Mexican Riviera Cruise feat. the Solar Eclipse

Day 1 - Cruise Departure

We fly from Tucson to San Diego, where we board our cruise ship and sail into the Mexican Riviera!

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Days 2 & 3 – At Sea

Today is a day at sea. Relax, eat a great meal and enjoy the many cruiseship activities.

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Day 4 – Manzanillo

A glance at Manzanillo’s coat of arms tells you most of what you need to know about one of Mexico’s most significant port cities. Divided into four quadrants, the shield features a multi-masted sailing vessel, a ship’s wheel and anchor, a coconut palm rooted in golden sand against an ocean backdrop and a sailfish arcing out of the water. The only item missing, perhaps, is a plate of freshly caught seafood. Manzanillo is one of Mexico’s busiest, most important ports (some say the busiest and most important). Located on the Pacific, it’s nicknamed the Sailfish Capital of the World. It’s little wonder, then, that most of the activities in Manzanillo are centered on or near the water, and most of the city’s culinary specialties are inspired by the fruits of the sea. Don’t have high hopes if you plan to shop for authentic souvenirs here; many of the options are chain stores that may be familiar to you and which offer the same goods you could buy at home. No worries, though: Your money is best spent on Manzanillo’s experiences.

Many optional excursions ranging in price.

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Day 5 – Ixtapa

Zihuatanejo, or \”Zihua\” as it’s called by repeat visitors, is the fourth-largest city in the state of Guerrero and one of Mexico’s most-visited resort areas, third only to Cancún and Puerto Vallarta. While it’s a thoroughly modern city today, evidence of its past abounds in its dozens of archaeological sites, including Xihuacan, which was opened in 2013 and has not yet been completely excavated. Stop by the dig site or the city’s archaeological museum to learn more about past civilizations. In more recent times, Zihuatanejo has been a fishing town, and fishermen can still be observed delivering their day’s work to the water’s edge—the daily catch frequently includes grouper, marlin, snook and tuna. Sportfishing is just one of the outdoor activities visitors can partake in here; others include golfing and horseback riding along the beach and through old coconut plantations. The town’s location on the coast also makes it the ideal spot to enjoy lots of water sports, as well as passive pursuits such as strolling along the beach.

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Day 6 – Huatulco

Huatulco, situated on Mexico’s Pacific Coast in the state of Oaxaca, has nine bays and 36 beaches, offering more than enough opportunities for fun in the sun. The most popular beach is La Entrega, with clean white sand and calm waters, perfect for snorkeling and swimming . . . or just relaxing. But Huatulco’s attractions aren’t limited to sand and surf; there are also archaeological sites to explore, rivers to raft, and waterfalls whose pools invite childlike splashing. Bird lovers, in particular, will find Huatulco to be especially captivating. The region is home to more than 225 bird species, including many rare ones and a number that are endemic to Mexico, like the Colima pygmy owl and the wildly colorful orange-breasted bunting and citreoline trogon. Bring your bird list, because you’re sure to add new species to your “sighted” column. And the food in Huatulco! The food will give you plenty to write home about. The state of Oaxaca has some of the most iconic dishes in Mexico’s culinary repertoire. You won’t go home hungry.

Many optional excursions ranging in price.

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Day 7 – At Sea

Today is a day at sea. Relax, eat a great meal and enjoy the many cruiseship activities.

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Days 8 & 9 – Puerto Vallarta

Cruise to Puerto Vallarta and find yourself immersed in dynamic culture and history. Unlike other coastal resort towns in Mexico, Puerto Vallarta (“PV” to locals), retains quite a bit of its colonial-era charm. Its town square, Plaza de Armas, and the gorgeous church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, serve as the loveliest representations of bygone ages. While on your Puerto Vallarta cruise, take in these echoes of the past and more modern attractions, including an ambitious public art project along the seaside walkway (the malecón) and trendy restaurants such as La Leche, serving contemporary Mexican cuisine. Round these out with plenty of fun-in-the-sun outdoor activities on and along Banderas Bay (whale-watching! snorkeling! jet-skiing!), cruise excursions that reveal the best of Puerto Vallarta’s flora and fauna, and a side trip to one of Mexico’s pueblos mágicos (magical towns, a designation conferred by the government to recognize smaller towns that possess historical and cultural value), and you’d be hard-pressed to find a more pleasant place to spend part of your cruise to Puerto Vallarta.

Many optional excursions ranging in price.

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Day 10 – Solar Eclipse Mazatlan at Sea / Mazatlan

On this scenic cruising day, your ship will linger off the coast of Mazatlán in the path of the 2024 solar eclipse. Don your special eclipse shades, snag a spot on deck and get ready for a rare cosmic spectacle. Witness each phase of the eclipse from the initial contact, when the edge of the moon starts to cover the sun, to the second contact, when Baily’s Beads shimmer around the moon. Then totality, when the moon completely blocks the sun, and the earth is cast in shadow. Only those within the 2024 eclipse path are treated to this fleeting inky sky. You’ll experience totality far from light and noise. Animals and plants react to this sudden nightfall—birds stop chirping, flowers close, and fish start heading for their resting places. For lucky observers around Mazatlán, totality will last 4 minutes, but the memories will last a lifetime.

