Trip Reports
Duration
17 Nights
Journey Type
Sailing from United States
Ports
11 Ports
20 December
Setting sail from Los Angeles
The sprawling, sun-kissed city of Los Angeles needs little introduction. It's an energetic, creative place with cultural riches to match any world city, home to Hollywood glamour, the iconic beaches of Venice and Santa Monica, and affluent, image-conscious Beverly Hills. Yes, there is a lot of traffic on the 12-lane freeways that criss-cross the city, but there are also plenty of green spaces away from the crowds, and a vibrant restaurant scene. The City of Angels may not be everyone's cup of tea, but no trip to California is complete without experiencing this buzzing metropolis.
Don't miss
Shopping in Rodeo Drive – if only for the people watching opportunities!
21-22 December
At sea
23 December
Mexico: Cabo San Lucas
The sister towns of Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo sit at the tip of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula. The towns themselves are mostly given over to luxury hotels and boisterous nightlife, but the surrounding landscape is characterised by arid arroyos, bristly cacti and rocky coastal outcrops.
24 December
Mexico: Puerto Vallarta
The resort town of Puerto Vallarta, on Mexico’s Pacific coast, has bags of charm in spite of its popularity. Spend some time exploring the pretty old town, with its cobbled streets and quirky boutiques, or relax on the beach. Humpback whales breed out in the bay during the winter months, and dolphins can be spotted year round.
25 December
Mexico: Manzanillo
26 December
Mexico: Acapulco
It’s true that Acapulco has suffered from overdevelopment, and has lost some of its lustre since its heyday as a magnet for Hollywood stars. But it’s still a buzzing party town, and even the forest of high rise hotels can’t spoil the setting, a beautiful bay where the Sierra Madre mountains meet the Pacific Ocean.
27 December
At sea
28 December
Guatemala: Puerto Quetzal
Puerto Quetzal is the jumping off point for exploring the fascinating interior of Guatemala, and the highlight of this intriguing country has to be UNESCO-listed Antigua. This colourful colonial town, 90 minutes from the port, enjoys a spectacular setting against a backdrop of volcanoes, and is well worth the trip.
29 December
Nicaragua: Corinto
The port of Corinto has limited tourist appeal, and most cruise visitors will use it as a jumping off point for day-trips to nearby León. This charming city, founded by Spanish conquistadors in 1524, is full of beautiful colonial churches and home to some excellent museums and galleries.
30 December
Costa Rica: Puntarenas
Situated on a peculiarly shaped peninsula on the Gulf of Nicoya, Puntarenas is a popular weekend beach destination for residents of Costa Rica’s capital, San José. The port itself is not pretty, but the beachfront Paseo de los Turistas is a nice place to relax with a drink or enjoy a seafood lunch.
31 December - 1 January
At sea
2 January
Colombia: Cartagena
Cartagena was founded by Spanish conquistadors in 1533, and the beautifully preserved centre is a real highlight of Colombia’s Caribbean coast. The walled old town, the Ciudad Amurallada, is a camera-friendly collection of cobbled streets and colourful, colonial-era buildings.
3 January
At sea
4 January
Cayman Islands: Grand Cayman
Far more than just an offshore tax haven, Grand Cayman boasts the staggeringly beautiful white sands of Seven Mile Beach and some fantastic snorkelling in crystal clear waters. The capital, George Town, is a compact and friendly place, home to some interesting architecture and a suspiciously large number of registered companies.
5 January
At sea
6 January
Arriving in Miami
Miami is a pulsating modern city, a cultural crossroads where Cuban émigrés rub shoulders with affluent New Yorkers topping up on winter sun, and where you're just as likely to hear Spanish or Caribbean patois being spoken as you are English. Downtown Miami is a destination in its own right, with a host of world class galleries including the fantastic MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art), but it's still Miami Beach that draws the biggest crowds. The Art Deco district around South Beach is very much back in vogue, with new restaurants, bars and luxury developments sprouting up all over the place.
Our tip
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Beach on the tip of Key Biscayne is a great place to get away from the crowds and spot some wildlife.
Your home from home
The first ship in Oceania's Allura Class, Vista joined the fleet in 2023, with sister ship Allura setting sail in 2025. These ships represent an exciting evolution and offer elevated dining options, accommodation and guest experience.
What we love
The Allura Class ships promise to enhance and redefine the Oceania onboard experience, with chic residential-style accommodation, all ocean facing with either French or full private balcony, and a plethora of eye-catching public spaces that combine dramatic architectural flourishes with the relaxed intimacy for which Oceania is known. These are also the first Oceania ships to include dedicated staterooms for solo travellers, and you can expect innovative dining venues, a serene spa and a stunning pool deck.
| capacity | 1,200 guests |
|---|---|
| crew | 800 international crew |
| style | Easy going and unpretentious, and at the same time stylish and oozing quality, Oceania's ships are a great choice for inquisitive and engaged travellers who enjoy good food. |
| inclusions |
|
| year built | Vista 2023 / Allura 2025 |
| tonnage | 67,000 grt |
Tailor-make your trip
Ways to make it better
Where to stay in Los Angeles
It depends where you want to be – at the beach, in Hollywood, or Beverly Hills. At Mundy we think you want to be in Beverly Hills at the Beverly Wilshire.
See the City of Angels from above
Take a helicopter for a great perspective on this sprawling city – see the movie stars’ homes, Hollywood and Santa Monica.
Where to stay in Miami
Glamorous, hip, or so cool you freeze? Lots of choice… but we really like the Betsy.
See more of Florida
If you have a few days get down to the Florida Keys – magnificent.
