Panama Canal & Coastal Holiday

Embark your ship today in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida's upscale city of beautiful beaches and Venetian-style canals brimming with sophisticated eateries. Settle in to your veranda stateroom and take time to explore the promenade lined with swaying palms.

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.

Discover the Mayan and colonial past of the island of Cozumel, located off Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula. Explore the colorful streets of San Miguel or visit Mayan and Toltec ruins at San Gervasio to gain insight into the island's ancient beliefs and customs. View the scenic lighthouse at Punta Sur and the many pristine beaches for which the island is world renowned.

As you cruise these legendary waters, the distinct light of the Caribbean sun dances on the sea like dazzling diamonds. Once a busy route for ships from the Old World ferrying supplies and people to the New World, today the Caribbean exudes tranquility and calm. Enjoy the amenities of your ship as you sail. Tonight, perhaps savor an authentic Italian meal at Manfredi's or sample international fare in the World Café.

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

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. Experience all of these enduring traditions and many others during your time in Colón.

Enjoy a fascinating 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 to the 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. Your ship will enter the canal and continue its course sailing the Pacific Ocean, the gateway to Los Angeles.

Trace the coast of Central America along the Pacific Ocean, which encompasses one-third of the earth's surface. Before the United States established its transcontinental railroad, many prospectors seeking gold sailed these waters en route to California. Rather than risk the perils of traveling across America's great divide, they sailed down to the Isthmus of Panama, trekked across its narrow band and continued along the route you follow today.

Situated on the scenic Gulf of Nicoya, a shimmering expanse dotted with pristine islands and surrounded by Costa Rica's tropical splendor, the former fishing village of Puntarenas is the gateway to magnificent beaches and rich wildlife. The port prospered on the shoulders of coffee barons as oxcarts delivered satchels of beans to the docks from the mountains. With the opening of a railroad in 1879, the oxcarts disappeared, but coffee remains Costa Rica's major export. Today, Puntarenas retains its fishing heritage, as colorful boats in the harbor attest, and the lush rainforests nearby offer endless walking trails under a dense canopy rich in vegetation and echoing with the screeches of howler monkeys.

Visit Nicaragua today, a visually arresting country of tropical jungle and dramatic mountain peaks. Nearly 20 percent of this nature-loving nation is protected as parks and reserves and its farming culture has thrived for centuries. Absorb its magnificent beauty and gain insight into its unique agriculture when you travel to a banana plantation, or finca, for insight into Nicaragua's largest export.

Enjoy the range of amenities on board as you spend four days at sea, cruising the Pacific Ocean. Sign up for a variety of activities on our Sports Deck, or join a cooking class and enhance your culinary repertoire. You may visit Mamsen's, our casual gourmet deli, any time from early morning to late night for a taste of traditional Norwegian fare. Or, perhaps renew your body and spirit in our Scandinavian-inspired Spa, a Nordic sanctuary of holistic wellness, today while at sea. Indulge in a soothing massage, facial or body treatment.

Anchor near the tip of the Baja Peninsula today for your visit to Cabo San Lucas, 'Cabo' to its more frequent visitors. One of Mexico's top destinations for its long beaches, resorts, scuba diving and picturesque rocky coast, it boasts one of the region's most scenic harbors. Get acquainted with a panoramic tour of the resort city, San José del Cabo, sister to Cabo San Lucas and the oldest Spanish mission on the Baja Peninsula.

Sail around the Baja Peninsula. Early explorers ventured into these once-unknown waters for many years in search of California, then a mythical El Dorado that seemed just out of reach. One Spanish author called it 'very close to the side of the Terrestrial Paradise.' Today, the Baja Peninsula is among the world's most picturesque coasts. As you approach California, perhaps you will visit the onboard cinema to view a movie produced in a Los Angeles studio.

Disembark today and transfer to the airport for your flight home.