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Mexico & the Panama Canal (Fort Lauderdale to San Diego)
17 DAYS FROM £1854
Experience the trip of a lifetime as you cruise the spectacular Panama Canal between the Caribbean and the Pacific, visiting the beaches, cities and exotic rainforests of Mexico and Costa Rica on the way.
Cruise Highlights
Fort Lauderdale
Oranjestad Aruba
Panama Canal Daylight transit
Golfo Dulce Scenic cruising
Puerto Caldera Costa Rica
Santa Cruz Huatulco Mexico
Acapulco Mexico
Cabo San Lucas Mexico
Your Price Includes
Flights: UK - Miami; San Diego - UK
Accommodation as per cruise ship details, twin room in hotel
Meals: Full board on cruise ship
Transfers between the overseas airports, hotel and cruise ship
All local, port and airport taxes/service charges
Holiday Itinerary
DAY 1: UK - Miami - Fort Lauderdale.
Fly to Miami where you will be transferred to your hotel, the Marriott Harbour Beach, in Fort Lauderdale for an overnight stay.
DAY 2: Fort Lauderdale.
Enjoy this morning at your leisure, relaxing by the pool or acquainting yourself with Fort Lauderdale's attractions, including its historic Riverwalk, the shops of Las Olas Boulevard or the newly designed beach with its charming cafés. This afternoon, transfer to your cruise ship, MS Statendam. (D)
DAY 3-4: At sea.
Spend two days relaxing on board as you cruise the sparkling blue Caribbean Sea, enjoying the superb amenities and comforts your ship, MS Statendam, has to offer. (B, L, D)
DAY 5: Oranjestad, Aruba.
One of the Netherlands Antilles, nestled off the coast of north-west Venezuela, the island of Aruba embodies true Caribbean spirit. Experience the old Dutch capital of Oranjestad and explore the colourful floating markets filled with local arts and crafts, relax on the pristine beaches, or take a stroll along Wilhelminastraat to admire the many pastel-coloured houses decorated with traditional Dutch woodwork and tiles. Alternatively, join an optional tour to see the island's highlights including the impressive Casibari Rock formations, the famed Natural Bridges, wind-shaped divi-divi trees, California Lighthouse and Gold Mill ruins. Admire the spectacular coral reefs, colourful tropical fish and nearby Antilla shipwreck as you snorkel, scuba dive or float in a semi-submarine amidst the warm, clear waters. Alternatively, take a tour of the countryside to meet some of the local wildlife including iguanas, ostriches and some beautiful butterflies at the Butterfly Farm. (B, L, D)
DAY 6: At sea.
(B, L, D)
DAY 7: Panama Canal. Daytime passage.
Experience the full scale and ingenuity of the engineering wonder that is the Panama Canal. On board, an exclusive Exploration Speaker programme will tell the story behind this incredible man-made feat, covering its history and construction, which cost over 300,000 lives and was finished by the US in 1914. Flowing for 80 kilometres through lush Panamanian countryside, the Canal makes for a magnificent journey, as you sail through a series of vast locks. Having entered the Canal at Cristobal on the Caribbean side, you end your journey at Balboa on the Pacific. (B, L, D)
DAY 8: Golfo Dulce. Scenic cruising.
Enjoy a day of scenic splendour as you cruise the turquoise waters of the Golfo Dulce or 'Sweet Gulf'. Nestled between the Osa Peninsula and Costa Rica's south Pacific Coast, this spectacular, huge bay is encircled by secluded, white sand beaches and countryside famed for its rich biodiversity, making it a true tropical paradise. Soaring emerald rainforests rise from the coast and the Osa Peninsula is home to 400 species of birds, 140 mammal species and over 100 species of amphibians and reptiles. (B, L, D)
DAY 9: Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica.
Puerto Caldera is a gateway to the untamed, exotic beauty of Costa Rica. Make the most of this inspirational landscape on an optional tour. Admire the misty crater of Poas Volcano and explore the National Park with its stunning Cloud Forest, spectacular scenery, exotic birds and rich tropical verdure, or head in to the Central Valley for rich farmlands, green hills and tropical forest mountains. Alternatively, experience either the Pacific or Atlantic aerial tram canopy tours for bird's eye views of pristine rainforest habitats, or enjoy a thrilling canopy walkway tour across hanging bridges suspended high above the forest floor. Perhaps take a relaxing river cruise amongst the lush mangroves or revel in the beauty of rare blooms at the Orchid Farm. San Jose City is also a welcoming sight with quaint colonial architecture sprinkled amidst the burgeoning metropolis. (B, L, D)
DAY 10: At sea.
