2018 PC Voyages Caribbean - Region 3

voyages Charting a New Course with Princess Cruises®

Caribbean — 2017/2018 Cruises

Caribbean 3

Please return magazine to stateroom at voyage end

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Enjoy Cariloha’s Softest Bedding on the Planet™, Made of Viscose from Bamboo.

CARIBBEAN • MEXICO • ALASKA • HAWAII • CONTINENTAL U.S. ...AND GROWING!

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TABLE

OF CONTENTS

voyages Charting a New Course with Princess Cruises 2017 – 2018 Cruises

14 18 36 14

16

Let Your Journey Begin

32

The Night Belongs to You

At Your Service

When the sun goes down, the curtain rises on a constellation of thrilling nighttime enticements.

1 8 Delicious Dilemma

Nighttime Activities

Freshly prepared cuisine

Dining options to match your tastes and mood — that’s dining on board your Princess ship.

34 Casino

2 0 Do It All or Nothing At All

36

Shows & Entertainment

38

Princess Cruises Captain’s Circle SM

46

Guide to Ports

Daytime Activities

You’ll discover an incredible variety of activities, enrichment programs and other entertaining options each day on board.

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Lotus Spa ® & The Sanctuary

24

The Shops of Princess

26

Princess Photography

27

Enrichment Programs

27

Fine Art Auctions

28

Movies Under the Stars ®

30

Youth & Teen Programs

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The contents of this magazine are protected by copyright. Reproduction, either in whole or in part, including but not limited to transmission by any means, in any form — digital, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise — is forbidden without express, written permission from the publisher.

The magazine assumes no responsibility for the safekeeping or return of unsolicited manuscripts, photography, artwork or other material. Electronic queries only will be acknowledged. E-mail to: editor@onboardmedia.com. Commentary and opinions expressed in Voyages: Charting a New Course with Princess Cruises are not necessarily those of the cruise line. Princess Cruises is not responsible for any claims or offers made in advertisements appearing in Voyages: Charting a New Course with Princess Cruises.

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Exclusively sold at Diamonds International SafiKilima.com amber cove antigua aruba barbados belize bermuda cabo san lucas costa maya cozumel curacao grand cayman grand turk jamaica key west orlando nassau playa del carmen puerto vallarta roatan san juan st. kitts st. lucia st. maarten st. thomas tortola

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get more from your cruise Princess Cruises® Rewards Visa® Card

Access the application for FREE on Princess@Sea or visit your Princess Cruises Captain Circle Host to find out more.

2x

points

on Princess purchases

+

50

$

Statement Credit after your first purchase or balance transfer*

Plus Other Great Benefits!

The points you earn on everyday purchases can be redeemed for experiences onboard. Earn 2 points for per $1 spent on all Princess purchases including onboard purchases with Princess Cruises and 1 point for per $1 spent on all other purchases. Plus, earn a $50 statement credit after your first purchase or balance transfer* *See Terms and Conditions for details

Princess Cruises Gift Card Treat your loved ones or that special someone to a gift they’re sure to love.

vv

Choose from a variety of gift card designs

WHAT YOU WHAT YOU and denominations WILL RECEIVE WON’T RECEIVE vv Easy and convenient redemption options ✓✓ 0% Introductory APR vv Flexibility use for an for first 15tomonths*

✕✕ Annual fees existing cruise booking ✕✕ Foreign or onboard service transaction fees ✓✓ 5,000 bonus points after vv Expedited available for plastic gift cards your first delivery purchase* ✕✕ Blackout dates For more information v✓ v ✓Send a digital gift card instantly online through e-mail Opportunity to redeem on travel rewards visit princess.com/giftcard points for onboard gifts At this time, Princess Cruises Gift Cards are only available for purchase byand residentsservices* of the United States and Canada. Please note that Princess Cruises Plastic Gift Cards cannot be mailed to Canada so Canadian residents wishing to purchase a Gift Card should select the Digital

Card option. Digital gift cards redeemed by Canadian residents can only be used towards cruise passage for bookings made in US Dollars or on board all Princess vessels at the passenger services desk. Princess Cruises Gift Cards cannot be applied towards cruise passage for bookings made in Canadian Dollars. Standard Gift Cards have no expiration date. Promotional Gift Cards may carry an expiration date which will be printed on the Promotional Gift Card. Gift Cards do not incur any dormancy fees for non-use. Gift Cards are not credit, debit, or charge cards, and have no implied warranties. Princess® does not accept responsibility for lost, damaged or stolen Gift Cards, or any unauthorized use of Gift Cards. Gift Cards have no value until activated at time of purchase, and Gift Cards will not be activated until payment is verified. Gift Cards will be activated when delivered, and will be active upon receipt by the customer. Gift Cards cannot be reloaded, meaning funds may not be added to Gift Cards after activation. Once activated, Gift Cards may not be resold; resale or attempted resale is grounds for seizure and cancellation of the Gift Card without compensation. Gift Cards are not refundable or redeemable for cash, except where required by law. Princess may refuse, cancel or hold for review Gift Cards and Gift Card orders in cases where it suspects fraud, mistake, alteration, issuance in an incorrect denomination, or violations of law, policies or these Terms and Conditions. Gift Cards are issued by Princess Cruise Lines, Ltd. Princess and the issuer reserve the right, and holders or purchasers of a Gift Card agree that, Princess and the issuer may at any time change these Terms and Conditions, as permitted by law.

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© Forevermark 2017. Forevermark ®, ®

and

™

are Trade Marks used under license from The De Beers Group of Companies.

8400 NW 31st Street, Suite 520, Miami, FL 33166 Tel: (305) 673.0400, Fax: (786) 558.1063 www.onboardmedia.com

Robin Rosenbaum-Andras Carrie Julier Jennifer Zawadski

Senior Vice President, Marketing Senior Vice President Director of Operations

Editorial & Design

Virginia C. Valls Publishing Director

Kate McClare Editor

Ryan Slattery Managing Editor

Iliana Soto Associate Editor

Beth Wood Senior Art Director

Jose Cuevas Graphic Designer

Carlos Suarez-Murias Associate Art Director

James Perdomo Production Coordinator

Gail Abrams Ad Services Director

Violeta Manco-Rojas Ad Services Manager

Contributing Writers/Editors

John Anderson, John Bigley, Christine Blank, Suzanne L. Carmel, Richard Carroll, Sara Churchville, Michael De Freitas, Ginger Dingus, Jen Karetnick, Marjorie Klein, Marty Leshner, Linda Marx, JoAnn Milivojevic, Raymond Niedowski, Paris Permenter, Michelle da Silva Richmond, Cele Seldon, Lynn Seldon, Jonathan Siskin, Jim Thompson, Richard Varr, Chelle Koster Walton, Deborah Williams, Deborah Wilson, Eleanor Wilson, Gerald Zarr.

Advertising Sales

Rudi Riekstins Director of Sales and Cruise Revenue

Anna Riekstins Director of International Sales & Brand Marketing

Rod Musum Executive Director of Sales

Elyce Kolder International Sales Coordinator

Video/Film Production

Todd Hedge Director/Executive Producer

Juan Carlos Peña Director of Photography

Kevin Maschke Post-Production Supervisor

Caroline Keith Producer

Iris Cegarra Editor

Port Shopping Revenue

Vince Mikulus Regional Marketing Manager

Will Oldham Regional Marketing Manager

Andrew Vrzal Regional Marketing Manager

Jimmy Marks Retail Program Manager

Port Shopping

Rina Alvarado Operations Coordinator

Candice Ewing Operations Coordinator

Nadine Winter Customer Relations Manager

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©2017 Onboard Media. No claim to original works of Princess Cruises or advertisers.

