Panama, Colombia, Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Honduras, Mexico Cruise on Norwegian Jade from Panama (City)

Panama (City)

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.

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.

Ocho Rios (Jamaica)

Ocho Rios is one of Jamaica’s capitals full of pleasures. You’ll be able to go shopping or to see the real Jamaican culture. It is located approximately 67 miles east of Montego Bay. Know as a fishing village, counts with plenty of resort facilities such as hotels and restaurants, it maintains the culture of the past of a small Jamaican Town.It counts with various shopping plazas and with a crafts market located downtown, an easy distance to walk from the ship. In Ocean Village, the main flea market of the town, you can uy everything under the sun, right in the center of Ocho Rios.One of the most beautiful things to see in Jamaica is Dunn’s River Falls, and you will find them in Ocho Rios. Also you can find wonderful beaches to enjoy yourselves. One of the most known beaches is the James Bond Beach, which was named due to his creator living in the proximities. Plan a visit to the Shaw Botanical Gardens, where you can find a variety of exotic flora or you can go canoeing in the White River while the drums are beating.

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.

Roatan (Honduras)

Roatán, located between the islands of Útila and Guanaja, is the largest of Honduras' Bay Islands.The island was formerly known as Ruatan and Rattan. It is approximately 37 mi long, and less than 5.0 mi across at its widest point. The island consists of two municipalities (out of a total of four in the department). José Santos Guardiola in the east (named for the former president of Honduras) and Roatán (also including the Cayos Cochinos) further south in the west.The most populous town of the island is Coxen Hole, capital of Roatán municipality, located in the southwest. Other important towns include French Harbour, West End, and Oak Ridge (the capital of José Santos Guardiola municipality).The easternmost quarter of the island is separated by a channel through the mangroves that is 15 meters wide on average. This section is called Helene, or Santa Elena in Spanish. Satellite islands at the eastern end are Morat, Barbareta, and Pigeon Cay. Further west between French Harbour and Coxen Hole is Stamp Cay and Barefoot Cay.The main strip of the island is the coastal beach town of West End which also doubles as the island's main tourism hub and its center for diving. West End features a wide variety of bars and restaurants. Evenings in West End tend to move from North to South along the West End road with sunset drinks starting at Sundowners and The Landing, and late night drinks at The Blue Marlin and Nova Bar.West Bay Community is a short drive away from West End either by car or water taxi and although it is known for the world famous West Bay Beach; it also features some of the larger and more well known resorts on Roatán as well as their own restaurants and bars open to the public.

Harvest Cay (Belize)

Norwegian is investing U.S. $50 million in a brand new private island experience for our guests, called Harvest Caye. Situated on two adjoining islands on the unspoilt coast of southern Belize, this exciting eco-friendly destination is designed to retain the natural beauty and local culture of this tropical paradise. Guests can expect stunning beaches beside the water sports lagoon, an island-style village and more. Discover the ancient Mayan archeological site of Nim Li Punit along with its treasures and visit the Belize Spice Farm and Botanical Gardens to see how they cultivate and harvest exotic spices.

Costa Maya (Mexico)

The Mayan Coast extends along 45 kilometers of beach, with the same atributes as Cancun: fine sand and turquoise blue crystaline water, and 19,400 hectares, of which 60% are destinated to the ecologic preservation. In this paradise for divers, we can find the Banco Chinchorro, one of the main attractions of the mayan reef, the second most important reef in the world.

Cozumel (Mexico)

Mexican heart and a Caribbean soul, Cozumel is a paradise which combines tradition, flavor and joy. You will always find a friendly face and a warm welcome to make your visit memorable. Cozumel is home to the largest reef system in the Americas, the Mesoamerican Reef. Teeming with hundreds of tropical fish, turtles and other vibrant sea life, it is truly a diver's dream. But even if you dont explore down into the depths of the ocean, there is much to see for snorkelers too. There are as many as 250 different species of tropical fish including the queen angelfish and the illusive toadfish, seen nowhere else in the world. Above the sparkling surface of the water, the trees are speckled with frigate birds, brown pelicans, olivaceous cormorants and others. If you look closely, you may catch a glimpse of a tree frog, a crocodile or the prehistoric iguana resting in the lush vegetation

Galveston (Texas)

Galveston is a coastal city of Texas located on northeast the Gulf of Mexico. The city features an array of lodging options, including hotels such as the historic Hotel Galvez and Tremont House, vintage bed and breakfast inns, beachfront condominiums, and resort rentals. The city's tourist attractions include the Galveston Schlitterbahn waterpark, Moody Gardens botanical park, the Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig & Museum, the Lone Star Flight Museum, Galveston Railroad Museum, a downtown neighborhood of historic buildings known as The Strand, many historical museums and mansions, and miles of beach front from the East End's Porretto Beach, Stewart Beach to the West End pocket parks.The Strand plays host to a yearly Mardi Gras festival, Galveston Island Jazz & Blues Festival and a Victorian-themed Christmas festival called Dickens on the Strand (honoring the novelist).