Canada, US, Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia Cruise on Sapphire Princess from Vancouver (Canada)

Vancouver (Canada)

Vancouver is the third largest city in British Columbia and is considered to be one of the most attractive cities to live in the world. Its location by the sea and nearby mountains is popular for tourists and is often compared to Sydney and Rio de Janeiro. It is a cosmopolitan city with the flashing skyscrapers and tourist centers. Places to visit in Vancouver: the Anthropological Museum and its surroundings, Gastown, Granville Island, Chinatown, Waterfront Canada Place, World Science Centre, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Stanley Park, Vancouver Aquarium, University of British Columbia (UBC), Mountains and Beaches.

Victoria (British Columbia)

The capital of the British Columbia, Victoria, has many historical buildings and some of the most fascinating museums on the west of Canada.The city has the mildest climate in the country, that allows the residents look outdoor pleasures during all the year.

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.

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

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.

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.

Fort Amador (Panama)

The primary touristic point of Fort Amador, is due to the privileged location in the entrance of the Canal through the Pacific Coast, where you can enjoy of the spectacular view of the capital.

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.

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