MS Nieuw Amsterdam
April 13, 2025

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.

Grand Turk Island, Turks and Caicos, offers docking at Grand Turk Cruise Center. Travelers explore Cockburn Town and Governor’s Beach. Excursions include snorkeling at Gibbs Cay. Local markets sell conch salad. The peak season, December to April, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures colonial buildings and Caribbean vistas. Dining onboard includes jerk fish, a Turks and Caicos favorite. Souvenirs, like shell crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Taino history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while water shoes enhance reef exploration. Grand Turk’s coastal charm offers a vibrant stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic sites and marine beauty, making Grand Turk 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.

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.

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.

Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica, offers docking at Puerto Caldera Port. Travelers explore Carara National Park and Jacó Beach. 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 scarlet macaws and Pacific vistas. Dining onboard includes casado, a Costa Rican favorite. Souvenirs, like coffee crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Bribri history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while sturdy shoes enhance rainforest hikes. Puerto Caldera’s natural charm offers a vibrant Costa Rican stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of wildlife and scenic beaches, making Puerto Caldera 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.

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.

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, offers docking at Cabo San Lucas Port. Travelers explore El Arco and Lover’s Beach. Excursions include snorkeling at Santa Maria Cove. Local markets sell fish tacos. The peak season, November to April, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures rock formations and Pacific vistas. Dining onboard includes ceviche, a Mexican favorite. Souvenirs, like silver crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Baja history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the arid climate, while water shoes enhance reef exploration. Cabo San Lucas’ coastal allure offers a vibrant Mexican stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of iconic landmarks and marine adventures, making Cabo an engaging destination.

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.

Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, offers docking at Ogden Point Port. Travelers explore Butchart Gardens and Craigdarroch Castle. Excursions include whale-watching tours. Local markets sell Nanaimo bars. The peak season, June to September, brings mild weather for coastal tours. Photography captures floral gardens and Pacific vistas. Dining onboard includes salmon, a BC favorite. Souvenirs, like totem crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Salish history. Light layers and waterproof shoes suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance garden walks. Victoria’s scenic charm offers a vibrant Canadian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of natural beauty and historic landmarks, making Victoria an engaging destination for exploration.

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, offers docking at Canada Place Port. Travelers explore Stanley Park and Gastown. Excursions visit Capilano Suspension Bridge. Local markets sell poutine. The peak season, June to September, brings mild weather for coastal tours. Photography captures urban parks and Pacific vistas. Dining onboard includes salmon, a BC favorite. Souvenirs, like Inuit crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Salish history. Light layers and waterproof shoes suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance park walks. Vancouver’s urban charm offers a vibrant Canadian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of natural beauty and cultural landmarks, making Vancouver an engaging destination for exploring Canada’s west coast.