EXCURSIONES EN TIERRA

Go fishing in the beautiful, crystal-clear waters off Harvest Caye, which are teeming with highly prized, fun-to-catch fish such as groupers, snappers and jacks. After departing from the pier in a skiff designed for fishing, you will cruise into the turquoise waters off Harvest Caye, which are teeming with fish. Just settle in and enjoy, as the 32-foot boat races to a spot where the fish have been biting lately. Once the boat anchors, a crew member will outfit you with the necessary bait that the fish should find irresistible. The crew will also offer tips on how best to cast and retrieve the bait to maximize the experience. Jacks thrive here among the reefs and if you catch one be prepared for a fierce fight. Easy to identify by their steep heads and deeply forked tails, jacks are often caught here. If you catch a striped fish that grunts like a pig when you pull it out of the water, it will be a grunt. They make that characteristic sound by grinding the teeth deep in their throats. Grunts tend to school in the many reefs and sea beds off Harvest Caye. Many types of groupers are found in deeper waters near rocks, drop-offs and ledges. Although groupers are slow swimmers, they can be powerful, especially the massive ones.

Take in the jewels of the City by the Bay on this half day discovery of the “the City.”

From the pier, travel west passing fisherman’s wharf en route to view the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. Here you pause at the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center which offers excellent views of the bridge and informative information and representations of the bridge’s history and engineering. The ample shop offers souvenirs and books memorializing the city and bridge structure. From the Golden Gate to Land’s End, where the city meets the sea.

At Lands’ End, enjoy views over the Pacific Ocean while the nearby modern visitors center offers Indoor exhibits and videos on the natural and cultural history of the Land's End area, Sutro Baths and Sutro Heights. From the coast, drive along the Great Highway to Golden Gate Park on the way to one of the city’s numerous hills, Twin Peaks. At 922 and 904 feet, respectively, South Peak and North Peak are the second- and third-highest hills in San Francisco. Enjoy postcard views over the entire bay from the viewpoint here before beginning the route back to the water’s edge passing a number of historic neighborhoods and buildings before arriving to the pier.

After a short ride, get ready to enjoy the best family activity at Ocean World, the Dolphin Encounter, which offers close contact with dolphins in waist-deep water, kissing, feeding, and playing with these gentle mammals. This 20-minute interaction is fun and educational, ideal for non-swimmers and families with babies. This tour features additional activities including: Dominican buffet lunch, snorkeling with hundreds of fish in the tropical reef aquarium (Minimum height 115 cm/ 45”). Swim at the dolphin beach lagoon and relax at the Pirate’s Pool. An unlimited water park pass to use the Water Slides in the beach area (Minimum height required 122 cm / 48”). Visit to the rain forest. Encounter, feed, and take pictures with love birds. Observe toucans, macaws and flamingos. Dolphin, sea lion, and bird shows are presented, guests may take advantage of these shows time permitting. Photos, videos, and local souvenirs are available at the gift shop and the photo lab at an additional cost. The park also features bars and restaurants with a variety of local drinks and food available for purchase.

While the ingenuity of the Panama Canal is world renowned, few know about the amazing history that shaped Panama and this tour invites you to discover it. Enjoy a scenic view of the skyline while traveling to the old Panama City, founded in 1519 and destroyed by the infamous Welsh Captain Henry Morgan in 1671. This scenic excursion takes you to see the ruins of the churches and convents, colonial palaces, bridges and military buildings that attest to the city’s history and grand past.

As you make your way along the coastline, take the opportunity to discover the tales of gallantry and piracy that wait in the narrow streets of Colonial Panama. You’ll walk through the old French Quarter, founded in in 1673 by French colonists. On a leisurely 45 minute walk, you’ll appreciate the many changes of the city by viewing its unique architecture, influenced by a combination of French, Spanish and Italian styles.

