Alaska Cruise on Norwegian Jade from Tampa (Florida)

Tampa (Florida)

Tampa is one of the most important cities that we can find in Florida, United States. We are in a city that counts with plenty of sun, sea and the beach. With more than 400.000 inhabitants, it makes of Tampa one of the most populated cities in the state. Tampa Bay is one of the most touristic places we can find. It boarders with Saint Petersburg, with Clearwater and one of the most important cities of the state.

Cartagena de Indias (Colombia)

Cartagena or cartagena de Indias is a city surrounded by the Caribbean sea. The port has one of the strongest forts in South America. An area system divides the city in three neighbourhoods: San Pedro with the Cathedral and many andalusian style palaces, San Diego where the merchants and the petite-bourgeoisie lived and Gethsemani, the most popular neighborhood. Cartagena offers the tourists ancient forts, palaces and churches. It is a walled town filled with exquisite Spanish 16th and 17th century architecture. You can visit beaches, excellent restaurants, practise snorkeling and scuba diving in the reefs, or enjoy the day doing great shopping.

Colon (Panama)

Colón, Panama, is the second largest city in Panama, at the Caribbean end of the Panama Canal. Colón is an important port, commercial center, and tourist destination. It was made a free trade zone in 1953 and is the worlds second largest duty-free port. The city was founded in 1850 by Americans working on the Panama railroad. Colón is the Spanish form of Columbus. Monuments Not to Miss: Christopher Columbus statue, Christ statue and Virgin Mary statue (both near the Seawall), Shell Monument, Aspinwall Monument, and Monument of the Students' Revolution.

Panama Canal

The interest of establishing a short route from the Atlantic to the Pacific seas started with the explorers of central america at the beginning od the XVI century. The conqueror of Mexico, Hernan Cortes, suggested the construction of a canal through the isthmus of Tehuantepec. During the years they made a few attempts and projects, but all were neglected or forgotten. Fernando de Lesseps, constructor of the Suez Canal started building it but for economical and political reasons the project failed. Finally the United States took over the company in charge. The construction of the Panama Canal was one of the biggest engineering projects of all times. It was calculated that it would be completed in ten years; although in the summer of 1914 before provisions, it started to work. The construction involved not only the excavation of approximately 143 million m3 of earth, but also the entire sanitation of the canal zone (that was infested of mosquitos that spreaded malaria and yellow fever). The sanitation was done by the medical department of the United States Army, which nearly completely eradicated the diseases. The final cost of the canal was 336 million dolars. Panama has the control of the canal and complete sovereignty of the calle Canal Zone, since the 31st of december 1999.

Puntarenas (Costa Rica)

Puntarenas (Pointsands, from "punta arenas", or "sand point" in Spanish) is the capital and largest city in the province Puntarenas, Costa Rica, at the Pacific coast. The eponymous and oddly shaped province has its largest section in the South, far from the capital. Some 100,000 live in the city and close towns. With beaches on the Pacific Ocean, it also attracts many tourists, especially surfers. It is also a possible stopover point for the tourist destination Monteverde, to the northwest. Its port, Caldera, is one of the main ports in the country. Also, regularly scheduled ferries carry vehicles from Puntarenas to the Nicoya Peninsula.

San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua

Puerto Quetzal (Guatemala)

Puerto Quetzal is Guatemalas largest Pacific Ocean port. It is located in Escuintla department, alongside the city of Puerto San José.The area around Puerto Quetzal is supposed to have some of the nicest beaches in all of Guatemala. About three miles west is Balneario Chulamar, and three miles to the east is Balneario Likín, a popular Guatemalan resort town. Bird watching and surfing are also popular pastimes in and around Puerto Quetzal. ´There are various tours available that take passengers to La Antigua, Auto Safari Chapin zoo, La Reunion world class golf resort, and other various tour packages are offered specially created for cruise passengers. At the port there is a market selling lots of crafts and souvenir items for those who choose not to take any tours inland. There is also several bars, hammocks to relax in, a restaurant, and performances from Marimba bands. The nearest town, San Jose, is about a mile away. Cruise lines list this as the port for La Antigua Guatemala, which is approximately 90 minutes away by bus.

Acapulco (Mexico)

Acapulco is a major sea port in the state of Guerrero on the Pacific coast of Mexico. Acapulco is also Mexico’s largest beach and balneario resorted city. The city is best known as one of Mexico´s oldest and most well-known beach resorts, which came into prominence in the 1950s as a getaway for Hollywood stars and millionaires. Acapulco is famous for its nightlife and still attracts many tourists. The main attractions of Acapulco are: Fort of San Diego, Zocalo, Cliff divers, the best views of Acapulco are from Barra de Coyuca and many of the best restaurants and night clubs are located in Las Brisas.

Cabo San Lucas (Mexico)

Cabo San Lucas is a modern city with natural tourist attractions and interesting nightlife. It is located in the southern tip of the peninsula of Baja California Sur and bathed by the waters of the Pacific Ocean. the climate is warm. On the coast strong currents cause the erosion of rocks form rocky arches and cliffs that are the principal touristic attraction. From those formations stands out The Arch and Finistere, where the Pacific finds the warm waters of the Sea of Cortez. The region has a shelter for several species of marine life near a deep canyon that opens off the coast. You can also find here a port dedicated to coastal fisheries. Industrial development because this activity was boosted by the establishment of a packing of seafood. San Lucas has become in the favourite touristic spot due to it's extensive beaches and it's beautiful coastline. Fishermen recognize it as an exceptional place because the capture unique specimens can be captured. From the golf courses near the sea, at the same time as you can practice that sport, you will se the migration of the whales that on their journey pass very near the coast. The visitor will also have the possibility of staying in first class hotels, of visiting the elegant shops and various restaurants and night clubs like the famous Hard Rock Cafe and Planet Hollywood.

