SHORE EXCURSIONS

Experience the wonders of the Panama Canal on this spectacular partial canal transit. Arriving in Panama City, you will disembark the ship and take a short transfer by coach to the La Playita dock where you will board a spacious ferry and begin your unforgettable tour of the Panama Canal. The first lock you will pass through is the Miraflores Locks, where your ship will be raised the first 56 feet and enter Miraflores Lake. From here, you will transit through the Pedro Miguel Locks, where you will be raised the second 28 feet and enter Gatun Lake, once the largest man-made lake in the world. Crossing the Continental Divide at this point, you will continue to Gaillard Cut. The Gaillard (or Culebra) Cut, was the most challenging section of the canal to build. As you pass through the Cut, you'll see the continuing excavation that keeps this passage open to marine traffic. Enjoy a buffet lunch aboard the ferry before your fascinating tour of the Canal ends in the small village of Gamboa. While not large, Gamboa is home to the headquarters of the Panama Canal dredging division and some of the largest floating cranes in the world. After leaving your ferry, board a waiting motorcoach for the just over 1-hour drive back to the ship at Amador. Each tour participant will receive a certificate that commemorates their crossing of the Canal.

Boarding your mini-coach at the pier, you'll commence a 40-minute drive to fascinating Panama City. Panama City is located at the entrance of the Panama Canal and is an exciting city with a colorful history. The city today combines a rich collection of both modern and colonial architecture, historical monuments, and tree-shaded boulevards.

Your tour of the city begins by viewing highlights of the part of the city that is referred to as Old Panama, and which was founded in 1519 by Pedro Arias Davila and later destroyed by Captain Henry Morgan. Old Panama City was the first city of the Pacific Coast of the Americas and played a major role in the conquering of South America. In later years, it was the place where gold was sent to Portobelo and then on to Spain.

Following your tour of Old Panama, you will make your way to what is known as Casco Antiguo or Colonial Panama. This area of the city was founded in 1673 after the original capital was left in ruins following Captain Henry Morgan's attack two years earlier and features some lovely French and Spanish architecture. Several points of interest in the city are the Cathedral, the National Theater, and Las Bovedas.

Following your tour of Panama City's most notable sights, you will make the return transfer back to Amador and your waiting ship.

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.

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 comfortable domed 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, your location from high atop your glass-domed car will give you an outstanding panoramic view of the passing scenery and 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.

From here, it's a short coach transfer to Aqua Clara or the Expansion Locks. It will truly seem as if the mammoth ships passing through the locks are a mere arm's length away. Following your time at the Locks, you will re-board your coach and transfer back to the pier in Amador.

This fabulous tour begins with a scenic 45-minute drive to the luxurious Gamboa Rainforest Resort. The resort is located in the 55,000-acre Soberania National Park which is adjacent to the Panama Canal and near the historic Chagres River. On the grounds of the resort, an aerial tram has been constructed, unlocking the secrets of the heavily populated rainforest canopy.

Boarding your tram, you'll begin your ascent from the shadowy rainforest floor through the understory of vegetation and into the sun-drenched canopy. Here, you will have a bird's eye view of a thousand hues of green, interspersed with the fluorescent exclamation points of flowering trees. As you glide through the canopy, you'll sight the many animals that live high above the forest floor, such as Howler monkeys, sloths, coatimundi, and capybara. Beautiful birds like the toucan, parrot, and momot are also plentiful here, as are iguanas, frogs, butterflies, and dragonflies. After your tram ride, you may choose to climb the observation tower to enjoy a 360-degree, panoramic view of the Panama Canal, the Chagres River, and the surrounding tropical rainforest. Before returning to the pier, you will have some free time at the resort to explore the many exhibits, which include a butterfly farm, aquarium, orchid garden. There is also the opportunity to do some shopping while you are here.

This interesting tour showcases both the technology and the ecology of the Panama Canal. Commence your excursion 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. From here, move to the viewing platform where you can observe first-hand the Canal in action.

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 WORLD UNITED. The documentary takes you through the locks and mechanical operations of the canal.

Continuing, enjoy a scenic 45-minute drive to the small town of Gamboa and the lovely Gamboa Rainforest Resort. After a brief comfort stop, you will walk to the nearby wharf where you will board your sightseeing boat for an eco-cruise on Gatun Lake. This great ecological cruise takes you on a journey inside the Panama Canal and you may find yourself cruising next to cargo ships that cross the Canal every day. As you travel through these waters, your experienced guide will explain the complexity of the flora and fauna of the Canal Zone and the surprising importance of it to the operation of the Canal. Your tour also takes you to Monkey Island where it is very common to see monkeys playing in the trees.

After a relaxing, yet thoroughly informative experience exploring the environs of Gatun Lake and the Canal, you will return to the dock in Gamboa and then re-join your coach for the return to Amador.

