11 nights · Fuerte Amador, Balboa · Departs Panama City (Panama) · Visiting Acajutla, Puerto Quetzal, Puerto Chiapas, Huatulco, Puerto Vallarta, Los Angeles · Aboard MSC Explora Journeys on the MSC Explora 3
Image courtesy of MSC Explora Journeys ©
| Cruise line | MSC Explora Journeys |
|---|---|
| Ship | MSC Explora 3 |
| Duration | 11 nights |
| Port calls | 7 |
| Departures | 1 sailings |
| From fare | $7,280 per person |
| Year built | 2026 |
| Guests | 1473 |
| Cabins | 463 |
| Crew | 640 |
| Length | 268 m |
| Beam | 32 m |
| Cruising speed | 18.0 kn |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
San Pedro is Los Angeles’s maritime gateway, home to one of the world’s busiest container ports. See the Battleship Iowa, explore San Pedro’s waterfront, or visit the Korean Bell of Friendship for coastal views. Downtown’s museums and architecture sit roughly 20 miles north, while Hollywood and the beaches call for longer excursions. Choose a district and give it time; this vast city is best explored with a clear plan.
Published August 11, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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