(B, L, D)
DAY 11: Santa Cruz Huatulco, Mexico.
Peaceful Huatulco is Mexico's hottest new resort. Surrounded by lush forests teeming with wildlife, this breathtakingly beautiful place is blessed with nine dazzling, white-sand and azure-water bays. The new town is also brimming with chic boutiques and waterside restaurants serving superb fresh fish plucked from its pristine Pacific waters. (B, L, D)
DAY 12: Acapulco, Mexico.
The world-class city of Acapulco awaits you today. This intoxicating city sits in stunning Acapulco Bay, its high-rise hotels soaring from golden beaches and shimmering in the heat. Renowned for its pristine sands, amazing watersports and gourmet restaurants, Acapulco also boasts a surprising historical heritage - during colonial times, the Spanish used it as their base and the city was the only port in the New World authorised to receive Spanish galleons. Immerse yourself in the exciting atmosphere today and marvel at the legendary cliff divers or 'clavadistas'. Swan diving some 130 feet from jagged cliffs at La Quebreda into waters just 12-feet deep, their amazing bravery and exploits are thrilling to behold. (B, L, D)
DAY 13: At sea.
(B, L, D)
DAY 14: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
Sitting on the tip of the Baja Peninsula where the Pacific Ocean meets the sapphire waters of the Sea of Cortes, Cabo San Lucas is surrounded by awe-inspiring rocky landscapes, beaches and desert terrain. Centred around a beautiful marina and complete with its own underwater nature reserve near the towering Land's End rock formations, Cabo is renowned as a fishing and watersports paradise. Boasting a stretch of water known as 'Marlin Alley', the crystal clear seas lapping its shores are frequented by tuna, billfish and marlin, as well as parrotfish, manta rays and, in certain months of the year, whales. (B, L, D)
DAY 15: At sea.
(B, L, D)
DAY 16: San Diego - UK.
After breakfast, disembark your ship and transfer to San Diego airport for your return flight to the UK. (B)
DAY 17: Home landing in the UK.
Check prices and availability for this holiday
Accommodation on Tour
Fort Lauderdale: Marriott Harbor Beach.
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View Deck PlansMS Statendam (Mexico)





Themed around the subjects of Van Gogh's classic masterpieces, MS Statendam is truly a world-class ship providing modern, luxurious accommodation, state of the art technology and a wealth of excellent facilities and amenities. Beautifully decorated, MS Statendam is sleek, chic and elegant, while no expense has been spared to provide a comfortable environment with wide, spacious public areas and expansive ocean views. Accommodating 1,258 guests in light, comfortable and well-equipped cabins, MS Statendam affords the best in entertainment, fine dining and luxurious ocean cruising.
Public Rooms & Facilities
3 swimming pools; 2-tiered Rotterdam dining room; Lido restaurant; Pinnacle Grill; Terrace Grill; Lido, Dolphin and Ocean bars; Crow's Nest, Explorers and Neptune lounges; Explorations, Internet and Java cafés; Van Gogh show lounge; tennis and basketball courts; jogging track; Greenhouse spa and beauty salon; fitness centre and aerobics; Wajang theatre; observation deck; culinary arts centre; casino; video arcade; library; card room; figurehead, art and photo galleries; laundrette; lifts; reception.
Dining
Your cruise includes full board. There is a choice of dining venues on board: the main Rotterdam dining area has set dining or new 'dine as you wish' arrangements and a good selection of different menus. Casual dining is available in the Lido Restaurant most evenings with 3 courses of fresh, cooked-to-order specialties, or guests may enjoy elegant, sophisticated dining in the reservations-only Pinnacle Grill (cover charge $30 per person). Between meals there's the complimentary ice cream bar, hot hors d'oeuvres during the pre-dinner hour and after dinner there is the famous late night snack. Vegetarian meals and any special dietary requirements should be requested at the time of booking.
Cabins
All cabins have twin or queen size beds (or 1 sofa bed and 1 Pullman bed); air-conditioning/climate control; television; telephone; shower and wc. Your holiday price is based on a category K cabin or you may choose to upgrade.
Options/Upgrades
Cabin Categories & Descriptions
K Twin inside lower deck cabin
EE Twin outside lower deck cabin with picture window
C Twin outside middle deck cabin with picture window
B Twin Verandah suite with whirlpool bath, sitting area, floor to ceiling windows and private balcony
Tipping
A gratuity of $10 per person per day for dining and cabin services will be automatically added to your pn board account. A 15% service charge will be automatically added to your bar charges and dining room wine account.
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