Our tip
Plan ahead – there are great cultural opportunities in San Diego, so you might want to pre-book concert tickets or a show.
From San Diego to Guayaquil
San Diego to Guayaquil
From San Diego to Guayaquil
San Diego to Guayaquil
Voyage Itinerary
24 August
Setting sail from 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. The swells of Mission Beach and Pacific Beach attract a surfer crowd, while the Old Town has a strong Hispanic influence thanks to the city's proximity to the Mexican border. There are also plenty of family-friendly attractions, including Legoland, SeaWorld and the famous San Diego Zoo.
25 August
Mexico: Ensenada
26 August - At sea
27 August
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.
28 August
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.
29 August to 30 August - At sea
31 August
El Salvador: Acajutla
A cruise call at Acajutla is a rare opportunity to explore the tiny Central American nation of El Salvador. Popular excursions include the Mayan ruins at Tazumal, scuba diving off beautiful Los Cabanos beach, or a trip to the Izalco volcano, where you can peer down into the dormant caldera.
1 September
Costa Rica: Playa Flamingo
2 September
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.
3 September - At sea
4 September
Ecuador: Manta
The Ecuadorian port of Manta is known as the “tuna capital of the world”, and you’ll see plenty of fishing boats as you arrive. The beach is a popular destination for local tourists, but you may find that the nearby town of Montecristi, home of the Panama hat, makes for a more interesting excursion.
5 September
Arriving in Guayaquil
Guayaquil is Ecuador’s largest city and most important commercial centre, and acts as the gateway to the Pacific coast and the wildlife haven of the Galapagos Islands. It’s a busy, buzzing sort of place, centred around the pleasant riverfront Malecón promenade.
Don't miss
In our opinion this city is fine, but there is really nothing unmissable here. Don’t miss flying away from here to visit the Galapagos!
The ship
Crystal Symphony
- Capacity:
- 606 Guests
- Style:
- A new era of Crystal: Reduced guest capacity means nearly onestaff member per guest and together with enhanced contemporaryaccommodations, award-winning cuisine and extensive entertainmentoptions means this is a true luxury experience.
Crystal Symphony returned to the ultra-luxury cruise sector in 2023 - fully refurbished and enhanced and not to be missed.
What we love
The beloved Crystal Symphony, having been dutifully maintained for the past three decades underwent an extensive refurbishment in 2023, reducing the guest capacity and enhancing the accommodations onboard. Crystal signatures such as exceptional service and world-class dining remain but the ship returned to service with a new lease of life.
inclusions
- All meals including room service
- Drinks including premium spirits
- Onboard entertainment including shows, lectures, classes and more
- Onboard gratuities
- Complimentary WiFi
Tailor-make your trip
Ways to make it better
Our favourite San Diego hotel
It’s about 20 miles north of central San Diego, but we have to recommend the Fairmont Grand Del Mar.
Whale watching
If you are here in the summer or autumn, take the opportunity to go and find a blue whale leaving from San Diego’s Big Bay.
Where to stay in Guayaquil
The Oro Verde is conveniently located for the airport.
Around Guayaquil
Take a bicycle tour to Santay Island, a wilderness in the middle of the river, joined to the city by a new pedestrian bridge.
How can we help?
Our frequently asked questions
From cruise tips to travel protection, here are some of our most-asked questions
visit our faqs
Will I save by booking with Mundy Cruising?
Absolutely. You'll save money and time by booking with us rather than directly with the cruise line and enjoy more flexibility in your travel arrangements. We have access to preferential rates and exclusive offers, and we offer expert advice on how to get the best value.
Can you help with pre and post-cruise arrangements?
From flights and transfers to hotels and tours, we can help with all your travel needs to make sure your trip is exceptional. What's more, we are members of ABTA and also offer full ATOL protection, not to mention a 24hr emergency contact, so we offer complete peace of mind.
What are the benefits of a small luxury ship?
Because small ships are able to reach smaller ports of call and provide a higher level of service than their big ship counterparts, we believe that small ship cruising is the very best way to travel. Usually they offer more space per person, and an attentive team to make sure you have the very best experience. Small ship cruising offers the very best of the best.
cruise news
Latest news and travel inspiration
News, trip reports, cruising advice and industry insight brought to you from our expert team.
Why Mundy?
Who we are
Founded in 1970, we have sold more luxury cruises for more years than anyone else in the UK.
Mundy Cruising was the very first cruise specialist in the UK. We have been making the best cruise holidays even better since 1970.
How? Simply by offering our clients more expertise, more personal service, more unique ideas, more fascinating add-ons, more fabulous freebies and more peace of mind.
We're happy to do all of that over the phone. But if you prefer to chat face to face, why not visit us at our comfortable offices on London's High Holborn - we'd be delighted to see you.
