MS Zaandam
January 4, 2024

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.