Panama Canal & Eastern Caribbean

Nestled along California's sun-kissed coastline, San Diego enchants visitors with its blend of laid-back beach vibes and vibrant urban culture.

Unique compared to Acapulco, Cancún, Zihuatanejo and several other coastal resort towns in Mexico—many of which were created by the government as planned communities—Puerto Vallarta ("PV" to locals), on the Pacific Ocean, retains quite a bit of its colonial-era charm. Its town square, Plaza de Armas, and the gorgeous parish church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, topped with an ornate crown and overlooking the port, serve as the loveliest representations of bygone ages. While on your Puerto Vallarta cruise, we take you alongside these echoes of the past are more modern attractions, including an ambitious public art project along the seaside walkway (the malecón) and trendy restaurants such as La Leche, serving contemporary Mexican cuisine. Round these out with plenty of fun-in-the-sun outdoor activities on and along Banderas Bay (whale-watching! snorkeling! jet-skiing!), excursions that reveal the best of Puerto Vallarta's flora and fauna, and a side trip to one of Mexico's pueblos mágicos (magical towns, a designation conferred by the government to recognize smaller towns that possess historical and cultural value), and you'd be hard-pressed to find a more pleasant place to spend part of your cruise to Puerto Vallarta.

Charming Huatulco captivates visitors with its picturesque bays and idyllic beaches, all lapped by the azure waves of the Pacific Ocean.

The southernmost port on Mexico’s Pacific coast, Puerto Chiapas is named for the state in which it is located. It is relatively new, built in 1975, and is the primary hub from which the region’s agricultural goods, including coffee, are sent abroad. For travelers arriving by cruise ship, the town of Puerto Chiapas is a jumping-off point to explore surrounding areas, including Tapachula, the second-largest city in the state of Chiapas. In addition to visiting the coffee estates and banana and cacao plantations of the area, day trips include excursions to Maya sites such as Izapa. Although not as well known as some of the Maya sites of southern and eastern Mexico, such as the UNESCO World Heritage Site Chichén Itzá, Izapa is impressive nonetheless. In addition to its interesting location—it sits along a river and is aligned with a volcano (the sixth-tallest mountain in Mexico)—archaeologists have found numerous stelae and evidence that it was the largest Maya site in Chiapas. While in the area, don’t miss the opportunity to sample the cuisine of Chiapas, which is influenced heavily by the Maya. One typical dish is tasajo, a thinly sliced beef steak marinated in a sauce made with achiote (also known as annatto) and chili.

Drive into the mountains to beautiful old Antigua, once the country's colonial capital, and discover its lovely bougainvillea draped buildings and breathtaking views of emerald volcanoes.

Located west of Panama City at the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal, Fuerte Amador is a gateway to exploring the many faces of this unique Central American country. The impressive engineering of the canal itself is a wonder to behold; a quick trip to the Miraflores Locks' visitor center with its panoramic observation decks offers the chance to watch behemoth barges thread their way through the legendary manmade waterway. Just minutes from the cruise port, the recently opened Biomuseo is a Frank Gehry–designed natural-history museum dedicated to Panama's ecological marvels. And Fuerte Amador sits within easy taxi distance of Panama City, the bustling, multicultural capital metropolis where visitors can wander a conquistador-era UNESCO World Heritage Site, sip coffee in street cafés and peruse modern malls. For a rural escape, it only takes an hour or two by car to trade the city for the tropical rain forests of Soberanía National Park, where an aerial tram carries passengers through treetops, or to meet Emberá tribespeople in their traditional village along the Chagres River.

On Colombia’s Caribbean-facing coast, Cartagena is a handsome and historic city, with distinctive Colonial architecture dating back to the sixteenth century.

More than 700 islands make up the coral-based archipelago of the Bahamas which stretches 5,358 miles over the Atlantic Ocean.

Miami, a vibrant coastal city nestled in southeastern Florida, beckons with its sultry blend of tropical beauty, cultural diversity and sizzling nightlife.

Philipsburg, the charming capital of Dutch Sint Maarten, unfolds along a pristine stretch of Caribbean coastline, enticing travellers with its fusion of European flair and tropical beauty.

Nestled on the picturesque shores of Antigua, St. John's welcomes visitors with its vibrant Caribbean charm and rich maritime history.

Stunning volcanic history (in 1902 Mont Pelee blew open with catastrophic force), rum distilleries and blooms in every tropical hue await on this verdant "Island of Flowers."

Roseau, the vibrant capital of Dominica, cradled between lush mountains and the Caribbean Sea, is a sensory delight for explorers.

Basseterre, the capital of St. Kitts and Nevis, is a captivating blend of colonial charm and Caribbean vibrancy.

The US Virgin Islands, an American paradise in the Caribbean, beckon with a unique blend of natural beauty, rich history and vibrant culture.

More than 700 islands make up the coral-based archipelago of the Bahamas which stretches 5,358 miles over the Atlantic Ocean.

Miami, a vibrant coastal city nestled in southeastern Florida, beckons with its sultry blend of tropical beauty, cultural diversity and sizzling nightlife.