Ships of Bermudan registry.

All rights reserved. The entire contents of this publication are protected by copyright. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner.

Printed in CANADA. All articles, descriptions and suggestions concerning activities, tourist attractions and other vacation opportunities described in this publication are merely expressions of opinions by contributing writers, do not constitute the opinions of Onboard Media Inc. or Princess Cruises and under no circumstances constitute assurances or guarantees concerning the quality or safety of any such attraction or activity. Onboard Media Inc. and Princess Cruises specifically disclaim any liability for damages incurred due to the attendance or participation by readers of this publication in any such activity or attraction, and the attendance or participation in any such activity or attraction shall be made solely at the reader’s own risk.

We and our content providers (“we”) have tried to make the information in this publication as accurate as possible, but it is provided “as is” and we accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information.

Princess Cruises Voyages

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Amber Cove ∙ Antigua ∙ Aruba ∙ Barbados ∙ Belize ∙ Bermuda ∙ Cabo San Lucas ∙ Costa Maya ∙ Cozumel ∙ Curacao ∙ Grand Cayman ∙ Grand Turk ∙ Jamaica ∙ Key West ∙ Orlando ∙ Nassau ∙ Playa Del Carmen ∙ Puerto Vallarta ∙ Roatan ∙ San Juan ∙ St. Kitts ∙ St. Lucia ∙ St. Maarten ∙ St. Thomas ∙ Tortola 1-800-51-JEWEL ∙ DiamondsInternational.com

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shopping made easy Become a Savvy Traveler.

For only $25, this value package includes over $2,000 in deals from our guaranteed shops ashore.

You’ll also find hundreds of dollars in free gifts — even diamond jewelry!

Whether you’re looking for luxury items or souvenirs for family and friends, the Savvy Traveler is your must-have for shopping in our ports of call.

see your princess shopping host to purchase your very own savvy traveler.

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FINALLY, YOU’RE HERE. Now is the time to do as much or as little as you like. Get out on deck and experience the fresh air, explore your ship and all its amenities. Every aspect of this vacation was designed for you because we provide you with a variety of enriching ways to discover more about yourself and the world around you.

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On the following pages, you can learn a bit more about what you can expect in the coming days in our book: Voyages: Charting a New Course with Princess Cruises. We call it that for a reason — not only because of the wonderful ports you’ll be visiting, but also because of all the distinct pleasures you will find, one by one, on your Princess ship. What will be your favorite venue, activity, restaurant? Enjoy the freedom to spend your days your way.

Princess Cruises Voyages

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WELCOME

ABOARD

let your journey begin

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at your service Princess Cruises Moments that Matter

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MOMENTS THAT MATTER

SERVICE

On your Princess ship, gracious and attentive crew members are there to serve you and make your entire vacation memorable.

YOU FIRST NOTICED IT on the lapel of the officer who welcomed you aboard as you crossed the gangway: a blue-and-gold pin that read “Cruise.” Then you saw it again worn by the concierge, and your stateroom steward, and...What are these pins, and what does CRUISE stand for?

CRUISE began as a program to help keep the guest experience top-of-mind for all Princess staff and crew, and that is still one of its important goals. But CRUISE is also how we recognize and reward employees for great performance. CRUISE is how we educate our employees for career and personal growth. CRUISE is how we support our employees’ health and welfare so they can perform their jobs with excellence every day. CRUISE is the vehicle through which Princess delivers our core values — we serve, we respect our team, we innovate,

we are consistent, we are accountable and we do it right. We recognize crewmembers who exceed the expectations of our guests with the Moments that Matter award.

What does CRUISE mean to you? It’s the recognition that small gestures often make a big difference. You’ll see it in the bartender who remembers your favorite drink or the stateroom steward who always wears a smile. It means everyone on board is working together to make your vacation a relaxed rejuvenating retreat at sea. It means all of us know that your vacation memories are infinitely precious — and we want you to remember not only our spectacular ships sailing to fantastic destinations, but also how valued you felt while you were on board.

Princess Cruises Voyages

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Princess Cruises Voyages

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DINING

FRESHLY PREPARED

delicious dilemma Your ship is a floating destination of culinary delights, with options to match every taste and mood.

ONE OF THE MOST ENTICING THINGS

FOR VARIETY, you can choose a specialty

about your spectacular Princess® ship is the wide variety of tempting onboard options to delight your palate. From specialty restaurants and gracious dining rooms, a warm, freshly cooked meal is never far away. You can have a burger grilled to order out on deck, or grab a slice of handmade pizza to eat by the pool. Or maybe all you need is some soft-serve ice cream to fend off the heat. From breakfast to dinner to late-night snacks, Princess raises the bar on dining at sea.

restaurant like SHARE by award-winning chef Curtis Stone; Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria,SM with fresh authentic pasta made daily; the elegant Crown Grill SM or Sterling Steakhouse SM for an aged prime steak; or the Bayou Café & Steakhouse for a more Southern ambience.

WE UNDERSTAND

how important dining is to the vacation experience, which is why we put such an emphasis on the quality and range of our dining options. We’ve designed the menus for our Traditional and Anytime Dining SM rooms to truly make sure the food is the star. From our signature pastas to our lighter selections, you’ll savor freshly prepared cuisine, utilizing ingredients with regional influences.

Ask about the Chef’s Table, yet another unique offering — you’ll be invited into the galley for champagne and hors d’oeuvres, and you'll later enjoy an exclusive multi-course dinner with a menu created by the Executive Chef on board.

Or if you happen to have a balcony stateroom, you can stay in one evening and we’ll bring the experience to you — with Ultimate Balcony Dining.

WE INVITE YOU to indulge in all this and more during your cruise.

Note: Please reference your Princess Patter or log on to Princess@Sea for information about the restaurants and dining venues onboard.

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Princess Cruises Voyages

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Princess Cruises Voyages

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do it all or nothing at all FREE TIME — something each of us has precious little of

these days. Of course, that’s why you take a vacation. And on your Princess ship, you’ll find you have plenty of time to enjoy the fabulous options your ship offers.

WHAT’S YOUR TYPE? Are you a fitness fanatic? Do you like

arts & crafts? Do you wish you simply had more hours in the day after work and family commitments to just sit down and read a book?

On a Princess voyage, we offer opportunities for every interest to be engaged, which is one of the reasons people often unexpectedly find that it is their time on the ship they remember most fondly.

So now that you’re here, we encourage you to follow your mood to whatever activities and entertainment most interest you. You’ll find a full schedule of what’s offered each day in your Princess Patter or Princess@Sea.* This is your time to do as much as or as little as you like. *Princess@Sea available on select ships.

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Princess Cruises Voyages

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renew yourself body & soul

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

REJUVENATE

Rejuvenate with luxurious treatments in the Lotus Spa ® or on deck in The Sanctuary.

SITTING OUT ON DECK, you’ll be lulled into a

THE SANCTUARY – TRULY SPECIAL.

blissful state by the sound of waves, the fresh sea air and the knowledge that while you are out here with Princess, you don’t have a single care in the world.

And if you think that’s a good feeling, just imagine how you’ll feel after a massage or spa treatment!

