Pacific Coastal Cruise 7 netter • San Diego, California til Vancouver, British Columbia • Serenade of the Seas

A cruise from San Diego is always a great idea, because it means you get to start your vacation in a city that’s filled with as much adventure as the destinations you’ll soon sail to. San Diego is nicknamed “America’s Finest City,” and it sure lives up to the title. With its breezy, sunny climate and laid-back, beach-town spirit, this West Coast gem beckons with unique experiences. Before you set out on your cruise out of San Diego, head to the world-famous San Diego Zoo for an up-close look at pandas and Komodo dragons. Sip local brews and savor tasty empanadas outdoors at Liberty Public Market. At the San Diego Museum of Man, a climb to the top of the California Tower will yield dazzling views of the sea, city and bay. And of course, make sure you spend some time at the iconic La Jolla Cove, home to sea lions and an underwater park that’s a favorite destination among snorkelers and divers.

Get a feel for this city's maritime spirit as you stroll along the Astoria Riverwalk: Take in views of the Columbia River as you make your way to 36th Street, where sea lions lounge on the sunny pier. The quaint, Scandinavian-influenced downtown is just a short walk from here — stop into the Heritage Museum housed in Old City Hall to learn about the city's roots before you stop into a dockside restaurant for clam chowder or head to Buoy Beer Co. for a cold, locally brewed pint.

Nicknamed the Emerald City, Seattle’s skyscrapers stand tall against a gorgeous backdrop of evergreen-covered peaks. Steep-hilled downtown streets are flanked by notable museums, while Puget Sound’s waterfront hosts the landmark Seattle Great Wheel. Take the Washington State Ferry to Bainbridge Island for Pacific seafood lunches and small lot wine tastings. Or enjoy a daytime hike in Mount Rainier National Park. Whether biking the leafy Burke-Gilman trail or kayaking Lake Union, it’s easy to feel a close connection to Seattle’s natural wonders. And when it comes to spectacular views, Kerry Park poses the skyline’s best Instagram angle.

As one of the oldest cities in the Pacific Northwest, Victoria delivers a delightful blend of romantic British pomp and outdoor Canadian pursuits. Culture seekers and adventure junkies alike get their fill at the southern end of Vancouver Island. Here you can admire traditional Victorian architecture at Craigdarroch Castle and eat your way around Canada’s oldest Chinatown. Explore the vivid floral displays that earned its “Garden City” nickname, or bike the Galloping Goose Regional Trail in the “Cycling Capital of Canada”.

Kick off the afternoon lunching on xiaolongbao buns in Chinatown. Then explore the city’s cultural offerings at the Bill Reid Gallery or Vancouver Art Gallery. Get into some active adventure, whether it’s water-biking False Creek or mountain-biking the North Shore. Evenings are best spent dining and drinking in Yaletown’s hip warehouse district.