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.

Snorkel the azure waters adjacent to the of Belize's Barrier Reef, the world’s largest living barrier reef. This is a shallow water entry, well suited for beginners and intermediate snorkelers. Depart from the Harvest Caye Marina on one of our comfortable snorkel vessels for the short scenic ride to a beautiful site along the reef. This location is teeming with multitudes of colorful reef fish, co-habiting among the beautiful hard and soft coral formations, intermingled with sponges, sea fans, and delicate sea anemones.

Possible sightings of spotted eagle rays and schools of larger fish are quite common, large starfish, queen conchs, and sea cucumbers also call this patch of the reef home. After snorkeling, re-board your boat and enjoy the return trip while listening to Caribbean rhythmic vibes. After returning to the pier, as you step off the boat, you can pick up your complimentary rum punch.

Enjoy an enlightening tour of Puerto Limon as a prelude to a cultural performance and hands-on cooking class. The walking portion of the tour will begin at leafy Parque Vargas, a popular gathering place that overlooks the sea. Be sure to notice Uvita Island just offshore, as it is renowned as the spot where Christopher Columbus landed in 1502 on his fourth and final voyage to the New World. He is credited with naming Costa Rica, which is Spanish for “Rich Coast.” You will also pause to take in the sights at Playa Bonita, a beautiful stretch of sand nearby. A dance performance to live calypso music follows at the House of Culture, after which you will learn to prepare a few signature local dishes. Chances are, they will include a Costa Rican version of rice and beans, a beef-stuffed turnover and a sweet plantain tart. Later, you will snack on your tasty concoctions.

Come experience the world famous, magnificent ruins of the walled city of Tulum, the only Mayan city built right on the blue Caribbean Sea! After a 45-minute ferry to Playa del Carmen, your guide will lead you to an air-conditioned motor coach for a scenic and informative one-hour drive to Tulum.

Once there, your guide will escort you through the ruins giving a complete narration along the way. See the restored temples and some of the mysterious hieroglyphic writings still visible today. Visit the temple of the frescos, famous for the detailed carved figures and original paints. And perched on the edge of the Caribbean and rising high above all of the other ruins is “El Castillo” with its breathtaking view of the aqua-colored water below.

OVERVIEW

Enjoy the ultimate experience at the Kuza Beach & Adventure Park, where a kaleidoscope of activities awaits, even access to exclusive areas reserved strictly for your group. How you spend the time will be completely up to you. If you are looking for nothing more than total relaxation, you might ease into an exclusive lounge chair, stretch out under the canopy and simply watch the world go by. Servers will be on hand just for you, ready to bring à la carte snacks and domestic drinks from the open bar. Beachfront palapas are also available for you to dine on a buffet of authentic Mexican dishes. If you would like a bit of physical activity, feel free to use any of the non-motorized gear, including kayaks, paddleboards, snorkeling equipment and bicycles. If you wish to take a refreshing swim or simply walk along the private beach, the sea is just a few steps away.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy VIP treatment and access to exclusive areas at the Kuza Beach & Adventure Park.
• Stretch out on an exclusive lounge chair overlooking the sea.
• Take advantage of the dedicated servers standing by with snacks and drinks.
• Dine under a thatched-roof beachside palapas, with an array of high end international and traditional Mexican cuisine.
• Use any of the park’s non-motorized gears, including kayaks, paddleboards and bikes (duration of each experience varies per equipment).

HELPFUL HINTS

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

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.

Don’t think… just trust and launch yourself from the Flighthouse platform. Feel the adrenaline surge and the wind gust as you soar 100 feet above the Manatee Lagoon. The first three zips crisscross Harvest Caye, each zip long enough for you to feel the rush and enjoy the sensation. To enhance the thrill and excitement we have added a transverse over the elevated suspension bridge. Allowing you a bird’s eye view of guests below or to search the horizon and take in panoramic views of the Mayan Mountains on the mainland or the turquoise waters of the outer reefs. The experience concludes with the side by side “Double Beach Run” racing face down in a superman position or sitting upright, either way it is 1,300 feet at 40 mph! No experience required. The flight crew will provide you with equipment and safety briefings. This is a tour the whole family will remember for years to come. This tour includes the Lagoon Zipline and the Superman Zipline.

OVERVIEW

Cruise into the sheltered crystal-clears waters off the Kuza Beach & Adventure Park and snorkel at three locations teeming with marine life. Your first stop will be the Colombia Reef, an excellent area for snorkeling that offers an ever-changing parade of marine creatures. Keep an eye out for snappers, groupers and trumpetfish, a species are named for the shape of its snout. You will also snorkel Palancar, the northernmost reef, where you can expect to see similar and different species. Finally, you will reach the main attraction, El Cielo, a sandbar sanctuary that primarily attracts starfish and stingrays, which really stand out against the white sandy sea bottom. You may even spot sea turtles gracefully swimming by. The nearby reefs draw an abundance of colorful tropical fish, who find shelter and food in these prime breeding grounds. Back at the adventure park, you will enjoy free time to access the amenities.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Snorkel the crystal-clear waters of a marine sanctuary and two coral reefs.
• Observe starfish, schools of tropical fish and perhaps even sea turtles.
• Be awed by the gorgeous scenery as you cruise between snorkeling destinations.
• Enjoy full access to the amenities at Kuza Beach & Adventure Park during free time.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

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 wave runner and tear off across the lagoon. 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.

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 tour was awarded Trip Advisor’s Certificate of Excellence for three consecutive years - 2017, 2018 and 2019! Swim with the world’s most fascinating creatures in a tropical atmosphere for a 40-minute dolphin swim, complete with an exciting belly ride, enjoy unlimited food and drinks, snorkel with tropical fish in the natural aquarium and venture out to the ocean for kayaking and paddle boarding.

You’ll meet your guide outside your cruise ship for an approximate 5-minute taxi ride along the coast to the facility. Upon arrival, you’ll attend a 10-minute interactive orientation session so you can learn more about the dolphins’ history, physiology and anatomy. Then make your way to a waist-deep platform in the waters of the lagoon to immerse yourself in the magical underwater world of the bottlenose dolphins. As you head into deeper water, you’ll be given a snorkel mask to see how the dolphins turn, glide and hurl themselves high into the air. Hold on tight during the famous belly ride! You can grab onto a dolphin’s fins while racing across the water at top speeds for a thrilling experience.

Relax after your dolphin swim and take full advantage of everything the facility has to offer. Stop by the palapa restaurant for lunch with the family and cool off with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Kids and adults alike will love Serenity Cove, a safe inlet with snorkel equipment where you can swim through an underwater aquarium filled with tropical fish! Head out to the ocean for fun-filled activities like kayaking and paddle boarding. Tour includes all food, beverages, snorkeling, kayaking, and paddle boarding. Photos, souvenirs, towels, and lockers are at an additional charge. After your tour, you can walk into downtown Cozumel for some shopping before heading back to the dolphin entrance where your transportation will take you back to the ship.