Rejuvenate in the open air at the outdoor oasis reserved exclusively for adults, The Sanctuary, available on select ships.*

PAMPERING never felt as good as it does on a Princess ship. The onboard Lotus Spa® rivals most you’ll find on land — offering a sensational selection of services and treatments from facials, scrubs and massages to hot stone therapy, body therapy and body wraps, as well as a full-service salon should you choose to beautify after you unwind.

In this popular haven you can get a massage under a cabana to the sound of the sea lapping far beneath you. Or you can find yourself an empty chaise lounge in which to enjoy healthy smoothies, energy drinks and flavored waters. A menu exclusive to The Sanctuary highlights a variety of light snacks served by special Serenity Stewards. MP3 players are also available with themed playlists, so you can enjoy the soothing sounds of music.

The Lotus Spa Fitness Center offers fitness programs designed to help you maximize your wellness with Tour de Cycle, personal training and classes such as Pilates, yoga, Body Sculpt Boot Camp and TRX suspension training. The Lotus Spa Fitness Center also features world-class exercise equipment so you can tone on your own. * The Sanctuary is available on most ships. Covered cabanas and massages not available in The Sanctuary on all ships.

Princess Cruises Voyages

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discover the finer things and come back ne w ÂŽ

Visit The Shops of Princess onboard and discover tax and duty-free shopping. Enhance your shopping experience with exciting events like our Runway at Sea, trunk shows and our exclusive onboard outlet.

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Princess Cruises Voyages

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ENRICHMENT

EXPERIENCES

The Princess Photo & Video team captures

your memories at sea A PICTURE IS WORTH a thousand words — especially of your cruise with Princess. And we offer many ways for you to relive your vacation with both photos and video.

PLATINUM STUDIO

by Joe Craig

YOUR LIFE. OUR ART. YOUR LEGACY. Created by internationally recognized photographer Joe Craig, the Platinum Studio experience puts the focus on your inner spirit.

Using creative lighting techniques, our specially trained Platinum Artist creates a unique style of art with sessions taking place in a private studio, with no session fee and no obligation to purchase.

Call or visit the Photo & Video Gallery to book your appointment today!

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enrichment programs SET SAIL WITH PRINCESS, and you’re in for an adventure that’s more than just sightseeing. You will discover an array of engaging onboard offerings to expand your cultural horizons.

An adventure in the

cultural Engaging enrichment opportunities and exciting art auctions bring refinement to your cruise.

Among the wonderful offerings of our enrichment programs is an array of classes, from singing to culinary skills and art history. You can brush up on your cooking knowledge, expand your navigational awareness, or join the Zumba® Fitness dance party.* Get creative and have fun learning new craft activities and much more.

Destination experts, like park rangers and naturalists, offer insight into the culture and history of the region you are visiting through Encounters with Discovery at Sea™.

GET INTO THE AUCTION** Our live art auctions are fun, fastpaced and offer an exciting opportunity to collect exceptional works of art. You’ll find some of the art world’s biggest stars — from Picasso to Chagall to Rockwell to Max — all represented,with hundreds of works available from contemporary art’s most popular figures.

So immerse yourself, and experience our auctions, gallery events and enrichment lectures this voyage. And don’t worry about carrying your new collection off the ship, because most works are shipped to your door. * Zumba available on select voyages. ** N ot available on Pacific Princess.

Princess Cruises Voyages

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MOVIES

UNDER THE STARS®

t h e s k y ’s the limit

Princess pioneered the concept — guests enjoying a feature film ®

poolside on a giant screen — Movies Under the Stars. ®

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Princess Cruises Voyages

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ORDER A DRINK,

grab a bag of complimentary popcorn, get yourself a lounge chair by the pool — or even better, a coveted spot in the hot tub for the greatest show on the sea. Movies Under the Stars® is a real crowd-pleaser, with up to five movies shown poolside during the day, and two feature films at night. What a great way to take advantage of warm nights in the region. A high-tech 300-square-foot LED screen and 69,000watt stereo system assure clarity and quality of sound from wherever on the deck you might be sitting.

EVEN KIDS GET IN

on the fun.

Some of the most popular offerings on the Movies Under the Stars big screen are our special Playstation® or Nintendo® Wii TM tournaments. And teens will enjoy late-night screenings just for them, while younger cruisers can take in a colorful matinee with newfound friends!

TO KEEP THE ENTERTAINMENT FRESH, there are other showings besides movies. Major sporting events such as the NFL Playoffs, NBA Finals, MLB World Series and college bowl games are shown on the big screen. And you’ll often find yourself grooving to a concert video of one of the world’s most popular performers.

*Satellite coverage permitting.

Note: Movies Under the Stars is featured on most Princess ships.

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—introducing —

new reimagined youth & teen centers Young explorers are invited to play fun games and activities, discover new interests and learn more about the world when they sail with us! In partnership with Discovery Communications, Princess has developed engaging new youth programs and wonder-filled centers designed for cruisers ages 3 to 17 — rolling out fleet-wide through 2019. Visit princess.com/family for details by ship. Princess offers great times for the whole family!

The Treehouse – Just for younger kids (ages 3 – 7)

The Lodge – Just for bigger kids (ages 8 – 12)

At Camp Discovery, kids can make new friends and participate in activities specially designed to play, huddle, create and discover in two reimagined centers: the animal-themed Treehouse, designed for ages three to seven, and the outdoorinspired Lodge, built for ages eight to twelve. There are all sorts of indoor and outdoor activities, like arts & crafts, movies and theme nights.

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Princess Cruises Voyages

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The Beach House – Just for teens (ages 13 – 17) There’s a place on board just for teens, too! The Beach House, a contemporary beach- themed lounge, is the place to socialize, with activities designed to help them meet new friends. Teens can take test their sports arcade skills with mini golf, air hockey and ping pong, play in game tournaments on popular gaming consoles, try to win in interactive scavenger hunts, enjoy movie nights, take dance classes and attend a red carpet VIP party just for them.

Parents’ Night Out Princess offers nighttime kid-sitting so the children can watch movies or play games with their friends while mom and dad enjoy some time alone. From bars and clubs to casinos and production shows, there are plenty of terrific choices for grown-ups who want to have a great night out while on board.

Princess Cruises Voyages

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the night belongs to you Step out for an evening of adventure and excitement on a ship of dreams.

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ACTIVITIES

NIGHTTIME

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME you could go out without a single worry — and have so much to choose from? It’s a rare luxury to be able to walk out of your stateroom any evening, and within a short stroll be able to take in a musical, roll the dice in a lively casino, settle into a piano bar for some cocktails and live music or dance the night away in a state-of-the-art nightclub.

From comedy and magic acts to movies by the pool to champagne in an intimate lounge, there’s always more to do than you could fit in an evening.

Fortunately, you’ve got many nights ahead to enjoy all the evenings Princess® holds in store for you.

Be sure to drop by the Atrium for the fabulous champagne waterfall, or get out on deck for a stroll beneath the stars amongst the crisp, clear sky Whether for a few hours in the lounge or an evening of dancing, don’t miss this chance to cut loose and be enchanted by the night.

Princess Cruises Voyages

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CASINO

GAMING

Princess® is your

lady luck

The onboard casinos offer a chance to play, watch the wheel spin, press the slot buttons and bring home the winnings.

ARE YOU FEELING LUCKY? An evening of gaming and good fortune is beckoning you to the casino, where you can try your luck at any of your favorite games of chance.

