Panama Canal Cruise Luxury Miami to Los Angeles Seabourn Cruise

A journey through the twisting and mighty locks of the Panama Canal ranks high on the Olympus of legendary travel experiences.

The term New World has a double meaning in tropical America. The colorful colonial cities of northeastern Brazil and the pastel-hued plantations of the Spanish Main (north coast and waters of South America between the Orinoco and Panama) reflect a time when Americans were new to Europeans. On the other hand, the man-made wonder, the Panama Canal, ushered into another, even newer world, where American-born industry and ingenuity carved waterways through the wilderness of the jungle. Cruising in this area you will see evidence of the Mayan civilizations that were already ancient when the Europeans arrived. Discover vibrant cultures in Brazil, Mexico and Guatemala whose colonial beginnings are now history. Experience a masterpiece of land and water in Panama, lifting your ship and transporting it across an entire continent.

Destinations:

Cartagena, Colombia
Cartagena, a major port on the north coast of South America, was repeatedly raided by pirates until a fortified wall was built. Today it houses shops, restaurants and cafes for the numerous beachgoers.

Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala
Once a formidable Mayan civilization, Guatemala was conquered by Spanish conquistadors in 1524. Puerto Quetzal is Guatemala's largest Pacific port and provides access to Guatemala's natural and historical attractions. Beyond the black sand beaches that surround Puerto Quetzal, a narrow strip of flat land stretches along the Pacific coast where local farmers grow cotton, sugar, bananas and corn. Adjacent to the fertile lowlands, the highlands of Guatemala suddenly appear, rising to altitudes of 762 to 914 meters. A chain of volcanoes looms from the southern highlands, adding even more drama to this diverse land of ancient Mayan ruins, Spanish colonial heritage and stunning scenery.

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Where the Baja California Peninsula ends, the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of California meet at rocky Los Arcos. The cozy harbor is in front of a town dedicated to fishing and fun.

Puerto Chiapas, Mexico
Puerto Chiapas is located in the southern Soconusco region of the Mexican state of Chiapas, near the Guatemalan border. The region produces both coffee and cocoa for chocolate, providing an opportunity to see how these commodities are grown, processed and used around the world. Bananas and tropical flowers are two other regional agricultural staples. If you have never tasted a really ripe banana, you should not miss this taste experience under any circumstances. There are some interesting pre-Columbian ruins at Izapa, although not on the scale of other famous Mayan ruins in Mexico and Guatemala. Very popular with visitors is the opportunity to mingle with locals in some of the rural (and very friendly) communities nearby.