| Cruise line | Holland America |
|---|---|
| Ship | ms Nieuw Amsterdam |
| Duration | 16 nights |
| Port calls | 10 |
| From fare | $2,339 per person |
| Year built | 2010 |
| Guests | 2527 |
| Cabins | 1053 |
| Crew | 929 |
| Length | 285 m |
| Beam | 32 m |
| Cruising speed | 24.0 kn |
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California Cruise from San Diego to Port Everglades — 17 Days
16 nights · California · Departs San Diego (USA) · Visiting Puerto Vallarta, Huatulco, Puerto Chiapas, Puerto Quetzal, Acajutla, Panama Canal, Cartagena Colombia, Half Moon Cay, Fort Lauderdale · Aboard Holland America on the ms Nieuw Amsterdam
Image courtesy of Holland America ©
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Day 1
San Diego, USA
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.
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Day 4
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
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.
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Day 6
Huatulco, Mexico
On Oaxaca’s Pacific coast, Huatulco offers nine bays, forested hills and clear water. The protected national park shelters coral reefs, mangroves and dry tropical forest. Boat trips and snorkeling reveal the coast’s richer side. Start in Santa Cruz, where cruise ships dock, then visit La Crucecita for its church, market and cafés. For a quieter day, choose a beach reached by boat.
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Day 7
Puerto Chiapas, Mexico
Puerto Chiapas opens onto Mexico’s Pacific south, close to Tapachula and the Guatemalan border. In the fertile Soconusco region, coffee farms and tropical orchards flourish in volcanic soil. The archaeological site of Izapa offers a quieter encounter with Mexico’s ancient past, among carved stone monuments. For a broader view, Tapachula brings lively markets and everyday southern Mexican life.
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Day 8
Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala
Puerto Quetzal is Guatemala’s Pacific gateway, a working port backed by volcanic highlands. Most visitors head inland to Antigua, where cobbled streets, pastel façades and church ruins preserve a distinctive colonial setting. The drive takes roughly 90 minutes, depending on traffic. Closer to the coast, excursions visit fishing villages and black-sand beaches. Choose Antigua for architecture and history, or stay coastal for a closer look at everyday life in Guatemala.
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Day 9
Acajutla
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.
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Day 12
Panama Canal, Panama
Few journeys change your sense of scale like a passage through the Panama Canal. This 50-mile waterway links the Atlantic and Pacific, lifting ships through locks and across Gatun Lake. Watch the gates close, water rise, and a vast vessel move within inches of concrete walls. On deck, the engineering is the spectacle; beyond it, rainforest edges the route. Bring binoculars, and stay outside for the crossing.
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Day 13
Cartagena Colombia, Colombia
A short ride from Cartagena’s cruise port brings you to its UNESCO-listed historic centre and handsome colonial streets. Inside the old walls, flower-draped balconies, shaded plazas and broad stone lanes lead to cafés, churches and lively markets. Visit Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, the great fortress built to defend the harbor, then explore colorful Getsemaní. Come early, before the midday heat settles over the plazas, and save time for a cool drink beside the Caribbean.
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Day 16
Half Moon Cay, Bahamas
Half Moon Cay is Carnival Corporation’s private island on Little San Salvador in the southern Bahamas. Ships anchor offshore, and tenders bring guests to a long sweep of pale sand beside clear, shallow water. Horseback riding, nature trails, stingray encounters, and private cabanas offer alternatives to a day on the beach. Check your tender schedule before exploring; the island is designed for a relaxed day ashore, not independent town wandering.
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Day 17
Fort Lauderdale, USA
Port Everglades puts Fort Lauderdale within easy reach of the city’s waterways, beaches and cultural attractions. A short drive brings you to Las Olas Boulevard, where galleries, restaurants and boutiques line a walkable stretch. Visit the Bonnet House Museum & Gardens for a glimpse of old Florida, or head west toward the Everglades. Fort Lauderdale’s broad Atlantic beaches offer an easy counterpoint to the city’s lively dining scene.
ms Nieuw Amsterdam Cruises
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Published September 28, 2026
Last updated October 11, 2026
Author: J. Richard
Cruise Disclosure
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