promenade. Excursions visit Parque Histórico’s colonial exhibits. Local markets sell cacao beans. The peak season, June to November, brings dry weather. Photography captures river views and colorful iguanas. Dining onboard includes encebollado, an Ecuadorian soup. Souvenirs, like Panama hats, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Guayaquil’s history. Light clothing suits the tropical climate. Comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Guayaquil’s vibrant waterfront and cultural richness provide a dynamic Ecuadorian stop, blending urban energy with historic charm.

Salaverry (Trujillo), Peru, offers docking at Salaverry Port. Travelers explore Chan Chan’s UNESCO adobe ruins and Huanchaco’s reed boats. Excursions visit Moche’s Huaca del Sol. Local markets sell ceviche. The peak season, May to October, brings dry weather for historic tours. Photography captures ancient adobe and Pacific vistas. Dining onboard includes lomo saltado, a Peruvian favorite. Souvenirs, like pottery crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Moche history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the arid climate, while comfortable shoes enhance ruin walks. Salaverry’s ancient allure offers a vibrant Peruvian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of archaeological wonders and coastal culture, making Salaverry an engaging destination for exploration.

Callao, Lima, Peru, docks at Callao Port, 12 kilometers from Lima’s center, with taxis for 20-minute rides. Lima, population 9 million, features Plaza de Armas and the 16th-century cathedral. Travelers visit Larco Museum for pre-Columbian artifacts. Local markets sell ceviche. Excursions to Pachacamac, 45 minutes south, explore Inca ruins. Peak season December to March; taxis 10-20 PEN. Dining includes lomo saltado at Miraflores cafes. Souvenirs feature alpaca textiles.

Returning to Callao — see Day 16 above for port info.