From Fort Lauderdale to Cartagena · North America · 10 nights
Crystal Symphony returned to the ultra-luxury cruise sector in 2023 – fully refurbished and enhanced and not to be missed.
The beloved Crystal Symphony, having been dutifully maintained
for the past three decades underwent an extensive refurbishment in
2023, reducing the guest capacity and enhancing the accommodations
onboard. Crystal signatures such as exceptional service and
world-class dining remain but the ship returned to service with a
new lease of life.
These days Fort Lauderdale is a sophisticated place awash with upmarket hotels and excellent restaurants. The glorious weather and swathes of golden beach are still a huge draw, but there are also plenty of cultural attractions, such as the Museum of Art and the Museum of Discovery and Science. The city also boasts 300 miles of navigable waterways and canals, meaning there's plenty of space for the resident millionaires to park their yachts, and the cruise port is one of the busiest in the world.
Cozumel first made its name as an off the beaten track destination for divers, thanks to the crystalline waters and low key beach vibe. These days the cat is very much out of the bag, but get away from the craft shops and jewellery stores of the busy port and you’ll find a welcoming island community that is still authentically Mexican.
Belize’s capital does not enjoy the best reputation, and we wouldn’t recommend spending too much time here; use it instead as a jumping-off point to explore the fascinating Mayan ruins of Xunantunich, Lamanai and Altun Ha, or take a snorkelling trip to the beautiful Barrier Reef, including the famous Blue Hole.
The port of Santo Tomás de Castilla sits on Guatemala’s sliver of Caribbean coastline, and serves as a jumping-off point to explore this fascinating country. Nearby highlights include the Mayan site of Quiriguá and colourful, laid-back Livingston, and it’s also possible to take a day trip by air to the famous ruins at Tikal.
Roatán is the largest and busiest of the Bay Islands, which sit off the coast of Honduras in the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean Sea. It’s a fantastic destination for divers and snorkellers, with a stunning reef just offshore, and also boasts some lovely beaches.
Puerto Limón is a busy port on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, and plays a vital role in the export of bananas. Take a trip out of the city and explore the lush rainforest, with nearby attractions including the canals of Tortuguero National Park, a key breeding site for green turtles.
Situated at the Atlantic entrance to the Panama Canal, Colón is not somewhere you will want to hang around for long, and serves merely as a gateway to the Canal, which will carry you to much nicer places.
Cartagena was founded by Spanish conquistadors in 1533, and the beautifully preserved centre is a real highlight of Colombia’s Caribbean coast. The walled old town, the Ciudad Amurallada, is a camera-friendly collection of cobbled streets and colourful, colonial-era buildings.
