An unforgettable journey filled with turquoise waters, unexpected detours, incredible sights, and moments of quiet reflection.
Some journeys leave you with photographs and souvenirs. Others leave you with memories, a sense of wonder, and moments that stay with you long after you return home. My 16-day Princess cruise through Mexico, the Panama Canal, and Aruba gave me all of that and more.
As a first-time cruiser, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. I had imagined beautiful ocean views, exciting ports, and plenty of opportunities to relax, but the experience turned out to be so much more than I anticipated.
Setting Sail from Los Angeles
Our adventure began in Denver, where we boarded our flight to Los Angeles, California. From there, a shuttle took us to the cruise ship, where our luggage was waiting for us. We settled into our stateroom almost immediately, and I was delighted by what greeted us.
Our room was gorgeous, complete with a private balcony overlooking the harbor. I knew right away that waking up and winding down each day to a picturesque scene of blue skies and endless water would become one of my favorite parts of the trip.
After unpacking, we set out to explore the ship and familiarize ourselves with its layout, discovering the places we knew we’d visit most often. There was so much to see that it felt like stepping into a floating resort. Between the restaurants, entertainment venues, pools, lounges, and open decks, there was never a shortage of things to discover.
Life on Board: More Than I Expected
I quickly discovered that cruise life offered something for just about everyone.
We attended comedy shows and magic performances, participated in trivia nights, listened to a live DJ, lounged by the pool, and enjoyed dancing. I even tried yoga near the edge of the ship, where the ocean stretched out before us. There was something special about moving through a yoga session with the sea as the backdrop.
One of my unexpected delights happened while we were having lunch on the patio. I caught a glimpse of dolphins swimming nearby! It was one of those lovely surprises that remind you how wonderful it is to be out on the water.
The food was another highlight. From the buffet to the coffee shop and the other dining options, the meals were consistently enjoyable. Whether we were sitting down for a meal or grabbing a coffee between activities, there was always something good to look forward to.
And then there were the evenings. One of the most beautiful experiences was watching the moonlight shimmer across the ocean. As the moon reflected on the water, the world seemed to grow quieter. Those moments became a time for me to unwind, reflect, and release the busyness of the day. The ocean has a way of putting things into perspective, and those peaceful nights were among my favorite memories of the entire journey.
First Stop: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Our first port of call was Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, where we booked a sailboat tour and spent time wandering through the local shops.
Being able to step off the ship and experience a destination firsthand was exciting. The scenery, the local atmosphere, and the opportunity to explore made for a wonderful introduction to cruising. The sailboat tour gave us a different perspective of the area, while walking through the shops allowed us to soak up a little of the local culture.
It was a lovely way to begin our port adventures, and I was eager to see what the rest of the journey would bring.
An Unexpected Change of Plans
Unfortunately, our planned stop in Mazatlán had to be canceled because of Hurricane Simon, which was developing in the region. Although missing a port was disappointing, safety always comes first, and I understood why the decision had to be made.
The cancellation meant an additional day at sea, and while there was still plenty to do on board, the extra time began to feel a little long. When you anticipate visiting several destinations, it’s hard not to feel disappointed when plans change.
Still, we made the most of our time. The ship offered enough activities, entertainment, and places to relax that we were able to keep ourselves occupied. It was also a reminder that travel doesn’t always unfold according to plan. Sometimes you have to adjust, find new ways to enjoy the experience, and appreciate what is still in front of you.
The Panama Canal: An Engineering Marvel
Of all the experiences on this cruise, transiting the Panama Canal was perhaps the most extraordinary.
There are places you visit that are beautiful, and then there are places that leave you genuinely amazed by what human beings can accomplish. The Panama Canal was one of those places for me.
The Panama Canal is an approximately 50-mile artificial waterway connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans through the Isthmus of Panama. Opened in 1914, it transformed global shipping by providing a shortcut between the oceans, eliminating the need for ships to make the much longer journey around the southern tip of South America.
What makes the canal so remarkable is its system of locks. Rather than traveling at sea level throughout the crossing, ships are raised and lowered in enormous chambers that function much like water elevators. Water flows into or out of the chambers to lift or lower vessels, allowing them to navigate the different elevations along the route. The canal’s artificial lakes and carefully engineered waterways make this incredible feat possible.
