SHORE EXCURSIONS CREDIT

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

Sail a sleek catamaran through the enchanting waters between Corfu and the mainland, stopping on occasion to swim, while taking in the spectacular scenery. Once you settle into the 42-foot catamaran, the Mediterranean, you will sail past Corfu’s imposing 15th-century Venetian-built fortress and defensive sea walls before anchoring off the luxurious Mon Repos Palace hotel. The water should be immensely refreshing, crystal-clear and teeming with all sorts of colorful marine life. Afterwards, you will have the opportunity for a similar experience by swimming off teeny Mouse Island. According to legend, Ulysses shipwrecked here and Poseidon turned his ship into the island. The captain will also anchor off heavily wooded Vidos Island, which has the added attraction of being a wildlife sanctuary. While enjoying a buffet lunch of classic Greek dishes on deck, you might watch for birds such as pheasants and even wild goats along the beach-blessed shoreline.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise the waters off Corfu in 42-foot catamaran with a sun deck and shaded areas.
• Anchor at three different locations to swim in the crystal-clear sea.
• Admire the gorgeous scenery, while hearing about Corfu’s history and mythology.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

Go deep-sea 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 all the necessary tackle and bait that the fish should find irresistible. The crew will also offer tips on how best to cast and retrieve the lure or live bait to maximize the experience.

Jacks thrive here among the reefs and if you catch one be prepared for a fierce fight. They typically weigh up to five pounds, but can be much larger. 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.

Enjoy a comprehensive tour of the quarries in the Apuan Alps that have supplied Carrara marble since Roman times. The mountains contain a staggering amount of marble that was prized even before Michelangelo selected some of it to sculpt his Pietà and David. While traveling through the alps, you will pause to view Ponti di Vara, a centuries-old bridge used to transport marble, and Fantiscritti, an outdoor quarry museum of sorts that will clearly show the challenges of excavating, transporting and processing Carrara white marble. The quarry is a fascinating sight, especially considering that the mountains have yielded an endless supply of marble for more than 2,000 years. Some of it is used to make chests for aging lardo – or seasoned pure pork fat. Quarrymen have long eaten the high-energy delicacy, and you have the opportunity to sample this melt-in-your-mouth treat while enjoying other Italian dishes for lunch.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Travel into the Apuan Alps, where Carrara marble has been quarried for 2,000 years.
• View an unusual outdoor museum that shows how the marble is quarried, step by step.
• Enjoy a lunch of Italian specialties, including a high-energy snack that quarrymen eat.

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

Discover the tropical corals, colorful marine life, dramatic walls, reefs, and fascinating wrecks surrounding New Providence Island. Your first dive will be a wall covered with coral reef appropriate for new and advanced divers. Your dive master will lead the dive to 80 feet for approximately 30 minutes, however, you may prefer to stay up on the shallower ledge while others dive deeper. Your second dive is either a shallow reef or a wreck dive. Here, you may explore a 100 foot freighter in 50 feet, the famous James Bond wreck in 40 feet or dive in the Cessna used in the filming of Jaws.

Ride on the slopes of Haleakala by Bicycle. This tour picks up at the Kahului Harbor. We then stop at our bike tour base to watch Maui Bike industry’s only safety video. Complimentary coffee, juice and snacks are provided. From there, our guided van tour up to the launch point at the 6,500 foot elevation begins. Guides will provide clients with an extensive history of Haleakala, its geology and an explanation of the rare plants and animals only found on Maui. Here clients are expertly fitted to their bicycles, given helmets and begin their 14-mile bike ride down the slopes of Haleakala, continuing through the switchbacks of Haleakala Ranch, the upcountry town of Kula and ending in Hali'i Maile from where you will depart back to the cruise ship.

Join in the fun of this exciting combo! Enjoy the unique experience of getting behind your shared two-passenger speed boat and explore the underwater world with your snorkel equipment. Start your adventure with a 20-minute taxi ride to picturesque Barracuda Beach. After orientation and safety instructions, you’re now at the helm of a two-seater speed boat and ready for a run across the crystal clear Caribbean waters during this adrenaline-fueled excursion.

