U.S. - Pacific, Northwest cruise ports

Founded as a fur-trading post by the Hudson Bay Company, Victoria is home to an interesting mix of cultures. There are English pubs, East Indian restaurants, and Japanese sushi bars. Chinatown features great buys at Market Square. Spend a pleasant afternoon among the flowers and waterways of world-famous Butchart Gardens.

Christened "The Emerald City", Seattle is known as one of the most livable cities in the world and actually receives less annual rainfall (36 inches) than New York and Atlanta. Surrounded by lakes, rivers, Puget Sound, and mountains, Seattle is a recreation enthusiasts' dream. In the summer, water sports are only 10 minutes away and winter sports, such as snow skiing, are only 45 minutes away.

Advice: 10 Best Things to Do in Seattle

Catalina Island is only 22 miles off the coast of Los Angeles, but it seems a world away. Stroll the quaint streets of Avalon and explore the adventurous village of Two Harbors. Hike past grazing buffalo and dive into crystal clear water brimming with life. You'll have a great time no matter what you choose to do.

Famed as a year-round vacation resort, San Diego also carries huge economic clout as California's second largest city. With magnificent beaches and two world-class zoos, the city enjoys a dazzling Mediterranean climate and a rich multicultural heritage. The surrounding county embraces forested mountains, vast desert lands, and miles of sunny beaches. It just doesn't seem fair to the rest of us.

With breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and a spectacular bay, San Francisco is one of the U.S.'s most beautiful cities. Visitors have a wide range of things to see, including the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf, Nob Hill, Alcatraz, and Chinatown. And no trip to this city is complete without a ride on the cable cars. The restaurants are excellent, with a rich diversity of cuisine.

Santa Barbara, California is a captivating blend of colorful history, distinctive architecture, and the legendary Southern California lifestyle. Known all over the world for its exceptional beauty, Santa Barbara boasts crystal-clear air, palm-lined beaches, and an outstanding variety of attractions, such as outdoor activities, theatre, dance, art galleries, and music performances.

When you visit Los Angeles, you'll discover that the life here seems to thrive somewhere between reality and dream. LA is always re-inventing itself, from Mexican outpost to boomtown movie colony the new economy, LA reaches new horizons every day. Cultures from around the world meet here in fusions of language, fashion and food, and at more than twice the size of Switzerland, there's plenty to explore.