Gilded Isthmus – Panama Canal & Oranjestad

About this cruise

You won't run out of things to do on a trip this long, but you also won't feel like you have to do any of them. 16 nights from Los Angeles on December 28, 2026, visiting Puerto Vallarta, Huatulco and Puerto Chiapas, with additional stops along the Caribbean. The sailing ends in Fort Lauderdale. The first couple of days are at sea, which gives you time to settle in and get to know the ship before the ports begin. Crossing 5 borders through the Caribbean: Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Aruba and United States. You'll notice the culture shift at every stop. Most ports give you about 10 hours, so you can do more than just tick off the main sights. As for the ship itself, Island Princess takes the food seriously, with 6 restaurants to choose from. 3 are included, and the rest are worth the splurge. 16 nights is long enough to build a routine on board: favourite restaurant, favourite deck chair, favourite people. It starts to feel like a floating village. A proper voyage for people who like to take their time and hate rushing through destinations. Pro tip: fly in the day before. Los Angeles has plenty to offer, and you'll board relaxed instead of rushed. If you've been thinking about a cruise, this 16-night sailing is a strong place to start.