Cruise Advice
Duration
17 Nights
Journey Type
Cruise only (Please call for flight options)
Ports
10 Ports
8-9 January
Setting sail from Colón
Situated at the Atlantic entrance to the Panama Canal, Colón takes its name from Christopher Columbus, known in Spanish as Cristóbal Colón, although it's hard to imagine the famous explorer would find much reason to linger here nowadays. Once a thriving port, the city is now in a state of seemingly terminal decline, its colonial architecture crumbling and the modern city beset by social problems. It's not somewhere you will want to hang around for long, and serves merely as a gateway to the Canal, which will carry you to much nicer places.
Our tip
The wildlife in the region is amazing, particularly the birds, so if you have the slightest interest then extend your stay in Panama.
10 January
At sea
11 January
Costa Rica: Puntarenas
Situated on a peculiarly shaped peninsula on the Gulf of Nicoya, Puntarenas is a popular weekend beach destination for residents of Costa Rica’s capital, San José. The port itself is not pretty, but the beachfront Paseo de los Turistas is a nice place to relax with a drink or enjoy a seafood lunch.
12 January
Nicaragua: San Juan del Sur
The beach town of San Juan del Sur is a popular hangout for surfers, and it’s a nice place to spend some time relaxing. If you’re looking for a more immersive cultural experience then it’s worth taking an excursion to the beautiful colonial town of Granada, an hour and half away on the shores of Lake Nicaragua.
13 January
At sea
14 January
Guatemala: Puerto Quetzal
Puerto Quetzal is the jumping off point for exploring the fascinating interior of Guatemala, and the highlight of this intriguing country has to be UNESCO-listed Antigua. This colourful colonial town, 90 minutes from the port, enjoys a spectacular setting against a backdrop of volcanoes, and is well worth the trip.
15 January
At sea
16 January
Mexico: Acapulco
It’s true that Acapulco has suffered from overdevelopment, and has lost some of its lustre since its heyday as a magnet for Hollywood stars. But it’s still a buzzing party town, and even the forest of high rise hotels can’t spoil the setting, a beautiful bay where the Sierra Madre mountains meet the Pacific Ocean.
17 January
Mexico: Zihuatanejo (Ixtapa)
18 January
At sea
19 January
Mexico: Puerto Vallarta
The resort town of Puerto Vallarta, on Mexico’s Pacific coast, has bags of charm in spite of its popularity. Spend some time exploring the pretty old town, with its cobbled streets and quirky boutiques, or relax on the beach. Humpback whales breed out in the bay during the winter months, and dolphins can be spotted year round.
20 January
At sea
21 January
Mexico: Cabo San Lucas
The sister towns of Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo sit at the tip of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula. The towns themselves are mostly given over to luxury hotels and boisterous nightlife, but the surrounding landscape is characterised by arid arroyos, bristly cacti and rocky coastal outcrops.
22-23 January
At sea
24 January
United States: San Diego
Laid-back, friendly and blessed with near-perfect weather all year round, San Diego is one of America’s most likeable cities. Enjoy a stroll through Balboa Park, dotted with beautiful Spanish Renaissance-style architecture, take a whale watching trip along the coast, or sample the nightlife of the trendy Gaslamp Quarter.
25 January
Arriving in Los Angeles
The sprawling, sun-kissed city of Los Angeles needs little introduction. It's an energetic, creative place with cultural riches to match any world city, home to Hollywood glamour, the iconic beaches of Venice and Santa Monica, and affluent, image-conscious Beverly Hills. Yes, there is a lot of traffic on the 12-lane freeways that criss-cross the city, but there are also plenty of green spaces away from the crowds, and a vibrant restaurant scene. The City of Angels may not be everyone's cup of tea, but no trip to California is complete without experiencing this buzzing metropolis.
Don't miss
Shopping in Rodeo Drive – if only for the people watching opportunities!
MS Europa 2
Widely acclaimed as the best ship in the world, Europa 2’s stylish Nordic décor, fantastic accommodation and great dining options make her a great choice
What we love
Europa 2 really is a ship with a difference, and you feel it from the moment you step on board. Her beautiful light-flooded interiors are fresh and inviting, and the feeling of space created by innovative design is vastly refreshing. This dedication to design is not, incidentally, confined to public areas: the elegant suites themselves are a wonderful place to stay.
| Capacity | 500 Guests |
|---|---|
| Crew | 370 International Staff |
| Style | For the young and young at heart, the laid-back ambience is elegant but totally informal. English is spoken fluently by the crew, but you should be aware that your fellow guests may not be equally bilingual; German may well be the lingua franca of the ship (as it were). |
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Tailor-make your trip
Ways to make it better
Stay a little longer in Panama
It’s not in Colón, but if you want to extend your stay we propose Isla Palenque, off the Pacific coast of Panama – tricky to get to, but not to be missed.
Explore the Panamian jungle
Take a canopy tour and swing between great trees, seeing the wildlife as you go. Watch out – it’s not for the faint-hearted!
Where to stay in Los Angeles
It depends where you want to be – at the beach, in Hollywood, or Beverly Hills. At Mundy we think you want to be in Beverly Hills at the Beverly Wilshire.
See the City of Angels from above
Take a helicopter for a great perspective on this sprawling city – see the movie stars’ homes, Hollywood and Santa Monica.
