Celebrity Summit - October 1, 2026 (17 Nights)

Los Angeles is more than just Hollywood and palm trees, it is also a major cruise port for vacationers heading to Mexico, Panama and beyond. And although the cruise terminals are not in L.A. but rather south of the city, visitors will have plenty of time - so long as they have transportation - to explore the City of the Angels and take in the beautiful beaches, the wonderful museums and of course, Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm. If you insist on visiting the major motion picture studios and perhaps getting a glimpse of a megastar, of course you can fit that in as well. Los Angeles cannot be fully explored in a day or two, but there is plenty to keep the motor running while you are awaiting departure for Mazatlan or wherever.

Cruises from Los Angeles depart either from the modern World Cruise Center facility at San Pedro or at the Carnival Cruise Terminal in Long Beach. Both are about 20 miles south of downtown, but there are shuttle buses and taxis ready to take you to the center of L.A. and its attractions. For those catching flights after their cruise is completed, there is even a baggage check service at the San Pedro terminal. Rental cars can also be reserved for pickup at the cruise terminals; however, this may incur an extra fee on top of the daily rate.

The list here is never-ending, as the region has many attractions to offer. Of course, the main feature, so to speak, are the visits to Hollywood, Paramount and other motion picture studios. All have tours and shuttle trolley rides and visitors can get up close and personal with the stars of yesterday and today, at least the cardboard cutout variety. Some of the lesser thought of attractions are among the best, however. Take a trip to the famous Rancho La Brea with its amazing tar pits, a reminder of ancient life on earth. Here you see where the gas in your automobile comes from. Take a trip by taxi or bus to the Mt. Wilson Observatory north of Pasadena and get a stunning view of the metropolitan area, at least when the air quality allows it. From Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood get the best view of the famous Hollywood hill sign. At the Griffith Observatory and Planetarium north of downtown, gaze though a powerful telescope and spend hours touring the astronomy museum. This is excellent for families, who can then head to the nearby Los Angeles Zoo. And the already mentioned Disneyland speaks for itself. Remember that both Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm are in the Anaheim area, far away from downtown L.A. and destinations such as these can take time on the roadway, thanks to the congested traffic.

In and around Hollywood and on Rodeo Drive there are a number of establishments that are favorites with the locals. The Musso and Frank Grill is the oldest restaurant in Hollywood and is excellent for lunch. The Ivy Restaurant on North Robertson Blvd is a favorite for hanging out and looking for celebrities. Closer to the cruise terminals is the equally renowned L'Opera Ristorante which serves up the best in Northern Italian cuisine, especially their fantastic seafood plates. And one of the most beloved institutions in the entire Southern California region is Pinks, quite possibly the finest hot dogs in America. Located by the Beverly Shopping Mall, it draws huge crowds from opening to closing time.

Los Angeles is such a sprawling metropolis that a rental car is a must. It's either that or spend a lot of time transferring between buses or spending all your vacation money on taxis. Rental cars can be reserved for pickup near the cruise terminals, and once downtown, the subway system will be of some help. There are also shuttle services from the cruise terminals to a limited number of area hotels. Or course you can act like a movie star and hire a limousine if you really want to.

Visitors to Los Angeles should allow plenty of time to get from one location to another, not only because of the traffic but also because of the great distances involved. The weather is usually sunny but not too hot in the summer and rather mild in the winter. Places that have WiFi are found everywhere, and there are plenty of telephones at the cruise terminals. Exchanging U.S. dollars for foreign currency is not necessary for cruise vacationers; American money can be used at Mexican ports.

Cayman Islands consists of 3 islands, of which the Grand Cayman is the largest. Grand Cayman island also hosts George Town, which is the capital of Cayman Islands. Seven Mile Beach, located on the west coast of George Town, is regarded as one of the best beaches in the world. George Town is a beautiful and alluring area of the Cayman Islands with much to offer to travelers from all around the world. Most travelers find George Town an exciting port of call when cruising the Caribbean.

Cruise ships usually anchor in the harbor; after that the passengers are transferred to either Northern or Southern cruise ship dock of George Town port. It's very convenient because both of these docks are located right in the center of George Town and you can start enjoying all that this beautiful island has to offer right away.

George Town offers a fascinating plethora of activities and attractions, including three within immediate walking distance from the port - the Cayman Islands National Museum, the Cayman Maritime Treasure Museum and the remains of Fort George, a fortress built in 1790 to protect the harbor. Those who enjoy multimedia shows may also wish to consider a visit to the Pedro Saint James Castle, which is a stone structure created in 1780, much of which was preserved in its natural state and is now host to hourly multimedia displays. Another place you may want to visit is the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park. There is much to observe in these famous gardens and it is not uncommon to come face to face with endemic blue iguanas when walking one of the many nature trails of this 1900s Cayman sand garden and farmhouse. You should also stop by Seven Mile Beach - an amazing beach that is perhaps the most popular spot of cruise travelers.

