Grand Princess - August 30, 2025 (16 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.

The state capital of Alaska, Juneau is one of the most beautiful and famous cruise destinations in North America. Founded in 1880 after a major gold strike in the vicinity, Juneau's early history was strongly associated with this precious metal. Today it is a modern, bustling city dominated by the industries of state government, tourism and air transportation. Nestled between the gray-green waters of Gastineau Channel and the spectacular Juneau Icefield, this cruise port offers visitors some of the most stunning scenery in the region.

Juneau's cruise ship dock is located on South Franklin Street, at the southern end of the downtown area. From there it is only a few blocks walk to the Chamber of Commerce, the central business district, state government offices, and most of the popular gift shops. Juneau's harbor can be extremely busy during the summer months, and often cruise ships will remain in the channel and ferry passengers to the tourist docks. Taxi service is available and many city tours that are pre-booked by travelers leave from this location.

For those visiting Juneau the list of sightseeing attractions is nearly endless. The State Museum offers tourists a first rate look into the history of Alaska, with beautiful exhibits highlighting the native culture of the Tlingit and Chilkat tribes, totem poles, Alaska wildlife and of course the glory of the gold rush days. In nearby Mendenhall Valley, visitors can get an up close look at the famous Mendenhall Glacier and examine the geological history of this area on one of the many nature trails. For a truly exciting adventure, visitors are encouraged to take a short flightseeing tour above the 1,500 square mile Juneau Icefield and get a first hand look at this remnant of the last ice age. North of the downtown area and along Glacier Highway are a number of picturesque beaches with spectacular view of the distant Chilkat mountain range. Alaska Native Arts and Crafts operates a store that offers the finest in authentic native clothing and accessories.

Juneau has a good number of fine restaurants that serve up everything from king salmon steaks to halibut filet, king crab and Petersburg shrimp. Most of these establishments are in the downtown area, as are the large number of bars and taverns, some of which are registered as Historic Places and are tastefully decorated in the style of the gold rush era. More traditional cuisine, such as steaks, burgers and pizza is available at a variety of establishments; most of the area hotels have a full restaurant and bar.

Many cruises to Juneau and the Alaska panhandle include city tours that pick up visitors right from the cruise docks. For those making their own way around the city, there are several taxi services, the Capital Transit system and limousine rentals. Visitors wishing to rent a car may do so through a number of agencies and pick up their vehicle either downtown or at the Juneau International Airport. The Chamber of Commerce and most gift shops have complete road maps of the area either free or for purchase.

Juneau has a moderate climate that is quite wet for much of the year; adequate raingear is essential when visiting this part of the state. For those wanting to make cell phone calls or use wireless Internet during their stay, Juneau is well connected and visitors should have no problems with reception. There are a number of ATMs and banks in the downtown area for those needing cash or to obtain traveler's checks.