MS Koningsdam
November 1, 2025

San Diego, California, offers docking at San Diego Port. Travelers explore Balboa Park and Gaslamp Quarter. Excursions visit La Jolla’s sea lions. Local markets sell fish tacos. The peak season, May to September, brings mild weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Spanish architecture and Pacific vistas. Dining onboard includes carne asada, a Californian favorite. Souvenirs, like surf-themed crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Kumeyaay history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance park walks. San Diego’s urban charm offers a vibrant American stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of cultural parks and scenic coasts, making San Diego an engaging destination.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, offers docking at Puerto Vallarta Port. Travelers explore Malecón and Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe. Excursions include snorkeling at Los Arcos. Local markets sell pozole. The peak season, November to April, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures colorful boardwalks and Pacific vistas. Dining onboard includes birria, a Mexican favorite. Souvenirs, like huichol crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Jalisco history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while water shoes enhance reef exploration. Puerto Vallarta’s coastal charm offers a vibrant Mexican stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of cultural landmarks and marine adventures, making Puerto Vallarta an engaging destination for exploration.

Huatulco, Mexico, offers docking at Huatulco Port. Travelers explore Santa Cruz Bay and La Crucecita. Excursions include snorkeling at Maguey Bay. Local markets sell mole. The peak season, November to April, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures pristine beaches and Pacific vistas. Dining onboard includes tlayudas, a Mexican favorite. Souvenirs, like alebrije crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Zapotec history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while water shoes enhance reef exploration. Huatulco’s coastal charm offers a vibrant Mexican stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of scenic bays and cultural villages, making Huatulco an engaging destination for exploration.

Puerto Chiapas (Tapachula), Mexico, offers docking at Puerto Chiapas Port. Travelers explore Izapa Ruins and Tapachula’s cathedral. Excursions visit coffee plantations. Local markets sell tamales. The peak season, November to April, brings dry weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Mayan ruins and Pacific vistas. Dining onboard includes mole poblano, a Mexican favorite. Souvenirs, like woven crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Chiapas history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while comfortable shoes enhance ruin walks. Puerto Chiapas’ cultural allure offers a vibrant Mexican stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of ancient sites and coastal beauty, making Puerto Chiapas an engaging destination for exploration.

Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala, offers docking at Puerto Quetzal Port. Travelers explore Antigua’s colonial streets and Pacaya Volcano. Excursions include coffee plantation tours. Local markets sell tamales. The peak season, December to April, brings dry weather for coastal tours. Photography captures cobblestone plazas and Pacific vistas. Dining onboard includes pepián, a Guatemalan favorite. Souvenirs, like textile crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Mayan history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while sturdy shoes enhance volcano hikes. Puerto Quetzal’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Guatemalan stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of colonial heritage and scenic volcanoes, making Puerto Quetzal an engaging destination.

Acajutla, El Salvador's principal Pacific seaport, handles cruise ships at its industrial dock, 5 kilometers from town center. Passengers transfer via shuttle or taxi, arriving at a basic terminal with restrooms and a craft market. The port exports coffee and sugar, with excursions focusing on nearby sites. Joya de Ceren, 30 minutes away, reveals a preserved Mayan village buried by volcanic ash in 600 AD, offering guided walks through ancient homes and gardens. Izalco Volcano, 45 minutes drive, provides hikes to its crater rim for views of the "Lighthouse of the Pacific." Beaches like El Zonte, 20 minutes north, offer surfing lessons and black-sand shores. Cultural tours visit Suchitoto, 90 minutes east, for colonial architecture and indigo dyeing workshops. Dining features pupusas and grilled fish at beachside pupuserias. Souvenirs include woven baskets and coffee beans from local vendors. Dry season December to April brings calmer seas; taxis run 5-10 USD per ride. Organized tours ensure timely returns; no ATMs at the dock, so carry dollars.

Puntarenas, Costa Rica, offers docking at Puntarenas Port. Travelers explore Paseo de los Turistas and Carara National Park. Excursions include zip-lining in Monteverde. Local markets sell gallo pinto. The peak season, December to April, brings dry weather for coastal tours. Photography captures mangroves and Pacific vistas. Dining onboard includes casado, a Costa Rican favorite. Souvenirs, like coffee crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Tico history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while sturdy shoes enhance rainforest hikes. Puntarenas’ natural charm offers a vibrant Costa Rican stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of wildlife and scenic coasts, making Puntarenas an engaging destination.

