Panama Canal Cruises: Excursions

This "reduced environmental footprint" experience will appeal to all of your senses. See Victoria’s highlights, smell the fragrant flowers at Butchart Gardens and tantalize your taste buds with an organic gourmet picnic. While your knowledgeable guide points out some of Victoria’s most interesting sights, you'll travel in comfort aboard a B100 coach fueled by biodiesel, made from recycled waste cooking oil collected from cruise ships visiting Victoria. With views of Beacon Hill Park as well as rolling landscapes and farmland en route, you'll arrive at Canada’s famed National Historic Site, Butchart Gardens. The gardens have been transformed from a lifeless rock quarry to a horticultural masterpiece over 100 years ago. Stroll at your own pace through 55 acres of beautiful blooms and themed gardens.

Upon arrival you'll be directed to your picnic site (the residence lawn) and provided with your wicker basket and gourmet picnic prepared from fresh and locally grown organic produce. You may choose to enjoy your picnic on the lawns (over a ground cover) or at a picnic table. As an added bonus, guests visiting on Saturdays in July and August will be treated to the Butchart Gardens fireworks display, choreographed to music. Norwegian Pearl sailings only. On your return, enjoy a narrated sightseeing tour of Victoria’s downtown area, including Chinatown, the historic Empress Hotel and the picturesque Parliament buildings. Your participation on this excursion will help support the local James Bay Community School, allowing vulnerable families the opportunity for their children to be able to partake in youth getaways & summer sports camps. Approximate time at Butchart Gardens is 3 hours.

Enjoy a short drive in air-conditioned comfort to the world famous Dunn’s River Falls where you will climb 600 feet of cool refreshing water as it cascades over natural limestone terraces. Guides are provided to assist you when ascending the rushing waters as it plunges directly into the pristine Caribbean Sea. After this invigorating experience you are transported to Dolphin Cove, where you are met by our friendly hostesses and given a complimentary fruit drink. This unique park, surrounded by lush tropical jungle, is home to our beautiful family of bottlenose dolphins, exotic birds, snakes and iguanas. Enjoy an amazing view of one of the natural Dolphin Lagoons as you are escorted to the Dolphin Trek Island. After a safety briefing you will be ready to begin an experience like no other. Dolphin trek, with Sea Trek helmet, is the ultimate sea trek program where participants can walk underwater while surrounded by dolphins. Enjoy an underwater kiss and hold your friendly dolphin for an underwater picture. Dolphin Trek is all dolphins, all the time! After enjoying this experience of a lifetime, spend time watching your new friends, the dolphins, at play in their natural habitat, the Caribbean Sea. Enjoy a leisurely walk through the lush tropical jungle and get an up close experience with our beautiful and friendly birds, snakes and iguanas. Mingle with and feed the colorful free flying lovebirds in the bird aviary. Interact with exotic sea creatures in the touch tank display. Enjoy a hands-on experience on how to make unique pottery at Wassi Arts at Dolphin Cove. Watch in amazement as a local wood carver makes ordinary pieces of wood come to life. Visit "Little Port Royal" a replica of Jamaica's most famous pirate "Haunt" and witness pirates roaming through town. Browse through the largest gift shops stocked with the widest range of dolphin souvenirs; visit our jewelry store and craft market for locally hand crafted items. View the rambunctious and hilarious shark show and watch the stingrays in their lagoon as they gracefully glide by. Listen to the rhythms of the Caribbean music as you enjoy a truly Jamaica buffet. Sample the world famous Blue Mountain Coffee and liquors. Have your hair braided and watch our local fashion show. Shuttle buses are available at 10-minute intervals to return you to the ship or optional shopping at your convenience. Note: Participants must be at least 8 years of age to participate. This tour is not recommended for those who are pregnant, have back or neck injuries and heart or respiratory conditions. less