Watching our cruise ship move through the canal was fascinating. Seeing a massive cargo ship ahead of us made the experience even more impressive. These enormous vessels, carrying people and goods across the world, were moving through a system that required extraordinary planning, engineering, and human ingenuity.
I found myself in awe. It was one thing to read about the Panama Canal or see pictures of it, but witnessing it firsthand was entirely different. It was a powerful reminder of how determination, innovation, and collaboration can transform an ambitious idea into something that changes the world.
The Panama Canal wasn’t just another stop on our itinerary. It was an experience that gave me a deeper appreciation for human achievement and the remarkable things we are capable of creating.
Aruba: Turquoise Waters and Island Beauty
Our final port of call was Aruba, and what a beautiful place to end our journey.
The island greeted us with stunning turquoise water, white-sand beaches, and fascinating rock formations. The contrast between the brilliant blue sea and the pale sand was breathtaking, and the natural landscape offered a completely different feel from the other destinations we had visited.
We took a bus tour around the island, which gave us an opportunity to see some of Aruba’s scenery and distinctive rock formations. Although I would have loved more time to enjoy the beach, even our short time by the water was memorable. The turquoise sea was every bit as beautiful as I had imagined.
Aruba was a wonderful reminder that sometimes the simplest moments are the most memorable: standing beside the ocean, taking in the colors of the water, and appreciating the beauty of a place so different from home.
A Special Mention: Cruise Director Cole Bockman
No cruise experience is complete without acknowledging the people who help make it special, and our cruise director, Cole Bockman, deserves a mention.
His wit, charm, and entertaining personality added so much to the overall atmosphere on board. A great cruise director can bring energy to the ship, make people laugh, and help create an experience that feels more personal and enjoyable. Cole certainly made an impression on me, and his presence was one of the highlights of our time at sea.
The Moments Between the Destinations
When I look back on those 16 days, it’s easy to think first about the places we visited: Cabo San Lucas, the Panama Canal, and Aruba. But some of my favorite memories weren’t tied to a port at all.
They were the quiet mornings on our balcony, the endless blue horizon, the unexpected sight of dolphins, the laughter at a comedy show, and the moonlight dancing across the ocean at night.
Those evenings were especially meaningful. After a full day of activities, there was something deeply peaceful about stepping back, looking out at the water, and allowing myself a little time to think. The ocean seemed to offer space to breathe, reflect, and simply be present.
Travel can be exciting and exhausting all at once. It brings new sights and experiences, but it also asks us to be flexible when things don’t go as planned. Our missed port reminded me of that, while the Panama Canal reminded me to stay open to experiences that might be far more remarkable than anything I had originally imagined.
And perhaps that is part of the beauty of travel: you never know exactly what you will take away from a journey until you have lived it.
Would I Cruise Again?
We returned home tired, but amazed by everything we had seen and experienced. Sixteen days at sea was a wonderful adventure, and my first cruise certainly did not disappoint.
I’m still not entirely sure that cruise life is for me. I loved the scenery, the entertainment, the dining, and the convenience of waking up in a new place without having to pack and unpack along the way. At the same time, spending so many consecutive days on a ship gave me a new appreciation for the freedom of being on land and exploring at my own pace.
But I won’t rule out another cruise. There are still so many places in the world I’d love to see, and now I have a better understanding of what cruising can offer.
If nothing else, this journey reminded me that life is meant to be experienced. There will always be unexpected detours, changing plans, and moments when we need to slow down and adjust. There will also be breathtaking views, fascinating places, and quiet moments that stay with us long after the journey ends.
As I settle back into life at home, I know I’ll remember the turquoise waters of Aruba, the engineering wonder of the Panama Canal, the beauty of Cabo San Lucas, and the moon reflecting across the ocean late at night.
And while I’m still deciding whether cruise life is for me, one thing is certain: I’m grateful I had the opportunity to experience it.
Sixteen days, countless memories, and a reminder that there is still so much of the world waiting to be explored.