Treasures of the Caribbean Sea – PANAMA-MIAMI

Aboard your ship, experience something unique, that has inspired the imagination of numerous adventurers in the 20th century: sailing the Panama Canal. Its construction started in 1880 under the direction of Ferdinand de Lesseps. Abandoned then resumed, this marvel of engineering was completed by the United States in 1887 and opened in 1914. The canal crosses the Isthmus of Panama and links the Atlantic to the Pacific. Including three levels of locks and by raising ships to the level of Lake Gatun, almost as if the water was a lift, it allows them to avoid having to round Cape Horn.

We’re pretty sure the little coastal town of Puerto Limón will completely win your heart. It is located on the Caribbean sea. Just beyond the harbor, Playa Bonita creek opens its arms to a haven of beauty rimmed by clear blue waters and shaded by giant peach-palms. If you wish to explore the lush green areas in the town, it’s worth taking a stroll through the lemon groves that give Puerto Limón its name. You’ll have all the time in the world to mosey around the streets scattered with multicolored wooden makeshift stalls. These makeshift bars with their raffia roofs offer fresh juices blended just for you.

During your day at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness center. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This day without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.

The Bay Islands archipelago is home to stunning cays, sheltered coral islets with warm, crystal-clear turquoise waters. Off the island of Utila, the white-sand beaches lined with palms and coconut trees and the reefs of the deserted islet called Water Caye offer a picture-postcard setting that will delight fans of swimming and snorkeling.

A port city located in the north-east of Guatemala, on the coast of the Amatique Bay, Santo Tomás de Castilla offers exceptional access to the fabulous Mayan archaeological site of Quiriguá. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981, this place takes you back in time, deep into a décor of ruins and vestiges from the 8th century.

Belize City is the former capital and the country’s largest town. Located on the Caribbean Sea, this lively little town symbolizes the fusion of British, Spanish and Maya cultures.  The departure point for flights over the Great Blue Hole and the barrier reef, it’s also the ideal gateway for discovering the treasures of Maya architecture: in the heart of the jungle, the grandiose and mysterious ruins of temples and palaces at the Lamanai and Xunantunich sites await you. Another unmissable experience: a trip to the mouth of the Belize River: with a little luck and care, you’ll get a glimpse of manatees, dolphins, crocodiles, iguanas and many aquatic bird species.

During your day at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness center. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This day without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.

On the Yucatan Peninsula, the charming seaside town of Progreso will delight visitors seeking authenticity. In addition to its magnificent sandy beaches and pleasant seafront promenade, the town offers ideal access to the former Mayan cities of Chichen Itza and Uxmal. UNESCO World Heritage sites, they allow visitors to be truly immersed in Pre-Columbian Mexico, discovering one of the world’s most mysterious civilizations. In the surroundings, be sure to visit Mérida, capital of the Mexican state of Yucatán. Called “the White City” due to the color of the limestone used to build its dwellings, this old colonial city, built on the ruins of a Mayan site, offers a mix of tradition and modernity, colonial architecture and Mayan heritage.

During your day at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This day without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.

The Mississippi River, a dividing line as physical as it is symbolic between the East and the West, originates in northern Minnesota before flowing, 3,734 kilometers (2,320 miles) further south, into the Gulf of Mexico. Like a real natural artery crossing the United States, its captivating aura makes as much of an impression as its length. There are exceptional flora and fauna to be found along the riverside, with no less than 260 species of fish, around fifty mammals and over 150 species of amphibians and reptiles. During this cruise, you will perhaps be lucky enough to spot the mythical Mississippi alligator, the captivating yellow turtle or even the sweet river otter.

Located along the Mississippi, festive and multicultural New Orleans is a very captivating city. Founded in 1718 and the capital of Louisiana until 1880, it was ceded to the Spanish Empire then recovered by the French before being sold to the United States in 1803 by Napoleon Bonaparte. From the French Quarter to the colonial houses sporting elaborate wrought-iron balconies and the Bohemian atmosphere of the Faubourg Marigny, the Native American, African, Creole, Cajun and European cultures have shaped this city’s identity. The birthplace of Louis Armstrong and Sidney Bechet, it became the cradle of jazz and blues. Cajun music and the nearby bayous are also part of the landscape.

During your day at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness center. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This day without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.

Disembark at 8:00 AM

The ultimate symbol of Florida if ever there was one, to this day Miami remains a must-see city. The home of what is considered to be the world’s busiest cruise ship port, this multicultural city where the sun rules supreme has a lot more to offer than just long beaches and glamour. Miami is also worth visiting for its Art Deco district in South Beach, home to pastel-colored buildings and to hotels with eccentric shapes.