OVERVIEW

You'll be escorted to your air-conditioned vehicle for a comfortable 25-minute drive to the embarking point, where your adventure begins. Sail to the pristine beach that rims Bahia de las Aguilas in a regular motor boat that offer unobstructed views of the marine life below. You may even spot manatees, which thrive in the crystalline waters as the bay lies within the protected Jaragua National Park. Bahia de las Aguilas translates to Bay of the Eagles, a name that may refer to the sea eagles that feast on the fish there. The area couldn’t be more remote or undeveloped, which is much of its appeal. The captain will pick a spot that will be ideal for you to relax on the beach and within a carpeted tent ideal for glamping.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Take in the gorgeous tropical scenery as you cruise to secluded Bahia de las Aguilas.
• Relax on a lengthy stretch of beach chosen for its privacy and natural beauty.
• Enjoy access to a tent with a carpet to enhance your glamping experience.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing with a swimsuit underneath.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Visit the landmarks in Falmouth that best reflect its 250-year history before heading to a waterfront resort for an inspired tasting of Jamaican rums. The highlights that you will see downtown include the iconic St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Georgian-style Falmouth Court House and Water Square, a popular gathering place whose name dates to the early 19th century when running water was first available there. The natural beauty on the outskirts of town is equally captivating as you will discover while gazing out over the lush countryside from the High View Point lookout. Jamaica is also known for its rum, which has long been intertwined with the culture of the island. It tends to be exceptionally aromatic and flavorful as you will discover while sampling a selection of premium rums at the Bamboo Beach Club. If time permits, you might swim in the sea and stop for a bit of shopping.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See the best of Falmouth and come away with an understanding of its history.
• Appreciate the town’s many Georgian-style buildings, which are largely intact.
• Sample a selection of Jamaican rums at a waterfront resort.
• Take a dip in the Caribbean Sea and shop if time permits.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

This completely unique tour could easily be the highlight of your trip. Just imagine traveling down the tracks of the first transcontinental railroad in a beautifully restored and richly adorned railcar, while viewing what is widely considered to be the 8th wonder of the world; the Panama Canal, as well as spectacular Gatun Lake and the extraordinarily beautiful flora and fauna of the surrounding countryside. Adding to all of that, the unrivaled experience of traveling from one ocean to another, crossing the amazing continent of the Americas in just over one hour!

The Panama Railroad was the brainchild of a group of New York Financiers who wanted to create an easy passage for the increasing gold rush traffic. The railroad took five years and eight million dollars to build and was completed in 1855. During its first 12 years of operation, the train carried over 750 million dollars’ worth of gold and silver and collected one-quarter of one percent of each shipment as duty. The railroad was rebuilt in 1909 during the construction of the Panama Canal, and without it, the canal could not have been built. Your journey will begin with a short coach transfer from the pier in Amador to the Pacific side railroad station where you will board the train for your approximately 75-minute rail journey. As you travel through the lush tropical rainforest, there is a good chance you'll sight some Howler monkeys, colorful toucans or other exotic wildlife. Crossing the Continental Divide, you'll find yourself on the Atlantic side, where you will disembark the train.

Following your time at locks, you will re-board your coach and transfer back to the pier in Amador.

OVERVIEW

Experience two exhilarating rides at the Mystic Mountain eco-adventure park as a warm-up to visiting the natural wonder Dunn’s River Falls. Covered by rainforest, Mystic Mountain rises 700 feet above the sea and the views on the way up are extraordinary. You will ascend on the Sky Explorer, an open-air chair-lift much like the ones used at ski resorts. The higher you ascend, the more thrilling the ride and the more spectacular the views. At the summit, you will hop in a bobsled patterned after the one that Jamaica’s Olympic team rode in the 1988 Winter Olympics. The big difference is that this bobsled follows a twisting track through the dense rainforest. As an alternative to these manmade thrills, you will enjoy an easy but exhilarating climb up gently cascading Dunn’s River Falls, perhaps Jamaica’s most iconic attraction. Pause any time you like to relax in the terraced pools and soak up the tropical scenery.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ride the Sky Explorer chairlift up and down the forested slopes of Mystic Mountain.
• Tear through the rainforest on a bobsled track with countless twists and turns.
• Climb gently tumbling Dunn’s River Falls and enjoy a refreshing dip along the way.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing with a swimsuit underneath.
• Bring a towel and sunscreen.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Experience the thrill of an Iron Chef-style cooking challenge, where you can put your skills to the test with fellow passengers. With breathtaking rooftop views of San Francisco as a backdrop, classes are taught by local hosts who bring their expertise and passion to each session.