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.

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.

Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida, offers docking at Port Everglades. Travelers explore Las Olas Boulevard and Everglades tours. Excursions include airboat rides. Local markets sell conch fritters. The peak season, December to April, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures canals 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. Fort Lauderdale’s urban charm offers a vibrant American stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of scenic waterways and natural adventures, making Fort Lauderdale an engaging destination for exploration.

Philipsburg, St. Maarten, offers docking at Philipsburg Port. Travelers explore Front Street and Maho Beach. Excursions include snorkeling at Cupecoy Bay. Local markets sell guavaberry liqueur. The peak season, December to April, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures plane landings and Caribbean vistas. Dining onboard includes callaloo soup, a St. Maarten favorite. Souvenirs, like Dutch 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. Philipsburg’s vibrant charm offers a lively stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of bustling markets and scenic beaches, making Philipsburg an engaging destination for exploration.

St. John’s, Antigua, offers docking at St. John’s Port. Travelers explore Nelson’s Dockyard and Shirley Heights. Excursions include snorkeling at Cades Reef. Local markets sell fungi. The peak season, December to April, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures colonial docks and Caribbean vistas. Dining onboard includes pepperpot, an Antiguan favorite. Souvenirs, like batik crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Carib history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while water shoes enhance reef exploration. St. John’s vibrant charm offers a lively Antiguan stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic dockyards and scenic beaches, making St. John’s an engaging destination for exploration.

Castries, St. Lucia, offers docking at Castries Port. Travelers explore Pigeon Island and Sulphur Springs. Excursions include snorkeling at Anse Chastanet. Local markets sell green fig salad. The peak season, December to April, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Piton peaks and Caribbean vistas. Dining onboard includes callaloo soup, a St. Lucian favorite. Souvenirs, like cocoa crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Carib history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while water shoes enhance reef exploration. Castries’ vibrant charm offers a lively St. Lucian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of volcanic landscapes and marine adventures, making Castries an engaging destination for exploration.

Roseau, Dominica, offers docking at Roseau Port. Travelers explore Trafalgar Falls and Morne Trois Pitons. Excursions include snorkeling at Champagne Reef. Local markets sell callaloo soup. The peak season, December to April, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures rainforests and Caribbean vistas. Dining onboard includes mountain chicken, a Dominican favorite. Souvenirs, like basket crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Carib history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while sturdy shoes enhance waterfall hikes. Roseau’s natural charm offers a vibrant Dominican stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of lush rainforests and marine adventures, making Roseau an engaging destination for exploration.

Basseterre, St. Kitts, offers docking at Port Zante. Travelers explore Brimstone Hill Fortress and Romney Manor. Excursions include snorkeling at Shitten Bay. Local markets sell johnnycakes. The peak season, December to April, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures colonial forts and Caribbean vistas. Dining onboard includes goat water, a St. Kitts favorite. Souvenirs, like batik crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Carib history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while water shoes enhance reef exploration. Basseterre’s historic charm offers a vibrant stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of UNESCO fortresses and scenic beaches, making Basseterre an engaging destination for exploration.

Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, offers docking at Havensight Port. Travelers explore Blackbeard’s Castle and Magens Bay. Excursions include snorkeling at Coki Beach. Local markets sell callaloo. The peak season, December to April, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures pirate history and Caribbean vistas. Dining onboard includes fungi, a Virgin Islands favorite. Souvenirs, like shell crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Danish colonial history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while water shoes enhance reef exploration. Charlotte Amalie’s historic charm offers a vibrant stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of scenic beaches and cultural landmarks, making St. Thomas an engaging destination.

Half Moon Cay, Bahamas (Private Island), offers docking at a private port. Travelers explore white-sand beaches and Stingray Cove. Excursions include horseback riding by the sea. Local markets sell conch fritters. The peak season, December to April, brings warm weather for island tours. Photography captures turquoise waters and Caribbean vistas. Dining onboard includes cracked conch, a Bahamian favorite. Souvenirs, like shell crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Lucayan history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while water shoes enhance beach exploration. Half Moon Cay’s island allure offers a vibrant stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of serene beaches and marine activities, making Half Moon Cay an engaging destination.

Returning to Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades) — see Day 18 above for port info.