Panama Canal Cruises: Excursions

Your scenic drive will include a stop to enjoy breathtaking views of the Bay of Tangolunda - the luxury resort area. Pass the Bay of Conejos all the way up to the river estuary before proceeding to La Crucecita (downtown Huatulco), the evergreen Central Park (Zocalo), and the beautiful church dedicated to the Virgin of Guadalupe, host of the world’s largest painting of the Virgin on its ceiling. If you like to shop, you’ll find several stores offering a wide variety of handicrafts including black pottery from the valleys of Oaxaca, handmade woven rugs and carpets milled on traditional looms, and the world-famous 'alebrijes' allegories of fantastic animals. Typical products, like Mezcal (the original Oaxacan version of the well-known Tequila), chocolate rivaling with the best Swiss-made ones, coffee, regional cheese, clothes, wines, and liquors are available. To finalize your tour, take in the stunning views of the Bay of Santa Cruz, La Entrega Beach, and your ship. Note: To fully participate, this tour requires leisurely walking over mostly even surfaces. There are a limited number of steps, some cobblestones and uneven surfaces. There will be some standing for extended periods of time. Bottled water is provided on the bus. less

Explore the natural wonder of the Everglades from the comfort of your specially designed airboat. Informative, fun and exciting, this tour takes you deep into one of America’s largest National Parks - the Everglades. Here you’ll come face to face with alligators, exotic birds and native fish while gliding over an endless river of grass. Throughout the approximately 30-minute journey, your experienced guide will introduce you to the unique eco-system of the park as you experience the vast expanse of this saw grass wilderness passing by lush vegetation, mangrove swamps and hardwood hammocks. Known for its rich bird life, particularly large wading birds, be on the look out for the roseate spoonbill, white ibis, wood stork, great blue heron and a variety of egrets. It’s also the only place in the world where alligators and crocodiles exist side by side. Following your airboat ride you’ll be able to explore the park on your own. The Reptile Show will provide you with an informative, interactive opportunity to become familiar with the features of the American alligators. You may also choose to take the Jungle Trail, which leads to an area featuring American Alligators, and a crocodile exhibit, including various species from around the world. Note: Participants must be able negotiate one large step to board the airboat. This tour is only for guests with flights departing after 4:30 pm from Ft. Lauderdale International Airport. Guests are responsible for ensuring their debark tours are compatible with their departure flight times. Guests have the option to book their flights through our Premium Air Department to ensure that flight departure times do not interfere with debark tours. This tour is not available on Norwegian Sky sailings. less

Start your tour of the magnificent city of Cartagena de Indias with a panoramic view of San Felipe de Barajas Fortress, situated outside the walled city. This monumental fort is considered to be the most outstanding feat of Spanish military engineering in the New World. Its construction began in the year 1536 and lasted for 121 years. Entering the walled city, you’ll stop for approximately 15 minutes for photos at San Francisco Battery giving you the opportunity to view the well-preserved 16th century houses, churches, plazas and museums. You’ll walk about five blocks through narrow streets and passing beautiful balconies to reach Plaza de Bolivar, where the Inquisition Palace, cathedral and Gold Museum are located. Visit San Pedro Claver Church and Monastery, built in homage to the protector of slaves, constitutes another point of interest within the walled city. Enjoy a folkloric show during your visit to the Heredia Theater. This monument was built of the ruins of an old Mercy Church (1625) to commemorate the centenary of the independence (1911) and restored as a cultural center for theater and musical performances. A bottle of water or soft drink will be served upon arrival at the theater. Before the return to your ship, your last stop will be at Bocagrande – the most modern area of Cartagena – with its shopping center of Pierino Gallo. less

Las Caletas was once the private home of the famous film director John Huston, who considered it one of the most beautiful places in the world. Today, Las Caletas is an exclusive tropical beach hideaway where you can enjoy an extraordinary day of sun, fun, and adventure. Only accessible by sea, this well-secluded nature preserve stands out against a steep, jungle-clad backdrop of tropical forest in an isolated cove on the southern shores of Banderas Bay. As you cruise towards this tropical paradise aboard a first-class catamaran, you'll enjoy the most fantastic coastal scenery that Puerto Vallarta has to offer. Once arriving at Las Caletas, you can choose between pure relaxation or gentle exploration in the unspoiled natural setting of this tropical beach hideaway. If relaxing is on your personal agenda, you can kick-back on the beach, relax in the shade on a comfortable hammock, or indulge in a therapeutic body massage or facial at the hilltop Spa (additional charge). As you relax and unwind, the gentle lapping of the surf on the private golden beach beckons you to take a closer look at the calm, clear waters of this isolated cove. Throughout the day, bilingual eco-guides offer snorkeling and kayaking tours giving everyone a chance to explore in a fun and relaxed way. On land, you can take a Paella cooking lesson, discover the prolific flora and bird life on a free guided nature walk through the jungle, orchid gardens and interactive parrot center. Note: Tour includes moderate walking on uneven surfaces and numerous steps. Please wear your swimsuit underneath comfortable clothing and bring sunscreen, a hat and a towel. less

One of the highlights of Huatulco is definitely its wonderful shoreline, composed of several small bays with more than 36 beaches, scattered between rough cliffs and mountains. Take a closer look from the ocean to the natural features of this paradisiacal area and hear the ocean’s voice roaring at La Bufadora (the blowhole) or be surprised with the massive natural Indian face engraved through time by the sculpting action of the waves and the wind - the Stone Face. Visit the resort area at Tangolunda Bay, where buildings are mixed with the mountains as the background. Change your heading toward the west and check the secluded bays of Organo and Maguey. Continue your journey up to Cacaluta Bay and its island, named Playa del Rey in honor of the King Juan Carlos I of Spain, who fell in love with this bay during his visit to Huatulco. You'll enjoy a couple of hours of fun and pleasure aboard your catamaran and have seen six of the nine most beautiful bays in the world - Huatulco, the Nine Bays of Oaxaca. Note: You will not have the opportunity to swim, since this is only a sightseeing tour. There is no walking involved. Water, soft drinks and fresh fruits of the season are served on board. The catamaran is not wheelchair accessible. Bring suntan lotion. less