February 9 -21, 2017 onboard the Azamara Quest: Baja and Sea of Cortez Family Practice Refresher UAE, Oman, Bahrain & Qatar
TIP SHEET: Family Practice Refresher DATE
PORT*
ARRIVE
DEPART
CME MEETING*
THURS, FEB 9
San Diego, CA
FRI, FEB 10
At Sea
8:30-12:00; 2:30-4:30
SAT, FEB 11
At Sea
9:00-12:00; 2:30-4:30
5:00 pm
SUN, FEB 12
Mazatlán, Mexico
7:30 am
3:30 pm
MON, FEB 13
La Paz, Mexico
9:00 am
6:00 pm
TUES, FEB 14
Topolobampo, Mexico
4:30 am
11:00 pm
WED, FEB 15
Guaymas, Mexico
1:30 pm
7:00 pm
THURS, FEB 16
Loreto, Mexico
7:00 am
Overnight
FRI, FEB 17
Loreto, Mexico
SAT, FEB 18
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Embark
4:30-5:30
8:30-11:40
2:30 pm 9:00 am
3:30-5:30
11:00 pm
SUN, FEB 19
At Sea
9:00-12:00; 2:30-4:30
MON, FEB 20
At Sea
8:30-12:00
TUES, FEB 21
San Diego, CA
6:00 am
Disembark
*Port times and CME schedule subject to change without notice.
AZAMARA QUEST The sturdy Azamara Quest is a mid-sized beauty with a deck plan well suited to the needs of modern voyagers. There is extensive space around the pool, where the attentive staff are always ready to offer complimentary bottled water, soft drinks or fresh towels. Staterooms feature modern amenities, furnishings, and European linens and the large number of staterooms with verandas. Azamara offers a choice of 5 distinctive dining options, as well as 24-hour room service and a quality café. Discoveries Dining, the main restaurant presents elegant yet lively dining with a renewed décor befitting the culinary heart of our ships. Reservations are not required, and you have the choice of being seated at a table for two or as part of a larger group of fellow guests. Azamara’s famous White Night party and buffet, held at least once on every cruise is always rated as of the guest’s highlights. The well-equipped Fitness Center will help you maintain your body despite the delicious dining on board. There are complimentary group classes like sunset yoga on the deck, pilates, cycling, core workout, and nutrition classes. Enjoy live performances of professional full-stage musicals, classical soloists, bands and other forms of entertainment in a cabaret nightclub with a full bar and cozy tables. Each cruise has as many as three distinctly different shows while onboard
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February 9 -21, 2017 onboard the Azamara Quest: Baja and Sea of Cortez Family Practice Refresher UAE, Oman, Bahrain & Qatar
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA Just 120 miles south of Los Angeles is the beautiful laid-back city of San Diego, a popular year-round destination due to its Mediterranean climate, 70 miles of coastline, great beaches, diverse neighborhoods, and a book’s worth of attractions. The terminal is in the center of downtown's waterfront, within walking distance of many attractions, and taxis are available. If you plan on spending several days in San Diego before the cruise starts, renting a car is a viable option. Sights Visit the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum, go to Torrey Pines State Reserve for picture-perfect views, watch seals in action at Sunset Cliffs Natural Park, enjoy a variety of watersports at Mission Bay, or stroll along the oceanfront promenade to the legendary Hotel del Coronado. Check out the iconic Gaslamp District, the eclectic community of Hillcrest, charming La Jolla, or San Diego’s Old Town, the first Spanish settlement on the West Coast. North of downtown San Diego, in La Jolla, prestigious scientific research institutes with names such as Salk and Scripps attract top researchers, while the glorious beaches still draw surfers and sun-worshippers in droves. MAZATLAN, MEXICO With its miles of golden beaches, blue lagoons, and inviting islands, no wonder Mazatlan is known as “the Pearl of the Pacific”. It’s Mexico’s largest commercial port, home to the country’s largest shrimp fleet, and an angler’s dream, with its bounty of swordfish, marlin, tuna, and sailfish. Because tourism isn’t its only business Mazatlan maintains its Mexican character and offers vacationers relaxation and entertainment in a pleasant seaside setting. The city used to have safety concerns around the port and thus they invested US$3 million in improving lighting and security in the port area. When you get off the ship, you'll be transferred by