San Diego/Mexican Riviera Cruise

 11 Days/10 Nights

After the Rose Parade, join us as we make our way to San Diego with a stop at the Mission in San Juan Capistrano including lunch.  Stay one night at the Embassy Suites Downtown San Diego.  Depart on Holland America’s Oosterdam for an enjoyable 7 night Mexican Riviera cruise.  Ports of call include Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, and three days at sea.

Cartan’s Tour Highlights:

• Transportation from your Rose Parade Hotel to Embassy Suites Downtown San Diego

• Tour of the Mission in San Juan Capistrano

• Lunch in San Juan Capistrano

• One night hotel accommodations at the Embassy Suites Downtown San Diego

• Breakfast

• Hotel to Pier transportation

• 7 nights Mexican Riviera cruise on Holland America’s MS Oosterdam

• Pier to San Diego airport transfer

• All taxes and admission to included activities

ABOUT YOUR HOTEL

The Embassy Suites Downtown San Diego is the perfect location for our tour!  You are just steps away from Seaport Village, USS Midway, Gaslamp District, and Cruise Port.  Your suite consists of a private bedroom with either one king bed or two double beds, TV, and telephone.  The separate living room area has a sofa bed couch, table, chairs, TV, telephone, microwave, refrigerator, and coffee maker.    Full American breakfast which includes made to order omelets and eggs as well as other hot and cold items including coffee and juice.  Nightly managers’ cocktail and snack reception.  The hotel also features a restaurant, laundry facilities, gift shop, fitness room, and swimming pool.

YOUR DAY BY DAY ITINERARY

Friday – January 2, 2009 Los Angeles/San Diego, Sightseeing tour of San Juan Capistrano Mission, La Jolla (Breakfast, Lunch)

We will have scheduled departures from our Rose Parade Tour hotels after breakfast.  Our first stop is the Mission in San Juan Capistrano.  This was the seventh mission of a chain of 21 and was founded in 1776 by Father Junipero Serra. Our docent led tour will take us throughout the mission grounds and tell us all the history of the Mission; including the flight of the swallows.  Lunch is included in San Juan Capistrano.  We will also have some free time to shop or walk around this lovely town before continuing on to San Diego.  Our day comes to an end with our arrival at the Embassy Suites Downtown San Diego.  There are a number of nearby restaurants to choose from for dinner tonight.  Sea Port Village is only a block or two from the hotel.

Overnight – Embassy Suites Downtown San Diego

Saturday – January 3, 2009 Holland America Mexican Riviera Cruise (Breakfast)

Breakfast is at leisure this morning.  Your ship sets sail at 5:00pm today.  The pier is only about 4 blocks from the hotel.  A transfer will be provided to the pier.  Welcome aboard!  For the next 7 nights you will be calling Holland America’s MS Oosterdam home.  All meals and entertainment aboard the ship are included.

Sunday – January 4, 2009 At Sea

Relax on board the ship as the crew pampers and keeps you entertained.  Today is a perfect day to get acquainted with the ship.  Maybe reserve a spa treatment; read a good book on deck under the warm sun; try your luck in the casino, or enjoy the pool or fitness center.  There is never a lack of things to do.  You can do as much or as little as you like.

Monday – January 5, 2009 At Sea

Tuesday - January 6, 2009 Mazatlan

Mazatlan is home to the largest shrimp fleet in the world!  This resort city tempts you with every variation of this tasty crustacean; grilled, al mojo de ajo (garlic), or in the shell with a squeeze of lime.  Mazatlan has miles of uninterrupted beaches, busy markets, and sleepy mining towns tucked into the Sierra Madre.  Check with the staff for exciting shore excursions.

Wednesday – January 7, 2009 Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta still retains the essence of the quaint fishing village it once was, despite no longer being a well-kept secret of the artists, writers, and Hollywood stars that first “discovered” it in the 1960’s.  Here is Viejo Vallarta, the quaint Old Town, an enticing mix of red-tiled buildings, cobbled streets, chic shops and bustling open markets.  Visit some highlights of the area: Mismaloya Beach, Gringo Gulch, and Conchas Chinas the Beverly Hills of Puerto Vallarta.  Check with the staff for exciting shore excursions.

Thursday – January 8, 2009 Cabo San Lucas

Cabo San Lucas is located at the tip of the Baja Peninsula, where the blue Pacific mingles with the Sea of Cortez in a whirl of watercolors.  These waters are teeming with marlin, swordfish, tuna, sailfish, and other fighting fish.  The black coral is exquisite; keep an eye open for grey whales as this is prime migration season.  Check with the staff for exciting shore excursions.

Friday – January 9, 2009 at Sea

Your day at sea will have you relaxing by the pool or busy with the many activities on board the ship. 

Saturday – January 10, 2009 San Diego/Home

The ship docks into San Diego at 7:00am.  A transfer to the San Diego Airport is included.  We hope you have enjoyed your trip to the Rose Parade, San Diego and Mexico!

Tour Operates

January 2-10, 2009 Inclusive