MS Zaandam
March 16, 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.

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.

Manzanillo, Mexico, offers docking at Manzanillo Port. Travelers explore Playa La Audiencia and Jardín Álvaro Obregón. Excursions include snorkeling at Carrizalillo Bay. Local markets sell ceviche. The peak season, November to April, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures sandy beaches and Pacific vistas. Dining onboard includes birria, a Mexican favorite. Souvenirs, like pottery crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Colima history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while water shoes enhance beach exploration. Manzanillo’s coastal charm offers a vibrant Mexican stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of scenic beaches and cultural plazas, making Manzanillo an engaging destination for exploration.

Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa, Mexico, offers docking at Zihuatanejo Port. Travelers explore Playa La Ropa and Ixtapa’s marina. Excursions include snorkeling at Los Morros. Local markets sell pozole. The peak season, November to April, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures fishing villages and Pacific vistas. Dining onboard includes ceviche, a Mexican favorite. Souvenirs, like huipil crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Guerrero history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while water shoes enhance reef exploration. Zihuatanejo’s coastal charm offers a vibrant Mexican stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of pristine beaches and cultural villages, making Zihuatanejo an engaging destination for exploration.

Returning to Huatulco — see Day 10 above for port info.

Returning to Puerto Vallarta — see Day 12 above for port info.

Returning to Puerto Vallarta — see Day 12 above for port info.

Mazatlan, Mexico, offers docking at Mazatlan Port. Travelers explore Old Town and El Faro Lighthouse. Excursions include snorkeling at Deer Island. Local markets sell shrimp tacos. The peak season, November to April, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures colonial plazas and Pacific vistas. Dining onboard includes aguachile, a Mexican favorite. Souvenirs, like pottery crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Sinaloa history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while water shoes enhance beach exploration. Mazatlan’s coastal charm offers a vibrant Mexican stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic districts and scenic beaches, making Mazatlan an engaging destination for exploration.

View Eclipse at Sea offers scenic cruising without docking. Travelers observe a solar or lunar eclipse from the ship. No excursions or facilities exist; activities are ship-based. The peak season depends on eclipse dates, typically warm for open-sea viewing. Photography captures celestial events and ocean vistas. Dining onboard includes international dishes, reflecting the global journey. Souvenirs, like nautical crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover astronomical history. Light clothing or warm layers suit the variable climate, while binoculars enhance eclipse viewing. Eclipse viewing offers a unique maritime stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of celestial phenomena and open-sea relaxation, making Eclipse at Sea an engaging destination.

Loreto, Mexico, has docking at Loreto Port. Travelers explore San Javier Mission and Loreto’s historic plaza. Excursions snorkel Coronado Island’s reefs. Local markets sell fish tacos. The peak season, November to April, brings mild weather. Photography captures desert landscapes and Sea of Cortez views. Dining onboard includes ceviche, a Mexican favorite. Souvenirs, like shell crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Baja history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the arid climate. Snorkeling gear enhances reef exploration. Loreto’s coastal charm offers a serene Mexican stop, blending history with marine beauty.

Pichilingue (La Paz), Mexico, offers docking at Pichilingue Port. Travelers explore Balandra Beach and La Paz’s Malecón. Excursions include snorkeling at Espiritu Santo Island. Local markets sell fish tacos. The peak season, November to April, brings mild weather for coastal tours. Photography captures turquoise bays and desert landscapes. Dining onboard includes ceviche, a Mexican favorite. Souvenirs, like silver jewelry, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Baja’s marine history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the arid climate, while snorkeling gear enhances island exploration. Pichilingue’s coastal beauty offers a vibrant Mexican stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of pristine beaches, marine life, and seaside charm, making Pichilingue an engaging destination for exploring Mexico’s Baja California Sur.

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.

Returning to San Diego — see Day 15 above for port info.