Our fabulous, contemporary casinos blend a bit of the excitement of Vegas with an elegant ambience to create a gaming experience unique to Princess. In these lively rooms, you can join other guests for blackjack, roulette and, of course, an array of slot machines. There may even be a poker tournament getting under way with a seat just for you.

Whether you’re an avid gamer or just an occasional enthusiast, you’ll love the Princess casinos. Those on our Grandclass ships are some of the largest at sea!

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Princess Cruises Voyages

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SHOWS

ENTERTAINMENT

Music, dance & a little

magic LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, please take your seats. The lights are dimming, the curtain’s opening, and the show is about to begin.

OUR THRILLING PRODUCTION SHOWS are unforgettable — combining lavish stage sets and compelling scores with the song and dance of a troupe of professional singers and dancers.

On every voyage with Princess,® you’ll have the opportunity to attend several different musical productions, specially created just for our guests.

Check your Princess Patter or Princess@Sea each day to find out about that evening’s offerings. And we’ll see you at the show!

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PRINCESS CRUISES CAPTAIN’S CIRCLE

®

welcome to

the circle

Whether it’s your first cruise with Princess,® or you’ve sailed with us many times before, you’re sure to enjoy the benefits and rewards of the best loyalty program at sea.

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GOLD MEMBERS After your 1st completed cruise • Special Launch Savings • Reduced Deposit • Preferential pricing offers • Circle CenterSM Online - StandBy Program - Refer-a-Friend - Circle Savings AccountSM • Princess Cruises Circle Magazine • Access to a Circle Host on board • Members-only onboard events • Princess Passport • Gold Member Pin

RUBY MEMBERS Ruby Members get all Gold Member benefits plus the Ruby benefits.

From your 4th–5th cruise, or 31­–50 cruise days • Exclusive shoreside access to the Captain’s Circle Help Desk phone line • 10% discount off the purchase of our Reflections DVD on board • Ruby Member Pin

BY VOYAGE’S END, it’s likely

TO THE RIGHT YOU’LL FIND

you will have made a new circle of friends at dinner or perhaps in the fitness center, boutiques, bars and lounges of your Princess® ship. Like you, they’re all members of a very special group — those who’ve sailed with Princess, and those we hope will sail again.

a chart listing the benefits of the various levels of membership.

To learn more about the program, we encourage you to visit with the Circle Host on board, who can answer any questions you may have.

WELCOME to the best loyalty program at sea. The Princess Cruises Captain’s Circle® was created to thank those guests who cruise with us frequently — and to offer an incentive to our new guests joining us for the very first time. A range of rewards awaits you, from exclusive onboard events to access to a Circle Host on board every cruise who can answer any questions you might have about benefits. At higher levels, you’ll receive other perks like Preferred Check-In, complimentary wine tasting, complimentary Internet credit, priority disembarkation and more!

You’ll receive a special Member Number as a Captain’s Circle Member. Be sure to provide this number each time you make a booking so you can be certain to take advantage of all your benefits.

BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE...

Our most traveled guests enjoy additional recognition each cruise, including an invitation to a special event hosted by senior officers. The top three for that sailing also receive a commemorative collectible gift!

NOTE: Captain’s Circle Benefits are subject to the terms and conditions of the Captain’s Circle Program. Please visit princess.com or your Captain’s Circle Host on board to review the full terms of the program and to obtain further details on Member benefits.

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PLATINUM MEMBERS Platinum Members get all Ruby Member benefits plus the Platinum benefits.

From your 6th-15th cruise, or 51-150 cruise days • Internet credit • Preferred check-in at Embarkation • Platinum Disembarkation Lounge • Complimentary Cruise Atlas • Platinum Member Pin

ELITE MEMBERS Elite Members get all Platinum Member benefits plus the Elite benefits.

From your 16th cruise on, or 151+ cruise days • Complimentary shoe polishing, laundry and professional cleaning services • Priority ship-to-shore tender embarkation • Priority disembarkation • 10% boutique discount • Complimentary Grapevine Wine Tasting • Complimentary mini-bar setup • Complimentary canapés on formal nights (upon request) • Advanced 24 hour access to preview and book new itineraries • Upgraded stateroom amenities • Traditional afternoon tea in stateroom (upon request) • Elite Member Pin

PRINCESS CRUISES VOYAGES Princess Cruises Voyages

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Book a cruise or place a deposit while you’re on board and receive a special offer — up to $300 shipboard credit per stateroom. With a reduced refundable deposit of just $100 per person, you’ll get shipboard credits good on your next cruise with Princess.

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PRINCESS CRUISES PRINCESS@SEA

digital daily events with Princess@Sea! Princess@Sea is your FREE mobile-friendly connection to ship events, information, account details and access to purchase Internet plans on the majority of Princess ships*.

Connecting is easy as 1-2-3!

your device in 1 Put airplane mode WiFi on & connect 2 Turn to ship’s network Open your browser and 3 type onboard.princess.com in the address bar *OceanMedallion ships are enabled with OceanConcierge. See alternate instructions on board or a crew member for details.

*If Princess@Sea does not open as your default web page, type “login.com” into your browser. Internet access via satellite is significantly slower than high-speed connections on shore. Princess Cruises reserves the right to block or filter certain high bandwidth activities such as adult sites, file sharing, VPN, and video streaming. Internet and communications services are not guaranteed to be available at all times due to the nature of satellite communications, which are subject to itinerary and possible disruption from weather and various obstructions.

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have a p er f e c t day Bring your Shopping Spotlight newsletter into port. Tuck it into your purse or pocket and put the port at your fingertips.

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Your Shopping Spotlight newsletter will be delivered to your stateroom each night.

Make sure to take it with you into port. You can also see your Princess Shopping Host for more specific information. The host’s desk hours are listed in your Princess Patter.

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Amber Cove ∙ Antigua ∙ Aruba ∙ Barbados ∙ Belize ∙ Bermuda ∙ Cabo San Lucas ∙ Costa Maya ∙ Cozumel ∙ Curacao ∙ Grand Cayman ∙ Grand Turk ∙ Jamaica ∙ Key West ∙ Orlando ∙ Nassau ∙ Playa Del Carmen ∙ Puerto Vallarta ∙ Roatan ∙ San Juan ∙ St. Kitts ∙ St. Lucia ∙ St. Maarten ∙ St. Thomas ∙ Tortola 1-800-51-JEWEL ∙ DiamondsInternational.com

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TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer 01 watch

Kabana Alhambra Collection earrings

Zenith El Primero Chronomaster Grande

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OBJECTS

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Marahlago Surf necklace

Danyal Paraiba Orion’s Belt ring

Safi Kilima Kilehe Trillion tanzanite bangle

TrueLove Diamonds Infinity bracelet

Forevermark Halo ring

Bremont Women’s watch

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CARLOS AMARILLO/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

OF THE

See our guide to the distinctive creations that make the Caribbean so exceptional, in select ports.

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guide to

ports Cabo San Lucas Ensenada Los Angeles Mazatlรกn Puerto Vallarta San Diego San Francisco

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Santa Barbara

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guide to

ports Cabo San Lucas Ensenada Mazatlรกn Puerto Vallarta San Diego San Francisco

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Santa Barbara

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cabo s a n lu c a s Sunsets glow for hours over the vast terrain of Los Cabos, as this gem of a port is known. Its lovely beaches rival those in Brazil, and the waters offshore are home to playful seals, gray whales and a medley of other marine life.

