Southern Caribbean & Panama Canal Cruise on Emerald Princess from Fort Lauderdale (Florida)

Fort Lauderdale (Florida)

Fort Lauderdale is a city in the U.S. state of Florida, and located between the cities of Miami and Palm Beach. The city is a popular tourist destination, sometimes known as the Venice of Americabecause of its expansive and intricate canal system. It is a very popular destination. Seventh largest city in the state of Florida, has an attractive climate for tourism and business, a condition that is leading to become a hub for international business

Oranjestad (Aruba)

The flourishing capital of Aruba, dream of any shopper, although it is not a port free of taxes, they charge the minimum. The habits of Aruba have been influenced to a mayor grade than any of the other near islands, for those from south america, for as the life in America is distinctly latin.

Willemstad (Curacao)

Curaçao is an island in the southern Caribbean Sea, off the Venezuelan coast. The Country of Curaçao which includes the main island plus the small, uninhabited island of Klein Curaçao ("Little Curaçao"), is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Coral reefs for snorkeling and scuba diving can be reached without a boat. The southern coast has calm waters and therefore the majority of diving locations. The coastline of Curaçao also features bays and inlets, where boats are moored. Some of the coral reefs are affected by tourism. Porto Marie Beach is experimenting with artificial coral reefs in order to improve the reef's condition. Hundreds of artificial coral blocks that have been placed are now home to a large array of tropical fish.

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.

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.

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.

Puerto Limon (Costa Rica)

In this region of Costa Rica, the tropical forest merges with the jungle. You can admire the tropical birds sitting on the tree branches of the palm trees or simply have a splash in the warm waters of the ocean.

George Town (Grand Cayman)

George Town is the capital and principal city of the Cayman Islands, a British overseas territory and located in the Island of Grand Cayman. Live one of the most rewarding experiences of the underwater world, as National Geographic states: the city of the Stringray stripes. See to believe.

Fort Lauderdale (Florida)

Fort Lauderdale is a city in the U.S. state of Florida, and located between the cities of Miami and Palm Beach. The city is a popular tourist destination, sometimes known as the Venice of Americabecause of its expansive and intricate canal system. It is a very popular destination. Seventh largest city in the state of Florida, has an attractive climate for tourism and business, a condition that is leading to become a hub for international business