Holland America Line is heading to the Mexican Riviera, offering 20 cruises aboard three ships between October 2019 and April 2020. A series of seven-day itineraries will be offered aboard Oosterdam and Eurodam, while Maasdam’s popular EXC In-Depth Voyages expand to Mexico in 2020. All of the regular-season cruises sail roundtrip from San Diego, CA.
Each itinerary has three Mexican ports of call, including an overnight at Puerto Vallarta, providing extra time for a zip-line tour through the Sierra Madre Mountains, go whale-watching in Banderas Bay or visit one of Mexico’s Pueblos Magicos. All cruises also include calls at Mazatlán and Cabo San Lucas.
Oosterdam kicks off the season October 6, 2019 and will continue to operate 14 seven-day cruises through April 18, 2020, including two holiday departures (December 21 and 28). Guests can opt for an identical itinerary aboard Eurodam October 19 and November 2 and 9, 2019. Cruisers interested in a longer sailing can extend Eurodam’s October 19 voyage by embarking four days earlier at Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, for an 11-day cruise that adds a call at Santa Barbara, CA.
For an even deeper exploration of the Mexican Riviera, Maasdam’s 12-day EXC In-Depth Voyage departs April 3 and April 15, 2020, and includes seven Mexican ports along the Sea of Cortez. Along with Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán and Puerto Vallarta, calls include La Paz, Loreto, Guaymas and Topolobampo. Maasdam’s April 15 departure can be extended for an 18-day Collectors’ Voyage that also visits Santa Barbara, Monterey and San Francisco, CA, before arriving at Victoria then Vancouver, where guests will disembark.
Explorations Central Brings Mexican Culture on Board
Throughout the voyages, EXC programming brings Mexico’s local traditions, culinary tastes and cultural experiences on board. Through EXC Encounters, a mariachi band in traditional attire will perform, while a barbecue on Lido Deck will include authentic Mexican dishes. Guests who want to learn more about the country can attend an EXC Talk by an EXC guide or head to America’s Test Kitchen for a cooking demonstration, cooking class or themed mixology class. The Dining Room and Lido Market also will showcase the flavors of Mexico, while bars will offer a variety of Mexican liquors and ingredients.
The EXC Team will provide further talks/lectures for the Mexican calls, and the in-stateroom EXC Channel will have a selection of curated films, documentaries and TV shows exploring destinations on the ship’s itinerary.
Mexico cruises feature a diverse selection of shore excursions that allow guests to experience each port of call. Tours focus on culture, history, nature, architecture, adventure, culinary and family outings. Exclusive culinary-themed food and wine shore excursions showcase the regions' food scene from a local perspective.
Several Mexico sailings are eligible for Holland America Line’s Pack These Values promotion where travelers looking to plan ahead for next year can take advantage of prepaid gratuities valued at up to $224 per stateroom (based on a seven-day cruise), free or reduced cruise fares for third and fourth guests in the same stateroom, and 50 percent reduced deposits. Guests receive all benefits when booking a stateroom on an eligible cruise by May 15, 2019.
Visit hollandamerica.com.
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