open-air tram to the depot at the opposite side of the long dock. A few feet/meters beyond the depot is a wide plaza that provides Internet access, phones, a pharmacy, restaurant, bar, flea market, private tour companies and taxi stands. Sights Centro Historico (Old Mazatlan) features traditional neighborhoods, markets and churches, while the Zona Dorada (Golden Zone) moves at a faster pace with its many restaurants, bars, and shops along the beachfront. Visit the foothills of the famed Sierra Madre mountains, and explore the heart of the city Plazuela Machado, Mazatlan’s original main square, which is bustling with cafes, restaurants, buskers, and musicians, and where the beautiful opera house, Teatro Angela Peralta, has hosted performances since 1873. A visit to Plazuela Machado with its neoclassical buildings is worthy as well as seeing the restored altar at La Catedral Basilica Menor de la Inmaculada Concepcion on the main square. Silently standing guard over the port, the Mazatlan Lighthouse sits perched nearly 500 feet above on the summit of Cerro Creston. A quick hike to the top of the tallest natural lighthouse in North America will be rewarded with outstanding views of the town.
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February 9 -21, 2017 onboard the Azamara Quest: Baja and Sea of Cortez Family Practice Refresher
LA PAZ, MEXICO
UAE, Oman, Bahrain & Qatar
Surrounded by barren desert, and set amidst ancient laurel trees and coconut and date palms, La Paz’s unspoiled natural environment brings eco-tourists, sport fishermen, divers, whale watchers, and travelers of all ages to this serene corner of Mexico. The beach’s directly in La Paz are adequate compared to the rest of Mexico but for those looking for nice water can venture to nearby beautiful Balandra Beach. Sights The deserted island of Isla Espiritu Santo is part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Just a short distance off the coast of La Paz, this island is the only known habitat of the black jackrabbit. In addition to spectacular scenery, the beaches are frequently voted as some of the best in the world. La Paz offers historical sites like Velasco Garden (the city’s main square), and eco adventures like taking a boat ride to Espiritu Santo (“Desert Island”), one of the world’s best-preserved sanctuaries. The 23,800-acre preserve boasts dozens of bays, a rich marine life, and a variety of mammals and reptiles, some of which are only native to the island. Balandra Beach features soft white sand, beautifully clear turquoise sea the temperature of bath-water and tranquil surroundings. This Beach is a short trip from La Paz and is perfect for those who just want to relax and unwind. TOPOLOBAMBO, MEXICO With its stunning landscapes and panoramic views, the seaport of Topolobampo is a gateway to a myriad of adventures. The town itself is very small, just 6000 residents and not overly developed. However, it’s location allows for many great daytrips to a variety of environments. Sights The most popular day trip is to Copper Canyon. This impressive group of six canyons is larger and deeper than the famous Grand Canyon in Arizona. Just a short day trip from Topolobampo, this is a popular destination with many ways to explore including hiking, biking, horseback riding, or the most popular way, by train on a famously scenic ride with gorgeous views at every turn. This can be booked at many tourist offices at the port.
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February 9 -21, 2017 onboard the Azamara Quest: Baja and Sea of Cortez Family Practice Refresher UAE, Oman, Bahrain & Qatar
Alternatively, explore the colonial town of El Fuerte and tour the mansion of Don Diego (“El Zorro”), visit the wildlife oasis of Farallon Island to see countless species of native birds, seals, and sea lion. The Mueseo Regional Del Valle Del Fuerte features photos and exhibits of the history of the area. There is information about two Americans who came to Los Mochis with the intention of forming a utopian community in Topolobampo. The nearby city of Los Mochis offers shops, museums, galleries, and an array of restaurants. Be sure to try one of the many Sonoran dishes, including pescado zarandeado, a local specialty where the fish is split in half and chargrilled, and served with rice and vegetables.
