SHORE EXCURSIONS

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Zip through Placencia Lagoon on a wave runner leaving a rooster tail in your wake and the mainland in your rear view mirror. After watching a short orientation video that will help maximize the experience, you will hop aboard a two-person wave runner and tear off across the lagoon. You can drive the personal watercraft or be the passenger. It’s up to you. Either way, the ride will be exhilarating from start to finish. To ensure that you see all the sights, a guide will lead the way with the wave runners following more or less caravan-style. The numerous mangrove-rimmed islands that you will spot scattered about are well-protected, as their ecologically important trees filter impurities from the water and stabilize the shoreline. The lagoon’s water is typically smooth enough so you can easily carve your way across the surface without encountering any wakes other than your own.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Tear across the typically smooth waters of Placencia Lagoon in a two-person wave runner.
• Drive the wave runner or be the passenger, if you prefer.
• Enjoy an exhilarating ride and gorgeous natural scenery in every direction.

HIGHLIGHTS • Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear a swimsuit and bring a towel.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

The Dolphin Encounter is a unique opportunity to meet these incredible mammals up close and personal in waist-deep water. Experience first-hand the connection of a lifetime, while our marine mammal specialist guides you through all the fun and excitement. While enjoying the encounter, you will also gain important knowledge about conservation and education about bottlenose dolphins. Following a brief educational session into the world of our dolphins, you will also gain important knowledge on the conservation of our amazing dolphins and be given demonstration on proper hand placements for each behavior to better prepare our guests for a great experience. Our Dolphin Encounter program is specially designed for visitors of all ages looking for an in-water experience with a dolphin. In this program, guests will be able to experience multiple behaviors, including an unforgettable hug, the infamous hand target and a heartfelt handshake with our playful friend. Guests will be standing on a submerged platform for the entirety of the program.

Our talented photographers will be there during the entire program capturing your experience of a lifetime. Before heading back to your ship, relax on a motorized boat with shaded areas while you head to Cayman's famous Sand Bar to interact with southern stingrays in their own natural habitat.

Witness the natural beauty of the Caribbean at Roatan's finest preservation park – Gumbalimba Park. Explore unspoiled trails where flowers and butterflies give way to the shade of the tropical forest canopy. Make the crossing over Gumbalimba Pond via a scenic rope bridge. Delight in the tranquil sounds of the garden waterfall. Befriend the brilliant winged inhabitants of the Bird Sanctuary where friendly parrots and macaws bring the colors of the Caribbean alive. Ever dreamt of frolicking with monkeys? Enter the Monkey Refugio and meet the white face capuchin monkeys.

Roam through the Botanical Garden and learn more about the native exotic plants. Enter into the Insectarium and discover the world of insects. After exploring, dive into the freshwater pool or take a dip in the Caribbean. Come to Gumbalimba where history and nature awaits you.

OVERVIEW

Cruise to the southernmost tip of the Baja Peninsula in a spacious semi-submersible that offers panoramic views from the open deck and through large windows in the climate-controlled cabin just a few feet below the surface. Along the way, you will pass Neptune’s Finger, a thin rock formation that rises straight up out of the sea. The sights will be equally spectacular underwater as the rock attracts all sorts of colorful tropical fish. Before long you will reach Land’s End, the peninsula’s appropriately named terminus. Its dramatically rocky landscape is so photogenic that it has become a Cabo San Lucas icon, especially the huge arch that the sea and wind have carved out of the granite at Land’s End. The only inhabitants are sea lions, which you can expect to see frolicking on shore and swimming in the sea. An open bar and nachos on board will enhance the experience.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise in a semi-submersible to the iconic rocky arch at the end of the Baja Peninsula.
• Watch frolicking sea lions from the vessel’s open deck and enjoy the panoramic views.
• Observe the marine life underwater through the windows below the water’s surface.
• Snack on nachos while enjoying the open bar.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Take full advantage of the amenities at the Veleros Beach Club, which include an open bar and a beautiful beach that rims an enviable spot on the Sea of Cortez. It won’t take long to reach the exclusive beach club, giving you all the more time to relax as you please. The beach is private and spacious, so you can easily find your own quiet piece of paradise. You might stretch out on a cushioned lounge chair and bask in the sun or lie in the shade under a beach umbrella. If you wish to explore a bit farther, feel free to stroll along the shore. The sea there is one of the few swimmable spots in Cabo San Lucas, so a refreshing dip is another great option. Music will be playing to enhance the ambiance and the bar will be open for the first two hours after you arrive.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Spend hours relaxing at the exclusive Veleros Beach Club.
• Relax on the private beach, which rims one of the few swimmable spots in town.
• Bask in the sun or lie in the shade on a cushioned lounge chair.
• Enjoy the open bar, ambiance music and chips and salsa for a snack.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

Tear through the jungle terrain on an ATV designed for off-road adventure and then unwind on a beach in a sheltered cove. The venue for this adrenaline-pumping ATV escapade will be an adventure park with all sorts of winding nature trails and areas where you can carve your own path through the leafy wilderness. Mud will be flying as you cross a riverbed and race up a mountain with scenic overlooks that will present the back country in all its glory. Be sure to look for wildlife as iguanas, agoutis and tropical birds are abundant. Once you reach Luna Beach, you can thoroughly relax on this gorgeous stretch of sand that rims a private beach club. The hours there will be yours to do as you please. Few places on Roatan are quite so spectacular for taking a refreshing swim in the sea, strolling along the shore, and basking in the sun.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Race through an adventure park caravan-style on an ATV.
• Look for iguanas and tropical birds, which are especially abundant off the main trail.
• Relax on a private beach that fronts a spectacular beach club.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Bring a swimsuit, towel and sunscreen.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.