Fort Lauderdale to San Diego

Originally a fort built by the U.S. Army in 1838, during the Second Seminole War, Ft. Lauderdale has little left of its warlike past. Instead the city welcomes visitors with broad beaches and an easy pace of life, plus convenient air and water connections that make the city a perfect place to begin or end a cruise.

She is celebrated as the queen of the Caribbean coast, and given the shimmering lagoons, bays and stunning sea that surround her, it’s easy to see why. Cartagena’s beautifully preserved Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, with winding alleys, vibrant displays of architecture and iconic churches. Explore islands offshore, swim in the crystalline waters, and be sure to sample the

She is celebrated as the queen of the Caribbean coast, and given the shimmering lagoons, bays and stunning sea that surround her, it’s easy to see why. Cartagena’s beautifully preserved Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, with winding alleys, vibrant displays of architecture and iconic churches. Explore islands offshore, swim in the crystalline waters, and be sure to sample the

The Panama Canal is an artificial 82 km waterway in Panama that connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific Ocean. The canal cuts across the Isthmus of Panama and is a conduit for maritime trade.

One of Latin America’s most peaceful countries, often called the “Switzerland of Central America,” Costa Rica does not possess an army and boasts a stable democratic government as well as a high literacy rate. Strategically located between two great continents, it has been the benefactor of great cultural contributions from each. Visitors to Costa Rica will be welcomed by friendly people and will enjoy superb scenery and an ideal climate.

Acrescent-shaped bay, excellent surfing and fishing, and authentic, laid-back culture make this slice of paradise a tempting invitation to stroll golden-sand beaches and streets lined with wooden buildings painted in vibrant colors. Hammocks and sunsets are the way of life here, where the hilltop statue of Christ of the Mercy gazes upon the bay, like Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, but on a much smaller scale.

Relatively new on cruising sojourns, El Salvador is likely to become pinned as a surprising favorite, due to a unique blend of authenticity and rusticity combined with classic tropical attractions – think national parks, steep volcanos, wide beaches, colonial history, colorful handcrafts and an easy-going attitude. Outdoor pursuits might put you in snorkel gear or on ziplines, or you might make a beeline for a café serving the region’s famed coffee.

Embraced by rugged tropical mountains on one side and the beautiful Banderas Bay on the other, Puerto Vallarta is second only to Acapulco when it comes to the Mexican Riviera’s leading resort cities. White stucco houses are capped with red-tile roofs and surrounded by bougainvillea-lined cobblestone streets. Native women who beat their laundry along riverbanks as busy fishing boats return to port illustrate a lifestyle that has been maintained for decades. Nearby, sophisticated restaurants, luxury hotels, smart boutiques and lively nightclubs bear testament to the changes wrought on this quiet seaside city since the 1960s. Life here has never been quite the same since the filming of the movie “Night of the Iguana” and the worldwide publicity accorded the romance of its stars, Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor. Puerto Vallarta brims with life. Shop for leather goods, shell and silver jewelry, hand-embroidered blouses or painted figures from Oaxaca. Explore cobblestone streets and picturesque alleyways filled with the scents and bustling energy of Mexico.

This magical city is festive and friendly, from its legendary zoo to Balboa Park everyone here seems to be living that quintessential California lifestyle – sun, sand and surf. Between ocean and desert, the near perfect weather here is ideal for exploring charming neighborhoods, gorgeous parks, and of course, the beach.