7 Night San Diego to Puerto Vallarta Cruise from San Diego

Enjoy your complimentary stay at the pre-cruise hotel. The evening is yours to become acquainted with the city. For your convenience, American Queen Voyages Hospitality Desk will be located in the hotel, and the friendly staff can assist with everything from general questions about your upcoming voyage to reserving premium experiences. Representatives from AQV and a local port/city partner will be available to provide you with dining, entertainment, and sightseeing options to maximize your time here.

Perfect weather. White-sand beaches. Coronado Island. After more than a fortnight of traversing the sparkling waters off Costa Rica and Mexico, park yourself in paradise for an exhilarating encounter with America's Finest City. Extend your vacation, and explore San Diego's myriad attractions, such as Balboa Park, La Jolla, and Liberty Station.

Ah, another day on the ocean - a day to rise with the sun and meet with friends in the restaurant of your choosing over breakfast...or sleep in and order room service. Gather in the Compass Lounge for snacks and games...or take in the view from deck with your favorite cocktail in hand. This day is yours to craft as you desire.

Sailors from Manila have long known the coast of Baja California in the Mexican state of Baja California Sur. They hunted wild animals at an estuary next to the mouth of a river and stored up on water and food supplies. Their galleons were loaded with silks, pearls, and spices. They then continued their trip to Acapulco, from where the load was sent overland to Mexico City and from there to Veracruz, where it was finally loaded on ships headed to Spain. Since Francisco de Ulloa discovered it in 1537, Cabo San Lucas was a point of nautical reference. Nevertheless, when pirates found out about it, it became a closely watched point by both parties, and in 1730, the government of New Spain ordered Father Nicholas Tamaral to establish a fort and a Jesuit mission in San Jose. Cabo San Lucas, or simply Cabo, together with San Jose del Cabo form a metropolitan area known as Los Cabos. The Los Cabos Corridor has become a heavily trafficked vacation destination. Rated as one of Mexico's top 5 tourist destinations, Cabo is known for its beaches, scuba diving locations, and the Arco de Cabo San Lucas. The arch, locally known as "El Arco", is a distinctive rock formation. The waters around Cabo are home to marine wildlife, including rays, sharks, mahi-mahi (dorado), and striped marlin. In the winter, pods of whales can be observed. They bear their calves in the warm local waters after traveling up to 6,000 miles from Alaska and Siberia.

The area's modern history began with the arrival of Hernan Cortes, who sailed here in 1535 and named the bay Santa Cruz. A century later, Jesuit missionaries established the Nuestra Senor del Pilar de La Paz, but abandoned the site 30 days later because of harsh conditions, hostile natives, and disease. There were sporadic attempts at secular and religious settlements, but a permanent one would not be established until 1811. In 1846, American forces occupied the area during the Mexican American War. La Paz remained a sleepy town, known best for pearls for many years. In the mid-20th century, Hollywood found La Paz. Clark Gable came to fish for marlin. Bing Crosby bought a home here, as did Desi Arnaz and Engelbert Humperdinck. Every year, Jacques Cousteau rented a house on the bay to watch the whale migrations. By the 1960s, it looked like the area might become the next Acapulco. Over the following decades there were growth spurts, but the boom did not happen. Industries that contribute to the local economy include silver mining, agriculture, fishing, pearls, and eco-tourism. As one of the most biodiverse places on earth, eco-tourism is the most important driver of the local economy. There are about 900 islands and inlets in the Sea of Cortez with 244 now under United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) protection as World Heritage Bio-Reserves. The Isla Espiritu Santo group is a primary tourist destination. Here, you can opt to swim with whale sharks or snorkel with sea lions.

Ah, another day on the ocean - a day to rise with the sun and meet with friends in the restaurant of your choosing over breakfast...or sleep in and order room service. Gather in the Compass Lounge for snacks and games...or take in the view from deck with your favorite cocktail in hand. This day is yours to craft as you desire.

Your voyage concludes in Puerto Vallarta, a special tourist destination on the west coast of the Mexican state of Jalisco. The modern town dates from the mid-1800s and its port from 1885. Puerto Vallarta grew organically from being a fishing village into a world-class tourist destination. Tourism is a major economic activity because of the climate, scenery, tropical beaches, and rich culture. Mexican city dwellers discovered the clear sandy beaches, spectacular sunsets, and clear emerald-blue waters in the 1950s. Hollywood and the jet set fell in love with the place in the early 1960s; John Huston frequently brought Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor, and Ava Gardner with him for long holiday weekends. Little by little, with part luck and lots of local effort and promotion, Puerto Vallarta evolved into a welcoming and modern resort area with lots to do, gourmet restaurants, and top hotels. With so many natural and cultural delights, visitors can stroll the picturesque boardwalk, go horseback riding, snorkel, shop for local handicrafts, or enjoy a blissful beach day. Your included tour visits the main square, Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, and Playa Grande, where it feels like time has stood still. You will also learn how tequila is made at Rio Bendito. Optional tours let you go to market with a local chef then learn to cook a traditional Mexican lunch at a rustic, country kitchen. Or join a 45-foot cutter for a 4-hour sail on the Bay of Banderas. Look for sea turtles, dolphins, and even a humpback whale, or two.