EXCURSIONES EN TIERRA

Two of Grand Cayman's most popular activities, visiting the Turtle Centre and literally going to Hell, are included on this cruise tour. Sit back, relax and enjoy the highlights of Grand Cayman. Your tour begins in George Town - this prosperous capital ranks as the fifth-largest financial center in the world - with a guided drive along Seven Mile Beach, briefly stopping along the way to capture once-in-a-lifetime snapshots. Continue on to quaint local neighborhoods on your way to the Gingerbread House, followed by a stop at Hell, a small tourist village known for its unusual inferno rock formations. After a 'hell' of an experience, you'll visit the Turtle Centre, home of the world-famous green sea turtle. On the way back to the pier, you’ll make a brief stop at one of Cayman's rum cake outlets.

OVERVIEW

Interact with southern stingrays and a passel of pigs while wading in the crystal-clear waters off Treasure Island. It won’t take long to reach the private oasis, giving you all the more time to enjoy these unusual encounters. Stingrays are abundant there and quite willing for you to touch them. As you will discover by being so close to these graceful, diamond-shaped stingrays, they are used to human contact. You will also have the opportunity to touch starfish, conchs and sand dollars, so you can expect the interaction to be incredibly fulfilling. Perhaps even more surprising, you will be greeted by swimming pigs. The guides will show you how to maximize your time with these friendly porcine animals. They love attention so be ready for a fun and immersive experience as the pigs happily share their swimming hole. They may even follow you ashore to the observation deck that overlooks the sea. Feel free to explore the 5000 sq ft observation deck, visit the retail store for unique souvenirs, and access the bar with breathtaking views. A variety of cold beers, Treasure Island Rum Punch, water, and more are available for purchase.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Wade into the shallows off Treasure Island where you will encounter stingrays and pigs.
• Touch and pet the typically docile stingrays as they swim right up to you.
• Interact with the island’s cute resident pigs, who are remarkably good swimmers.
• Touch other marine creatures such as starfish and conchs.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear a swimsuit and bring a towel.
• Wear flat, comfortable water shoes.

Your tour begins with a scenic journey along Jamaica’s beautiful coastline. On arrival at Dolphin Cove Negril, you’ll be greeted by a friendly hostess and receive a welcome drink. After a brief orientation, you’ll enter the world of these fascinating mammals. Get to know these gentle creatures from a platform in shallow water, experience the emotion as you caress these beautiful animals, enjoy a splash and even a kiss or two! View the stingrays in their natural lagoon. Then relax and enjoy shopping for unique souvenirs in the gift shop. After this exciting experience, you’ll be transported to the world famous Doctor’s Cave Beach located on Montego Bay’s "must see” hip strip. This beautiful white sand beach is known for its crystal-clear waters and relaxing atmosphere. Food, drink, umbrellas and beach chair rentals are available at an extra cost. After this relaxing day you'll be returned to your awaiting ship.

On this tour you’ll experience Acapulco from a unique perspective, as you cruise through one of the most beautiful bays in the region. Your transfer boat will take you to your vessel on which you’ll set sail for La Quebrada to view the world famous cliff divers as they plunge nearly 130 feet into the ocean below. Continue sailing along the coast, passing by the million dollar mansions of the rich and famous perched on the Acapulco hills. Taste an array of Mexican appetizers and beverages while you enjoy the sights from the bay.

OVERVIEW

Experience two exhilarating rides at the Mystic Mountain eco-adventure park as a warm-up to visiting the natural wonder Dunn’s River Falls. Covered by rainforest, Mystic Mountain rises 700 feet above the sea and the views on the way up are extraordinary. You will ascend on the Sky Explorer, an open-air chair-lift much like the ones used at ski resorts. The higher you ascend, the more thrilling the ride and the more spectacular the views. At the summit, you will hop in a bobsled patterned after the one that Jamaica’s Olympic team rode in the 1988 Winter Olympics. The big difference is that this bobsled follows a twisting track through the dense rainforest. As an alternative to these manmade thrills, you will enjoy an easy but exhilarating climb up gently cascading Dunn’s River Falls, perhaps Jamaica’s most iconic attraction. Pause any time you like to relax in the terraced pools and soak up the tropical scenery.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ride the Sky Explorer chairlift up and down the forested slopes of Mystic Mountain.
• Tear through the rainforest on a bobsled track with countless twists and turns.
• Climb gently tumbling Dunn’s River Falls and enjoy a refreshing dip along the way.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

