11 nights · California · Departs San Diego (USA) · Visiting Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo, Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, Acajutla, San Juan del Sur, Puntarenas, Panama City · Aboard Crystal Cruises on the Crystal Serenity
Image courtesy of Crystal Cruises ©
| Cruise line | Crystal Cruises |
|---|---|
| Ship | Crystal Serenity |
| Duration | 11 nights |
| Port calls | 8 |
| Departures | 1 sailings |
| From fare | $5,030 per person |
| Year built | 2003 |
| Guests | 740 |
| Cabins | 347 |
| Crew | 655 |
| Length | 250 m |
| Beam | 32 m |
| Cruising speed | 21.0 kn |
San Diego makes an easy first impression: a working harbor, sunlit waterfront and Pacific air. From the cruise terminal, the USS Midway Museum and lively Embarcadero are close at hand. Balboa Park brings world-class museums, gardens and the San Diego Zoo together in one grand setting. In the Gaslamp Quarter, Victorian façades frame restaurants and bars. Nearby neighborhoods reveal Mexican heritage and coastal ease.
Puerto Vallarta sits between the Sierra Madre mountains and Banderas Bay. That setting brings jungle-clad slopes, broad beaches and memorable Pacific views. Begin in the historic center, where cobbled streets lead to the landmark Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Follow the Malecón, a seafront promenade lined with sculptures, cafés and galleries. For a taste of the coast, settle in for fresh seafood and watch the bay.
Manzanillo sits on Mexico’s Pacific coast, where two sheltered bays frame a working port and palm-lined beaches. Its waterfront is shaped by fishing boats, cargo ships and the pursuit of sailfish, a local emblem. Inland, Colima’s volcanic peaks rise above seafood restaurants serving the day’s catch. Choose a beach day, explore central Manzanillo, or head to nearby Santiago for a quieter stretch of sand.
Zihuatanejo’s crescent bay is still a working harbor, with fishing boats beside visiting yachts. Walk the waterfront, browse the market and order the day’s catch at a table facing the Pacific. Nearby beaches offer an easy place to swim or linger; Ixtapa’s purpose-built resort strip is about six miles north. Those seeking history can travel inland to Xihuacan, an archaeological site near La Soledad de Maciel.
Acajutla is El Salvador’s principal Pacific port, a working harbor opening onto a country of volcanoes, coffee and colonial towns. From here, the western highlands lead to coffee country, the Ruta de las Flores and towns such as Juayúa. Tazumal, near Chalchuapa, is among the country’s best-known Maya archaeological sites. Closer to the coast, beaches and seafood offer a quieter counterpoint to inland excursions.
San Juan del Sur is a working fishing town set around a broad, crescent-shaped bay on Nicaragua’s Pacific coast. Its waterfront pairs seafood restaurants and modest shops with brightly painted boats, at a pace far removed from the capital. From the Christ of Mercy statue, take in the bay; beyond town, surf beaches and quiet coves await. This is a place to linger, not rush.
Step ashore in Puntarenas, Costa Rica’s long, narrow port city on the Pacific coast. From here, rainforest reserves, coffee country and the Nicoya Peninsula lie within reach. Walk the waterfront promenade for seafood and views across the Gulf of Nicoya. Or head inland to Monteverde’s cloud forest. Plan one excursion and allow time for the road; Puntarenas is best enjoyed at an unhurried pace.
Balboa sits at the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal, where ocean-going ships begin their passage between continents. From the port, Panama City’s skyline rises beyond the canal’s working waters. Visit Casco Viejo for restored colonial streets, independent cafés and views across the bay. Or follow the Amador Causeway toward the Biomuseo and sweeping views of ships awaiting transit. Balboa rewards travelers who look beyond the canal to a capital shaped by trade, history and the sea.
Published September 30, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
Good to know: Prices are quoted per person based on double occupancy and include all applicable taxes and fees. Availability and prices can change quickly, so please continue through the booking process to confirm the latest availability and pricing before you pay.
We work hard to make sure everything on this website is accurate and up to date. However, some information may be incomplete or inaccurate, including details supplied by third parties or otherwise outside our control, and we cannot be held responsible for such errors. We work with 41 cruise line operators, that are providing cruises on 585 ships visiting 1,731 ports across 7,194 unique cruises, creating 13,822 itineraries. This is a great deal of data to continually update daily from our suppliers. If a pricing error, misrepresentation, or omission occurs, we reserve the right to adjust the pricing, correct the information, or cancel or decline any booking made in error, with notice to you. Thank you for your understanding!
