18 nights · Fuerte Amador, Balboa · Departs Panama City (Panama) · Visiting Acajutla, Puerto Quetzal, Puerto Chiapas, Huatulco, Puerto Vallarta, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Victoria BC, Vancouver · 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 | 18 nights |
| Port calls | 11 |
| Departures | 1 sailings |
| From fare | $11,840 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.
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.
San Francisco rewards visitors who look beyond the postcard. Ride a cable car over steep streets, then explore Chinatown, North Beach, or the Ferry Building’s stalls. The Golden Gate Bridge frames the bay, while Alcatraz offers a stark look at the city’s past. For a quieter hour, walk the waterfront or cross to Sausalito by ferry. Few ports make a day ashore feel so varied—and so distinctly Californian.
Victoria, British Columbia, sits at the southern end of Vancouver Island, with a harbour at its heart. From the cruise terminal, reach the Inner Harbour by shuttle, taxi, or a pleasant waterfront walk. Here, the Parliament Buildings and Fairmont Empress frame the water. The compact centre is easy to explore on foot. Browse Government Street, visit the Royal BC Museum, or head north to Butchart Gardens, about 23 kilometres away.
Vancouver puts mountains, ocean and a working harbour within easy reach of the city centre. From the cruise terminal at Canada Place, walk to Gastown’s brick lanes, the waterfront and the shops of Robson Street. Stanley Park offers seawall views and towering cedars, while Granville Island brings a lively public market and artisan studios. Beyond downtown, ferries cross to North Vancouver, where the Capilano Suspension Bridge and mountain trails reveal the region’s wilder side.
Published August 29, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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