The image conjured by Panama is generally that of the spectacular Canal, considered by many as one of the eighth wonder of the world, and rightly so. The Panama Canal cuts through one of the narrowest saddles of the Isthmus of Panama approximately 80 kilometers long, joining North & South America with the Atlantic & Pacific Oceans.

Today you will have a unique opportunity to travel on board a comfortable air conditioned motor coach and travel from Atlantic to Pacific on a similar route once used by the Spanish Conquistadors and the 49ers seeking a short cut in search of Gold in the West.

Your first stop will be Miraflores Locks, take this opportunity to pause and view the gargantuan ships that make their way through the Panama Canal and visit the four exhibition halls, organized by themes that constitute the heart of the Miraflores Visitors Center.

Continuing with the Panama Canal informative tour, you will visit the Panama Canal Expansion the largest project at the Canal since its original construction that created a new lane of traffic along the Canal through the construction of a new set of locks, doubling the waterway’s capacity, be a witness of this major undertaking by visiting the New Observation Center of the Canal Expansion.

The new Observation Center of the Canal Expansion, located in Colon Panama, is a park style concept based on open platforms and roofed terraces, built in an area of four hectares, 400 visitors, simultaneously, will be able to enjoy in this new center, the construction of the new locks of the Panama Canal in the Atlantic, at the same time, from its privileged location, visitors see the majestic Gatun Lake, where ships continue their transit through the waterway.

Go 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 the necessary bait that the fish should find irresistible. The crew will also offer tips on how best to cast and retrieve the bait to maximize the experience. Jacks thrive here among the reefs and if you catch one be prepared for a fierce fight. 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.

OVERVIEW

Discover two of Costa Rica’s most remarkable ecosystems on this full-day adventure that combines a canal cruise with an in-depth rainforest experience. Begin with a scenic bus transfer to a private dock, where you will board a covered boat for a gentle cruise through the Tortuguero Canals, often called “Costa Rica’s Amazon.” As you drift past orchids, water lilies, and lush mangroves, your naturalist guide will help you spot wildlife such as sloths, monkeys, iguanas, crocodiles, toucans, and other tropical birds. After enjoying a seasonal tropical fruit snack, continue to the Veragua Rainforest Research & Adventure Park, set high in the mountains. Here you will explore frog and reptile exhibits, one of the country’s largest butterfly gardens, and the Foundation laboratories to learn about groundbreaking scientific research. Then glide through the rainforest canopy aboard the Sky Gondola, descending from the mountaintop to the river below with spectacular views along the way. Enjoy a nature walk on the Trail of the Giants or choose the more challenging 350-step trail to the Puma Waterfall. Your visit concludes with a delicious Costa Rican lunch and free time for souvenir shopping in the gift shop, where proceeds support local rainforest conservation efforts.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise the lush Tortuguero Canals and spot a variety of wildlife in their natural habitat.
• Explore the Veragua Rainforest, including frog and reptile exhibits and the butterfly garden.
• Ride the Sky Gondola for a breathtaking view of the rainforest canopy.
• Take a guided nature walk or optional hike to the Puma Waterfall.
• Enjoy a Costa Rican lunch and shop for local crafts that support rainforest research.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes, light clothing, and bring a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a poncho or umbrella.
• Bring cash or credit card for optional purchases in the gift shop.
• Wildlife sightings are common but not guaranteed.

Take in the jewels of the City by the Bay on this half day discovery of the “the City.”

From the pier, travel west passing fisherman’s wharf en route to view the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. Here you pause at the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center which offers excellent views of the bridge and informative information and representations of the bridge’s history and engineering. The ample shop offers souvenirs and books memorializing the city and bridge structure. From the Golden Gate to Land’s End, where the city meets the sea.