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Ports of call | Cabo San Lucas

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Quick Guide

ABOVE: Land’s End glows under the setting sun at Cabo San Lucas.OPPOSITE PAGE: Rocks on Lover’s Beach.

Famed for: The rock formation El Arco, whale watching and sport fishing.

It’s a Fact: Cabo claims to be the striped-marlin capital of the world.

Signature Souvenirs: Tequila, pottery and dolphin-swim photos.

How to Get to Town: A tender brings visitors from the ship to the pier. After disembarking, it’s about a 15-minute walk to town.

You may prefer to take a taxi.

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Ports of call | Cabo San Lucas

T HING S YOU C A N ’ T MIS S IN

Many visit Cabo for its boating and other water sports.

c a b o s a n lu c a s Cabo San Lucas is a vacationer’s paradise — done in style.

This once-sleepy fishing village at the southernmost tip of the Baja Peninsula now ranks as Mexico’s golfing capital and a high-end resort destination. Here, visitors indulge and relax in abounding sunshine upon beaches where a day of fun could include sport fishing and kayaking excursions, whale watching and, for the boldest adventurers, parasailing and ATV treks.

For a taste of cultural sightseeing, a stroll along Calle Cabo San Lucas leads to San Lucas Church, completed by Spanish missionaries in 1746. It sits near the town’s main

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square, which is surrounded by shops and restaurants.

Shoppers find plenty to enjoy at the Puerto Paraíso Entertainment Plaza, or within the many other shops and boutiques along nearby Marina Boulevard.

Still other adventures may include an expedition to the Amerindian pueblo of La Candelaria in the nearby mountains. The many tours along the scenic 20-mile corridor connecting Cabo San Lucas with San José del Cabo pass a string of remote beaches and grassy golf courses that shout “world-class” on this strip of the Pacific coastline.

— Richard Varr

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Ports of call | Cabo San Lucas

PHOTOS BY: (BOATS) MEXICO TOURISM BOARD; (COCKTAIL) NITR/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM.

me xican par adise

By Richard Varr

Cabo San Lucas’ emergence as a favorite go-to place has been relatively recent. The once-unknown port on the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula has more than made up for lost time, but never in a way that mars its unique charm. Upscale restaurants and hotel resorts line the streets and beaches, and delightful small shops add a European flavor to the downtown area.

When seen today, it’s indeed hard to believe that less than a century ago Cabo San Lucas was a sleepy fishing village — with just a few hundred residents. It was only in the last three decades that development boomed in the Los Cabos area. The population tripled during the 1990s, when tourists discovered this Mexican paradise and came to bask on sun-drenched beaches, putt on championship golf courses and relax in high-end resorts.

Beginnings Long before Spanish explorers ever set eyes upon the more than 1,000-mile-long Baja Peninsula, nearly 50,000 native Indians had made this remote part of the peninsula home. One of these primitive tribes of hunter-gatherers, the Pericú Indians, settled along the narrow southern tip.

The initial voyages by Spanish explorers Hernán Cortés in 1535 and Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo in 1642 provided the gateway to European colonization, though it was Cortés’ navigator, Francisco de Ulloa, who is credited with first sighting Cabo San Lucas in 1537.

Colonization and the Age of Pirates The desert terrain and the lack of water initially thwarted Spanish settlements. But British and Dutch buccaneers found the coastline’s secluded inlets to be ideal hiding places from which they could emerge and prey on passing Spanish galleons sailing between Manila and Spain.

A momentous raid ensued in 1587: The pirate vessel commanded by the Englishman Thomas Cavendish emerged from its hidden berth along the Cabo San Lucas shoreline and plundered the Spanish galleon Santa Ana. In an attempt to end the terror, in 1602 Spain dispatched General Sebastián Vizcaíno to find safe ports for the

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Boaters love the waters off Cabo.

galleons. During Vizcaíno’s journeys, Cabo San Lucas was given its name and placed under the patronage of St. Luke.

Soon afterward, the Spanish built a fort at Cabo San Lucas in an attempt to deter lingering pirate activity. The fort did just that and settlers began to trickle into the area. In 1730, the Jesuits established the San José del Cabo mission 20 miles east of Cabo San Lucas, in what is now the town of the same name. Both settlements became fishing villages whose economies eventually became dependent on fishing and fish canning. Significant growth, however, was never realized in Cabo San Lucas because its parched land lacked a viable water supply.

Modern-day Cabo San Lucas In the early-20th century, Cabo San Lucas remained low-key, with a population of only around 400. By the 1930s, however, word had gotten out that if one was a fan of fishing and pristine beaches, Los Cabos was the place to go. Interest grew even more after World War II, attracting Hollywood movie stars such as Bing Crosby and Desi Arnaz. Development continued with exclusive hotels and first-rate restaurants.

The tourism floodgates opened wide with the completion of the peninsular highway in the mid-1970s. Before then, 1,000 miles of rugged dirt roads had hampered travel to this corner of paradise. Next came an international airport, a modern marina and, perhaps most important, a freshwater pipeline. Cabo San Lucas was on its way to becoming a grand resort town.

Today, cruise ships call regularly at this lively port. Visitors can take part in everything from water sports and golf to fascinating day-trip excursions. Cabo San Lucas has morphed from a sleepyvillage past to become one of Mexico’s most-traveled destinations in the 21st century.

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Ports of call | Cabo San Lucas

c a b o ’s famed arch a dinosaur drinking water. On a boat trip cruising the area, the navigator points out other formations, including one that resembles a pig’s head. The tall, jagged one, he says, is an inverted map of Baja California. Use your imagination.

On the way, the boat passes by Playa Amor (Lovers Beach), tucked between boulders, a popular spot sunbathers reach by water taxi. But the real reward — rounding the southernmost point of Baja — is views of both sides of the arch.

No isolation can be found these days: Plenty of sea lions and pelicans are always around to keep you company.

Land's End rock formations at the very end of the Baja peninsula near Cabo San Lucas.

PHOTO BY: ALYSTA/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM.

Once isolated by a thousand miles of rugged, uninviting desert, Cabo San Lucas now receives good publicity as a place where environmental protection and development blend in harmony.

Parched mountains crumble into coastal surf, punctuated with shoreside golf-course greens and golden sunsets.

Highly touted is the rock formation called Los Arcos, marking Land’s End — where the waters of the Pacific meet the Sea of Cortés. When the tide is right, a sandy shoal appears and leads through the arch itself, a portal to geology.

From a distance, the rock formation resembles

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Cozumel - Los Cabos - Cancun Riviera Maya - Puerto Vallarta Princess Cruises Voyages

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ensenada A noted commercial fishing center, Ensenada attracts boaters, divers, snorkelers and serious anglers in search of the big one. But the mild climate also make this wine country, and vineyard tours are an increasingly popular attraction.

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Ports of call | Ensenada

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Quick Guide Famed for: Mediterranean weather, internationally known BajaMed cuisine, the best wines in Mexico and the unparalleled hospitality and warmth of its people.

ABOVE: Rolling hills overlook the port.

OPPOSITE PAGE: Fishing is one of Ensenada’s main attractions.

It’s a Fact: Two legendary auto races, the Baja 500 and Baja 1000, are held in Ensenada’s deserts and mountains.

Signature Souvenirs: Pottery, baskets and accessories crafted by the native Kumeyaay, Kiliwa, Cucapah and Pai Pai people.

