Crossing the Panama Canal (Panama to Costa Rica)

Today you’ll arrive in Panama where your home for the week, MS Panorama, awaits in Colón. Embark between 11am and midday. Enjoy a welcome reception as your journey begins along the world’s most famous canal. Positioned at the start of the Panama Canal, our ship will cross the impressive Gatun Locks and enter the vast Gatun Lake. We’ll indulge in a delicious welcome meal on board and admire the glistening night views of the canal from the top deck, before retiring to our cabins for a night of sailing. Our ship reaches the Pacific Ocean and Panama City in the early hours of the morning.

Enjoy a day of exploration in one of South America’s most cosmopolitan cities. The Panama City that we know today dates back to the 17th century, having been built following the destruction of the old city. Our optional excursion will take us on a tour of both the new parts and the old ruins, discovering the impressive architecture, cathedral and historical buildings. This afternoon we will set sail for Darién National Park where we arrive into Playa Muerto early the following morning.

Join us on our optional excursion as we venture into Darién National Park and to the home of the Emberra Indians, one of only seven indigenous tribes living in Panama. We’ll travel to their village by tender (with a wet landing arrival), where we’ll be greeted by the tribe. Delve into their culture and traditions, learning all about their way of life as they show us around and share their handicrafts with us. We’ll join the tribe for lunch and dancing before returning to the ship. We spend the night sailing to our next destination.

Our ship continues sailing this morning, bringing us to our next stop, Granito de Oro, at midday. This tiny islet offers a little slice of paradise, perfect for snorkelling and paddling in the crystalline waters. You’ll have plenty of time to relax and do just that before we move on to nearby Coiba Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest island in Central America. Here, we’ll tuck into a deck BBQ for lunch, fuelling ourselves for our afternoon walking tour with the knowledgeable Ship Naturalist. Discover the lush vegetation and varied wildlife of the local forest, then head for a dip and a snorkel down at the beach. Tonight, heading for Golfito, we spend another night at sea.

Today we leave Panama and enter Costa Rica, so we’ll need to go through immigration this morning. We’re then free to explore the port town of Golfito, picking up some duty free in the shopping district or relaxing on one of the nearby beaches. Alternatively, take part in our optional excursion to Casa Orquideas, a garden which hosts some 100 species of orchid. Our ship leaves Golfito in the early evening, sailing towards Drake Bay, where we’ll anchor for the night.

This morning we’ll wake up surrounded by the breathtaking natural beauty of Drake Bay, so called after its discovery by Sir Francis Drake in the 16th century. Today’s optional excursion is one not to be missed. We’ll travel to the spectacular Corcovado National Park, the jewel in Costa Rica’s crown, where we’ll be in the presence of jaguars, monkeys, macaws, eagles and more – a truly unforgettable experience. For those who opt out of the excursion, you can enjoy a swim in the warm waters of the bay, where marlins, dolphins and even pilot whales gracefully swim. In the afternoon, we’ll depart for Quepos and dock there for the night.

For the last full day of our cruise together, there are two optional excursions to choose from. The first will see you taking a zodiac (with a wet landing) to the magnificent Manuel Antonio National Park, once named by Forbes as one of the most beautiful parks in the world. The enchanting rainforest, beaches and reef play host to sloths, monkeys, iguanas and hundreds of different bird species. After lunch, our second optional excursion takes you to the dizzying heights of a rainforest canopy tour. Venture through the trees using platforms, ziplines, rappel lines and suspension bridges, getting an unrivalled bird’s eye view of your surroundings. In the afternoon, we’ll sail to a nearby swim spot at Playa Biesanz, where those on the rainforest canopy adventure will re-join us. Then it’s time to get ready for a tropical-themed evening of music and dancing, celebrating the last night on board MS Panorama. We’ll spend the final night at sea.

Today marks the final day of our cruise together. Enjoy breakfast at leisure, then bid farewell to the captain, crew and ship as you disembark and begin your journey home. **Please Note:** Reverse itinerary available Costa Rica to Panama – call for details