21 nights · California · Departs San Diego (USA) · Visiting Cabo San Lucas, Huatulco, Puerto Quetzal, Puntarenas, Manta, Salaverry-Trujillo, Callao-Lima, Pisco, Arica, Coquimbo, San Antonio · Aboard Holland America on the ms Nieuw Amsterdam
Image courtesy of Holland America ©
| Cruise line | Holland America |
|---|---|
| Ship | ms Nieuw Amsterdam |
| Duration | 21 nights |
| Port calls | 12 |
| Departures | 1 sailings |
| From fare | $2,784 per person |
| Year built | 2010 |
| Guests | 2527 |
| Cabins | 1053 |
| Crew | 929 |
| Length | 285 m |
| Beam | 32 m |
| Cruising speed | 24.0 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.
Cabo San Lucas sits at the tip of Baja California Sur, where the Pacific meets the Sea of Cortez. Cruise ships anchor offshore, and tenders bring you to a lively marina lined with cafés, fishing boats and shops. From the marina, water taxis reach El Arco, the sculpted granite landmark at Land’s End. Beyond it, beaches and desert trails reveal a quieter side of Cabo. Choose a boat trip, fresh seafood or a day in the sun.
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.
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.
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.
Manta is Ecuador’s principal Pacific port, where fresh tuna signals a city shaped by the sea. Visit the fish market, then explore the waterfront and discover how fishing built Manta’s identity. Nearby Montecristi is famed for Ecuadorian toquilla-straw hats, often mistakenly called Panama hats. Choose a Pacific beach escape, or linger over grilled seafood before returning to the ship.
Salaverry opens Peru’s northern coast, where ancient kingdoms and Spanish-era streets share the day. Trujillo, founded in 1534, lies about 14 kilometres inland and rewards a walk through its historic centre. Nearby, Chan Chan, the vast adobe capital of the Chimú, reveals a civilization that flourished before the Inca. At Huaca de la Luna, vivid painted reliefs bring the Moche world into view.
Callao is Peru’s working maritime gateway, but its appeal extends beyond the harbour. From here, Lima’s historic centre and museums are within reach. In Callao, explore the imposing Real Felipe Fortress, built to defend the port, then visit La Punta for Pacific views. Stay for ceviche and discover a city shaped by trade, naval history and the ocean.
Pisco is Peru’s gateway to a stark coast where desert, ocean and wildlife meet. Nearby Paracas offers boat trips to the Ballestas Islands, where sea lions, Humboldt penguins and seabirds gather. The peninsula’s Paracas Candelabra, etched into a sandy hillside, is best seen from the water. In town, discover the grape brandy that shares Pisco’s name; the celebrated Nazca Lines lie farther inland to the south.
Arica is Chile’s northernmost city, where the Atacama Desert meets the Pacific and sunshine is a dependable companion. Climb or drive to the Morro de Arica, the headland that commands the city and recalls a decisive 1880 battle. In town, see San Marcos Cathedral, designed by Gustave Eiffel. Then visit the Azapa Valley museum to encounter Chinchorro mummies, among the world’s oldest. Arica rewards curious travelers with history, desert scenery, and a relaxed seafront.
Coquimbo opens onto a broad Pacific bay, where fishing boats share the water with visiting ships. Its working-port character feels distinct from neighbouring La Serena, whose colonial churches and long beaches lie just north. Climb to the Cross of the Third Millennium for sweeping coastal views, then seek fresh seafood along the waterfront. Inland, the Elqui Valley’s pisco distilleries and clear skies make an appealing day trip.
San Antonio is Chile’s largest commercial port, a working coastal city with a distinctly local rhythm. Its appeal extends beyond the docks: Santiago lies about 110 kilometres inland. Valparaíso is north, while the Casablanca Valley’s wineries offer a rewarding excursion nearby. Begin at the fish market and waterfront, or venture to Santiago, Valparaíso and Casablanca’s vineyards.
Published September 17, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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