How to Get to Town: It’s a short walk from the pier to the main shopping district.

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discover y and r ediscover y

By Richard Carroll

Throughout its history, Ensenada has often been a landing place for explorers, adventurers and others seeking diversion.

Beginnings

The First Tourists

Father Junipero Serra visited Ensenada in the summer of 1769, and wrote that the inhabitants “live very leisurely with various seeds and with the fishing that they do in their rafts in the form of canoes.” Both the Jesuit and Dominican religious orders, at one time, called Ensenada home, as did the infamous William Walker.

The port was rediscovered in the 20th century; in the 1930s, a paved road from the border attracted American and Canadians in search of entertainment, a large selection of sandy beaches, and deep-sea fishing. Immigration exploded during World War II, when the Allies made Ensenada the base of the Second Military Zone of the Sixth Regiment of the Pacific. The city grew quickly in the 1960s, and today residents often refer to themselves as porteños (port-dwellers), in reference to the legendary harbor.

The semi-nomadic indigenous Yuman Indians were the earliest inhabitants of the region, living in the harbor area and interior valleys.

They greeted Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, the first European explorer, who arrived in September 1542. Before sailing north, Cabrillo named the area San Mateo. Sixty years later, Sebastian Vizcaino mapped the coast of California in search of safe harbors for Spanish galleons; the Spaniard renamed the port Ensenada de Todos Santos, later shortened to Ensenada.

In 1853, Walker set out with 45 men to conquer the Mexican territories of Baja and Sonora. Headquartered in Ensenada, the self-declared “president” of the Republic of Lower California met strong resistance by the Mexican government, and was forced to retreat. His ill-advised activities eventually led to execution in Honduras in 1860 at age 36.

In the late 1800s, the natural deep-water harbor continued to attract ships to the small, isolated frontier town. The Saint Denis, a 352-ton cargo and passenger steam ship, arrived six times a month from San Diego. The Saint Denis was distinguished as the first passenger ship to regularly call on Ensenada.

Resorts and developments in northwestern Ensenada have added to the city’s appeal along with several marinas. The city also has a navy and army base and a military airfield. The city is also developing a number of biotech researchers, and is home to the highest number of scientists per capita in Latin America. Ensenada’s center of Scientific Research and Higher Education conducts research in earth sciences, applied physics, oceanography and biology, while the Autonomous University of Baja California conducts further research in oceanography and other related sciences

PHOTOS BY: PORNPRAPA KORPRASERT/ISTOCKPHOTO.COM

La Bufadora

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Ports of call | Ensenada

make mine a me xic an wine Exploring Baja California’s unique Ruta del Vino from Ensenada is a wine lover’s dream.

When most people put Mexico and alcohol in the same sentence, tequila is

The highest concentration of wineries is in the Valle de Guadalupe,

often the first thing that comes to mind. However, the Mexican state of Baja,

where approximately 50 vineyards of varying sizes produce both red

California, and its capital, Ensenada, have become famous for a different

and white wines. The desert environment allows nearly all the world’s

kind of drink. Baja’s temperate climate, combined with its porous soil and

warm-climate grape varieties to thrive. Reds include cabernet sauvignon,

cooling sea breezes, make the region ideal for grape cultivation. Nearly 90

cabernet franc, merlot, zinfandel, shiraz, tempranillo and malbec. The

percent of Mexico’s wine is produced here. Ensenada’s countryside is part

region’s red wines are full-bodied and high in alcohol, with black-fruit

of the Ruta del Vino or “wine route” — a 14-mile region of green valleys and

flavors and an occasional blast of heat. Top picks among the lineup of

gently sloping hills that stretches from the Valle de Guadalupe to Tecate, a

white wines include early harvested oak-free chardonnay, sauvignon

small town on the US border famous for its beer.

blanc, sémillon and viognier, all with zesty fruit flavors such as pineapple

When the Spanish conquistadors arrived in the 16th century, they brought

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and peach and frequent notes of butter and dark sugar.

along vines and wine culture. This marked the beginning of Mexico’s long

August is harvesting season, marked by the annual Fiesta Nacional

history producing wine, with the first vineyard established in 1597. The

de la Vendimia, but Ensenada’s wineries along the Ruta del Vino are

northern end of the Baja peninsula is one of the New World’s oldest wine

open all year long. Visitors along the scenic route are welcome to attend

regions, and the Vine and Wine Museum near Ensenada eloquently tells the

tastings at select vineyards, where they can sample local wines and pick

story of Mexican wine cultivation through its fascinating exhibits.

up a bottle to enjoy back home. — Joanna Hall

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A vibrant, glittering city favored with balmy weather and an endless stretch of beach, Los Angeles also boasts lavish boutiques, eclectic eateries and a celebrity seemingly appearing at every turn.

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los angeles

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Quick Guide Famed for: Hollywood, ultra-luxury shopping on Rodeo Drive and a wide variety of ethnic cultures and cuisines.

ABOVE: The sun glows over Los Angeles.

OPPOSITE PAGE: Rodeo Drive is one of the world’s most famous shopping addresses.

It’s a Fact: In the 1700s, the city was originally called El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de Los Ángeles de la Porciúncula, which means Town of Our Lady the Queen of the Angels of the Small Portion (of land).

Signature Souvenirs: Surfer paraphernalia and a map of the stars’ homes.

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mazatlán Dubbed the “Pearl of the Pacific,” Mazatlán has grown from a quaint colonial town to a booming resort destination that’s widely regarded as one of Mexico’s most friendly beach destinations.

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Ports of call | Mazatlán

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Quick Guide

ABOVE: Waves lap the Mazatlán shore at sunrise.

OPPOSITE PAGE: Mazatlán’s busy shoreside.

Famed for: Twelve miles of sandy beaches, shrimp and a resplendent historic zone with cobbled streets and restored historic architecture.

It’s a Fact: Mazatlán’s balmy waters serve as the meeting point for the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean, giving it a dynamic underwater ecosystem.

Signature Souvenirs: Silver jewelry from nearby mining towns, a handmade leather mask and ceramics from the art studios in the Centro Histórico (Old Town).

How to Get to Town: Cruise ships dock at the commercial port, which is a 15-minute walk to the Centro Histórico. Taxis are also available outside of the terminal.

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Ports of call | Mazatlán

T HING S YOU C A N ’ T MIS S IN

The picturesque Centro Histórico is a popular destination.

mazatlán Mazatlán’s stunning coastline, complete with glitzy hotels and sandy beaches, has earned this Mexican port stop the welldeserved reputation of an ideal beach town. But a short stroll further inland reveals there’s more to Mazatlán than just sun and sandy beaches, including a picturesque city center rich in history and culture.

Stroll over cobblestoned streets to Centro Histórico (Old Town) and discover newly revived 19th-century buildings washed in a vibrant palette of pastels, a place where the traditional mingles with the new. The centerpiece is the Teatro Ángela Peralta, named for a famous opera singer. This beautifully restored Italian-style theater is at the heart of the city’s

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cultural renaissance, a lively transformation that has turned a section of the city that had once been left to decay into a thriving cosmopolitan arts district. Music now fills the streets, with sidewalk cafés standing side-by-side with modern art galleries and restaurants offering traditional Mexican cuisine.

