Panama Canal Cruises: Excursions

This tour offers an opportunity to enjoy the awesome natural beauty of the rainforest, uninhabited jungle rivers and caves once used by the ancient Mayans who inhabited this region. You'll depart your ship on a high-speed boat for the Sabun River. Once on the river, the boat will wind its way upstream along the jungle-covered banks, a sight directly from an Indiana Jones movie. After approximately 45 minutes, the boat will arrive at the Landings, a secluded farm located on a peninsula by the river. You'll have a short break to visit the farm and get familiarized with the 4 x 4 Land Rover which will take you on the next leg of your journey to the Mayan Groto Caves. The Land Rover, which is famous for jungle driving, is the perfect vehicle for the 50-minute drive through the lowlands and into the jungle mud trails. Once at the base camp, your guide will give you local knowledge as he leads your small group on a traverse over a foot suspension bridge across the river. After a short walk through the dense rainforest where many species of huge trees can be seen, you'll arrive at the beginning of the cave experience. The first cave tunnels through the mountain and emerges into a tropical bowl with cliffs on all sides. The Mayans used this location as a sanctuary with protective walls still evident. Within the bowl there are many caves to explore each with different stages of stalactite and stalagmite growth. After caving, you'll have an opportunity to swim in the cool river, relax, and have a snack before boarding a jungle truck for the return trip to Belize City. Note: Participants must be between the ages of 8 years of age and 65 years of age and weight less than 250 lbs. Guests must be able to drive manual/stick shift transmissions and show drivers license. If you have any previous heart conditions, back or leg problems or are pregnant, this tour is not for you. less

This exciting half-day excursion begins with a short walk to your four-person, manual transmission, open-air Jeep®, before you depart caravan-style to explore the scenic countryside of Puerto Vallarta. Your experienced guide will lead you up the Sierra Madre Mountains, passing through typical Mexican villages along the way. Make a short stop at Hacienda Dona Engracia, the only tequila factory in the area where you’ll receive a short briefing on the process of making tequila. Continue your adventure by passing fruit and tobacco plantations and taking in the spectacular natural beauty of the area. After your adventurous ride, enjoy a complimentary snack at a beautiful beach setting. Here, you’ll have time to swim, bask in the sun, play volleyball or simply relax before it’s time to get back in your Jeep® and drive back to your awaiting ship. Note: Participants must be at least 12 years of age. Driver must be at least 25 years of age and provide both a valid driver’s license and credit card. All vehicles must remain with the group throughout the tour. Bring your swimsuit, towel, comfortable shoes and appropriate clothes as you may get dusty or wet depending on the season. Any additional food or drinks ordered will be at your own expense. less

Enjoy a five-hour fishing excursion to the richest game fishing grounds know to anglers. As the boat heads out to the fishing area, the poles will be set with lures by the mate to minimize the possibility of the lines becoming tangled. The type of fishing is trolling. Boats do not troll with live bait, as it is good for perhaps fifteen minutes maximum. This means the boat will be in the open ocean and four lines with lures will be utilized in pole holders and outriggers. All of the hooked fish will be rotated between the participants on the boat. When a fish is spotted, the mate will reel in the four lines and then set a line with the live bait. If a fish takes the bait, the mate will 'set the hook' and give the pole to the first person in the fighting chair. When the first person has landed the fish (or if the fish got away), the next person will have the next hooked fish and so on. When everyone has had a turn in the chair the rotation will start over. Note: Participants must be at least 8 years of age. Due to the nature of this tour, pregnant women or guests with any known medical condition or history of illness, including heart ailment, knee/spinal/neck pain or injury or any other recent injury should not participate. Typically six participants will share a boat, however arrangements can be made, at additional costs to share a boat by two or three anglers, thereby improving your chances of catching a fish. All fishing boats contain the latest in safety equipment. less

Enjoy a round of golf at Pete and Perry Dye’s newest creation: The Black Pearl Golf Course located at the Pristine Bay Resort in Roatan, Honduras. The island of Roatan is adjacent to the world’s second largest barrier reef and the course is located less than 20 minutes from the pier. The Black Pearl is an 18-hole, par 72, 7,200-yard Signature Dye Course and is the only one on the island. You'll be one of the first guests to play the course, and while some construction is ongoing at the 405-acre development, you'll have an amazing experience and a challenging round. The front nine holes just opened so expect some fast greens and hard fairways. Note: Outside food and beverages are not allowed into the course and proper golf attire is required to play. Caddy fees are additional and shall be paid directly to the golf course. Advanced reservations are recommended as space is limited. less

Begin with a scenic drive through downtown Puerto Vallarta, to a local tile factory for an introduction to the tile manufacturing process. Witness the forming, painting and firing of the ceramic, one of the many colorful items for which Mexico is famous for. You’ll have ample time to see the displays and purchase all the ceramics you can carry. Then, continue to the downtown area for some sightseeing and shopping. A short stop will be made on your way out to visit Hacienda Dona Engracia, one of the finest tequila factories in the area. Here you’ll have an opportunity to see a working ranch, learn about the tequila manufacturing process and enjoy a delicious homemade Mexican lunch. Visitors over the age of 21 will be invited to indulge in free samples of tequila. less

After a short ride from the pier you’ll arrive at Dolphinaris and be greeted by a member of our team, who will provide you with a towel, locker, snorkel equipment and present you with your very own dolphin trainer t-shirt. You’ll start your dolphin trainer program learning about basic husbandry, training techniques, daily reports and medication. You’ll receive an anatomy lesson on dolphins and participate in a fun and informative interactive training lecture. Your behind the scenes tour is where you’ll see the laboratory, visit the 'fish house' and learn how to prepare the dolphins’ diets for the day. Next will be a practical session with one of our trainers, as well as the opportunity to feed the dolphins. You’ll then apply everything you learned and ask the dolphin to do a variety of different behaviors such as kisses, vocalizations and jumps. Following this session is your dolphin swim and ride program, allowing you to experience the true magic of these majestic mammals. Enter the waist-deep submerged platform where you’ll be able to touch their velvety soft skin, listen to them sing and watch them play. Then float out into the deeper water of our natural ocean coves to swim with the dolphins and touch them. as they glide by you. After a kiss, a hug and a friendly fin shake you’ll receive a fantastic dolphin ride around the cove. Finally enjoy a guided snorkeling session and a delicious lunch at our beautiful restaurant overlooking the Caribbean ocean. Note: Participants must be at least 4 feet tall. It is not possible for passengers with neck or back injuries or pregnant women to participate in this program. less