Day 1 (DEC 20, 2025): San Diego, California

Depart at 3:00pm.

Day 2 (DEC 21, 2025): Day at Sea

Day 3 (DEC 22, 2025): Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Los Cabos—or the Capes—sits at the southernmost tip of the Baja California Peninsula, a narrow strip of land whose varied geography makes for plenty of interesting and unusual activities. You can ride a camel, or enjoy more predictable pursuits including fishing, golfing and whale-watching. On your Cabo cruise you can visit picture-perfect El Arco, an arch that may look familiar thanks to its cameo on postcards and advertisements. North of the capes, you can drop by the famed Hotel California. And if you've worked up an appetite on your Cabo cruise, you won't be disappointed: Los Cabos offers plenty to enjoy at the table as well, with farm-fresh fruits and vegetables and, of course, seafood being the mainstays here. Regardless, Holland America Line makes sure that Cabo cruises have plenty of new and traditional things for guests to experience.

Day 4 (DEC 23, 2025): Pichilingue (La Paz), Mexico

The port of Pichilingue sits just over 12 miles north of La Paz, a city of 215,000 on the Baja California Peninsula. The name La Paz translates as "peace," but it is possible that the Spaniards chose that with some sense of irony. The first Spanish conquistadores landed here in 1535, yet it took them nearly 200 years to build the first settlement due to resistance from the indigenous people in the area. Modern La Paz, however, certainly lives up to its name. The capital of Baja California Sur is a friendly, vibrant city nestled into a calm bay along the Sea of Cortez. The palm-linedmalecón stretches along the waterfront, perfect for a stroll or bike ride, and the bustling city center boasts broad boulevards where you can shop the wares of artisans at local markets. Whale-watching and fishing expeditions depart from the harbor, or you can choose to go sea kayaking around nearby islands. The new Whale Museum, opened in 2016, explains the differences between the six whale species that migrate to Mexico’s Pacific Coast every winter.

Day 5 (DEC 24, 2025): Loreto, Mexico

Peaceful seaside Loreto dates to 1697, when it became the first colonial settlement on the Baja Peninsula and the capital of the Spanish colony of the Californias. These days, the town has spread beyond its colonial origins, but it retains beautiful relics from the past, especially of the Dominican, Franciscan and Jesuit orders, all of which were active here. Loreto, tucked between the rugged Sierra de la Giganta range and the calm waters of the Sea of Cortez, is also blessed with spectacular natural scenery. Just offshore, a string of islands beckon divers, snorkelers and sea kayakers with secluded coves, dramatic rock formations and crystal-clear waters that are protected within Loreto Bay National Marine Park. And a day trip into the mountains offers the opportunity to see cave paintings from pre-colonial indigenous groups, some of which are now part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After a paddling adventure offshore or a trek into the mountains, take a stroll along the malecón, Loreto’s waterfront boardwalk, where you can have a drink or a plate of fish tacos overlooking the water.

Day 6-7 (DEC 25-26, 2025): Days at Sea

Day 8 (DEC 27, 2025): San Diego, California

Arrive @ 7:00am.