Panama & Central America Holiday

Arrive in Miami today, Florida's sun-kissed city of glimmering high-rises and vibrant culture on scenic Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Settle in to your veranda stateroom and take time to explore your ship amid Miami's coastal beauty.

Experience the carefree culture of Key West, the southernmost city in the continental US and a rich blend of Caribbean, Latin and American culture. Soak up its atmosphere with a stroll along Duval Street to Mallory Square, passing old Bahamian-style homes and Spanish-influenced Victorian mansions. See Ernest Hemingway's home, where he wrote several novels, and former president Harry S. Truman's Winter White House, preserved today as a historic monument.

As you cruise the calm and tranquil Gulf of Mexico, often referred to as the "south coast" of the United States, the distinct light of the sun plays on the water like dazzling diamonds. The first European explorer to sail the gulf, Amerigo Vespucci, paved the way for the pivotal conquest of Mexico. During your day of cruising, you might visit The Spa, where a soothing massage, the Thermal Pool and the Snow Grotto complement your relaxing sail.

Call on Belize today, inhabited by Mayans for more than 5,000 years. Journey to the mysterious ancient site of Altun Ha, one of Central America's most accessible temples. Enjoy a cruise along the tropical Belize River. Or embark a small boat along the Belize River, a tranquil and pristine ribbon of beauty lined with lush jungle, vividly hued birds taking wing and monkeys hollering from the treetops.

Bask in the Caribbean beauty of Roatán, one of the spectacular Bay Islands off the coast of Honduras. A snorkeler's paradise, the coral reefs that skirt these islands boast the highest diversity of corals in the Caribbean. Visit the island's butterfly and botanical gardens to view an astonishing array of tropical plants and colorful birdlife, and marvel at countless winged critters flitting from flower to flower.

Cruise the azure waters of the Caribbean today. Columbus sailed among the West Indies on these waters before making landfall on South and Central America. And the ships of European nations raised their sails here in search of land for their Crowns and gold for their coffers. You will have ample time to bask in the legendary Caribbean sun at the Infinity Pool and enjoy your meals al fresco, perhaps sampling a local rum cocktail.

Explore the magnificent natural wonders of Costa Rica as you call on its Caribbean port of Puerto Limón. Celebrated as one of the world's most picturesque countries, Costa Rica is home to an astonishing diversity of landscapes and climate zones. About 5% of the world's species of flora and fauna thrive in this tiny country, lush with rainforests. Keep your eyes open for some of them when you cruise the canals of Tortuguero, an aquatic highway linking villages and traversing palm forests and swamps dense with wildlife.

More than a gateway to the Caribbean side of the Panama Canal, Colón also introduces you to the unique native traditions of an ancient people. Witness centuries-old tribal life firsthand during a visit to Chagres National Park and an Emberá village, where people live in thatched-roof huts, travel by dugout canoe and keep the craft of basket weaving alive. Witness all of these enduring traditions, and many others, firsthand.

Enjoy a fascinating partial transit of the "Path Between the Seas" today as you traverse the famed Panama Canal. When it opened in 1914, it was hailed as one of the world's great engineering feats. Forty-eight miles long, it links the Atlantic and Pacific at the narrowest stretch of the Isthmus of Panama, cutting thousands of miles off shipping routes that once stretched all the way around Cape Horn at the tip of South America. You will cruise as far as the 21-mile-long Gatun Lake, then reverse course and return to the Caribbean.

Explore the stunningly picturesque port of Cartagena today, a cultural treasure with its scenic setting on the Caribbean Sea and intact colonial city. You will see its extensive San Felipe de Barajas Fortress, boasting the longest walls in South America. Explore the spectacular Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of picturesque, tree-shaded plazas and beautifully preserved buildings with colorful balconies. You will also visit the stunning church of San Pedro Claver, named for the patron saint of missionary work.

Enjoy a full day indulging in the amenities of your ship. You might find your inner calm with yoga on the Sports Deck. Lounge by the Main Pool with its retractable roof and enjoy a cocktail at the Aquavit Bar. Tonight after an al fresco dinner at the World Café, settle in for some light jazz and a nightcap at Torshavn.

Embrace the relaxed atmosphere of Jamaica today when you call on Montego Bay. Christopher Columbus landed here in 1494 and declared the island part of the Spanish Empire. The British later took hold, paving the way for one of the island's most pivotal moments: an uprising of slaves led by Samuel Sharpe, the country's national hero. Glimpse some of that colonial past at the Rose Hall Great House, an elegant Georgian mansion whose owner had some 250 slaves. The fascinating house chronicles life during a turbulent time that gave rise to the legend of the White Witch of Rose Hall.

Visit the capital of the Cayman Islands today on Grand Cayman. The island's first inhabitants were pirates and shipwrecked sailors. England controlled them for more than 300 years following the signing of the Treaty of Madrid in 1670. Today, it is a rich mix of British and African cultures. From George Town, you will drive to the old capital of Bodden Town, named for the first permanent residents, the Bodden family. You will also pass the Pedro St. James Castle, a restored plantation house where the first elected parliament met. Perhaps visit the Cayman Turtle Center or swim with the stingrays.

As you cruise these legendary waters, the distinct light of the Caribbean sun plays on the sea like dazzling diamonds. Once a busy route for ships from the Old World ferrying supplies and people to the New World, the Caribbean today exudes tranquility and calm. During your day at sea, you might visit The Spa, where a soothing massage, the Thermal Pool and the Snow Grotto complement your relaxing sail.

Disembark your ship today and depart for home, or extend your stay in Miami and take in its lively Cuban American culture, its fresh cuisine and the vibrant art deco architecture of South Beach.