After hosting three exceptional cruises in the last two years, two to the Caribbean and one to Alaska, we were in a quandary as to where to cruise next. We explored many alternatives and decided on a cruise that would focus on the breathtaking engineering feat of the Panama Canal but also explore Costa Rica and the Caribbean that we have yet to explore.A dream more than 400 years in the making, the Panama Canal opened in 1914 and this epic man-made marvel changed the world in the process. There’s no better way to discover this colossal wonder than on a Panama Canal cruise. Sail a partial transit round trip from Ft. Lauderdale, and discover why Condé Nast Traveler named it among its top “Where To Go” attractions. Expert narration will enlighten you as your ship passes through the locks, and you’ll dine on authentic Panamanian cuisine. Ashore there is everything from Costa Rican rainforests to Old World cities like Cartagena that recall the Age of Exploration. Don’t miss your chance to cruise the Panama Canal during its 100th anniversary celebration.

Many of us may have learned about the Panama Canal in terms of its vital role in trade and commerce, not to mention its strategic importance to the United States, but it is hard to truly comprehend the effect it has had on the industrial world. Its impact can’t be underestimated. There is something about managing to cut through a whole swath of land, a 51-mile waterway, and to do so between 1904 and the beginning of World War I, which remains awe-inspiring. The passageway shortened the journey between the Atlantic and Pacific by 8,000 miles; previously, ships used to have to traverse the entire tip of South America to arrive at the Pacific. Eighth wonder? You bet. And it can only be truly appreciated when you cruise through the massive locks on a Panama Canal cruise, highlighting the region’s spectacular engineering feats. Near the Canal, for example, the Gatun locks show the technical feat of raising ships up 85-feet by gravity alone before they continue on their journey west.
The Princess Italia sailed through the canal in 1967, and Princess Cruises has been offering “ocean-to-ocean” sailings between the mighty Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, as well as partial transits from Florida, ever since. Today a passage between the two sides of the coast provides not only context of the gateway’s monumental scope, but also the opportunity to explore some of Central and South America’s other most fascinating sites, from man-made marvels to native cultures, old-world treasures, and breathtaking natural wonders.
A designated old town on this itinerary that knocked my socks off is the Caribbean gem of Cartagena. Romantic doesn’t begin to describe it. The food is truly showstopping: ceviche laced with tangy lime, and just-caught seafood, served on bougainvillea-covered restaurant terraces that magically transformed into stages for impromptu dance parties lasting well into the night. From the city’s monumental fortress, I could see why the spot was so important as a strategic lookout for enemy ships, with 360-degree views of the surrounding water, and could understand why lovers used to meet here for illicit rendezvous beneath the moonlight.
Numerous attractions close to the Canal are also a naturalist’s dream. Costa Rica’s Veragua Rainforest, for example, a gem within the country’s well-known eco diversity, teems with brightly colored butterflies and a network of viewing stations set throughout the verdant jungle. Going there transports you right into a 3-D nature flick. Exotic birds like the beloved toucan and tiny emerald hummingbirds flit magically by, seemingly only an arm’s distance away. Zip-lining and canopy tours are a must for adrenaline junkies. And well-curated nature tours give insight into this country’s rich eco-tourism background with its huge biodiversity of wildlife—like the quickly disappearing puma. The Poás Volcano is also one of Costa Rica’s natural treasures with its almost otherworldly setting—a green blue lake sits at the bottom of the mile-long crater while mist and clouds dance above, parting periodically to provide the perfect photo-op.
We will fly from Cedar Rapids CID to Fort Lauderdale FLL on Feb. 15th 2017 and stay at a Ft. Lauderdale premium hotel the first evening of our tour. We will then be shuttled to the port for boarding the “Coral Princess” in time for a 4PM Cruise departure.

 
ITINERARY:
Day 1 – Fort Lauderdale, FL – Depart 4:00 pm
Day 2 – Cruising
Day 3 – Cruising
Day 4 – Aruba, Caribbean – 7:00 am 12:30 pm
Day 5 – Cartagena, Colombia – 9:00 am 3:00 pm
Day 6 – Cruising – 6:00 am 3:30 pm,  Colon, Panama – 5:00 pm 8:00 pm
Day 7 – Puerto Limon, Costa Rica – 7:00 am 6:00 pm
Day 8 – Cruising
Day 9 – Georgetown, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands – 7:00 am 4:00 pm
Day 10 – Cruising
Day 11 – Fort Lauderdale, Florida – 7:00 am, Fly back to Cedar Rapids later in the day.
 
RATE:
Inside Cabin: $3410
Balcony Cabin: $4246
Mini Suite with Balcony: $4470
All prices are all inclusive per person double occupancy. Effective 6/1/2016. Pricing may vary at a later date as a result of airline adjustment.
 
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