Lovers of the great outdoors will also have a plethora of options, from taking a day trip to the offshore beach paradise of Isla de la Piedra, to testing their sportfishing skills on the local tuna, swordfish and marlin. For sweeping panoramic views of the ocean and the city, there’s the 45-minute hike out to El Faro lighthouse, dating back to 1879 and towering over 500 feet above sea level on top of Cerro del Creston. — Joanna Hall

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Ports of call | Mazatlán

fr om hunt ing gr ound

to playground In the Aztec language, Mazatlán means “place of the deer,” so the future port city apparently had plentiful wildlife.

The first visitors were hunters attracted by the plethora of mountain lions, rabbits and coyotes that roamed the nearby hills. Today there are many more deep-sea fishermen than hunters in Mazatlán.

Colonial Times As early as 1602, Mazatlán pops up in recorded history, but the reference is to a small village, now called Villa Unión, located 30 miles away.

In the 18th century, English and French pirates used Mazatlán’s hill-screened harbor as a lair from which to pounce upon rich galleons plying the coast. The Spanish responded by establishing a small presidio on the harbor and watchtowers on Cerro de Vigia (Lookout Hill). But the city was really established by a group of German entrepreneurs who expanded the port to bring in farm equipment and export spices. One of their descendants, Jorge Claussen, co-founded the Pacifico Brewery. The scenic seafront drive Paseo Claussen is named for him.

The City Blossoms In the late 19th century, the railroad arrived and the port was modernized. Improvements included a grand opera house: Teatro Angela Peralta, named for the beloved coloratura soprano who visited in August 1883. Mazatlán boasts the busiest port between Los Angeles and the Panama Canal. In the 1970s, the city expanded to include the white-sand beaches known as Playa Norte, located north of the original old port town. High-rise hotels now line the Zona Dorada tourist area, and the city’s industrial and commercial base serves an increasingly affluent population.

FROM TOP: Old colonial building in Mazatlán; the coast of Mazatlán.

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Beginnings Human settlement around Mazatlán dates back to prehistoric times, although the city itself is a fairly recent creation. Archaeologists have unearthed polychrome pottery, with elaborate black and red designs, but there are no inscriptions to inform us of their origins. And the potters were gone centuries before Spanish conquistador Nuño de Guzman burned his way through what is now the state of Sinaloa, in 1531.

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Ports of call | Mazatlán

chocolate: a gif t from the gods

By Chelle Koster Walton

Everyone’s favorite sweet indulgence traces its roots to Mexico, where ancient civilizations considered it a divine blessing from the gods.

Who could dispute such heavenly origins?

Chocolate residue found in a Maya pot dating to 400 B.C. suggests that the prehistoric dwellers of Mexico and Central America may have been the first to use the beans of the wild cacao in their diet. Mexico’s modern day chocolate factories continue the ancient and tasty Maya tradition.

The Maya usually drank chocolate for ceremonial reasons, including weddings, royal celebrations and religious occasions, but it was also served as a luxurious treat. It was a long process to turn cacao beans into the frothy, bitter beverage they enjoyed. They first washed the beans and dried them in the sun, then toasted them and ground them to a paste in a mortar. After mixing the paste with water, the women would pour the liquid chocolate from container to container to build up a thick froth, or whisk it with a special tool called a molinillo. Finally, they added vanilla, chili peppers and sometimes a touch of honey.

Spanish Conquistadors developed a taste for it and eagerly transported chocolate to their homeland, where fellow countrymen, well, ate it up. It didn’t take long before all of Europe, and the rest of the world, was enamored with chocolate.

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MAYA-STYLE HOT CHOCOLATE 3 cups water 2 cinnamon sticks 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise 8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped 2 tablespoons wild honey pinch of cayenne pepper Boil water over medium-high heat and add cinnamon sticks. Reduce to 2½ cups. Remove cinnamon sticks; add vanilla bean. Bring to a low boil, reduce heat to low and add chocolate and honey. Stir until chocolate melts. Remove from heat and discard vanilla bean.

Whisk briskly until foamy, sprinkle with cayenne and serve.

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Av. Playa Gaviotas Local 417 A .C.P. 82110 Zona Dorada. TelĂŠfono 669 9 13 16 93

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Ports of call | Puerto Vallarta

Relaxed and welcoming, this former fishing village now lures visitors with whitewashed villas, cobblestone walkways and a backdrop of beautiful bougainvilleas. Puerto Vallarta’s intimate charm has survived the port’s discovery years ago by Hollywood celebrities and jet-setters — and then by the rest of us.

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PHOTOS BY: VIVID PIXELS/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; KARAMYSH/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

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PHOTOS BY: VIVID PIXELS/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; KARAMYSH/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Quick Guide

ABOVE: The coast of Banderas Bay in Puerto Vallarta.

OPPOSITE PAGE: A beach view in Puerto Vallarta.

Famed for: The mile-long Malecón, a seaside promenade featuring large sculptures by Sergio Bustamante, Alejandro Colunga and Ramiz Barquet.

It’s a Fact: The city became a tourism hot spot after the Richard Burton and Ava Gardner movie The Night of the Iguana was filmed here in 1963.

Signature Souvenirs: Huichol art, Raku pottery and Talavera tile and tableware.

How to Get to Town: Most visitors take a taxi into the center of Puerto Vallarta, which is about 3 miles from where the ships dock.

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Ports of call | Puerto Vallarta

T H IN G S Y O U C A N ’ T M I S S IN

Puerto Vallarta perches on the Pacific Ocean.

p u e r t o v allar t a Puerto Vallarta is a colonial gem. Downtown is a crisscross of cobblestoned streets lined with traditional Mexican architecture.

But any stroll within one of Mexico’s most popular resort towns should begin along the Malecón, the pedestrian, statue-studded boardwalk featuring The Friendship Fountain by California artist James Bottoms and the Roman-like Los Arcos Amphitheater.

A short walk from the square, the Plaza de Armas leads visitors to the cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe and its distinguishing crowned clock tower. A few blocks away, the “Gringo Gulch” neighborhood still attracts American expatriates who enjoy living

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in an exotic destination with all the comforts of home.

Seafar ing and adventurous t y pes may opt for whale watching, diving with manta rays and even parasailing.

Lovers of sand and surf should head to Playa de los Muertos at the downtown’s southern edge.

For the many, however, shopping may be the best option. The Malecón has a dazzling array of diamonds, leather, watches, silver and other fine wares, as well as excellent restaurants when it’s time for a break.

The best selections of Huichol Amerindian art and original cotton fashion designs are found just a block away, on Corona and Morelos Streets. — Richard Varr

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Ports of call | Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta remained a mostly forgotten paradise for centuries, even after Western explorers happened upon it. It wasn’t until Hollywood came calling a few decades ago that the village found its niche as a resort.

Beginnings In 1525, explorer Francisco Cortés de San Buenaventura, the nephew of the infamous conquistador Hernán Cortés, made landfall in the region and was unexpectedly confronted by a large force of native warriors geared for battle.

With less than 100 men and facing over 18,000 warriors, Cortés tried to convince the natives to surrender but they refused his offer.

Before taking up arms, Cortés asked his men to pray to the Virgin Mary for help; among the Spanish was a monk carrying a flag of the Immaculate Conception. After they invoked their patroness, a brilliant ray of light suddenly illuminated the flag, leaving the warriors and Spaniards awestruck.

Believing it to be a miracle of divine grace, the two sides promptly withdrew from battle. In commemoration of the event, Cortés called the site Valle de Banderas, or Valley of the Flags, though nowadays the bay is known by the name Bahía de Banderas.

