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4 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. ____________________________________________________________________  All ashore at Isla
Contadora, for a day on the beautiful beaches of the most popular Pearl Island.
Lunch and drinks at the hotel's beach facilities are included; relax on the beach,
play in the surf and 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 day's 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 Morgan's Spiced Rum, if desired.
____________________________________________________________________  Early
morning departure as we cruise to the impressive, and surprisingly intact, Fort
San Lorenzo. This fortress was built on a cliff with a commanding view of the Caribbean
coast and mouth of the Chagres River, the perfect strategic point. The buccaneer
Henry Morgan won the bloody battle over the Spaniards here in 1671 then went on
to sack Panama City. This area is full of history, pirate lore and legend; our Expedition
Leaders love to tell the tales! Enjoy a picnic lunch overlooking the beautiful picturesque
waters of the Caribbean. A comfortable walk to the fortress gives you a peak into
the natural world of Panama, as our Expedition Leaders point out animal, plant and
bird species in the jungle along the way. Numerous species call this protected area
home, sloths, numerous tropical birds, monkeys and more. Back onboard at 3pm, we'll
pull anchor, heading to Portobelo. After dinner, we'll head ashore in Portobelo
to enjoy the Congo Dancers, and maybe a little dancing ourselves. Both Fort San
Lorenzo and Portobelo ruins were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980.
____________________________________________________________________  Awake at 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.
All ashore as we will 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 Star's 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. Check our Pricing page for current rates that include 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 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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