Optional Shore Excursions (may be reserved once onboard the ship):

Ceviche by the Sea - Learn Mexican culinary techniques and savor the results immediately! This opportunity takes place at Loreto's El Canipole restaurant, surrounded by Mexicana decor. Learn to shape a personal tortilla - round, oval, or triangular as you please - then bake it on a traditional comac. Mix ceviche (seafood "cooked" by marinating in lime juice) and savor a host of other Mexican specialties as well, including chicharrones en salse verde, refried beans, pico de gallo salsa and guacamole. Your choice of soda, Mexican beer or a margarita is also included in this lunchtime option.

Transfer to the airport for your included flight to Los Mochis. On your way to El Fuerte stop at the Maya Indian village of Tehueco for a traditional dance performance. Travel to the Posada del Hidalgo in El Fuerte. Founded in 1564, El Fuerte for many years was a frontier outpost where expeditions to California and New Mexico began.

You will visit the colonial-era City Hall, the town¹s oldest church, and the Main Plaza on a leisurely walking tour.

Transfer to the Chihuahua-al-Pacifico Railroad to begin the ascent into the Sierra Madres, traveling east through farmland and foothills. The Sierra Tarahumara is a maze of 200 gorges combining to form six interconnecting canyons. You will rise over 8,000 feet, crossing deep ravines and passing through more than 68 tunnels.

Upon arrival at Divisadero, transfer to your hotel, situated near the rim of the canyon.

After breakfast travel by motorcoach to Cusarare to visit the Jesuit Mission and the new museum featuring recently restored 16th, 17th, and 18th century paintings collected by the Jesuit missionaries.

While there, stop next door at the Tarahumara boarding school for a chance to interact with the children. After lunch in Creel, you will have the opportunity to wander around the small rustic town and enjoy the unique rock formations that surround the area. Overnight at a hotel near the rim of the canyon.

Watch the underwater "sand falls" in Cabo San Lucas.

Cabo San Lucas is located at the southernmost tip of Baja California, surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and inviting soft-sand beaches. Its dramatic, picturesque landscape includes arched rock caves (Los Arcos), which accentuate the southernmost point of land called Finisterra or Land’s End. Here is a true end of the road for western North America – and the beginning of an incredible journey of discovery!

The aboriginal people in this region were the Pericus, who led a nomadic lifestyle. By the mid to late 1500's, Spanish conquistadors and pirates invaded the peninsula. Land’s End was the perfect lookout point, as the likes of Sir Francis Drake and other pirates would search for and attack Spanish galleons returning with treasures from Manila.

Cabo San Lucas is now a popular destination getaway for those interested in fun, relaxation, boating, world-class golfing, sport-fishing, and diving. A unique aspect of advanced diving includes observing the “sand falls,” created by underground currents that carry great amounts of sand, which fall or cascade into underwater canyons.

Explore Mexico's "Last Frontier" in Baja California Sur.

The southern state of the Baja Peninsula is a unique world of contrasts and incredible diversity, where the desert meets the sea. The topography includes deserts and bays, mangroves and lagoons, jagged mountain peaks, and remote islands.

Only recently “discovered” and considered to be the Last Frontier of Mexico, the state of Baja California Sur was created in 1974 after the Transpeninsular Highway was built to provide access along the entire length of the peninsula from Tijuana to Cabo San Lucas. The state capital and largest city by far is the port of La Paz. With its unique offerings of desert, sea, and sunshine, Baja California Sur has become a favorite tourist destination for mainland Mexicans, Americans, and Canadians. Visitors are drawn to Baja for the world-class diving, sport fishing, golfing, kayaking, hiking, snorkeling, and sailing.

The southern cape region of this state, the Los Cabos corridor, offers an array of exclusive resorts. Many other smaller, remote communities retain a more traditional, tranquil atmosphere, while still offering all the necessary amenities. All stops offer a rich cultural history, traditional charm, and easy access to the natural wonders of the region.

Explore the ecological diversity of the Baja Peninsula.