KARAMYSH/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

In Full Flower

Rediscovery For the next 300 years, the valley remained free of any permanent settlement. By 1880, the population of Puerto de las Peñas had reached 1,500. In 1918, the settlement was promoted to the status of municipality. Its name was changed to Puerto Vallarta in honor of Don Ignacio Vallarta, governor of the state of Jalisco and signer of the Mexican constitution.

The Montgomery Fruit Company bought 70,000 acres of land in the area in 1925, bringing plentiful jobs at the new banana plantations. The port boomed with the exportation of the “green gold.”

A Burst of Growth Yet Puerto Vallarta remained relatively isolated and unknown until the 1960s. In 1964, the port was finally put on the map when director John Huston filmed The Night of the Iguana — starring Richard Burton and Ava Gardner — in the picturesque town. Tourists descended by the thousands, and in 1970, a new airport opened with direct flights to the United States and Europe. The once-tiny community of expatriated Americans and Canadians swelled to a large colony of year-round residents. These days, Puerto Vallarta has a population of more than 255,000 — with an estimated three million visitors each year — but it still manages to retain its charm.

— John Anderson 78

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Ports of call | Puerto Vallarta

The Quiet Charm of

yelapa and l a s c al e t a s Located 45 minutes south of Puerto Vallarta by boat, the town of Yelapa has a certain otherworldly charm.

PHOTO BY: MARVIN PERTON

Its appeal derives from many things, including the complete absence of roads and cars, the thatched-roof structures on poles known as palapas that constitute most of the town’s buildings and simply the still beauty of this small village of 1,500 inhabitants.

Nestled in a natural cove, the fishing village of Yelapa, the name of which means “gathering place,” continues to appeal to travelers who want to commune with nature.

Fishing, swimming, hiking to one of the area’s numerous waterfalls and simply relaxing on the gorgeous beach are all popular ways to while away the time.

To the south of Puerto Vallarta, and accessible only by boat, is the town of Las Caletas, which means “the coves” in Spanish. Surrounded by jungle and tucked into the mountains, the town was director John Huston’s private getaway for many years.

Today, the area is a tropical sanctuary and nature lover’s paradise. Guided nature walks introduce visitors to the many charms of the island, including various Aztec plants, exotic orchids and an aviary complete with macaws.

Popular activities revolve around nature, such as feeding deer, swimming with sea lions, kayaking and snorkeling.

Visitors can also scuba dive or, if they’re still learning, take diving lessons.

Of course, not all activities are so energetic. Plenty of visitors to Las Caletas spend their time simply drowsing in one of the many hammocks randomly situated in the area.

— Sara Churchville

Yelapa’s inviting beach.

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PHOTO BY: MARVIN PERTON

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Stretching along the shores of the Pacific Ocean, San Diego’s attractions combine historic Spanish themes and a genteel Victorian quarter in a modern, fast-paced urban setting. The 34-mile long waterfront is a scenic gateway boasting restaurants, shops, attractions, parks and marinas.

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PHOTOS BY: (MAIN) DANCESTROKES/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (GASLAMP QUARTER) JORG HACKEMANN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM.

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PHOTOS BY: (MAIN) DANCESTROKES/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (GASLAMP QUARTER) JORG HACKEMANN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM.

Quick Guide

ABOVE: Palm trees on the serene San Diego waterfront.

OPPOSITE PAGE: San Diego’s historic Gaslamp Quarter.

Famed for: Fish tacos, the bright-red cars of The Trolley and a world-famous zoo.

It’s a Fact: Claimed for Spain in 1542, San Diego was the first European settlement of the U.S. West Coast.

Signature Souvenirs: A miniature replica of a trolley car or of the Point Loma lighthouse.

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Romance and history are a cable-car ride away in “the city by the bay,” a beauty known for stealing visitors’ hearts. From Fisherman’s Wharf to Chinatown and other ethnic enclaves, San Francisco proudly displays the diverse heritage of the people who built the city.

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PHOTOS BY: (MAIN) ANDREW ZARIVNY/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (CABLE CAR) S.BORISOV/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

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PHOTOS BY: (MAIN) ANDREW ZARIVNY/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (CABLE CAR) S.BORISOV/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Quick Guide Famed for: Cable cars, the Golden Gate Bridge and historic neighborhoods such as Chinatown, Fisherman’s Wharf and Nob Hill.

ABOVE: Golden Gate Bridge at sunset.

OPPOSITE PAGE: Riding on a cable car.

It’s a Fact: Of the 47 formally named hills in and around the city, the highest is Mount Davidson, which rises 925 feet.

Signature Souvenirs: Miniature versions of cable cars and the Golden Gate Bridge.

PRINCESS Princess CRUISES Cruises VOYAGES Voyages

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Ports of call | Santa Barbara

PHOTOS BY: (VINEYARD) DAVID M. SCHRADER/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; 9MISSION) S.BORISOV/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM.

santa barbara This lovely California city calls itself a perfect combination of big-city culture and small-town hospitality. Dubbed “the American Riviera,” Santa Barbara offers gorgeous beaches and delightful shopping, and has become well known for its many wineries. The California wildfires did extensive damage here in 2017, but the region is doing its best to return to normalcy. Check with your excursion team for information on conditions ashore. We urge you to support Santa Barbara businesses and help them return to prosperity.

ABOVE: The historic Santa Barbara mission.

LEFT: One of the vineyards for which the area is known.

Quick Guide Famed for: Its founding as an 18th-century Spanish mission and its serious dedication to wine.

It’s a Fact: Hollywood has been making movies in and around Santa Barbara since 1910. Cecil B. DeMille used the sand dunes of nearby Guadalupe in his 1923 epic, The Ten Commandments.

Signature Souvenirs: A bottle of a locally grown vintage wine and wine-themed memorabilia.

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ART Gallery 113 – Original artworks by Santa Barbara Art Association

SHOP IN THE HEART OF HISTORIC SANTA BARBARA AT LA ARCADA PLAZA

Santa Barbara Arts — Original arts and crafts by local artists Waterhouse Gallery — Fine California paintings, sculpture

SHOPS AND SPECIALTY Ace Rivington – Quality men’s goods inspired by the spirit of adventure August Ridge Vineyard – Wines that combine the spirit of California with classic elegance of Italy Barber Shop – Full-service in an historic setting

1100 Block of State Street LaArcadaSantaBarbara.com

Bread & Butter – Media Production & Management Chocolats du CaliBressan — Your local French handmade chocolate boutique Coast 2 Coast Collection — Luxury tabletop including Christofle fine silver, vintage and bridal jewelry, unique gifts & home decor La Tavola Fine Linens —Specializing in thousands of fine linen rental options for all occasions Lewis & Clark – Antiques and fine things Peanuts Maternity & Kids – Clothing, essentials, gifts, party supplies, and parents/child workshops Renaissance –Designer and fine consignment apparel and jewelry Sanford Winery - Hand–crafted Pinot Noir & Chardonnay from the heart of the Santa Rita Hills Socorro – Casual clothing in natural fabrics for women Urban Optics – Comprehensive eye exams, glasses, contact lenses and sunglasses

DINING Andersen’s Danish Bakery and Restaurant – All day and night dining Viva — Modern Mexican Food Jeannine’s American Bakery & Restaurant – Where good food meets good company La Arcada Bistro – Indoor/Outdoor café Petit Valentien – Small plate tapas with a French twist State & Fig – Simple. Rustic. California.

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