Amazing marine life in the Sea of Cortez - all photos compliments of Holland America Line

Formed some five million years ago by tectonic plate action, the Sea of Cortez is now rich with marine life and its sheltered, narrow outline means mostly calm waters. Jacques Cousteau famously called it ‘the world’s aquarium’, and for very good reason as there are over 900 fish species and 32 types of marine mammal gathering to feed and breed here.

Come join us as we cruise this fascinating corner of the world on a Holland America EXC in-depth voyage on board the beautiful ms Maasdam. This type of exploration is for the traveller who is curious, thoughtful and eager to find new ways to experience our world. Thirteen days spent cruising the world’s aquarium visiting multiple ports of call full of history, culture, and amazing cuisine await you! All this experienced from the comfort of our luxurious and exquisite cruise ship, the ms Maasdam.

Do call today to reserve your places on this voyage and savour the journey with us!

12 night cruise on the ms Maasdam, based on sharing a twin bedded stateroom in category selected

Baggage handling shipside

All meals and entertainment on board

Services of our cruise escort and/or cruise director

All gratuities for included shipboard services

All cruise line taxes and fees

Air - inclusive rates also include:

Estimated return airfare from cities listed

Transfers between the airport and ship

All current air taxes, fuel surcharges and fees

Airport transfers in Canada or equivalent value

The beautiful ms Maasdam offers a world of spacious staterooms, elegant public rooms, expansive teak decks, priceless antiques and the friendly gracious staff for which Holland America is justly famous. At just over 62,000 tons, she carries just 1,258 passengers in spacious and pampered luxury.

Fifteen different lounges and restaurants are ours to enjoy. Appreciate the spacious Mainstage with stage shows, the gracious Dining Room with floor-to-ceiling windows, the redesigned Lido Market for casual breakfasts, lunches and dinners, the Pinnacle Grill for elegant alternative dining (supplemental fee applies), the full-size theatre and numerous other lounges. A complete Promenade deck, two pools and a superb fitness spa with beauty parlour are all ours to enjoy. New features include the Explorations Café featuring the Library, internet service and a coffee bar, the Culinary arts Centre with cooking classes and presentations and the upgraded Greenhouse Spa.

All staterooms feature two beds which can convert to a queen, a private bathroom with shower, individually controlled air conditioning, telephone, ample closet space, flat-panel television and DVD player plus multi-channel music. Recent enhancements include new plush Euro-Top mattresses, fine Egyptian cottons, personal terry cloth robes and more. All staterooms feature a separate sitting area plus vanity and the average size is over 180 square feet. Most outside staterooms feature a picture-window. Deluxe mini-suites and suites have a whirlpool bath, private veranda, mini-bar/fridge, plus floor-to-ceiling windows.

Shore Excursions are not included in your cruise cost, allowing you the freedom to choose from several optional tours that will be offered in each port. Excursions will be available for purchase through the Holland America Line website or after embarkation.

Ports of Call

San Diego, California: Easygoing San Diego embodies the Southern California surfer town of fantasy, with its more than 300 days of sun, mild year-round temperatures and accessible, sporty pastimes and tourist attractions. You can hike the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve to get a glimpse of whale migrations, explore the distinctive neighbourhoods: Old Town, North Park, Point Loma and Coronado. And don’t pass up the chance to investigate Sand Diego’s quickly growing reputation as a culinary destination. Its inventive new restaurants and huge craft-brewing industry are something to be explored.

Cruising Bahia Magdalena: Along Mexico ’s Baja California Sur lies Bahia Magdalena, an ideal place to view gray whales reproducing, giving birth, feeing and socializing, as well as dolphins, seabirds and other marine life.

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico: Visitors are drawn here for sun, sand and for the opportunity to slow down and relax. Los Cabos - or the Capes - sits at the southernmost tip of the Baja California Penninsula, a narrow strip of land whose varied geography, both above and underwater, makes for plenty of interesting activities and some unusual ones, too. Enjoy fishing, golfing, whale watching, or visit picture-perfect El Arco, an arch that may look familiar thanks to its cameo on postcards and tourism advertisements. Pichilingue (La Paz): The port of Pichilingue sits just over 20 kilometers (12 miles) north of La Paz, a city of 215,000 on the Baja California Peninsula. The name La Paz translates as "peace," but it is possible that the Spaniards chose that with some sense of irony. The first Spanish conquistadores landed here in 1535, yet it took them nearly 200 years to build the first settlement due to resistance from the indigenous people in the area. Modern La Paz, however, certainly lives up to its name. The capital of Baja California Sur is a friendly, vibrant city nestled into a calm bay along the Sea of Cortez.

Oct 7, Wed San Diego, California

Embark / Sail 5:00pm

Oct 8, Thu At Sea

Oct 9, Fri Cruising Bahia Magdalena

Arrive 10:00am / Sail 4:00pm

Oct 10, Sat Cabo San Lucas, Mexico *

Arrive 8:00am / Sail 5:00pm

Oct 11, Sun Pichilingue (La Paz)

