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| 3 Day Two Oceans/Canal Transit Tour: |
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Bus transportation to ship boards from lobby at the Coral Star's Hotel of Choice* at 6pm. After a brief safety program, we pull anchor and begin our voyage. Enjoy a Welcome aboard Social, with an assortment of appetizers focusing on the regional flavors of Panama, a sampling of a Taste of Panama, along with a little Rum Punch, if you desire. This is the perfect opportunity for you to meet your Expedition Leaders; discuss events and get to know your voyage companions. ____________________________________________________________________  Pearl Island. Lunch and drinks at the hotels beach facilities are included; relax on the beach, play in the surf or enjoy other select beach activities. Our Expedition Leaders will also host a comfortable tour of the flora and fauna located in this area or a short shopping excursion to the local craft vendors for those interested. Other activities, such as jet skis, motorcycles, golf, etc. are not included in the package price, but can be arranged for an additional charge through the hotel. Re-board the ship by 4pm, shortly there after, our chef takes center stage with a celebration of fine food. Our Head Chef has developed flavors to perfection, blending regional and traditional with a flare. As we cruise towards the next days adventure, relax on the Observation Deck to enjoy the salty air, sounds of the ocean and an occasional marine life visit or head down to the Salon for an informal discussion with our Expedition Leaders. Pure relaxation! ____________________________________________________________________  We begin preparations for our Canal Crossing bright and early
today, with the hustle and bustle of ship personnel readying our ship for the transit.
The transit itself takes between 7 ½ to 10 hours, in which our 230 ton vessel is
raised and lowered 85 feet above sea level with water through a series of locks.
This is an up-close experience full of history and a wonder to behold. First up
on our northbound transit, the Bridge of the Americas, a mile long arch that spans
the entrance of the Canal; on to the Miraflores Locks, these are the tallest lock
gates in the system, measuring 82 feet tall, due to the tremendous variation of
the Pacific tides; then on to the Pedro Miguel Locks, which raises the ship 31 feet
in one step; next is the narrowest portion of the Canal, the Gaillard Cut, a winding
8 mile channel that crosses the Continental Divide; we continue on to the largest
artificial lake in the world, Gatun Lake, which provides the water to operate this
incredible engineering achievement; three sets of locks in the Gatun Lock series,
lower the ship back to sea level and we make our way into Limon Bay in the Caribbean
Sea. An informal Captain's Dinner and Sunset Celebration will be held on the upper
deck this evening (weather permitting), after we dock at the Panama Canal Yacht
Club. Briefly, we may venture ashore depending upon arrival time, to visit the Washington
Hotel in Colon. The original Washington House was built in 1870 for the Directors
of the Panama Railroad Company. Since then it has undergone numerous changes, fire,
rebuilding and finally opened its current doors in 1913. Inspired by Spanish colonial
architecture, the hotel is majestic and magnificent. The first guest in March of
1913 was the wealthy Vincent Astor, famous heir of the House Astoria. Other notables
that occupied these rooms are President Warren, Bob Hope and Al Jolson along with
other celebrities that entertained the troops in the Canal Area during the Second
World War. Inside the Hotel, we'll stop by the Pirates Bar, for a glass of Captain
Morgans Spiced Rum, if desired.
____________________________________________________________________  Early
morning departure, we'll cruise to the small, sleepy town and historical forts of
Portobelo, originally founded by Christopher Columbus in 1597. Numerous battles
between the Spanish Colonials and pirates took place here, as it stockpiled the
treasures of the Spanish Main awaiting transport. The ruins at Portobelo were declared
a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980. Explore the forts, Customs House, Real Aduana
de Portobelo, Iglesia de San Felipe (the home of the life-sized effigy of the Nazarene
of Portobelo, also known as the Black Christ) with the Expedition Leader, or snorkel,
kayak or dive the clear blue waters of the Caribbean that offers nice coastal reefs
in this area. Bus Transportation back to Panama City departs at 5:00 pm.
*This is a sample itinerary of the northbound canal transit; southbound transits will run in reverse order. *Coral Stars Hotel of Choice is always centrally located on the principal avenue of Panama City in the heart of the financial, shopping and dining districts. The actual hotel will vary. Click on our Pricing page for the current price per person which includes all meals, beverages, local alcohol, stated guided tours and accommodations while on board the Coral Star and transportation to and from the lobby of the centrally located Coral Star's Hotel of Choice* in Panama City to ship. Not included in this package is gratuity, overnight accommodations prior to and after charter, optional rentals at the hotel, purchases of merchandise and additional alcohol while at the Washington Hotel. We do recommend arrival into Panama City one day earlier than boarding date. |
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