Los Angeles Round Trip Onboard Crystal Symphony Departing 11Dec11

11Dec11, Sunday  Los Angeles/San Pedro, California, USA

Depart:5 pm
Spectacular natural surroundings combined with the vitality of a creative and artistic community make Los Angeles one-of-a-kind. Sunshine, majestic palm trees and the sandy beaches of the Pacific share the spotlight with L.A.’s glamorous movie industry and its world-famous celebrities. Formally founded in 1781, it is now one of the world’s largest metropolitan centers. Although there will not be any shore excursions offered in Los Angeles due to limited time in port, you may contact onboard Shore Excursion staff for helpful hints or suggestions on things to do while you are ashore.

12Dec11, Monday to 13Dec11, Tuesday  Cruising the Pacific Ocean  

Your Day at Sea
Enrich. Entertain. Escape.
Adjust the compass of your mood and design your day exactly as you wish:  pamper yourself at the Feng Shui-inspired Crystal Spa, work-out at Crystal’s state-of-the-art fitness center or Walk-on-Water along the 360o Promenade Deck; teach yourself something new with complimentary language lessons by Berlitz or piano instruction with Yamaha; enhance your computer skills at the Computer University@Sea or learn about art, history and worldly destinations with engaging lecture series; sneak away to watch recently-released movies in the Hollywood Theater, shop at luxury boutiques, or simply relax by one of the tranquil pools. From Tai Chi and yoga to PGA golf instruction and paddle tennis on full-size courts, today is all about you. As evening arrives, dine on the inspired cuisines of Nobu Matsuhisa, Piero Selvaggio and Crystal’s own acclaimed chefs, enjoy special wine-makers dinners, lavish Broadway-style productions, intimate lounges, a pulsing dance club or action-packed Crystal Casino. The choices are yours.

14Dec11, Wednesday  Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Arrive: 8 am
Depart: 5 pm
Embraced by rugged tropical mountains on one side and the beautiful Banderas Bay on the other, Puerto Vallarta is second only to Acapulco when it comes to the Mexican Riviera’s leading resort cities. White stucco houses are capped with red-tile roofs and surrounded by bougainvillea-lined cobblestone streets. Native women who beat their laundry along riverbanks as busy fishing boats return to port illustrate a lifestyle that has been maintained for decades. Nearby, sophisticated restaurants, luxury hotels, smart boutiques and lively nightclubs bear testament to the changes wrought on this quiet seaside city since the 1960s. Life here has never been quite the same since the filming of the movie “Night of the Iguana” and the worldwide publicity accorded the romance of its stars, Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor. Puerto Vallarta brims with life. Shop for leather goods, shell and silver jewelry, hand-embroidered blouses or painted figures from Oaxaca. Explore cobblestone streets and picturesque alleyways filled with the scents and bustling energy of Mexico.

15Dec11, Thursday  Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Arrive: 8 am
Depart: 6 pm
Cabo San Lucas is nestled on the southernmost tip of the Baja Peninsula, where the cool currents of the Pacific Ocean meet the warm waters of the Sea of Cortez. Commanding rock formations, timeless desert and a translucent sea provide a compelling introduction to this tranquil resort town. Here, mile upon mile of golden sandy coves dot the shoreline while marlin and sailfish frolic in the waters offshore. Laze on a deserted beach, explore the undersea world or discover bustling shops and markets for tempting treasures such as silver, jewelry and wooden sculptures.

16Dec11, Friday  Topolobampo, Mexico 

Arrive: 5 am
Depart: 11 pm
Situated on an international trade corridor, Topolobampo is a hub for travelers and trade, giving it a slightly cross-cultural feel. Infusing the town with a hint of idealism is its history as a utopian hideaway – from about 1884 to 1894, the area was occupied by a utopian colony. Today, this port on the Gulf of California sees visitors arriving by ferry from La Paz and, of course, by ship. Greeting them is a town that looks as if it could be at home in the Mediterranean, with steep hills rising from the sea and islands sitting invitingly offshore.

 
17Dec11, Saturday  Loreto, Mexico

Arrive: 9 am
Depart: 6 pm
Sitting on the east coast of Baja, Loreto provides all the diversions of a small, seafront town, including diving, kayaking and fishing. There is also a chance to play a game of tennis at the Tennis Center or a round of golf on the greens carpeting a special spot by the Sea of Cortez. Then there is the tempting excursion of boating five miles from shore to the Islas Coronado, where you can spot sea lions basking in the sun. All these features are certainly enough to make Loreto an appealing destination on this maiden call for Crystal Cruises. But what makes the town even more interesting is its mission history. Loreto was founded in 1697 as the head of the Jesuit missions to California and for 130 years, served as the territory’s capital. Stop in the original mission church, which appears much as it has for centuries. Then wander through the small museum next door and learn more about Baja’s missionary history.

18Dec11, Sunday  La Paz, Mexico

Arrive: 8 am
Depart: 5 pm
Cradled between the stark sands of Baja and the fertile waters of the Sea of Cortez, La Paz offers a host of challenging opportunities. Dubbed “the World’s largest fish trap,” the area is home to over 800 species of fish and 2,000 species of invertebrates. Giant manta rays and whales navigate the depths while dolphins and sea lions frolic on the surface. Deep sea fishing, diving and sightseeing boats are available for charters.

19Dec11, Monday to 20Dec11, Tuesday  Cruising the Pacific Ocean 

Your Day at Sea
Enrich. Entertain. Escape.
See itinerary above for Dec 12, Monday to Dec 13 to find out what to expect on your day at sea.

21Dec11, Wednesday  Los Angeles/San Pedro, California, USA 

Arrive: 8 am  
Disembark today.