Panama Canal Cruise

Tour #14
FROM Los Angeles to:
Mexican Riviera/ Guatemala/ Costa Rica/ Panama Canal/ Columbia/ Miami

January 2-16, 2010

For more than 400 years, the Panama Canal was one of mankind's greatest dreams. To dig through the Continent connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans was an achievement. In 1914, the seas were joined and now it saves ships and explorers thousands of miles and countless days by not sailing down the coast of South America and around Cape Horn. Now you'll depart Los Angeles on a 14-day cruise through the Canal to Miami, Florida on Norwegian Cruise Lines "Norwegian Star" cruise ship. This beautiful ship features several restaurants and lounges on one of the largest ships sailing through the Panama Canal.

On the first evening you will be able to meet friends from other parts of the country. One of the highlights is Freestyle Dining. This means you can dine where and when you want with your choice of 14 dining options, however our group of friends will dine together on most of the evenings. Imagine, no food to buy for two weeks as breakfast, lunch and dinner are included each day. There are shops on board, two swimming pools, hot tubs, a spa & fitness center. Each day all of the ships activities will keep you busy including Broadway Shows and other entertainment. You'll have plenty of time for relaxing, swimming, optional sightseeing tours and shopping.

A separate group of dining room tables will be reserved just for our group. Casual dress is fine for each night or you can dress up for two of the formal evenings. You can also spend sometime before the cruise in California or after the cruise in Florida, as there are many attractions to visit. Just the food and entertainment alone is worth the price of this cruise! On JANUARY 2, boarding begins at noon including lunch. At 4:00 p.m. the ship will depart Los Angeles on its 14-day journey through the Panama Canal to Miami, Florida. Some of the highlights in each port will be:

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico… the newest resort area with beautiful beaches featuring carved stone arches that reach into the ocean, a photographer's paradise. You'll enjoy shopping the quaint streets of this charming town.

Acapulco, Mexico… one of the most famous resort cities in the world. Take a sightseeing tour and see the world famous cliff divers making long dives into the ocean. Shop for buys on handmade baskets, silver, leather goods and other Mexican specialties.

Huatulco, Mexico… with miles of pristine beaches and nine secluded bays, this Pacific paradise is a place to relax. The Sierra Madre Mountains provide a stunning backdrop.

Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala… named after the rare and beautiful Quetzal bird that makes the area its home. Lovely Puerto Quetzal on the Pacific Coast of Guatemala is known for its diverse wildlife and dense jungle. Take a tour and enjoy the surroundings.

Puntarenas, Costa Rica... located in Central America, Puntarenas sits on a long, narrow peninsula in the Gulf of Nicoya. Here you will find lush, tropical rain forests, national parks and fresh seafood along the waterfront.

Panama Canal… is a 40-mile long engineering marvel that uses a series of locks to join the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Over 9,000 people worked around the clock every day building the canal and the locks that now allows over 14,000 ships to travel through the Canal each year. It is one of the most impressive passages ever made. When traveling through the Canal, there will be a Panama Canal historian on board the cruise ship to explain your journey through the Canal and its stunning scenery. It is known as the Eighth Wonder of the World as this is one of mankind's greatest achievements. Imagine cutting through 9 miles of solid granite at the Continental Divide and then the use of gravity alone to pull water for the locks from Gatun Lake. On one side lies the Pacific Ocean and on the other side is the Caribbean and the Atlantic Ocean. Sailing through the Panama Canal is one of the greatest cruise experiences in the world. Enjoy the natural beauty of the jungle and Gatun Lake plus the engineering of the Canal itself.

Cartagena, Columbia… is a world heritage site. The city of Cartagena was founded by Spanish conquerors and is considered by many to be one of South America's most beautiful cities. Here you will be able to spend time exploring the old city center surrounded by ancient walls.