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

Experience the natural wonders of the Gamboa Rainforest Reserve while ziplining through the tree canopy and hiking along the forest floor. A briefing at the Gamboa Rainforest Resort will prepare you for the adventure that lies ahead and how to make the most of it. You will then soar over nearly a mile of tropical rainforest on a series of zipline cables that stretch high above the ground. Every moment will be exhilarating as each of the 10 ziplines has its own characteristics. Along the way and while pausing on the elevated platforms between the ziplines, you will enjoy a literal bird’s-eye view of the tropical surroundings. Sights include the Panama Canal and the Chagres River. You will see the rainforest from an entirely different perspective while hiking through it with a naturalist guide. Besides learning about flora such as the Holy Ghost Orchid – Panama’s national flower – you may spot wildlife such as white-faced capuchin monkeys.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy the thrill of soaring through the Gamboa Rainforest Reserve on a series of 10 ziplines.
• Get a literal bird’s-eye view of the tropical forest, the Panama Canal and the Chagres River.
• Hike through the rainforest with a naturalist guide that will describe the native flora and fauna.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Look into the possibilities of retiring and investing in Panama by exploring upscale residential areas that are thriving and indicative of the robust economy. There are plenty of tax benefits when retiring in Panama and the country’s strong financial environment also makes it a great place to invest. As an introduction to some of the many advantages, you will drive in and around the capital of Panama City. You will stop in three beautifully developed districts, one being the master-planned coastal community Santa Maria. Then, there is the luxury oceanfront neighborhood of Punta Pacifica and Costa Del Este, an exclusive residential area that has also become a regional center for global companies such as Nestlé, Maersk and Panasonic. After touring the areas with a guide and independently, you can meet with local real estate experts and lawyers to discuss the advantages of living in Panama and the peculiarities of running a business in the country.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Explore the idea of retiring and running a business in Panama with real estate experts and lawyers.
• Tour a high-end master-planned community and a neighborhood of oceanfront condominiums.
• Visit Costa Del Este, a residential district that also boasts regional centers for global companies.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

See how Panama City has preserved its architectural and cultural traditions and get a glimpse into the capital’s vision for the future. While driving through the former Canal Zone, you will pass landmarks that reflect the history of this swath of land that borders the canal. Panama assumed control of it in 1999. As you will discover, Panama City has plenty of modern upscale areas such as the waterfront Punta Paitilla, yet it still embraces its colonial past. The theme park Mi Pueblito is a fine example, as it encompasses three replica traditional villages – one Afro-Caribbean, another showing how the indigenous people live and the third representing a village in Panama’s densely forested interior. As you meander about the villages, you will likely see traditional folkloric performances. A stop in a handicraft market in the Balboa district and lunch at a traditional restaurant will add more texture to your understanding of the Panamanian culture.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Settle in for an enlightening driving tour through Panama’s capital city.
• Browse three replica villages, each one depicting a different traditional lifestyle.
• Shop at a handicraft market full of merchandise made with natural materials.
• See modern and colonial landmarks that reflect Panama’s past and future vision.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Become immersed in the Emberá culture by visiting a remote village in the rainforest, where these indigenous people still practice traditions from a time before the Spanish colonized the region. The village lies within the Chagres National Park in an area only accessible by motorized dugout canoe. Along the way, you may spot parrots, monkeys, sloths and caiman, animals that thrive in the depths of the rainforest. As you will discover by interacting with the Emberá villagers, they are somewhat self-sufficient through fishing, growing plantains and selling handicrafts. Hand-woven baskets, masks made from palm leaf fibers and intricate carvings on Tagua nuts are among their creations. Most everyone in the village, from the shaman to the children, are adorned with temporary tattoos made from a black dye from the Genipa tree berry. The dye also repels insects. To enhance your cultural understanding of the Emberás, they may share their oral history and spiritual beliefs.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise in a dugout canoe to an Emberá village deep in the rainforest.
• Learn about the traditional Emberá culture, which hasn’t changed in centuries.
• Interact with the villagers, who are quick to share their cultural ways.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Gain a unique understanding of the Panama Canal’s innovative Agua Clara locks through an immersive IMAX film and then by watching the locks in operation. Narrated by Morgan Freeman, the film clearly and intriguingly explains the complexities, construction and challenges of the canal, both past and present. The Agua Clara locks, which opened in 2016, expanded the canal with an alternative lane that accommodates ships that are too massive for the original locks. The newest locks also feature a more environmentally friendly design that conserves water and reduces CO2 emissions. Still, nothing compares to seeing them in person. A scenic drive to the Atlantic side of Panama will bring you to the Agua Clara Locks Visitor Center, where you can delve even deeper into the history of the Panama Canal and the proposed changes to the canal. The center’s observation platform offers an excellent view of the ships transiting the locks.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Watch a high-resolution IMAX film that details the history of the Panama Canal.
• Discover how the Agua Clara locks allow ships once too large for the canal to now transit it.
• See the Agua Clara locks in operation from an observation platform at a visitor center.

HELPFUL HINTS

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