Baja California is a slender peninsula sticking south from the continent in western Mexico for almost a thousand miles. To the west is the Pacific Ocean and to the east is the Sea of Cortes blessing it with almost two thousand miles of spectacular beaches. At the very southern tip is a world class destination known for fantastic beaches, boating, deep sea fishing and five star amenities known as Cabo San Lucas but often referred to as just Cabo.
Baja California, is the Sovereign State of Baja California in Mexico. It is the northernmost and westernmost of the 32 Federal States of Mexico. Before becoming a state in 1952, the area was known as the Northern Territory of Baja California.
Cabo is a popular port of call for cruises out of California as well as Panama Canal cruises and cruise ships traveling in and out of Hawaii.
Where Your Ship Docks
Cabo has no facilities to support cruise ships so this is a tender port. Ships anchor outside the small harbor just off Lands End. The tender dock is right in the middle of the popular harbor with easy access to shops, cafes, restaurants, excursion and charter boats. The downtown area is only a short walk away. There are also a number of good public facilities in the harbor.
Transportation
The best way to get outside of the city is to rent a car. All of the major agencies are represented from Avis and Alamo (not a popular name in Mexico) to Dollar. Because of where Cabo is situated it is somewhat isolated but there are a few attractions worth an extended trip. If you are interested in a distant location you can negotiate a fare with a local taxi.
One destination of particular interest is the Cabo Pulmo National Park about thirty miles up the east coast from Cabo. It features incredible beaches and spectacular coral reefs near shore. Take a look at the official web site HERE.
Currency
The local currency is the Mexican Peso but the U.S. Dollar is readily accepted. All major credit cards are welcome. One area of caution is be careful of pay phones and ATM’s. They can have very high fees if you aren’t cautious.
Attractions
The Cabo Wabo Cantina. This nightclub founded by Sammy Hagar of Van Halen is still an attraction. Watch a live rock band performing. In addition to the bar the cantina serves breakfast and lunch with dinner at the nearby Tequila Factory restaurant. Sammy Hagar is known to sometimes make an appearance.
El Arco. This beautiful rock formation off the coast of Cabo San Lucas is visible from Medano Beach. There are glass-bottomed boat tours, whale watching charters, diving or snorkeling tour getting you up close. The waters around El Arco are clear and teeming with life, and it’s a popular site to snorkel, dive, and watch for whales. It’s the signature attraction of Cabo San Lucas.
Lover’s Beach. This secluded cove is hidden at the tip of Land’s End, surrounded by cliffs and accessible only by boat. It’s a perfect attraction for those looking to get away from the crowds and vendors at Medana Beach. It features beaches facing both oceans. Swim only on the Sea of Cortes side – the Pacific side can be dangerous.
The Sand Falls. Ninety feet beneath the waves, a stunning waterfall of sand cascades to depths of 120 feet and more, past hundreds of species of tropical fish and sea life. If you’re a diving enthusiast, you won’t want to miss it. This breathtaking sand chute was originally discovered by Jacques Cousteau, and it remains one of the chief diving attractions of Cabo San Lucas to this day.
Lighthouse of the False Cape. This lighthouse was built in 1890 to guide ships into port at Cabo San Lucas. It’s a ruin now, perched above gently rising sand dunes. The lighthouse is a common attraction with ATV tours and horseback riding excursions. In addition to the lighthouse ruins is beautiful ocean vistas.
The Hotel California. Made famous by the Eagle’s song of the same name it is a popular destination for scenic tours up the Pacific coast. Located about forty-five miles north of Cabo the drive itself is well worth the trip. The Hotel California Web Site.
Approaching The Netherlands from the North Sea cruise ships navigate the North Sea Canal. The canal runs from the IJmuiden locks to the Coenhaven. East of the Coenhaven, the waterway is called the River IJ (both letters are capitalized) and continues up to the Oranjesluizen locks located in the eastern part of Amsterdam. Than from the Oranjesluizen up to the Passenger Terminal in Amsterdam. Unfortunately ships that are 
transiting into Amsterdam often come in before dawn so as to be tied up early in the day. Passengers that are sailing out of Amsterdam late in the day get a much better appreciation of the systems that protect Holland from the North Sea.
Amsterdam is the largest city in the Netherlands famous for tulips, cheese, marijuana, red light districts and canals,. Many people call the country Holland but the true name is the Netherlands with Holland being the name of two of its states. The people are Dutch as is the name of their language.
Your ship will dock at the Cruise Terminal on the river IJ. The cruise facilities are modern with good access to public facilities. From the terminal it is just a 10-minute walk to the central train station. With the cruise ship at your back walk off to your right along the waterfront to reach the station and central Amsterdam.
Transportation
The cruise terminal is only a 20 minute ride from Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport and just a ten minute walk to Amsterdam Central Train station. There is also frequent train service from the station to Schiphol Airport. Amsterdam has an excellent and inexpensive bus system
Traveling within Amsterdam by public transportion is easy to understand and very convenient. The network is operated by GVB throughout the central city and connects its neighborhoods with trains, trams, metro, bus and ferry. The least expensive and most convenient way to see the city is with GVB day passes. Available from 1 to 7 days, with prices starting from €8.50 per person, per day and valid on trams, buses and metros operated throughout Amsterdam. You can buy your tickets in advance from the GVB website 
Currency
The Netherlands, like other members of the EU uses the euro as its official currency. You will often discover that to avoid the use of the 1 and 2 cent coins, many cash transactions are rounded to the nearest five cents in the Netherlands. Credit and debit cards a commonly accepted but U.S. Dollars need to be changed into Euros.
Attractions
Van Gogh Museum – A must-visit for art fans and historians, the spectacular Van Gogh Museum has been one of Amsterdam’s top attractions since it opened in 1972.
The Intentional Travelers 