SHORE EXCURSIONS

Enjoy a fun-filled bus ride during this transfer via Chivas Bus to the sites and shops of picturesque Montecristi. The brightly-painted Chivas Bus was the most important means of transportation used by the local populace. They crisscrossed the country,offering reasonably-priced transportation between the towns along the coast and interior sections of Ecuador. Most will know a Chivas because of the small ceramic models sold in craft stores that are typically depicted overflowing with produce, suitcases and the odd basket of chickens tied to the top.

Today, a local band will ride atop one of the buses as you set off in a convoy for the short, 30-minute ride to fascinating Montecristi, home of the famous Panama hat. This beautiful little town is indeed the highlight of the tour, and still retains the atmosphere and faded elegance of its Spanish heritage. At Montecristi's central square, visit a Toquilla Hat workshop to learn about the hat making process, then we will visit many artisan stalls selling straw baskets, jewelry, colorful handicrafts and Panama hats.

OVERVIEW

Enjoy a delightful and spectacularly panoramic drive through San Francisco in the evening when the city is beautifully illuminated. With no stops along the way, you can comfortably settle into a seat and watch the ever-changing vistas as you follow a route past many of the most well-known attractions. The sights begin at Fisherman’s Wharf, whose iconic crab wheel-shaped sign is particularly easy to spot at night. You will then proceed into the Nob Hill district, from which you will enjoy a close-up view of Grace Cathedral. Its façade is typically illuminated with lights of different colors, making the cathedral look all the more glorious. Next, you will cross the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge to Treasure Island, which will afford extraordinary views of the skylines of both cities. Once you return to the mainland, you will drive to the Embarcadero, an ideal waterfront setting to view the Transamerica Building twinkling against the night sky.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Settle in for an evening drive through San Francisco when it is beautifully illuminated.
• See iconic attractions such as Fisherman’s Wharf, Grace Cathedral and the Embarcadero.
• Enjoy skyline views of San Francisco and Oakland from Treasure Island.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Our tour today begins with a drive along Manta’s “malecón” or promenade. Our guide enlightens us on the history of this area, which was home to pre-Columbian peoples such as the Valdivia culture, whose fragments of pottery are the oldest found anywhere in South America.

The archaeological site of Cerro Jaboncillo is unique because it allows observation of a distinct and complex society that was established in the area between 900 and 1500 AD. This developed society controlled large areas of Guayas and Manabi provinces in Ecuador. The Cancebí-Manteños acquired highly developed levels in their society practices and with their control of the sea extended their culture to the California Gulf, Mexico, Chile and Peru.

Visiting this place is an experience that mixes culture, tourism and nature. Located on the eastern slope of Cerro Jaboncillo, the area around the archaeological site features a variety of plants and animals that survive in a unique ecosystem that depends on water cycles, especially in the summer fog.

This tour takes you off the beaten track to see a side of Panama not often seen by visitors. You will begin with a 30-minute coach transfer from the pier in Amador to the Miraflores Locks, the first set of locks from the Pacific side of the Canal and probably the most visited due to their proximity to Panama City. Upon arrival, you will be able to view a model of the Canal that is accompanied by a narration provided by a Panama Canal guide. From here, move to the viewing platform where you can observe first-hand the Canal in action.

Next, visit the nearby IMAX Theater to enjoy an informational rich canal documentary narrated by Morgan Freeman. Through the magic of 3D and IMAX cameras, audiences everywhere can take an incredible trip through one of the seven wonders of the modern world in Panama Canal 3D- A Land Divided - A Land Divided - A World United. The documentary takes you through the locks and mechanical operations of the canal.

Re-joining your coach, you will travel to Fort Clayton, the Army base that housed the Southern Command Headquarters. Here, you will have the opportunity to see how the U.S. Army troops lived during their stay in Panama. Your tour also takes you past the new development of the 'City of Knowledge', a joint development between the Panamanian government and several educational institutes and research development companies. Continuing, drive through portions of Albrook Air Force Base which today, is where the new Domestic Airport is located and where you will observe how it has now been converted into a commercial area and high-end residential district. Prior to heading back to the pier, you will take a drive through the community of Balboa, the primary area where workers and important buildings were located during the Canal's construction.

OVERVIEW
Interact in the water with sea lions and manatees, two of the friendliest marine creatures that inhabit the enclosed pools within Chankanaab National Park. Following an introduction on how to maximize the experience, you will watch the sea lions perform entertaining antics on stage. You will then ease into a nearby swimming pool, where the sea lions will show off with acrobatic leaps and zip through the water at remarkable speeds. If one of these sociable animals approaches, the trainer will show you the best way to interact with it while describing typical sea lion behavior. Similarly, you will have the opportunity to get close to a manatee and learn about its characteristics while in the water with one of these docile mammals. You may even get the chance to feed one of these large, slow-moving herbivores. Following your encounters, you will be served lunch and have free time to enjoy the park’s other amenities.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Interact one-on-one with sea lions and manatees in a national park.
• Learn fascinating facts about the animals’ behavior, diets and anatomy.
• Enjoy a sumptuous lunch and amenities that include a relaxing beach.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Discover the joys of traditional Dominican life by visiting a sugarcane plantation, a cigar factory and one of the more remote beaches on the mainland. You will travel to all of these venues in an open-air safari-style vehicle designed for optimal viewing. Upon arriving at a company-owned town known as a “batey,” you will learn how sugarcane is harvested and processed. You will also be offered a taste of freshly cut sugarcane. Continuing on, you will enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour of the Tabacalera La Vega Fina factory, where master hand-rollers produce some of the finest cigars in the Dominican Republic. The cigars are known for their balanced character and rich flavor. To round out your immersion into the local lifestyle, you will spend time on Bayahibe Beach, an idyllic stretch of sand that is typically uncrowded. Feel free to swim in the crystal-clear waters or simply bask in the sun without a care in the world.

