Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia Cruise on Serenade of the Seas from San Juan (Puerto Rico)

San Juan (Puerto Rico)

Its hard not to be captivated by the historic treasures of majestic Old San Juan, the charming walled city with its imposing fortresses, colorful colonial architecture and numerous attractions. A short taxi ride from the old city will take you to the world-class boutiques, including Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Ferragamo, and restaurants of Condado, the inviting beaches and resorts of Ocean Park and Isla Verde and the bohemian neighborhood of Santurce. Event planners and business professionals come for the state-of-the-art convention center in Miramar and the financial district of Hato Rey.

Puerto Vallarta (Mexico)

Puerto Vallarta is a Mexican balneario resort city situated on the Pacific Ocean's Bahía de Banderas. Puerto Vallarta is the place for natural beauty of the ocean and hills and the warmth of the people. Things to do: listen to the the Mariachi music, see the colorful, swirling traditional dresses, the manly horsemen, and try the most popular drink, the tequila

Huatulco (Mexico)

Surrounded by the Sierra Madre Mountains, Huatulco is billed as " Mexico's best kept secret". Virtually untouched, Huatulco's main attraction are its nine bays and thirty-six beaches, many of which are pristine, undeveloped and accessible only by boat. Travellers can explore and shop in the small communities of the Huatulco area, such as La Crucecita, Santa Cruz or old Santa Maria Huatulco. uxury resorts also provide a wide range of resteraunts and nightlife.

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.

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.

Miami

Miami is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and the county of Miami-Dade County. Miami is a major center and a leader in finance, commerce, culture, media, entertainment, the arts, and international trade. Miami is nicknamed the "Capital of Latin America", with a Spanish-speaking majority, and the largest city with a Cuban-American plurality. The Port of Miami, known as the "Cruise Capital of the World," has been the number one cruise passenger port in the world. It accommodates some of the world's largest cruise ships and operations, and is the busiest port in both passenger traffic and cruise lines. Going south you will find the Coral Gables, a select and elegant neighborhood with beautiful waterways, fountains and squares. It is recommended to take a guided tour that can pick the Old Town Trolley tours and you will have up to 90 minutes ride departing from Bayside. Miami Beach, between Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic are some of the most fascinating areas of the Great Miami. Here prevailing Art Deco buildings, the sophisticated atmosphere, and the best beaches...