Relax during your short drive to the world-famous Dunn’s River Falls where you’ll climb 600 feet of cool refreshing water as it cascades over natural limestone terraces. Guides are provided to assist you when ascending the rushing waters as they plunge directly into the pristine Caribbean Sea. After this invigorating experience, you’re transported to Dolphin Cove where you are met by friendly hostesses and given a complimentary fruit drink. This unique cove surrounded by lush tropical jungle, is home to our beautiful family of bottlenose dolphins, exotic birds, snakes and iguanas. There you’ll participate in a brief orientation and then enter the world of nature’s most fascinating creatures - the dolphins. Get to know the animals as you interact with them in deep water. Experience the thrill of 'riding' the dolphin belly to belly. Dance, sing, play and even enjoy a kiss or two. After enjoying this unique experience, spend the rest of the day at Dolphin Cove and all that it has to offer. At the conclusion of your tour you’ll have the option of being dropped-off at a local shopping plaza for shopping time at your leisure and then make your own way back to your ship. Note: Participants must be at least 8 years of age. Participants must weigh no more than 250 lbs. Shuttle buses are available at 10-minute intervals to return you to your ship. This tour is not recommended for guests with heart, neck/ back problems, mobility/balance problems or pregnant women. The Dunn’s River Falls are the highlight of Jamaica and tend to be very congested. All guests participating in a tour that visits the falls should wear foot protection that can get wet. River socks are available for rent at the falls. The rocks at the falls are slippery. Climbing the falls is optional and at your own risk. Participants who do not wish to climb the falls may enjoy the small beach at the base. The walk to the beach is on a slope with many stairs, therefore participants should be in reasonably good health. less

Experience an unforgettable journey along the eastern side of White Pass aboard the world famous narrow gauge White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad, built more than 100 years ago through some of the North's most rugged terrain. Board a comfortable, vintage rail car and retrace the original route beyond the summit of White Pass at 2,865 feet through breathtaking scenery. Upon reaching Fraser, British Columbia, you’ll board a motor coach for the journey down the west side of White Pass Canyon as you hear about Tormented Valley and Pitchfork Falls.

Stop at historic Liarsville, a gold rush trail camp located at the foot of the White Pass and nestled beside a waterfall. The camp was named for the journalists whose reports on the Klondike Gold Rush included tall tales of the prospectors’ exploits. Browse the authentic camp exhibits, including antiques and garments left behind. A cast of sourdoughs and dance hall girls will entertain you with a hilarious melodrama and a poem. You’ll then be set free in the Liarsville gold fields, where you are guaranteed to find some gold of your own! Enjoy a snack, shop for souvenirs or have your photo taken with a dance hall girl or the camp’s sled dog mascot, Denali.

Note: All guests must carry a valid passport as this tour will be crossing both U.S. and Canadian borders. This tour may operate in reverse order.

Depart the pier to La Popa Monastery, located on top of a hill overlooking Cartagena. This monastery was built at the beginning of the 17th century and houses a Colonial museum and a chapel dedicated to Virgen de la Candelaria, patron saint of Cartagena. Next, make a photo stop at San Felipe Fortress. This castle defended the city from many attacks and withstood the bloodiest assault from the British Admiral Vernon. Then, proceed to the Old City where you’ll walk approximately five blocks in the Colonial part of the city. Once at Bolivar Plaza, you’ll find Saint Peter Claver Church, the cathedral and the Inquisition Palace. After your walk, drive through the modern part of the city to a rest stop at the Pierino Gallo Plaza, for refreshments and some shopping. Afterwards, you’ll visit Pastelillo Fort, constructed in the mid 1700's. This is home to one of the most exclusive restaurants in town, Club de Pesca. Located in a corner of the 300 year old fortress, the restaurant overlooks Cartagena's marina and has a view of the walled city. At this elegant setting, take in the surroundings while enjoying a delicious Caribbean appetizer with a contemporary touch. Note: Bring comfortable clothing and shoes. less