Spend hours with a chef as they demonstrate culinary techniques and provides cooking tips, all in the interest of improving your skills in the kitchen. Whether you are somewhat of a novice or a highly experienced cook, this course has plenty to offer. During the session, you will learn how to prepare dishes using seasonal ingredients that are nutrient-rich and responsibly sourced. You will also discover the principles of flavor composition so you can create memorable dishes without following a recipe when you return home. Much of the course will be hands on, allowing you to better understand the principles by practicing the techniques under the chef’s watchful eye. Afterwards, you will enjoy a lunch made with garden-fresh ingredients that reflect California international cuisine. The exact dishes will be determined by what’s in season, but past offerings have included Thai, summer vegetable galette, balsamic Swiss chard tart and buckwheat crepes with tarragon zucchini.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Spend time in a hands-on cooking class with an accomplished chef in her home kitchen.
• Learn techniques to better prepare nutrient-rich, responsibly sourced dishes.
• Gain an understanding of flavor composition so you can prepare meals without a recipe.
• Dine on dishes that reflect California cuisine.

OVERVIEW

Travel around Astoria, taking in the most outstanding sights and stopping on occasion at landmarks that best reveal the city’s history. Astoria was named for millionaire businessman John Jacob Astor, whose fur trading company established the first permanent settlement west of the Rockies here in 1811. As you continue around the city on this narrated driving tour, you will discover all sorts of fascinating facts about Astoria and see key attractions such as the Liberty Theater, where Clark Gable made his first stage appearance. Other highlights include the Doughboy Monument that commemorates those that fought in World War I, a Victorian mansion built for Astoria’s first millionaire and the mural-adorned Astoria Column that the Astor family funded in 1926. You will also learn about the devastating fire of 1922 that almost destroyed Astoria and how the city was rebuilt to become greater than ever.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Become familiar with Astoria’s history through key landmarks.
• Understand the influence of John Jacob Astor on his namesake city.
• Hear commentary about momentous events such as the fire of 1922.
• Take in the panoramic view from atop Astoria Column, if you wish.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

Victoria is one of the most picturesque cities in North America – it exudes old world charm and has a distinctively British flair. You’ll discover the heart and soul of the “City of Gardens” on this tour and appreciate why so many visitors from around the world come each year to visit. Starting at Ogden Point you’ll head into the residential neighborhoods, complete with manicured lawns, abundant flowers of all shapes and sizes, and million-dollar views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Olympic Mountain range. Your tour will continue through the city's impressive Beacon Hill Park, complete with free flying peacocks and the world's tallest freestanding totem pole. After enjoying the sites of old town and Chinatown, you’ll enter Victoria's Inner Harbor. This lively area is home to the Royal British Columbia Museum, numerous street performers, craft vendors, food stalls, legislative buildings, and the world-famous Fairmont Empress Hotel.

Discover the real Acapulco! Departing from the pier. Tour will take you to Acapulco’s newest area, Punta Diamante, where you’ll witness the city's constant growth and the distinct character of its three tourist zones (Traditional, Golden, and Diamond), as well as the urban area where locals live. Stop for photos at Santa Lucia Bay and Puerto Marques. A scenic drive along one of the city’s main avenues will take you to the area where the hospital and universities are located, and to the central farmer's market. Enjoy a welcome drink while browsing a nearby shop for souvenirs. Finally, before returning to your ship, witness the city's greatest spectacle: the world-famous Acapulco High cliff divers, who leap from La Quebrada at a height of over 110 feet.