Serenade of the Seas - April 29, 2025 (5 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.

One of the most beautiful cities in North America, Vancouver, British Columbia grew from a small lumber village in the 1800s to the third largest metropolitan area in all of Canada. Located at the point where the Fraser River spills into the Pacific and at the abrupt conflux of the Cascade Mountains and Coast Range, Vancouver is spectacular in its scenery. It is also a major cruise port for vacationers heading to Alaska, with over 250 departures during the spring and summer season. While in Vancouver, you will find no end to the attractions, beautiful landmarks and historical architecture that make this one of the most modern cosmopolitan cities on earth.

Vancouver is served by several different cruise lines, and has two separate cruise terminals. One is Canada Place Terminal, directly in front of the central business district and adjacent to hotels, shopping and restaurants. The other is Ballantyne Pier - about a ten minute taxi ride from downtown. There is a shuttle service available between the Ballantyne Pier and the downtown.

Visiting the Gastown district is a must for tourists. Part of the downtown area, it is the oldest section of the city and is still paved with cobblestone. Here you can marvel at the old gaslight structures, hobnob in the many curio shops and find just about every type of lunch and dinner fare. Near the Canada Place terminal is the Harbour Center Tower, offering a speedy elevator ride to the top, where you can get a full 360 degree view of the city. For families, there is no better destination than Stanley Park, one of the largest urban parks in North America. At the northern end of the downtown area, this large open space is perfect for strolling, especially along the outer shore where the photo opportunities never end. The Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre is also located here and is worth an entire afternoon. The Granville Island market area is a local favorite for its fresh produce and other fine foods, but also includes the artists' area where homemade crafts are available for purchase. There is even a special Kids Market where every toy imaginable is for sale, including handmade wooden delights and one-of-a-kind costumes. Along the waterfront there are several city boat tours that take visitors past the downtown area for a reasonable price. And if you are truly feeling adventurous, head north of Vancouver to the world famous Capilano Suspension Bridge, where the bungee jumping sport is taken to new heights - 230 feet to be exact - and featuring the new Treetops Adventure, where a series of smaller bridges connect with each other far above the river rapids.

Vancouver is chock full of excellent restaurants, especially those specializing in seafood and Oriental cuisine. Try the Dockside Restaurant and Brewing Company, located in the Granville Island district and complete with its very own microbrewery. The Alaskan king crab, halibut and salmon dishes are superb. Also of note is the Joe Fortes Seafood and Chophouse at 777 Thurlow, featuring yummy fish, shrimp and oysters. In Stanley Park families will find the Prospect Point Cafe, with its own kid's menu and offering up reasonably priced entrees like halibut fish and chips, grilled salmon steaks and various burgers. The cafeteria-style Hon's Wun Tun House at 1339 Robson Street is perfect as a casual dining destination. Its attractive open kitchen design lends a personal, homey feeling and is quite popular with the locals.

Taxis are plentiful and can be called on at any major hotel as well as the cruise terminals. The public bus service operates routes from the central business district to every outlying neighborhood, and the shuttle service from Vancouver International Airport serves the waterfront and both cruise terminals. The public transit system also includes the Skytrain light rail as well as the Seabus, which connects the center of town to North Vancouver. The Canada Place cruise terminal, Gastown and Granville Island are all within walking distance of each other.

Vancouver has a moderate Pacific climate, and rainfall is scarce during the summer months. However, the marine influence can mean chilly evenings even in July. There are plenty of Internet cafes in town, and most hotels have WiFi connectivity. Also remember that the ATMs will dispense only Canadian currency. If you are driving from the United States to Vancouver - from Seattle, for example - you will need to have either a passport or enhanced style driver license at the border crossing.