Depart from Malacate Pier on your air-conditioned bus for the scenic one hour bus ride to the unique and picturesque Belize Spice Farm and Botanical Gardens. Here you will have the opportunity to learn how some of the common spices that we utilize on a daily basis are grown and processed. See how vanilla, nutmeg, maze cardamom, cinnamon, cloves and black pepper are cultivated, as you travel through the farm on your Spice Farm Tram. After your farm tour, relax in the comfortable guest center where you will be offered a complementary fresh fruit juice and have the opportunity to purchase drinks and snacks and some of the various spices that are grown and processed here at the farm and locally produced handicraft.

It's now time to head back to your ship docked at Harvest Caye, it's been an interesting, fun and educational adventure.

Immerse yourself in the Ecuadorian culture at an afternoon tea and traditional dance performance at the lovely Montecristi Golf Club. Depart from the pier for a brief drive through downtown Manta to Montecristi Golf Club or similar venue. While the canapés and sweets will vary depending on which ingredients are freshest, take your time savoring the flavors, which are representative of Ecuadorian cuisine. Following the tea, an Ecuadorian dance troupe will perform a variety of modern and traditional dances that reflect the multicultural character of the country. You'll notice the influence of African rhythms and Andean beats as the performers gracefully dance across the stage in brightly colored costumes. It's a captivating experience, so much so that you may be encouraged to try these ethnic Ecuadorian dances yourself. Feel free to step out on the stage after the show, as the dancers will be happy to teach you some of the steps. Afterwards, you'll drive back to the pier.

Race through the dense tree canopy surrounding Dunn’s River Falls on a series of ziplines and then head for the mall for a Jamaican lunch and shopping. You will ride seven ziplines of varying lengths and heights, each of them exhilarating in its own way. The path between many of the ziplines features hanging bridges that span the falls, which add a different sort of thrill as the bridges tend to sway. The bird’s-eye views from these elevated vantage points will be spectacular. Chances are, you will see other adventurers below climbing the multi-tiered waterfall, which cascades over a bed of limestone that’s two football fields long. The water eventually empties into the sea. Following the zipline experience, you will return to Ocho Rios for lunch at Island Village, a colorful shopping mall with a wide range of merchandise. Feel free to browse on your own after dining.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Soar over Dunn’s River Falls on a series of ziplines and hanging bridges. • Marvel at the panoramic, bird’s-eye views as you race downhill on the ziplines. • Enjoy a delicious Jamaican lunch with time to shop at the Island Village mall.

OVERVIEW

Join your Alaskan captain and their crew on a cruise through the waters surrounding the naturally beautiful islands around Ketchikan. Once onboard, relax inside the heated main cabin or out on the observation deck, as you prepare for your first sighting of the iconic American bald eagle. Along the way, you will be treated to panoramic views of the historic lighthouse on Guard Island and the Tlingit and Haida hand-carved totem poles and clan house at Totem Bight State Park. You will also witness a diversity of ecosystems as you cruise past coastal residential areas on Revillagigedo Island and along the undeveloped shoreline of Gravina Island, much of which is blanketed by the Tongass National Forest, our world’s largest temperate rainforest. Wildlife is abundant, so keep an eye out for not just bald eagles, but harbor seals, sea lions, seabirds, and whales. While taking in the scenery, enjoy a hot chocolate, freshly brewed coffee, or soda of your choice alongside a snack sampler plate of Alaskan specialties, including a traditional alder-smoked salmon.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Admire Alaska’s natural beauty while cruising to and from Guard Island.
• Relax in the boat’s heated main cabin or out on the observation deck.
• See the colorful, carved Tlingit and Haida totem poles at Totem Bight State Park.
• Look for wildlife such as bald eagles, harbor seals and humpback or orca whales.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Dive a sheer wall of various depths off Catalina Island, followed by a second dive along a coral reef so full of marine life that it is nicknamed “The Aquarium.” You will depart right from the pier on a custom catamaran dive boat and cruise the crystal-clear waters that surround the island to “The Wall,” the site of your first dive. As you descend to a depth that ranges from 40 to 90 feet, you will see several impressive ledges along a steep slope covered with coral and sponges and teeming with colorful tropical fish. The second dive will take place on the other side of Catalina Island at the coral reef known as “The Aquarium.” The nickname isn’t an exaggeration, as the marine life there is so abundant and varied that it is like diving in an aquarium. You might see dolphin, snapper, eels, rays, and plenty more swimming about, completely undisturbed by your presence.

OVERVIEW
Spend the day at Chankanaab National Park, a tropical setting with boundless amenities to keep you entertained. The park’s name refers to a Mayan word for “little sea,” which is appropriate since many of the activities revolve around the enclosed lagoon. You might swim in the crystal-clear waters, bask in the sun on the powdery beaches and relax in the shade of a towering palm, doing nothing more energetic than watching the world go by. Be sure to save time to watch the sea lion performance, as these marine animals love to show off with acrobatic leaps and by zipping through the water at remarkable speeds. Other entertaining options include exploring the archaeological site and discovering how tequila is made. You will also enjoy a hearty buffet lunch of traditional Mexican dishes.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Enjoy the abundant amenities at Chankanaab National Park at your leisure.
• Watch sea lions perform entertaining antics in an enclosed pool.
• Enjoy a sumptuous lunch and amenities that include a relaxing beach.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.