Los Angeles

Los Angeles is the largest city in California and the second-largest urban area in the nation. It is located in the southern part of the state on the Pacific Ocean. It is a favorite vacation destination and attracts millions of tourists to the area each year from all over the world. Apart from the movie studios, points of interest include the J. Paul Getty Museum, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the La Brea Tar Pits (famous for Ice Age fossils), Disneyland (Anaheim), and the Santa Anita and Hollywood racetracks. Today, Hollywood is a part of Los Angeles.

San Francisco

San Francisco is a major and bustling cosmopolitan city in California, surrounded by water on three sides, and the centerpiece of the Bay Area, well-known for its liberal community, hilly terrain, Victorian architecture, scenic beauty, summer fog, and great ethnic and cultural diversity. There is much to see: the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz island (once the most notorious prison in the world), Pier 39 on Fisherman´s Wharf, a lively bay area with shops, arcades, restaurants, cafés, fairground rides, ocean views and its own colony of sea lions, Lombard Street and the famous San Francisco cable cars, that run up and down the hills of San Francisco between Market Street and Fisherman´s Wharf, providing cheap and easy access to the whole of San Francisco. The Port is located in downtown San Francisco and offers many tourist attractions, including Hyde Street Pier, Fisherman´s Wharf, PIER 39 and access to Alcatraz.

Astoria Oregon (EEUU)

Astoria is a city on the Northern Oregon Coast in the USA. It is a small town on the edge of the Columbia River and the Pacific Ocean, possibly most famous for being the terminus for the Lewis and Clark Expedition, or the setting of the film Goonies. Astoria is the oldest American settlement west of the Rockies. It is surrounded by water and is rich in scenic beauty, with a vista of the Pacific Ocean and endless sandy beaches viewed from a top of Astoria´s historic Column. Astoria is a delightful romantic getaway where you will find dozens of exciting attractions nearby, including Fort Stevens State Park, Fort Astoria, Heritage Center Museum, Flavel House Museum, Uppertown Fire Fighters Museum, Astoria Column, and the nationally acclaimed Columbia River Maritime Museum.

Ketchican (Alaska)

Ketchikan is a scenic town of approximately 14,000 people. Ketchikan´s economy is based upon tourism and fishing, and the city is known as the "Salmon Capital of the World". A stay in Ketchikan itself can be rewarding, however, as the city is the gateway to Misty Fjords National Monument, an area so beautiful, it is known as "The Yosemite of the North." With steep valleys formed by glaciers and lava flows left by volcanic activity, Misty Fjords offers gorgeous views of natural formations, all reflected in the calm waters of Pacific inlets. The Ketchikan Visitors Bureau, located near the cruise ship berth 2, publishes a comprehensive area guide that provides maps, contact information for tour operators and local attractions, sample itineraries and community information. Explore the surrounding area: set on the hillsides above the waterfront on a heavily forested, mostly wilderness island, the town of Ketchikan is worth visiting on its own merits.

Juneau (Alaska)

Juneau is Alaska´s capital, however you can´t get there by road, only by air or by sea. Juneau is a main port for the Alaska Marine Highway, Alaska´s ferry system. Downtown Juneau is compact and highly walkable, The most popular activities in Juneau for visitors are flight seeing, charter fishing, visiting the Mendendhall Glacier, hiking and shopping. Look for local shop with a sign on the window that says "This store is owned by an Alaskan family", that sell awesome pins, beads, carving arts, all done by local artists or customizable gifts for travelers who don´t want a boring, touristy-looking T-shirt. Highlights in Juneau include Mount Roberts Tramway, the Red Dog Saloon, the Alaska State Museum, the Gastineau Salmon Hatchery, the Governor´s Mansion, the Alaska Gastineau Mill, and the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center.

Skagway (Alaska)

Skagway is located in a narrow glaciated valley at the head of the Taiya Inlet, the north end of the Lynn Canal, which is the most northern fjord on the Inside Passage on the south coast of Alaska. Skagway is a town with a population of less than a thousand in south-eastern Alaska. The historical interest and natural beauty of the area make it a worthwhile place to visit. Start by stepping away from any buildings and turning 360 degrees for an impressive view of the nearby peaks that enclose Skagway. Places to visit are the Visitors Center, Skagway Museum and Archives, Jewell Gardens, Skagway, and the Sculpture Garden.

Hubbard Glacier (Alaska)

Hubbard Glacier is a glacier located in eastern Alaska and part of Canada and it is North America’s largest tidewater glacier. The ice you see at the terminal face is ap­proximately 450 years old and is over 2000 feet thick at some locations. The glacier was named in 1890 for Gardiner Hubbard, the first president of the National Geographic Society. The Hubbard Glacier is currently ad­vancing while most glaciers are retreating worldwide. The Hubbard Glacier will and does react in an opposite fashion to most glaciers in a warming climate. This is not in contradiction with current global tempera­ture increases.

Whittier (Alaska)