Arrive 8:00am / Sail 6:00pm

Oct 12, Mon Loreto, Baja California Sur *

Arrive 8:00am / Sail 6:00pm

Oct 13, Tue Guaymas

Arrive 8:00am / Sail 4:00pm

Oct 14, Wed Topolobampo

Arrive 4:30am / Sail 11:00pm

Oct 15, Thu Mazatlan

Arrive 12:00pm / Sail 6:00pm

Oct 16, Fri Puerto Vallarta

Arrive 8:00am / Sail 11:00pm

Oct 17, Sat At Sea

Oct 18, Sun At Sea

Oct 19, Mon San Diego, California

Arrive 8:00am / Disembark / Fly to Canada

* Tenders to Shore

EXC In-Depth TM

Voyages programme is

offered on this itinerary. Designed to

provide a greater emphasis on the

destination, this exclusive program offers

optional activities under themes such as

Food, Wine & Spirits, Nature and

Science, Active Exploration, History and Perspective, Arts

and Culture, and Photography. Some evening

entertainment shall be replaced with talks and

presentations reflecting the local culture. You will have the

opportunity to follow native experts onshore as they take

you to hidden places only locals know of. Local culinary

traditions will be brought onboard by regional chefs who

exclusively cook locally sourced ingredients, bringing you

closer to your destination for an unforgettable voyage.

This cruise is suitable for all passengers who meet our basic criteria for group travel.

EFF31JUL19

Cruise Cost in Canadian Dollars per person

Category/Description/Deck Sharing Twin

K Inside (Main)............................................................ $2,245

I Inside (Lower Promenade, Veranda, Navigation) ................ $2,315

E Outside (A Deck, Main, Lower Promenade) .................... $2,575

DA Outside (Main) ...................................................... $2,655

D Outside (A Deck, Lower Promenade) ............................ $2,695

C Outside (Main) ........................................................ $2,735

CA Lanai (Lower Promenade) ........................................ $3,365

BA Vista Suite (Navigation) ......................................... $4,595

B Vista Suite (Veranda, Navigation) ............................... $4,665

A Vista Suite (Veranda) ............................................... $4,995 Above rates are cruise only and are per person based on sharing the category chosen and include all of the applicable Inclusive Features. See Deck Plan for full details on various categories available. For Single rates, ask for prices or visit our website.

Toronto ......................................................................... $895 Ottawa / Montreal ......................................................... $995 Halifax / Winnipeg ...................................................... $1,095 Regina / Saskatoon ................................................... $1,225 Calgary / Edmonton / Victoria ....................................... $995 Vancouver..................................................................... $795

Airfares from other gateways are available on request. Airfares and air carrier are subject to change and will be confirmed prior to final payment. Refer to inclusive features for details. Preliminary Air Pricing: air prices are estimated (subject to confirmation). Final pricing will be advised once flights are confirmed.

Cruise price is based on sharing a twin-bedded stateroom with private bathroom. Prices are based on rates, taxes and fees effective June 2019. Prices are subject to change due to factors beyond our control. This cruise will operate with a minimum of two members as listed - an escort will accompany the group with a minimum of 20 travelling.

Prices DO NOT INCLUDE the cost of insurance which is available and is highly recommended. Premiums vary with the cost, length of the trip, and the traveller’s age. For passengers up to and including 74 years on departure date, premiums will range from $211 to $314 pp plus applicable taxes. Cost supplements for travellers aged 75-85 will range from $177 to $355 pp plus applicable taxes. Clients 86 years and older and/or clients residing outside Ontario – please contact our staff for procedures. This insurance is effective from the date of purchase and carries limitations on pre-existing medical conditions. Please discuss your insurance coverage prior to booking. Check our website for the most current information. Refer to the enrollment form for general information and conditions.

Final payment will be due July 2, 2020 Deposit is $500 per person

To reserve your spot on this cruise, simply complete the enclosed enrolment form, indicating the cabin type you prefer and your home city, and forward it with your deposit to:

Loreto, Baja California Sur: Peaceful seaside Loreto dates to 1697, when it became the first colonial settlement on the Baja Peninsula and the capital of the Spanish colony of the Californias. These days, the town has spread beyond its colonial origins, but it retains beautiful relics from the past, especially of the Dominican, Franciscan and Jesuit orders, all of which were active here.

Guaymas: Guaymas lies in a quiet bay in the sparkling Sea of Cortez. Step back in time as you tour the neoclassic San Fernando Church and the Moorish 13 de Julio Plaza in the historic town center. Explore the popular beaches and picturesque bays in nearby San Carlos.

Topolobampo: Have you heard of Topolobampo? Good, don't tell anyone. Holland America Line is the only major cruise line to call on this peaceful port on Mexico's Sea of Cortez. Awaiting your arrival: playful bottlenose dolphins; the mansion of Don Diego de la Vega, "El Zorro"; grand visions of the Chihuahua-al-Pacifico Railway, a luxury train through Mexico's scenic Copper Canyon.

Mazatlan: Mazatlán is a pleasant port city in the Mexican state of Sinaloa, where the best of traditional Mexican architecture, food and culture is found alongside contemporary conveniences, amenities and attractions. There's a reason why Americans and Canadians flock here, particularly in winter: It's a warm and welcoming place with plenty to keep visitors entertained for a vacation getaway. There really is something for everyone here, from golfing, fishing and zip lining to sampling agave-based spirits on a distillery tour or learning more about local history at the archaeological museum.

Puerto Vallarta: Unique compared to Acapulco, Cancún, Zihuatanejo and several other coastal resort towns in Mexico—many of which were created by the government as planned communities—Puerto Vallarta ("PV" to locals), on the Pacific Ocean, retains quite a bit of its colonial-era charm. Its town square, Plaza de Armas, and the gorgeous parish church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, topped with an ornate crown and overlooking the port, serve as the loveliest representations of bygone ages.