This itinerary starts and ends in San Diego, which already sets the tone for an easy, no-fuss escape. From there, the ship glides south along a stretch of Mexico that feels both familiar and wonderfully overlooked., with stops in Cabo San Lucas, La Paz, and Loreto, isn’t the standard cruise you see everywhere, and that’s exactly its charm.
After a week aboard the Nieuw Amsterdam, these are the moments that stayed with me.
Cabo San Lucas
Cabo is a place of contrasts, you can ride a camel one morning and be snorkeling Chileno Bay by noon. For me, though, the highlight was a more grounded adventure, a cooking experience at Metate, a Michelin Bib Gourmand recognized restaurant tucked just off the main road.
Calling it a “cooking class” is a bit generous. It’s really a full-on tasting journey, with just enough hands-on activity to feel involved. We wandered through the gardens, admiring agave, marigolds, moringa, and mango trees, then settled in with a Wildflower cocktail made with mezcal, hibiscus, cinnamon, clove, and piloncillo.
We made our own signature drink, the Mula Metatera, with mezcal, ginger, mint, basil, and lemon, folded tortillas for quesadillas filled with huitlacoche, and savored plate after plate, mackerel ceviche, battered Baja fish tacos, and pork shank prepared carnitas-style. Dessert, a silky flan, felt like the perfect way to linger over a long lunch with friends.
La Paz
La Paz truly lives up to its name. The port is only about five minutes from the Balandra overlook trailhead, where a 2.2-kilometer hike leads you through cactus, including the surprisingly sweet-and-sour variety, and rocky desert terrain. The first half is uphill and the gravelly path can get a little slippery, but it’s not overly challenging and the scenery invites a leisurely pace.
The view from the top is stunning, turquoise water curving into Balandra Beach, a sight that lives up to every postcard you’ve ever seen. On the way back, we stopped at Tecolote Beach, a soft-sand cove where the water is shallow and the fish tacos and guacamole taste better simply because you’ve earned them. If you’re feeling adventurous, jet skis are available, but a cold drink and a dip in the water worked perfectly for me.
Loreto
Loreto is history in slow motion. Founded in 1697, it was the first Spanish settlement on the Baja Peninsula, and walking its streets feels like stepping back in time.
On our walking tour, we explored the first paved street in the Californias, past 19th-century homes and the town hall, leading to the Mission of Our Lady of Loreto. Step inside for 17th-century paintings and an ornate altar, then visit the adjacent museum, which pairs Indigenous artifacts with art brought by missionaries centuries ago. Afterward, there’s plenty of time to browse the local shops, stroll the malecón, and enjoy a plate of guacamole at Mi Loreto. It’s history served at a pace that feels just right.
This Baja California cruise showed me a side of Mexico that feels gentle, layered, and full of surprises. Starting and ending in San Diego was an added bonus