Vancouver to San Diego (Crystal Wellness Retreat Cruise)

Flanked by majestic mountain ranges on one side and the sparkling Pacific on the other, the British Columbia capital has natural beauty in spades, making it a dream destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Hiking, swimming, mountain biking, and skiing are all on offer, and easily accessible from within city limits. But it’s not just active types that Vancouver caters for. The sophisticated cosmopolis boasts world-class museums, bustling markets, live music and theatre, and a truly diverse culinary scene that spans everything from casual street food to boundary-pushing fine dining.

Victoria, capital of British Columbia, sits on the southern end of Vancouver Island, framed by an attractive harbour and surrounded by grand buildings.

With abundant parkland, it’s known for outdoor activities. The city's British colonial past shows in its Victorian architecture, including stately Craigdarroch Castle mansion. Butchart Gardens, with 55 acres of vivid floral displays, plus statuary, water features and a carousel, is one of many formal gardens in the city.

Founded as Fort Astoria in 1810 as the trading post for John Jacob Astor’s American Fur Company, this is near the wilderness explored by Lewis & Clark, too. A look into the past is enjoyed on strolls past restored Victorian homes and explorations of the revitalized 1920’s-era downtown. Astoria's natural beauty is as renowned as its history, with its "Little San Francisco” character set against the steep, wooded hillsides of a temperate rain forest.

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.

There's gold in these hills – and finding it is behind the exclamative name of this port on the Californian coast. But the Gold Rush was superseded by the rise of the timber trade, a natural resource which, for visitors, is best explored in the nearby Humboldt Redwoods State Park, where these awesome giant trees are now conserved. There are man-made sights, too, including the fine 19th-century architecture of Eureka's old town, including Carson Mansion, a confection of gables, towers and turrets that is one of the best examples of the Queen Anne style in the whole of the United States, and said to have inspired the clock tower at the train station in Disneyland.

The Port of San Francisco annually hosts more than 80 cruise ships at the James R. Herman Cruise Terminal (Pier 27) and nearby Pier 35. The terminal is in a prime location, with easy access to popular attractions including Pier 39, Fisherman's Wharf, the Ferry Building and Union Square.

One of the most spectacular things about cruising from San Francisco is passing under the Golden Gate Bridge. Make sure you are on the lido deck for the sailaway party. It’s certainly a ‘hold your breath’ moment as the ship sails under the bridge.

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.

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.