We sail to the port city of Mazatlán, where the best of traditional Mexican architecture, food and culture is found alongside contemporary conveniences, amenities and attractions. There’s a reason why Americans and Canadians flock here, particularly in winter: It’s a warm and welcoming place with plenty to keep visitors entertained for a vacation getaway. Cruise to Mazatlán and explore an array of activities on a Mazatlán shore excursion. There really is something for everyone, from golfing, fishing and zip lining to sampling agave-based spirits on a distillery tour or learning more about local history at the archaeological museum. There are plenty of cultural opportunities, too, from performances at the Teatro Ángela Peralta to witnessing locals’ death-defying cliff dives.  On Mazatlán cruises, don’t forgot to taste some local cuisine. Mazatlán keeps visitors’ appetites sated; thanks to the city’s coastal location, seafood is freshly caught, and shrimp-based dishes are a specialty in local restaurants. And if you can’t head home without a souvenir, there’s locally made liquor or handmade crafts that can fit neatly into your luggage.

Many optional excursions ranging in price.

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Day 11 – Loreto

Peaceful seaside Loreto dates to 1697, when it became the first colonial settlement on the Baja Peninsula and the capital of the Spanish colony of the Californias. These days, the town has spread beyond its colonial origins, but it retains beautiful relics from the past, especially of the Dominican, Franciscan and Jesuit orders, all of which were active here. These include the Mission of Our Lady of Loreto, which stands at the beginning of the famous Camino Real connecting the Spanish missions in both Baja and Alta California. Loreto, tucked between the rugged Sierra de la Giganta range and the calm waters of the Sea of Cortez, is also blessed with spectacular natural scenery. Just offshore, a string of islands beckon divers, snorkelers and sea kayakers with secluded coves, dramatic rock formations and crystal-clear waters that are protected within Loreto Bay National Marine Park. And a day trip into the mountains offers the opportunity to see cave paintings from pre-colonial indigenous groups, some of which are now part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After a paddling adventure offshore or a trek into the mountains, take a stroll along the malecón, Loreto’s waterfront boardwalk, where you can have a drink or a plate of fish tacos overlooking the water.

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Day 12 - Pichilingue (La Paz)

The port of Pichilingue sits just over 20 kilometers (12 miles) north of La Paz, a city of 215,000 on the Baja California Peninsula. The name La Paz translates as “peace,” but it is possible that the Spaniards chose that with some sense of irony. The first Spanish conquistadores landed here in 1535, yet it took them nearly 200 years to build the first settlement due to resistance from the indigenous people in the area. Modern La Paz, however, certainly lives up to its name. The capital of Baja California Sur is a friendly, vibrant city nestled into a calm bay along the Sea of Cortez. The palm-lined malecón stretches along the waterfront, perfect for a stroll or bike ride, and the bustling city center boasts broad boulevards where you can shop the wares of artisans at local markets. Whale-watching and fishing expeditions depart from the harbor, or you can choose to go sea kayaking around nearby islands. The Regional Museum of Anthropology and History provides an introduction to the Baja Peninsula, from the prehistoric indigenous cultures who lived here to the state’s role in the Mexican Revolution. The new Whale Museum, opened in 2016, explains the differences between the six whale species that migrate to Mexico’s Pacific Coast every winter.

Many optional excursions ranging in price.

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Day 13 - Cabo San Lucas

Los Cabos—or the Capes—sits at the southernmost tip of the Baja California Peninsula, a narrow strip of land whose varied geography makes for plenty of interesting and unusual activities. You can ride a camel, or enjoy more predictable pursuits including fishing, golfing and whale-watching. On your Cabo cruise you can visit picture-perfect El Arco, an arch that may look familiar thanks to its cameo on postcards and advertisements. North of the capes, you can drop by the famed Hotel California. And if you’ve worked up an appetite on your Cabo cruise, you won’t be disappointed: Los Cabos offers plenty to enjoy at the table as well, with farm-fresh fruits and vegetables and, of course, seafood being the mainstays here. Regardless, Holland America Line makes sure that Cabo cruises have plenty of new and traditional things for guests to experience.

Many optional excursions ranging in price.

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Day 14 - At Sea

Today is a day at sea. Relax, eat a great meal and enjoy the many cruiseship activities.

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Day 15 - San Diego to Home

We arrive into San Diego from a glorious two-week cruise on the Mexican Riviera, with vivid memories and new friendships, and fly back home afterwards.

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Itinerary subject to change.