The peninsula of Baja California consists of two states of Mexico that basically split the peninsula in half. The northern state on the peninsula is Baja California Norte (North); the southern state of the Baja Peninsula is Baja California Sur (South). The entire Baja Peninsula is approximately 800 miles long with an average width of 70 miles. The widest part of the peninsula is Punta Eugenia at 144 miles; the narrowest point of the peninsula is the La Paz region at 26 miles across. The combined east and west shoreline of the peninsula is approximately 1,980 miles. If you were to stretch out this shoreline, it would run from Juneau, Alaska, to Tijuana, Mexico.

The northern part of the peninsula offers a Mediterranean climate with rain in the winter. The southern part of the peninsula is more tropical, with precipitation in the summer. The local flora includes Sonoran Desert vegetation, sand dunes, coastal wetlands, tropical thorn forests, and tropical forests. Over 400 species of birds live in, breed, or pass through Baja and the Sea of Cortés.

Hike volcanic Isla Coronado, where sea turtles nest.

This island most likely emerged from a volcanic cone thousands of years ago. It is approximately six miles north of the town of Loreto. A 1,500-foot extinct volcano lies at the northern end of the island. Large volcanic boulders cover the craggy hills everywhere except the flatter southeastern portion of the island, where sea turtles visit the sand dunes to lay their eggs during various seasons.

Look for great whales off Isla Danzante.

Isla Danzante is a small island south of Isla del Carmen. It is one of the five islands of the Loreto National Marine Reserve, and is a natural bird refuge. The underwater terrain around Isla Danzante is steeply stair-stepped, quickly dropping over 100 feet into deep canyons and crevices lined with soft and hard corals. Many great whales can be spotted in this area, including blue, fin, Brydes, and humpback whales.

Follow a burro trail to the top of Isla del Carmen.

Approximately 18 miles long, Isla del Carmen is one of the largest islands in the Sea of Cortés. It once was home to one of the largest salt works in this part of the world. Discovered during the Spanish missionary era, the first rights to the salt mine were granted to Father Salvatierra at the beginning of the 18th century. Salt production has since ceased, leaving behind a ghost town.

Today, Isla del Carmen is part of the Loreto Marine Reserve ecological sanctuary, offering excellent fishing, snorkeling, and whale watching. Bighorn sheep have also been reintroduced to this island. An old burro trail starts at the abandoned pier and leads up to the salt-filled crater of a 1,600-foot volcano. There are many great diving sites along its shoreline. A 120-foot fishing boat wreck in Bahía Salina is now home to a variety of fish.

Keep your eyes peeled for rare black jackrabbits on Isla Espiritu Santo.

Isla Espiritu Santo means Island of the Spirit of the Saint. At one time, Isla Espiritu Santo and its neighbor, Isla Partida, were a single land mass, but a volcanic crater that formed between them has subsided and opened to the sea, forming a channel that now separates them. Vegetation includes a variety of annuals, perennials, halphytes, elephant trees, wild figs, and members of the cactus family such as cardóns, pitahaya dulce, and prickly pear. The black jackrabbit is an endemic animal found only on these two islands. A favorite anchorage on the southeast side of the island at Bonanza Bay offers remote, exclusive, and pristine opportunities to kayak, hike, go for a nature walk, go birding, or snorkel.

Learn about the Departed Island.

Isla Partida is positioned due north of Espiritu Santo. Isla Partida means Departed Island. At one time, both islands were one land mass but a volcanic crater that formed between them has subsided and opened to the sea, forming a channel that now separates them. Vegetation includes a variety of annuals, perennials, halphytes, elephant trees, wild figs, and members of the cactus family such as cardóns, pitahaya dulce, and prickly pear. The black jackrabbit is an endemic animal found only on these two islands. A favorite anchorage on the southeast side of the island at Bonanza Bay offers remote, exclusive and pristine opportunities to kayak, hike, go for a nature walk, go birding, or snorkel.

Look for coyote and deer near the springs on Isla San Jose.

Located approximately 50 miles north of La Paz, this large and beautiful island has a peak elevation of 700 meters or 2,300 feet. The island is primarily comprised of volcanic rock and precipitous cliffs. In the early days, sailors would store water, meat, and salt here for later retrieval. This island also contains fresh water springs that support populations of deer, coyote, and ringtail.

Absorb local history with a visit to the museums or serpentarium in La Paz.

