Grand Panama Canal Cruise

Itinerary

• Day 1 - Fly from UK to San DIego USA
  Fly from UK to San Diego. Transfer to hotel for an overnight hotel stay.
• Day 2 - San Diego, USA
  Embark ship.
• Day 3-4 - At Sea
  Relax and make the most of the myriad of facilities available on board the ship, from fantastic entertainment to delicious and diverse dining options.
• Day 5 - Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
  Unlike some of Mexico's beach resorts, Puerto Vallarta, on the Pacific Ocean, retains its colonial-era charm. Its town square, Plaza de Armas, and the gorgeous parish church topped with an ornate crown serve as the loveliest representations of bygone ages. Alongside them are an ambitious public art project along the seaside walkway (the malecón) and trendy restaurants. Round these out with outdoor activities on Banderas Bay (whale-watching! snorkeling! jet-skiing!) and a side trip to one of Mexico's pueblos mágicos (magical towns, a designation recognizing smaller towns that possess historical and cultural value), and you'd be hard-pressed to find a more pleasant port.
• Day 6 - At Sea
  The Panama Canal transit takes you through a total of 12 locks. During your journey from the Pacific Ocean to Gatún Lake, your cruise ship will rise through the locks of Miraflores and Pedro Miguel. Near the town of Gatún, you'll feel the ship descend to the Atlantic. As you make your eight-hour transit, an on board expert will guide you through the Canal's tumultuous history, ingenious design and profound effect on geopolitics and the world economy. Bring your questions, because your guide is there to enrich your experience of this engineering marvel.
• Day 7 - At Sea
  Relax and make the most of the myriad of facilities available on board the ship, from fantastic entertainment to delicious and diverse dining options.
• Day 8 - Huatulco, Mexico
  Huatulco, situated on Mexico's Pacific Coast in the state of Oaxaca, has nine bays and 36 beaches, offering more than enough opportunities for fun in the sun. The most popular beach is La Entrega, with clean white sand and calm waters, perfect for snorkelling and swimming . . . or just relaxing. But Huatulco's attractions aren't limited to sand and surf; there are also archaeological sites to explore, rivers to raft, and waterfalls whose pools invite childlike splashing. Bird lovers, in particular, will find Huatulco to be especially captivating. The region is home to more than 225 bird species, including many rare ones and a number that are endemic to Mexico, like the Colima pygmy owl and the wildly colourful orange-breasted bunting and citreoline trogon.
• Day 9 - Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala
  Puerto Quetzal is an ideal point of departure for exploring several corners of the country. Choose your mode of transportation-plane, bus, car or boat-and decide whether you want to take in Guatemala's stunning, volcano-studded landscape, one of the country's Mayan sites, the UNESCO-recognised colonial city of Antigua (the former capital), a coffee plantation or one of the many beguiling bodies of water. In addition to the gleaming Pacific, there's Lake Atitlán, which 19th-century German explorer Alexander von Humboldt described as the most beautiful lake in the world. All of these attractions are accessible as day trips, and getting to them is all part of your Guatemalan adventure.
• Day 10 - Corinto, Nicaragua
  Nicaragua has been billed as the next great spot for eco-, cultural and culinary tourism. Adventurous guests keen to experience its charms are rewarded richly for their efforts. The country's most visited cities are Managua (the capital), Granada and León; the latter sits near the Pacific Coast. Corinto is the nearest port town, just northwest of León and along the route to the Panama Canal Zone. It offers many of the charms of the larger cities, including their colonial-era architecture, as well as a number of cultural and ecological attractions in surrounding areas. Given the port's proximity to León, it's easy for cruise passengers to take a day trip to this beautiful city established by Spanish conquistadors in 1524.
• Day 11 - Puntarenas (Puerto Caldera), Costa Rica
  Set along the Gulf of Nicoya, Puerto Caldera is a residential area flanked by tropical forests. It features a stretch of sandy beach showcasing picturesque sunsets, which can also be seen from the hilltop Nemaclys view point and the defunct Caldera Train Station. Monkeys make their homes along the Caldera Promenade and at the Monkey House. There's a handful of bars and laid-back eateries, some with gulf views.