At Lands’ End, enjoy views over the Pacific Ocean while the nearby modern visitors center offers Indoor exhibits and videos on the natural and cultural history of the Land's End area, Sutro Baths and Sutro Heights. From the coast, drive along the Great Highway to Golden Gate Park on the way to one of the city’s numerous hills, Twin Peaks. At 922 and 904 feet, respectively, South Peak and North Peak are the second- and third-highest hills in San Francisco. Enjoy postcard views over the entire bay from the viewpoint here before beginning the route back to the water’s edge passing a number of historic neighborhoods and buildings before arriving to the pier.

OVERVIEW

Interact with the friendly, highly intelligent dolphins at Ocean World and enjoy the marine park’s other attractions at your leisure. Few experiences are quite so memorable as wading out into the waist-deep water for an up-close encounter with the resident bottlenose dolphins. After a brief introduction describing their behavior and what to expect during your interaction, you will ease into the water to touch, feed and hug the dolphins, if you wish. As you will discover, these marine mammals are curious, sociable and love the attention. But the dolphin encounter is only one adventure at the marine park. You might also snorkel in the reef aquarium, take a refreshing swim in the sheltered waters just off the enclosed beach lagoon, watch a sea lion exhibit, meander through the rainforest and feed lovebirds at the bird sanctuary. A hearty buffet lunch will be served, as well.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy an up-close interaction with bottlenose dolphins in waist-deep water.
• Spend hours enjoying the attractions at Ocean World, a dolphin habitat with plenty more.
• Walk through the rainforest, watch marine animal exhibits and snorkel in a reef aquarium.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing. Bring a bathing suit, towel and sunscreen.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

This Mexican Outback and Camel Safari is an unforgettable eco-adventure that combines spectacular views, delicious cuisine and an exciting beach camel ride.

Check in at the pier, sign your waivers, and make a quick bathroom stop. Continue with a short walk to board your A/C vans for the scenic 45 minute drive into the heart of the Baja outback and Rancho Tierra Sagrada.

Upon arrival at Rancho Tierra Sagrada, you will be greeted by your friendly and knowledgeable local expert who will give you a briefing of the adventure that awaits you.

Start by meeting our friendly camels, these gentle giants will then take you on a fun and unique caravan across the white sands of the beach. From your perch high atop the camel, you'll have excellent views of your surroundings and in the winter months, you'll want to keep an eye out for whales which are sometimes spotted off-shore.

After you've dismounted your camel, your good times continue as you expert guide leads you on a guided tour through desert vegetation, pointing out the indigenous flora and fauna, making this a true eco experience.

The pathway of your nature walk will lead you to the restaurant of our local ranch overlooking the Pacific Ocean, where you'll have a chance to catch your breath and savor some traditional Mexican food of hand-made tortillas, beans and salsas. Your guide will continue with a Tequilla sampling and a short class on how to make traditional tortillas.

Then it's time to head back to the pier. Re-board the A/C van and enjoy some breathtaking views of the Baja desert while you drive beside the Pacific Ocean coast line.

The Discover Island Tour combines an interesting look at the countryside of Curacao and the city of Willemstad and a visit to three of the major attractions of this Dutch island.

Drive past the salt flats and flamingoes before proceeding to the spectacular Hato Caves, a dramatic collection of grottos filled with stalactites, stalagmites and crystal-clear pools, centuries in the making.

From the Hato Caves you continue to the Curacao Museum in Otrabanda. The museum combines contemporary art with an exhibition of life in Curacao during the mid-nineteenth century. Cross the Queen Juliana Bridge and enjoy a magnificent view over Punda and Otrobanda, the 2 sides of our natural harbor, St Ana Bay.

Enjoy a taste of the world famous Blue Curacao Liqueur at the Chobolobo Liqueur Factory. Next, your guide will point out major points of interest as you drive through Punda in the heart of Willemstad. If you wish to stay in town, you may leave the tour at this point; otherwise it is a short five-minute drive back to the ship.