MSC Grand Voyages from Seattle

Seattle, the Pacific Northwest's rain-kissed metropolis, commands one of America's most spectacular urban settings — a skyline of glass towers reflected in Elliott Bay with the white cone of Mount Rainier presiding over the horizon on clear days. Pike Place Market, one of the oldest and most vibrant public markets in the country, overflows with Dungeness crab, wild salmon, and blooms of tulips from the Skagit Valley. The neighbourhood of Capitol Hill pulses with independent bookshops and craft breweries; the Space Needle delivers sweeping views of the Cascades and the Olympic Peninsula. Summer, from June through September, offers Seattle's most generous sunshine.

Los Angeles rewards the curious traveller willing to look beyond its cinematic mythology: beneath the Pacific light and the freeway sprawl lies a city of extraordinary cultural plurality, world-class museums, and some of North America's most diverse cuisine. The Getty Center, perched above the city with panoramic views from the Pacific to the San Gabriel Mountains, houses one of the finest art collections in the United States. Santa Monica's Palisades Park at sunset and the boulevards of Silver Lake at any hour reveal a city perpetually reinventing itself. The port calls at San Pedro give access to Downtown, Hollywood, and Malibu's pristine beaches. Southern California's climate makes Los Angeles a year-round destination.

San Diego is California's sun-blessed harbour city, combining the world-famous San Diego Zoo, a revitalised Gaslamp Quarter, and America's best fish tacos in a setting of perpetual sunshine. Must-do experiences include Balboa Park's museums, craft brewery hopping in North Park, and exploring the sea caves of La Jolla. Any season is ideal, with September and October offering the warmest seas and clearest skies.

Cabo San Lucas is a lively port town at the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula, renowned for its stunning beaches and vibrant atmosphere. Must-do experiences include exploring the iconic El Arco rock formation and indulging in local delicacies like tacos de pescado and ceviche. The best season to visit is from November to April when the weather is pleasantly warm and ideal for outdoor adventures.

Puntarenas is Costa Rica's historic Pacific port, a narrow peninsula reaching into the Gulf of Nicoya where nineteenth-century maritime heritage meets vibrant marine life, signature street food like the iconic *churchill* shaved ice, and easy access to Tortuga Island, cloud forests, and world-class whitewater rafting on the Pacuare River. The dry season from December through April offers the most reliable sunshine and calmest seas for both shore excursions and gulf crossings, making it the ideal window for cruise itineraries calling at this authentically Costa Rican gateway.

The Panama Canal is one of humanity's greatest engineering achievements—a 50-mile waterway that lifts ships 26 meters through locks to cross between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Must-dos include watching the locks operation from open deck, visiting the Miraflores Visitor Center, and exploring Panama City's restored Casco Viejo. The dry season (December–April) offers the clearest views for transit day.

Colón, Panama, stands as the Caribbean gateway to the Panama Canal, where colonial history, Afro-Caribbean culture, and one of engineering's greatest achievements converge. Visitors should not miss a canal transit through the Gatun Locks and a journey to the UNESCO-listed Fuerte San Lorenzo, the seventeenth-century fortress overlooking the Chagres River. The dry season from December through April offers the most comfortable conditions, with lower humidity and calm Caribbean waters ideal for both port exploration and jungle excursions.

Cartagena, Colombia, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrated for its stunning colonial architecture, vibrant atmosphere, and rich culinary scene. Must-do experiences include exploring the historic Old Town and savoring local specialties like arepas de huevo and ceviche de camarones. The best time to visit is from December to April, when the weather is warm and dry, perfect for leisurely city explorations and excursions to nearby attractions.

Miami is a city of perpetual reinvention — the Art Deco jewel of South Beach giving way to the street-art murals of Wynwood, the Cuban rhythms of Calle Ocho, and the glass-and-steel towers of a skyline that has redrawn itself every decade since Julia Tuttle convinced Henry Flagler to extend his railroad south in 1896. Must-dos include strolling the pastel-fronted Ocean Drive at dusk and exploring the world-class collections at the Pérez Art Museum Miami overlooking Biscayne Bay. November through April delivers idyllic weather — warm and dry — while summer brings heat, humidity, and hurricane risk. Miami handles cruise departures elegantly, with the Port of Miami a short taxi ride from the best neighbourhoods.