Mexican Riviera Memories
March 22-29, 2025
We always have a blast in Mexico and 2025 was no exception. One of our favorite shore excursions was a glass bottom boat tour just for our group where we got close to Cabo’s famous El Arco rock formations, saw colorful fish, sailed past some sleeping sea lions, and enjoyed the stunning coastal scenery as we cruised around.
We also had an amazing time in Puerto Vallarta on shore excursions or even just walking around right off the ship. We were greeted by a charming market place with locally made goods and just beyond that was another spot for some great souvenirs for all our family and friends. And if there are any regrets about not buying something the good news is we’ll be back here in 2026!
Onboard our ship was just as fun as being off it though thanks to our programming director Brittany who plans the best activities for caregiver respite times. The Koningsdam has some really fun artwork so Brittany created a scavenger hunt that all our travelers loved; not only did they get to explore the ship but also got to look at art and talk about it which is great for neuroplasticity.
While Brittany ran activities caregivers traveling with us got to enjoy themselves by doing whatever they wanted! We had people playing pickleball, learning line dancing, getting massages, spending time in the hot tubs, or treating themselves to an international wines tasting. The best part is that a lot of the caregivers became fast friends and had the opportunity to do these things together.
As always our group was ready to have fun and we spent plenty of time listening to dueling pianos at the Billboard Lounge, enjoying cover songs played at the Rolling Stone Rock Club, dancing late into the night at BB Kings, and of course partying hard on Holland America’s Orange Night. We love seeing families enjoy traveling together again and having an amazing time with each other. The fun on our trips never seem long enough though so in 2026 we’ve added some extra days in the Mexican Riviera to our itinerary!
Mexican Riviera
March 22-29, 2025
Round Trip from San Diego, CA
Join us on a floating fiesta to the beautiful Mexican Riviera! We’re cruising the Sea of Cortez to watch for whales, get up close to the famous rock formation El Arco in Cabo, and stopping at the white sand beaches in Mazatlán. And of course we’ll keep the tequila flowing on this Elite supported cruise and caregiver retreat!
This voyage is fully accessible, dementia-friendly, offers supported travel options for seniors, can include special family rates for additional travelers in your group, and offers daily caregiver respite sessions.
Where We’re Taking You
Pre-cruise: The fun starts at a pre-cruise hotel stay in beautiful San Diego! The Elite Cruises staff will meet you at the airport and escort you to our group hotel where you can rest up from flights and take advantage of all this incredible city has to offer. We particularly love visiting the zoo or Balboa Park when we’re in town. After relaxing and getting some sight seeing in we’ll go as a group to the port together on embarkation day.
March 22: Welcome aboard the Koningsdam! Elite Cruises staff will escort you through port security and to your cabin onboard the ship where you’ll have a chance to relax and unpack before we get the party started. We’ll enjoy a group meal to get to know each other before heading out for the evening to some of the many entertainment venues onboard our ship.
March 23 & 24: These days at sea feature programs exclusively for our group with workshops and conferences for caregivers as well as respite/adult daycare where our staff takes over so caregivers can take the break they deserve. Respite activities can include music therapy, art, games, puzzles, movies, and more. Tell us what activities your loved ones enjoy and we’ll make it happen! Our supported cruises are fully customizable so every member of your family gets to do something they enjoy and have a true vacation.
March 25: We have a full day in Puerto Vallarta and we’ll need every minute of it because there is so much to see and do here! Take a stroll back in time as you walk past old-world buildings and cathedrals. Enjoy the Malecon boardwalk which is the perfect place to shop for souvenirs, listen to live music, or enjoy a tropical cocktail. Or spend a beach day at one of the many white sand beaches nearby.
March 26: Mazatlán has something for every traveler! Step back in history at an old gold mining town, get in touch with nature on a boat tour through miles of mangroves, watch the death defying cliff divers, or relax on a beach with a frozen margarita to keep you cool. Whatever your travel style is there is an adventure waiting for you in Mazatlán.
March 27: Watch for whales from our ship as we head towards Cabo San Lucas where we’ll spend the day. Have your cameras ready for a glimpse of the famous El Arco rock formation then do as the tourists do and taste some tequila in town or, if you’re feeling really adventurous, you can swim with the dolphins and ride some camels! Cabo is fun for the whole family and is the perfect last stop in Mexico before heading home.
March 28: This day at sea gives us another chance to enjoy caregiver conferences and workshops and take advantage of the ship’s amenities. We highly recommend a trip to the hydrotherapy pool in the spa which is our favorite spot to relax onboard and if you really want to treat yourself add on a massage!
March 29: Leaving the ship doesn’t have to mean the fun has to end. Join us back at our group hotel to extend your trip and take advantage of the amazing weather and beautiful scenery of San Diego.
VIEW PRICING AND ITINERARY
*Holland America cruise refund available with purchase of Platinum Insurance. Elite Cruises fees are refundable if Allianz Travel Insurance has been purchased up to 10 days after cruise deposit date. Final payment date is December 10, 2024.
We offer the following on each Elite Supported Cruise so you and your loved ones can enjoy life to the fullest:
- Daily caregiver break time
- All-inclusive cruise which includes onboard dining, beverage package, and WiFi
- Group accompanied by medical professionals, including RN support 24/7, as well as trained support staff. Staff to client ratio is 1:3.
- Meet and greet at airport and escort to pre/post cruise hotel
- Transfers to/from cruise ship
- Luggage handling by Elite Cruises staff
- Group dinner seating plus 2 specialty dining experiences
- Events and programming exclusively for our group
Wheelchair accessible and mobility accessible staterooms are available on a first come first serve basis. All cabins on the ship can be retrofitted to be accessible with elevated toilet seats, shower chairs, and detachable shower heads at no additional cost. Arrangements can be made to rent assistive devices such as manual wheelchairs, scooters, power wheelchairs, etc.
Ask us about additional services to make your vacation truly stress free including:
- Transportation from your residence to your local airport
- Flights accompanied by an Elite Cruises staff member
- Private duty caregivers
- Private accessible transportation to/from cruise port
- Extended daily respite so caregivers can enjoy longer shore excursions or ship amenities while their loved ones have fun with our Elite staff
- Shore excursions accompanied by an Elite staff member for additional support
Caregiver Conferences & Support
Connect with other caregivers on our cruises and find the support you need with caregiver circles and educational seminars on caregiving managing, self care, diagnosis/prognosis, and neuroplasticity concepts and activities. These sessions are exclusively for our group and feature new guest speakers on each voyage as well as our team of professionals including Elite Cruises owner Kathy, a geriatric neurology nurse with adaptive technology certification. Additionally get the time to regroup, relax, and recharge with daily two hour respite sessions where our team will take over your caregiving duties and you have the break you deserve.
VIEW PRICING AND ITINERARY
*Holland America cruise refund available with purchase of Platinum Insurance. Elite Cruises fees are refundable if Allianz Travel Insurance has been purchased up to 10 days after cruise deposit date. Final payment date is December 10, 2024.
Koningsdam offers vacation experiences for all ages!
Create lifelong memories with all generations of your family on this impressive Holland America Line vessel. Younger family members will enjoy dedicated activities and entertainment at Club HAL while adults unwind at Greenhouse Spa or enjoy a private cabana at The Retreat. All generations can come together for some fun at the spacious Sea View Pool or at one of the many music venues on board.