There are a number of outdoor cafes and restaurants located directly on the shore, many of which can be seen when pulling into port. In addition, local eateries such as the Sunset House and Breezes by the Bay are located in downtown George Town. Those who enjoy contemporary international fare may wish to visit the Bacchus Restaurant and Wine Bar where the menu changes on a daily basis. For an alternative experience, one may visit the Sapphire Lounge, the island's only authentic martini lounge. One can choose from an impressive 225 different cocktails and over 125 unique martini creations. For those who find the cozy atmosphere of a genuine Irish Pub enjoyable, Fidel Murphy's Irish Pub is the perfect choice. Vacationers who prefer a sports bar will not want to miss a trip to Legendz, the busiest and most popular sports bar on the island.

Although many walkable shopping and dining areas lie throughout the George Town harbor, areas such as Seven Mile Beach and many of the bars and lounges are not within walking distance. However, getting around George Town is not difficult as taxis are readily available at the cruise docks and at every resort. In addition, bus transportation is available and the Grand Cayman public bus system is an excellent way to transverse the island for a nominal fee. Buses are easily identified by blue license plates and daily service typically starts at 6am.

The Cayman Islands has its own currency named Cayman Island Dollar. A US dollar is worth about 80 cents in Cayman dollars. You can, however, use US dollars for pretty much all your shopping and meals. The official language is English. Should you need to use the internet, you can easily find cafes and shops in George Town center that offer wifi service.

Once nothing more than a sleepy retirement community for east coasters, the Tampa Bay area is now a bustling, modern metropolis that offers a wide range of entertainment opportunities for both vacationers and locals. It is an important cruise departure/arrival port for tourists heading to the Western Caribbean and Panama Canal, and those who choose to spend a couple of days in the region before or after their cruise will delight in the wonderful mix of Old and New World charm, the beautiful beaches and the myriad of fine shops and restaurants.

Cruises depart from the Port of Tampa Cruise Terminal, a modern facility located just a few minutes from the central business district. The terminal is adjacent to the Channelside Complex which is full of gift shops, movie cinemas and restaurants. There are several bank branches and a number of ATMs at the terminal, and visitors can take a waterfront cruise via catamaran for free. Taxis and public buses can be hailed at the terminal facility, which includes a full-service parking garage.

One of the biggest tourist draws in the region is the Busch Gardens, located off of Busch Blvd. Perfect for families, this amusement park has every conceivable kind of ride, offers an off-road safari and the complex holds the largest zoo in all of Florida. Right beside the cruise terminal one finds the Florida Aquarium, home to more than 5,000 animal and plant species. At 1 Dali Blvd is another of Tampa Bay's marvels - the extraordinary Salvador Dali Museum. The largest collections of works by the famous artist can be seen here daily. And just a short taxi ride away is St. Petersburg, with its beautiful 19th century architecture and the famous Central Avenue that is chock full of antique shops. Beach enthusiasts should head north to Clearwater, where the North American equivalent to Rio's Ipanema is found. Some of the best surfing, plenty of volleyball and the finest white sand in Florida awaits here. And don't forget the Tampa Bay Rays of the American League, who play their home games at Tropicana Field.

Over 2,000 restaurants are found in the Tampa Bay area, many of them specializing in Cajun, West Indian and Southern U.S. cuisine. Near the cruise terminal at 615 Channelside Drive is the popular Tinatapa's Restaurant, serving up a variety of shrimp dishes, gazpacho and soups, bread and salads. The Columbia Restaurant in the historic Ybor City district is one of the oldest eateries in the state, and besides the great food, visitors will love the live performances by flamenco dancers. In St. Petersburg the place to be is Skyway Jack's, popular with the locals and featuring breakfast anytime. The French toast, crepes and the renowned creamed chipped beef are the best in town.

Aside from the taxis, which can be called for at the cruise terminal and from any major hotel, the airport shuttles will take passengers from the Tampa International Airport to downtown, the waterfront and also to St. Petersburg. Rental cars can be reserved and can be picked up or dropped off both at the airport and the cruise terminal. Public buses and trolleys are operated by HART, and its TECO line streetcar operates between all the major waterfront destinations and the central business district.

The weather in Tampa can change in an instant, and the high humidity means a lot of freshening up in the restrooms. Bring light raingear when visiting this part of Western Florida, and be ready for slick roads and possible splash from vehicle tires. Near the cruise terminal and at most major hotels there are Internet cafes for those wanting to use their laptops. But above all, be ready for extremely friendly natives, excellent public transportation and plenty of fun and adventure before or after the cruise.