La Paz means “peace” in Spanish. The capital of Baja California Sur lies along a beautiful bay on the Sea of Cortés coast of the Baja peninsula. This bustling community of over 180,000 residents is by far the largest community in Baja California Sur. La Paz is the political and commercial center for a huge region of the peninsula, and its Old World charm attracts legions of Mexican tourists from the mainland. The La Paz area is bordered by spectacular beaches and pristine islands to the north and east, and desert to the south and west. This is a world-class region for scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, and other ecotourism activities. The tiled boardwalk/pier is dotted with potted palms and benches, and the malecón or waterfront promenade offers a three-mile scenic stroll or jog along the beach. This is a perfect place to observe the famous brilliant crimson sunsets along the Port of Dreams.

Hernan Cortés, the first non-native to arrive here, was drawn to the region by tales of possible great wealth He named this area the Bay of Santa Cruz in 1535. Despite sending several exploratory expeditions over the years, interest remained minimal in the region due to the great difficulty of taming such a harsh environment.

Early colonization began in 1720, when the Jesuits built the Mission of Nuestra Senora del Pilar de La Paz. La Paz received its name from Spanish explorer Sebastian Vizcaino, who established a base camp here for exploration of the peninsula. In 1829, La Paz became Baja’s capital when the first settlement of Loreto was devastated by a hurricane. La Paz was also a center for the pearling industry until the 1940's when a mystery disease and over-harvesting decimated the oyster population.

Besides the wonderful recreational and ecotourism opportunities, La Paz offers a glimpse into its past with a visit to the stunning Cathedral of Nuestra Senora of La Paz, with origins in the 18th century. In the heart of the city is the picturesque main square, Velasco Garden, surrounded by historic buildings.The Library of the Californias is housed in the former Government Palace, with a room dedicated to the history of Baja California Sur. Another room offers a pictorial history of the peninsula. The Anthropological Museum offers exhibits of archeological artifacts, fossils, and historical maps and documents.

The La Paz Serpentarium houses reptiles such as snakes, iguanas, lizards, and other species found on the peninsula and surrounding islands. The institution aims to promote conservation of these important, though sometimes unpopular, creatures. Unique arts and crafts shops featuring weaving and pottery are found throughout the city. The local university specializes in marine biology, botany, and whale research.

Explore picturesque Loreto with its world-class marine park.

Located on the Sea of Cortés coast of the Baja peninsula, Loreto is the site of the first permanent Spanish settlement on the Baja peninsula. Many unsuccessful attempts to settle on the peninsula were made over a period of 162 years. Finally, Jesuit Padre Juan Maria Salvatierra founded the first mission in all the Californias at Loreto in 1697. This mission became a base for California exploration and the expansion of the mission system throughout the peninsula and as far north as Sonoma in Northern California.

Loreto prospered until a hurricane devastated the community in 1829. Although the mission church survived, the damage was so extensive, and the fear of future hurricanes so high, that the capital was moved from Loreto to La Paz in 1830. The town was deserted until the mid-1800's when many English immigrants resettled the area. After World War II, Loreto became a small commercial and sport-fishing center. The current population is approximately 10,000. Loreto is serviced by a small airport with direct flights from Los Angeles. A few miles south, the seaside Nopolo resort offers a wonderful tennis center and 18-hole golf course.

Locals and visitors alike enjoy this small, friendly, picturesque community located on the edge of the protected Loreto National Marine Park. This reserve was created to protect the rich biodiversity of this spectacular area. The reserve includes five deserted islands to the east and the shoreline west of the islands. The majestic Sierra de la Giganta mountain range dominates Loreto’s western view.

In the springtime, Loreto's offshore waters offer world-class yellowtail fishing. In the summer, sport fishermen angle for marlin, dorado, and sailfish.

Manicured fig trees shade the cobblestone streets, which meander throughout the colonial architecture. The pace in town is friendly and leisurely, with arts and crafts shops lining the streets. The Mission Museum offers a glimpse into Baja’s past with exhibits of archeological artifacts, paintings, sculptures, and fossils. The mission contains five oil paintings, the Stations of the Cross, bell, and crucifix from the 18th century.

Loreto National Marine Park consists of 500,000 acres, including the islands of Coronado, del Carmen, Danzante, Monserrate, and Santa Catalina, and the coastal region west of the islands.

Look for whales, porpoise and dolphins in the Sea of Cortés.