GUAYMAS, MEXICO Founded by the Spanish in 1769, the port city of Guaymas is beautifully ringed by beaches, rock cliff formations, islets and the Sea of Cortez. With its large fishing fleet, seafood is a specialty here, particularly camarones gigantes (massive shrimp), for which the city is famous. The more popular town, San Carlos is 20 KM from Guaymas and there are many taxi’s in Guaymas ready to take you there. Sights Visit such city sights as Iglesia San Fernando, Plaza de Los Tres Presidentes and Mercado Municipal, stroll along the harbour front and marina, check out a local pearl farm, or even explore the nearby desert by horseback. The waters of the Sea of Cortez offer spectacular diving and snorkeling opportunities year-round. Underwater visibility of over 100 feet is very common, and visibility exceeds 200 feet in some areas due to the crystal clear, pristine water. There are several local dive shops to guide you. The Perlas Del Mar De Cortez is a pearl-cultivation farm where you can how pearls are made. Observe Guaymas Jail which resembles a prison more than a prison. Built in the 1890s, the building served as the city’s only jail until 1997 when a new facility was opened. Guided tours are offered daily, and the tower has been converted into an art gallery. LORETO, MEXICO Founded in 1697 by Jesuit missionaries, Loreto was the first Spanish settlement on the Baja California Peninsula, and served as the capital of Las Californias from 1697 to 1777. Since that time, Loreto has transformed itself into a paradise resort town, as famous for its world-class sport fishing, scuba diving, and snorkeling as the indigo-hued waters of its bordering Sea of Cortez. Sights With year-round temperatures averaging in the 80s, outdoor activities like mountain biking and beachcombing are always plentiful. Discover the beautiful coastline of Loreto through a chartered kayaking tour. The calm, warm waters of the Gulf of California are perfect for a leisurely paddle, so you do not have to be an expert kayaker to enjoy. The area features an abundance of sea life including a sea lion colony, as well as several species of birds. The crystal-clear waters of the Bay of Loreto Marine Park make for spectacular snorkeling. This protected marine area is home to many species of sea life including sea turtles, dolphins, and a colorful variety of tropical fish. There is also a sea lion colony nearby.
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February 9 -21, 2017 onboard the Azamara Quest: Baja and Sea of Cortez Family Practice Refresher UAE, Oman, Bahrain & Qatar
CABO, SAN LUCAS Located at the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula in the Mexican state of Baja California Sur, Cabo San Lucas is one of Mexico’s leading tourist destinations. Its unique combination of beautiful beaches, desert terrain, and mountains are a nature lover’s delight. Passengers are tendered to the dock next to the very modern Marina Sabo San Lucas. The marina itself has restaurants and bars. Sights One of its most popular eco-attractions for tourists and sea lions alike is El Arco de Cabo San Lucas (or “Lands End, Cabo San Lucas”), a gorgeous rock formation found at Cabo’s southern tip. This distinctive rock formation is an iconic landmark in Cabo San Lucas and is renowned for its surrounding marine life, spectacular snorkeling, and ideal surfing conditions. Cabo also features some of the best fishing on the Pacific Coast. Currency & Tipping in Mexico The currency in Mexico is the Mexican Peso. While you can use USD at some places, it is almost always to your benefit to pay with Mexican Pesos. At restaurants, you may see a charge labeled “propina” on your bill, which is a gratuity that the restaurant includes automatically with each bill. It is not necessary to tip an additional amount. If this is not included $1-$2 U.S. (20-40 pesos) per round of drinks is customary, or if you're running a tab, leave 15-20% of the total as a tip. People do not normally tip taxi drivers. Personal Etiquette in Mexico Despite the reputation and relatively high crime rates you are unlikely to run into trouble in Mexico if you stick to well-travelled paths, which all the destinations on the cruise are. Mexico’s crime rates have been declining over the past decade. Petty theft and pickpockets are the biggest concern for tourists, so don’t wave money around.
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