Feel the waves below you and admire the scenic coastline, passing by white sand beaches and mysterious lagoons. After your one hour ride gently pilot your boat to the shallow waters and enjoy some time snorkeling. Return to the beach for a delicious lunch and relaxing time beachside. After your fun-filled adventure, settle in for the taxi ride back to your cruise ship.

Everybody loves friendly Rays! Enjoy two great ray activities -a personal encounter plus shore-side snorkeling. Then relax and have fun at a private shore club with its resident, friendly critters, and water trampoline. Mere minutes from your ship, you’ll be provided with snorkeling gear and briefed on equipment and the rays. Your guide works with small groups to give you personal attention.

First, you’ll encounter the rays in a shallow area and get to feed them if you like. Then, you'll move to a larger area for snorkeling with a larger school of rays, nurse sharks, and all their colorful fish friends. Finally, you’ll have some beach club leisure time, complete with a snack bar, souvenirs and photos available to complete your experience.

Glide through the jungle on an Aerial Tram and see the rainforest from the same perspective as the monkeys and birds do. You’ll travel to the Gamboa Rainforest Resort located within the Soberania National Park for your tram adventure.

Your gondola will take you from the shadowy forest floor, through the under story and high into the sun-drenched canopy. Keep an eye out for the monkeys and exotic birds that make their home here. You’ll also have an opportunity to explore the various resort exhibits, including a butterfly farm, aquarium and orchid garden.

Experience the ultimate thrill on your own underwater motor scooter. The Breathing Observation Submersible Scooter, BOSS is the most thrilling way to explore the aquatic world. No scuba diving experience necessary and you are the driver! Your tour begins as you board the bus for a scenic drive to Ocean Connections’ dive facility. Here, you’ll board a 52-foot custom-built power catamaran for a cruise out to a beautiful reef.

Featured on the Discovery Channel, Travel Channel and the Today Show, BOSS is designed to allow you to breathe normally while you drive underwater and experience the undersea world. Dive instructors and certified dive masters will guide you along the way, pointing out the abundant aquatic life and other wonders of the Caribbean Sea.

If you choose, you can also snorkel or simply relax on the boat and soak up the Caribbean sun. Complimentary snorkeling equipment is provided. This is a truly unique underwater experience.

The Skagway Triple Adventure is the ultimate Alaska outdoor experience! You’ll bike through the coastal temperate rainforest onto the tidal flats, hike a portion of the historic Chilkoot Trail, then float down the glacial-fed Taiya River on a relaxing raft journey. You’ll get to do it all on this one excursion! This amazing tour starts with a 25 minute narrated van ride to the historic Taiya River Valley. Once home to 10,000 stampeders, nature has now reclaimed the land.

Your guides escort you on five miles of easy pedaling on flat dirt roads with stops at historic and natural sites. Search for eagles and view colorful wildflowers while enjoying beautiful mountain vistas. Enjoy a snack at the end of your biking segment then begin your two mile hike on the Chilkoot Trail. You will retrace the steps of the Gold Rush stampeders hiking through a green moss-covered northern temperate rainforest. At the end of the one-way hike, you’ll meet up with your raft guide for a relaxing river float on the tranquil Taiya River.

Take a bus ride from your ship to the West End. After a brief orientation, you’ll receive your mask, fin snorkel and snorkel vest. Jump into the beautiful waters of Half Moon Bay to explore this colorful underwater world and the variety of fish in Roatans first Marine Park. Before heading to your kayaking experience, enjoy a great lunch including fresh fruits and quesadillas, as well as water, lemonade and iced-tea all day.

After a briefing on kayaking and after receiving your life preserver, take a kayak trip down to West Bay where you’ll stop on the beach. You can take a swim or go on a nature hike and visit a banana plantation. You’ll have shopping time in West End village at the end of your trip.