Panama Canal
January 28-February 13, 2009

Overview
Itinerary
Ports of Call

Overview (Return to top)

Cruising from sea to shining sea, this voyage masterfully weaves together an outstanding variety of culture and attractions. This amazing landmark is one of the world’s greatest engineering achievements and marked the rise of America to superpower status. Your journey will begin in Los Angeles, where you will embark upon the luxurious Oceania m/s Regatta. The natural beauty surrounding Puntarenas stands in wonderful contrast to the engineering marvels of the Panama Canal. And with four stops in Mexico, two of them brand-new offerings, the diversity within the country becomes apparent. Beach-rimmed Acapulco and the rugged shoreline of Cabo San Lucas are a case in point. A relaxing stroll down Key West’s vibrant Duval Street is juxtaposed against the history of Cartagena, with its spectacular Spanish colonial architecture. 

The wonderful Regatta is an upscale, 684-passenger vessel perfect for sailing the canal. It is complete with finely appointed staterooms, the finest cuisine at sea, and a plethora of amenities. There are a variety of dining options, all designed by celebrity chef Jacques Pépin. Enjoy the sublime Mandara Spa, the modern fitness center, and a variety of enrichment programs.

Priced from $2,799 including air
Alumni Travel Group

For reservations or additional information, contact:
Jan Breitman [jbreitman@alumni.iastate.edu]
Iowa State University Alumni Association

Phone: (515) 294-6526 direct or (877) ISU-ALUM toll-free
Fax: (515) 294-9402

Itinerary (Return to top)
 
Day 1
Embark Los Angeles, Calif.
 
Day 2
Cruising the Pacific Ocean

Day 3
Cruising the Pacific Ocean

Day 4
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
 
Day 5
Cruising the Pacific Ocean

Day 6
Acapulco, Mexico
 
Day 7
Huatulco, Mexico

Day 8
Puerto Chiapas, Mexico
 
Day 9
Cruising the Pacific Ocean

Day 10
Puntarenas, Costa Rica
 
Day 11
Cruising the Pacific Ocean

Day 12
Crossing the Panama Canal

Day 13
Cartagena, Colombia
 
Day 14
Cruising the Caribbean Sea

Day 15
Cruising the Straits of Florida

Day 16
Key West, Fla.

Day 17
Disembark Miami, Fla.

Ports of Call (Return to top)

Cabo San Lucas
One of Mexico’s premier resorts, Cabo is known as the “Marlin capital of the World.” There is also wonderful golf and excellent dining available. Tour the Church of San Lucas, a Spanish mission completed in 1746, and Faro Viejo, a towering lighthouse built at the end of the U.S. Civil War. From January to March, migrating grey whales can be seen from shore. For some unforgettable scenery, little compares to the famed, rugged rock formations at Land’s End.

Acapulco
With almost 360 days of sunshine, this glamorous resort situated around a beautiful horseshoe bay was quite isolated until the 1920s. Visit the 19th-Century cathedral and shop for antiques and other treasures at the Indian market. Be sure to see the daredevil cliff divers at La Quebrada, who pray at a nearby chapel before plunging 130 feet into the Pacific. 

Puntarenas
Explore the country’s incredible natural wonders. Be awed by the spectacular rainforest canopy, whether you walk through it or ride over it on an aerial tram. Discover breathtaking waterfalls, butterfly gardens, and a cloud forest. Watch for curious monkeys and brilliantly colored butterflies. Visit a rare, virgin tropical dry forest. You may also enjoy a scenic drive through San Jose, a charming city with many interesting sights.

Panama Canal Transit
Sailing this engineering marvel is an amazing experience. Stretching 50 miles across the Isthmus of Panama, the canal connects the oceans through a series of locks powered by the water in Gatun Lake, a massive reservoir created by planned flooding. As you sail through the Gaillard Cut, notice the rock walls. You will see where the granite spine connecting the continents was severed by dynamite to create the channel. The Spanish dreamed of a waterway like this in the 16th Century, but it took 400 years to become a reality.

Cartagena
Take a scenic drive through the residential area of Manga and admire beautiful mansions that were built in Republican-style architecture at the end of the 19th Century. Explore the Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, a fort that was once the most important military structure in Latin America. For a real treat, board the beautiful Spanish Galleon, a replica of a 17th-Century sailing ship for a cruise through the Bay of Cartagena.