Please call R&J Tours at 1-800-758-6877 for cabin options and pricing.
Day 1 – Fly away to San Diego
Welcome to San Diego known for it’s delightful year round weather! R & J Tours has included an overnight stay at the beautiful Embassy Suites in San Diego Bay this evening!
Day 2 – San Diego, California
After an included breakfast explore beautiful, brilliant San Diego with its sun, beaches, and pleasant climate! Walk on Coronado Island’s sandy beach, take in the Old Town that brings the city’s early Spanish days to life, have a wild time at the famous San Diego Zoo or a whale of a good time at Sea World. Another highlight is Balboa Park, which is both a natural space and a collection of wonderful museums. The ms Veendam departs this evening at 5:00 pm.
Day 3 – At Sea
Day 4 – At Sea
Day 5 – Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
No longer the well-kept secret of the artists, writers and Hollywood stars who first “discovered” it in the 1960s, “PV” (as it is affectionately known) still retains the essence of the quaint fishing village it once was. Viejo Vallarta, the old town, is a mix of red-tiled buildings, cobbled streets, chic shops and busy open markets.
Day 6 – At Sea
Day 7 – Huatulco, Mexico
Everything you ever wanted in a seaside resort: warm sun, sandy beaches and nine beautiful bays rimmed in every shade of blue. Nearby: low-growth caducifolia jungles teeming with birdlife and the nesting grounds of endangered sea turtles.
Day 8 – Puerto Chiapas, Mexico
Gateway to the Mayan world in the Pacific, shrouded in mystery. Among the most well-preserved archeological sites is the sprawling complex at Izapa, dating to 100BC. Izapa is noted for its large, intricately carved “Tree of Life” stone. Here, vividly colored murals offer glimpses into Mayan life while great stone temples guard inscriptions that have yet to be deciphered.
Day 9 – At Sea
Day 10 – Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica
The city of Puerto Caldera, on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, has a number of national parks within easy reach for cruise visitors. Just to the south, Carara is a mecca for birders, especially those chasing the scarlet macaw. Poas Volcano is inland, and rises to nearly 9,000 feet. See it before it blows again. Barra Honda contains a series of limestone caves. Palo Verde preserves one of the last tropical dry rainforests in Central America. Arenal has the most active volcano in the country. Tapanti contains species of orchids discovered only in 2009. Grab your hiking boots and a pair of binoculars. It’s all magnificent, wherever you go.
Day 11 – At Sea
Day 12 – Enter Panama Canal Balboa
Day 12 – Cruising Panama Canal
Day 12 – Exit Panama Canal Cristobal
Day 13 – Cartagena, Colombia
Privateers loved Cartagena, the chief Spanish port in New Granada (today’s Colombia). Sir John Hawkins besieged the city in 1568 and his nephew, Sir Francis Drake, sacked it 18 years later. In response, Spain poured millions into the port’s defense, building the fortifications that are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cruise visitors can walk those deeply textured alleyways today through some of the best-preserved colonial neighborhoods of the Americas. When you’re ready for a change, there are beaches ready to hand. Bocagrande is busy and close to the city. Playa Blanca is south across the bay and quieter. Both are lovely!
Day 14 – At Sea
Day 15 – At Sea
Day 16 – Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Fly home today with vivid memories of your floating home-away-from-home as well as the rich history and breathtaking beauty you captures along the way!
ms Veendam Dining
Rotterdam Dining Room: Features impeccable service & an extensive wine list. Five-course menus include continental cuisine, vegetarian & low-carb options.
Pinnacle Grill: This intimate reservations-only venue offers an elegant, sophisticated dining experience. Featuring premium Sterling Silver beef, inspired seafood dishes and many select wines rated “Excellent” by Wine Spectator.
Lido Restaurant: Offers a relaxed ambiance for all three meals and features a variety of fresh, cooked-to-order specialties.
Canaletto: An evening venue for Italian fare adjacent to the Lido Restaurant and offering waiter service.
Explorations Café: A comfortable, coffee house environment where you can browse through an extensive library, check email, or simply read the morning paper.
ms Veendam Features
The Culinary Arts Center: State-of-the-art demonstration kitchen offering interactive gourmet cooking lessons taught by our own Master Chefs or culinary guests.
Digital Workshop: Offering fun, free learning about digital photography, videos, scrapbooking, blogging and social networking.
Mix: An innovative meeting place featuring three specialty venues: Champagne, for mid-day mimosas or anytime celebrations; Martinis, for Grey Goose cocktails and martini flights; and Spirits & Ales for microbrews, single malts and sports updates.
The Retreat: A private resort-style pool experience offering sophisticated poolside amenities and service.
Greenhouse Spa & Salon: Enjoy a facial, hot stone massage, steam in a thermal suite, and have your hair and nails done for a special evening.
The Showroom at Sea: Glamorous nightclub venue for world class entertainment.
Crow’s Nest: Offers sweeping 270° views during the day, and a hip, fashionable nightclub each evening.
Travel Bucks
Deposit Due
Passport Needed
Tour Pace
Price Includes
RT Airfare, Up to 42 Meals, Activities as Stated. Shore excursions at own expense. Please call for cabin & pricing options.
02/07/2014 02/22/2014
Tour Highlights
San Diego, California; Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; Huatulco, Mexico; Puerto Chiapas, Mexico; Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica; Enter Panama Canal Balboa; Exit Panama Canal Cristobal; Cartagena, Colombia; Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Grandly proportioned and recently enhanced, the ms Veendam offers an onboard experience defined by spacious comfort and the latest Signature of Excellence features and amenities. Guests aboard the ms Veendam will enjoy elegant dining rooms, a $2 million art and antique collection, wide teak decks and spacious staterooms. At 719 ft long, the ms Veendam has a passenger capacity of 1,350 guests.
