Lima, San Juan, Panama Canal - Itinerary
Travel to Cuzco and board a train to travel towards Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Two thousand feet above the rumbling Urubamba River, the cloud-shrouded ruins have palaces, baths, temples, storage rooms and some 150 houses all in a remarkable state of preservation. Return to Lima to board the Regal Princess, specially built for transiting the Panama Canal, for your Pacific to Atlantic Panama Canal Cruise.
At Puntarenas, Costa Rica, raft down the Corobici River or make a visit to the spectacular Monteverde Cloud Forest. In Aruba, this sparkling island gem and its pristine beaches & natural reefs welcome travelers in search of sun and solitude. At St. Thomas, explore underwater with a helmet dive or a submarine dive. And at San Juan, Puerto Rico, soak in the city’s rich Spanish tradition. The centerpiece of your trip is your transit through the mighty Panama Canal, constructed over a period of 34 years, where you will be raised and lowered a total of 26 meters through three massive sets of locks utilizing only the power of gravity.
The sequence of touring and days may be altered to adjust to religious holidays, special closings of sites, air schedule changes, etc. Hotels listed subject to availability. Meal inclusions may vary by departure.
Day 1 - Hometown/Lima. Upon arrival, transfer to the Lima Marriott for overnight. (meals aloft)
Day 2 - Lima, Peru - board the Regal Princess
Feel the power of the ages in a golden city where pre-Columbian heritage and Spanish colonial architecture create a grand display. Transfer to the pier to board the Regal Princess for our Pacific to Atlantic Panama Canal cruise. (B,D)
Day 3 - Lima, Peru - cruise departs at noon (B,L,D)
Day 4 - At Sea
Participate in your choice of on-board activities: browse the world-class art collection, shop in duty-free boutiques, relax in a hot tub, sun yourself on the deck with a book from the ship’s library, exercise in a state-of-the-art gym, or pamper yourself in the spa; and at mealtimes take advantage of the ship’s variety of dining options. (B,L,D)
Day 5 - Manta, Ecuador
Take an optional excursion flight from Manta to Quito, the second-highest capital in the world. In Quito, nestled at the base of Pichincha Volcano, you may view a wealth of Spanish colonial architecture and tour the Monastery of San Francisco, Ecuador’s oldest. Or, choose an excursion that explores the archaeological museum in Manta, Montecristi - the birthplace of the Panama hat, and the Ivory Nut Factory where artisans carve figurines and jewelry. (B,L,D)
Day 6 - At Sea. On-board activities. (B,L,D)
Day 7 - Puntarenas, Costa Rica
You may choose an optional trip rafting down the Corobici River or traveling on the Pan American Highway from the gateway city of Puntarenas to Costa Rica’s historic capital, San Jose. Or, make a visit to the spectacular Monteverde Cloud Forest reserve. (B,L,D)
Day 8 - Panama Canal/Gatun Lake
Imagine being raised and lowered a total of 26 meters through the three massive sets of locks of the Panama Canal utilizing only the power of gravity, a concept so simple yet profound it has stood the test of time. The canal’s construction occurred over a period of 34 years and was costly in terms of human life with an estimated 27,500 deaths as a result of building the canal. Many of those deaths were due to yellow fever and malaria. Water for the locks (around 52 million gallons per transit) is supplied by Gatun Lake, an immense artificial reservoir of 168 square miles. Surrounded by lush, impenetrable jungle, it is one of the most scenic portions of a Canal transit.
Day 9 - Colon, Panama (Cristobal)
This thriving hub of international trade provides the perfect gateway for setting out on a variety of fascinating shore excursions. Take a nature walk through a rain forest, or get an up-close look at the workings of the Panama Canal’s locks. (B,L,D)
Day 10 - At Sea. On-board activities. (B,L,D)
Day 11 - Aruba
This island gem sparkles with an abundance of pristine beaches and natural reefs as it welcomes travelers in search of sun and solitude. Optional activites include snorkeling, diving, golfing or horseback-riding along its rugged surf-carved rocks and crystal-blue seas. (B,L,D)
Day 12 - At Sea. On-board activities. (B,L,D)
Day 13 - St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
You may choose an optional excursion to explore St. Thomas from underwater with a helmet dive at Coral World or a submarine dive near Buck Island; or instead decide to play golf at Mahogany Run, a magnificent 18-hole, par-70 course. (B,L,D)
Day 14 - San Juan, Puerto Rico
Originally built as a fortress, San Juan is rich with Spanish tradition. It’s also the second oldest city in the Americas. Upon arrival at the pier, we are transferred to the Sheraton Old San Juan Hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure. (B)
Day 15 - San Juan/Hometown - This morning we are transferred to the airport for our return flight to the States. (B,meals aloft)
