San Diego to Callao (Lima)

Embrace the laidback lifestyle of this coastal Californian city, where the weather is as sunny as the dispositions of its inhabitants. There are 17 miles of pristine coastline, so pick a stretch of sand to lay your towel upon, admire cliffside views on a coastal hike, or take to the waves with a surf lesson – this is, after all, one of the world’s most renowned surfing destinations. In the heart of the city, you’ll find the 1,200-acre Balboa Park, a leafy oasis that houses multiple museums, as well as Japanese gardens and the world-famous San Diego Zoo. Refuel at one of the many local taquerias or independent burger joints.

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.

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 masterclass in reinvention, Mazatlán is a low-key Mexican resort on the Pacific with beaches as far as the eye can see, and a seemingly never-ending boardwalk running alongside the waves. Impressive landmarks in the sensitively revamped old town include the 19th-century Teatro Ángela Peralta and the towering Immaculate Conception Basilica. The historic center has been modernized and offers alluring bars and restaurants, as well as art galleries to browse. Don’t miss the opportunity to taste classic handmade tequila at venerable blue agave plantations and small-scale distilleries.

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.

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.

Unearth the charm of Acajutla, El Salvador's thriving port city, where sun-kissed Pacific beaches meet a rich history and a lively culture, crafting an extraordinary Central American experience. The seaside town of El Salvador is famous for its fishing culture and maritime heritage. In this charming town, you will be able to explore beautiful beaches, visit El Imposible National Park and taste delicious, fresh seafood dishes in the many local restaurants.

Costa Rica's Playa Flamingo is a tropical paradise with golden shores, cerulean lagoons, and hidden coves that make it one of the Guanacaste province's best-loved coastal destinations. Here, a day spent basking in the sun and paddling in crystal waters is a day well spent, but should you wish to crank up the adventure, take a short boat ride to the nearby Catalina Islands and dive beneath the blue to discover an underwater idyll teeming with colorful schools of fish and giant manta rays. There's plenty to do on dry land, too – from golfing at one of the region's world-class 18-hole courses to exploring surrounding national parks (keep your eyes peeled for howler monkeys, hummingbirds, and iguanas).

Once the center of Costa Rica’s coffee-exporting boom, Puntarenas sits on a slender spit of sand that snakes into the Pacific Ocean. Still a working port, home to a charming blend of colonial buildings, chatty street vendors, and a must-visit market selling tropical fruit and handmade souvenirs, this place packs a punch. Ticos, as Costa Ricans are known, flock here to soak up the laid-back beachfront atmosphere and stroll along the promenade. The place is famed for its fresh seafood, and traditional dishes include zesty lime-drenched ceviche, best sampled at the family-run sodas, or restaurants, that line the old dock.

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.

Once a small fishing village, Manta is today Ecuador's second busiest port, known for being the unofficial "Tuna Capital of the World." A morning arrival ensures seeing commercial ships being loaded and unloaded and, with a little luck, the tuna fleet will be bringing in the night's catch. The city has a rich history dating back to pre-Columbian times when indigenous cultures inhabited the region. The area was later encountered by Spanish explorers during the 16th century and the city's name, Manta, is believed to originate from the indigenous Ecuavole tribe that lived in the area. Stroll the waterfront esplanade, where you’ll not only find a refreshing breeze but a variety of tempting restaurants, bars, and street vendors selling everything from Alpaca shawls and hats to paintings and wood carvings.

To most seasoned travelers, Guayaquil is known for being the gateway to the Galapagos Islands. However, there’s much to appreciate and enjoy about the “Pacific Pearl” all on its own. The Malecon 2000 is the beating heart and signature feature of this city. Running along the Guayas River, this promenade offers up lovely green spaces, shops and boutiques, museums, a wide variety of restaurants, handicraft market, and all kinds of entertainment options. Cast your gaze up toward the distant hills and you’ll see Las Peñas, the picturesque, barrio dotted with brightly colored houses. You’ll also want to look up into the trees at the Parque Seminario, where you’ll spot iguanas wisely waiting out the heat of the day in the shade.

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.

Found about equidistant between the Ecuadorian border and Lima, Salaverry enjoys a happy placement on the Peruvian coastline. Originally a very quiet small fishing village, the fishing boats still set out at sunset, a centuries-old tradition that sustains the town. Salaverry has enjoyed expansion in recent years, notably by the surfing comunity who come here looking for a quiet place to ride the waves. However, surfing is not the town's only claim to fame. Salaverry invites exploration with its blend of history and local life and carries a rich history that stretches back to ancient times. It was originally inhabited by the Moche civilization, known for their remarkable pottery and intricate metalwork. Later, it became a significant part of the Chimú Kingdom, which thrived in the region. The town's proximity to Chan Chan, the capital of the Chimú, attests to its historical importance. Today, Salaverry stands as a blend of its ancestral roots, colonial heritage, and modern life—a destination where history whispers through its streets and cultural sites.

Peru's capital, Lima was once the heart of Spain's South American empire in the 19th century, now modern Lima is a huge metropolis crammed with culture, and a history that pre-dates the Incas and is also a gateway to the marvels of Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca and the Amazon jungle. The historic heart of the city is a UNESCO World Heritage site and this is where many of Lima's museums, churches and colonial treasures are conveniently located, and is best explored on foot.

Callao is the chief seaport of Peru and has a rich maritime heritage and vibrant urban culture. Located adjacent to Lima, it serves as a vital link between the capital city and the world.

Callao boasts an intriguing mix of colonial architecture and street art, most notably in the regenerated neighbourhood of La Punta, where visitors can stroll along the seaside promenade enjoying the ocean breeze.

The Real Felipe Fortress, a historical bastion against pirate attacks, dominates the local landscape with its imposing presence. Now a museum, it offers a deep dive into the area's colonial past.

Callao is also the gateway to the Palomino Islands, where visitors can see large colonies of sea lions and seabirds.