Dutch influence still lingers on this balmy Caribbean island, part of
the former Netherlands Antilles until its independence in 1986. Aruba is
a contrast: the island's arid interior is dotted with cactus and
windswept divi-divi trees while secluded coves and sandy beaches make up
its coast. Aruba's long and colorful heritage is reflected in its
dialect. Called Papiamento, it is a tongue that combines elements of
Spanish, French, Portuguese, Dutch, African and English.Cartagena, Columbia
One of the more interesting cities on your itinerary steeped in history.
This was the transit port for all the wealth Spain derived from South
America. The famous "Old City" is comprised of 12 square blocks filled
with attractions, boutiques and restaurants. Throughout Colombia, the Spanish Empire's influence in the New World is self-evident. Its fortress walls, quaint narrow streets, and balconied houses are all vivid reminders of Spain's hold on Cartagena and throughout the Caribbean and South America. This is the land of El Dorado and flamboyant adventurers in search of the ever-elusive gold. Cartagena's well-constructed fortifications defended its borders against seafaring pirates whose attacks lasted for more than 200 years. Today this modern and bustling city, seaport, and commercial center still boasts much of its original colonial architecture. Your journey here will provide you with a significant link to the region's grand past.
Panama Canal
The narrow isthmus separating the Atlantic from the Pacific Ocean had a
colorful and turbulent history long before Ferdinand de Lesseps first
dreamed of building a transcontinental canal.Spanish conquistadors hauled Incan gold through the dense rainforest to ports on the Atlantic. English freebooters sought to ransack those ports and attack the treasure ships that sailed from Portobelo. And 49ers braved mosquitoes and yellow fever to get to the California gold fields. While the Panama Canal remains one of the great American engineering feats of the 20th century, visitors to Panama will discover a whole range of scenic wonders. Hike into the dense rainforest, home to over 1,000 species of animals. Or pay a visit to an Embera Indian village in the heart of Chagres National Park.
Disembarkation in Gatun Lake is restricted to passengers who have booked the following tours only: PC1-100, PC1-110, PC1-115, PC1-120, PC1-170, PC1-175, PC1-235, PC1-350, PC1-398, PC1-610, PC1-612, PC1-615. Passengers on these tours are taken ashore by tenders. Later in the day, the ship then retraces her route through the Gatun locks to dock at Pier 6 in Colon in the Caribbean. The tours return to this point. All remaining passengers are able to disembark in Colon, where they may explore the dockside shops. There are no tours offered in Colon.
Note: The Panama Canal Authority assigns specific time slots for the transit of a vessel through the locks. The ship will anchor in a designated area and will wait for instructions. Once clearance is transmitted to the ship, procedures begin to bring ship's tour passengers ashore. Therefore, tour departure times may vary and will be announced onboard.
Limon, Costa Rica
Costa Rica's Limon Province boasts pristine beaches, sprawling banana plantations and dense rainforest.These Caribbean lowlands are still sparsely populated--nearly a third of the province's population lives around Puerto Limon--and conservation efforts have led to growing eco-tourism. Limon Province offers other charms as well. Afro-Caribbean influences abound, from the lilting speech and reggae rhythms brought by Jamaican settlers to the colorful bungalows lining small fishing villages. Limon is a zesty little slice of heaven.
Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Note: Grand Cayman is an anchorage port. Passengers transfer to shore via ship's tender. In certain sea conditions, an alternate pier is used to transfer passengers ashore. This may cause tour durations to vary.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
According to the popular 1960 beach movie, Fort Lauderdale is "where the
boys are." The city's reputation as America's Spring Break capital,
however, has been replaced with the more favorable image of a prime
family tourist destination, attracting more than 10 million visitors
annually. The most popular beach resort in Florida is even more rightly
famed as the "Yachting Capital of the World," with more than 40,000
registered crafts calling its waters home. The city also prides itself
on being the "Venice of America" with more than 300 miles of navigable
waterways. Fort Lauderdale boasts world-class theaters, museums,
sightseeing, and shopping. The city sits 24 miles north of Miami and is named after a series of forts built by the United States during the second Seminole War. The forts took their name from Major William Lauderdale, who was the commander of the detachment of soldiers who built the first fort. Look hard and you might find remnants of three of them today. More people seem to be interested in taking a water tour aboard the "Carrie B."
Note: Luggage is stowed on the transportation during disembarkation tours. Disembarkation tours end at the airports; therefore passengers who have post-cruise packages at local hotels must disembark at Fort Lauderdale International Airport. Passengers will then be responsible for their transportation to the hotel.
