Fort Lauderdale to Los Angeles

City meets sea in the coastal metropolis of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Soak up the sun along vast swaths of pristine white sands, take a scenic boat tour through palm-fringed canals, shop your way along the famous Las Olas Boulevard, and sip refreshing craft beers along the Fort Lauderdale Ale Trail. When it comes to dining, you’re spoilt for choice: from fresh seafood with a waterfront view to Michelin-approved pizza, there’s mouthwatering cuisine at every turn.

A day at sea with Crystal can be as relaxed or as engaging as you wish. Begin with breakfast on your veranda, take a walk along the Promenade Deck or spend the morning by the Seahorse Pool before retreating to the Aurōra Spa & Salon for a restorative treatment. Enrichment is always close at hand, with lectures, bridge, creative workshops, dance classes, wellness sessions and opportunities to fine tune skills from photography to golf.

Dining is a highlight throughout the day, from relaxed bites by the pool to elegant dinners at venues such as Umi Uma by Nobu, Beefbar or Waterside. As evening arrives, enjoy live music, theatre entertainment, comedy, social gatherings, cocktails in the lounges or a quiet night in with 24-hour in-suite dining.

Lose yourself in the beautiful chaos of Cartagena, where layers of cultural influence intersect to create a city rich in character. The walled Old Town – established in the 16th century and now a UNESCO World Heritage site – is best explored on foot. Stop by a street stall for fresh lulo juice before setting off to explore the labyrinthine streets, filled with shady plazas, ornate former mansions, and balconies overflowing with flowers. Just outside the historic walls, you’ll find the colorful neighborhood of Getsemaní, where vivid murals adorn the facades of shops and galleries, and salsa music wafts from lively bars.

Experience Panama in Colón, a city with a rich blend of culture, history, and natural beauty where visitors can discover what makes this corner of the world unique. From the building of the Panama Railroad in 1849, followed by the digging of the Panama Canal in 1881 (completed 1914), the history of Colon is punctuated by years of construction to facilitate travel. The impressive Gatun Locks and Gatun Dam – where ships enter and exit the canal on the Caribbean side – are just six miles south of this city named for Christopher Columbus. The Zona Libre, or Free Zone, established in 1948, is the second largest free-trade zone in the world.

Sailing through the legendary Panama Canal, one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World, brings to life the incredible potential of human achievement. Connecting the Pacific Ocean with the Caribbean Sea, this engineering icon, which began operating in 1914, raises ships 85 feet above sea level to Gatun Lake, then lowers them at the other end. While traversing the Panama Canal, keep an eye out for monkeys and sloths in the lush surrounding jungle.

A day at sea with Crystal can be as relaxed or as engaging as you wish. Begin with breakfast on your veranda, take a walk along the Promenade Deck or spend the morning by the Seahorse Pool before retreating to the Aurōra Spa & Salon for a restorative treatment. Enrichment is always close at hand, with lectures, bridge, creative workshops, dance classes, wellness sessions and opportunities to fine tune skills from photography to golf.

Dining is a highlight throughout the day, from relaxed bites by the pool to elegant dinners at venues such as Umi Uma by Nobu, Beefbar or Waterside. As evening arrives, enjoy live music, theatre entertainment, comedy, social gatherings, cocktails in the lounges or a quiet night in with 24-hour in-suite dining.

Corinto is often viewed as the gateway to Nicaragua's rich cultural tapestry and natural beauty. This port town offers an authentic glimpse into Nicaraguan life with its bustling marketplaces and colonial architecture. Cruise ships dock at the Port of Corinto, just 1.2km/0.75mi from the centre of town.

Explore the nearby city of León, renowned for its historic churches and revolutionary murals, or venture to the rum distilleries for a taste of the local spirit.

Nature enthusiasts will relish a trip to Volcan Cosiguina, just a short drive away. The volcano's summit offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Gulf of Fonseca and El Salvador. The pristine beaches around Corinto also provide a perfect backdrop to unwind and enjoy the coastal scenery.

Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala’s principal Pacific Ocean port, is a gateway to some of the country’s most captivating attractions. While primarily a launch point for nearby destinations, its proximity to key sites allows visitors to delve into the rich tapestry of local culture and history swiftly. From here, the colonial beauty of Antigua, a UNESCO World Heritage site with its well-preserved Spanish Baroque architecture and stunning volcano views, is easily accessible (approx. 1hr15m drive - 90 km/56mi away).

For those interested in the natural beauty of Guatemala, the surrounding area offers activities such as visits to coffee plantations in the highlands where the unique, aromatic beans are cultivated. Additionally, the coastal town of Monterrico is within reach, known for its black volcanic sand beaches and as a nesting ground for sea turtles, making Puerto Quetzal a strategic starting point for exploring Guatemala’s diverse landscapes.

A day at sea with Crystal can be as relaxed or as engaging as you wish. Begin with breakfast on your veranda, take a walk along the Promenade Deck or spend the morning by the Seahorse Pool before retreating to the Aurōra Spa & Salon for a restorative treatment. Enrichment is always close at hand, with lectures, bridge, creative workshops, dance classes, wellness sessions and opportunities to fine tune skills from photography to golf.

Dining is a highlight throughout the day, from relaxed bites by the pool to elegant dinners at venues such as Umi Uma by Nobu, Beefbar or Waterside. As evening arrives, enjoy live music, theatre entertainment, comedy, social gatherings, cocktails in the lounges or a quiet night in with 24-hour in-suite dining.

A charming and buzzing seaside town that offers traditional Mexican culture with a modern twist. Second only to Acapulco when it comes to the Mexican Riviera's leading resort cities, Puerto Vallarta is embraced by rugged tropical mountains on one side and the lovely Banderas Bay on the other. The city brims with life, with its bougainvillea-lined cobblestone streets, picturesque alleyways, luxury hotels and smart boutiques, and stunning seaside location. Shop for leather goods here as well as shell and silver jewelry, hand-embroidered blouses or painted figures from Oaxaca.

Cabo San Lucas is the sunny resort town on the tip of Mexico’s Baja California. This colourful small town is known for its excellent big-game fishing, great diving spots and challenging surf waves. Ships will anchor offshore in Cabo San Lucas bay and tender guests to shore.

Top things to do in Cabo San Lucas:

• catch the sunset at El Arco de Cabo San Lucas
• snorkel the coral reefs along the Sea of Cortez
• relax on Medano beach
• explore nearby Todos Santos

A day at sea with Crystal can be as relaxed or as engaging as you wish. Begin with breakfast on your veranda, take a walk along the Promenade Deck or spend the morning by the Seahorse Pool before retreating to the Aurōra Spa & Salon for a restorative treatment. Enrichment is always close at hand, with lectures, bridge, creative workshops, dance classes, wellness sessions and opportunities to fine tune skills from photography to golf.

Dining is a highlight throughout the day, from relaxed bites by the pool to elegant dinners at venues such as Umi Uma by Nobu, Beefbar or Waterside. As evening arrives, enjoy live music, theatre entertainment, comedy, social gatherings, cocktails in the lounges or a quiet night in with 24-hour in-suite dining.

Close to the U.S. border, Ensenada offers a fun introduction to Baha California, a laid-back beach resort renowned for its Baha-Med flavors as well as fish tacos created from the catch of the day in the Mercado Negro. Stroll the seaside promenade, the Malecon, to the strains of ranchera music played by mariachi bands and, if there’s time, head an hour out of town to the wineries of the Valle de Guadalupe, which open their vineyards and cellar doors for tours. Back in town, the tastings on offer are of Mexico’s favorite spirit at the Tequila Room.

Los Angeles, a sprawling Southern California city, is famed not only for its influence on the entertainment industry but also for its diverse cultural offerings and sunny coastline. Highlights include the Getty Center, where art and stunning architecture meet in an expansive hilltop setting, and the historic Griffith Observatory, which offers panoramic views of the city and beyond.

For those disembarking mid-morning, a stroll through the vibrant streets of Santa Monica or a visit to the eclectic Venice Beach Boardwalk provides a perfect slice of local life. Both are excellent spots to enjoy the quintessential SoCal sun, sand, and surf, complete with shops, street performers, and seaside eateries.