Explore diverse Panama and take the opportunity to visit some of Costa Rica's most stunning nature reserves.
There are three exciting itineraries to choose from, two of which include a transit of the famous Panama Canal, a feat of engineering, which connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific Ocean. Each cruise promises an array of flora and fauna, and the chance to meet local communities to learn about their traditions. Discover fascinating cities as well as off-the-beaten track ports of call.
Refreshing swim stops enhance each itinerary and allow you to get up-close to a variety of marine life.
Z226 Operated by Variety
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Panama and Costa Rica Cruise - 29 Jan 2021
Day 1 - UK - Flamenco Marina (Panama)
Overnight flight from the UK to Panama.
Day 2 - Flamenco Marina
Embark your ship around 3pm. Overnight in port. This afternoon, there is an optional walking tour in old Panama City. Overnight in port.
Day 3 - Flamenco Marina
This morning, there is an optional excursion taking in Gatun Lake and the Fort San Lorenzo Spanish Historical Forts. Visit the Panama Canal Expansion Observation Center in Gatun and enjoy lunch there. Return to Panama City and visit the Canal Museum, plus watch the movements of ships in the locks.
Day 4 - Pearl Islands
Early morning sailing and arrival in the Pearl Islands. Enjoy a morning swim and snorkelling. Late evening sailing to Punta Patino. Overnight at anchor.
Day 5 - Punta Patino - Darrien
Today there is an optional excursion to Punta Patino in the Darrien National Park and to the Mogue Embera Reserve. Sail up the Mogue River in dugout canoes and reach the village of Mogue. Enjoy a warm welcome by Embera Indians and see their beautiful handicrafts. Afternoon sailing to Cebaco Island.
Day 6 - Restingue Island - Cebaco Island
Morning arrival on Restingue Island where there is a swimming and snorkelling experience. Around noon, cruise to nearby Cebaco Island. Enjoy a beach BBQ and swim stop. Early afternoon, cruise to Golfo Dulce.
Day 7 - Golfito (Costa Rica)
Arrive in Golfito for immigration procedures before continuing to nearby Casa Orquideas. There is an optional excursion to this beautiful flowers sanctuary, with time to swim at the end. The ship then sets sail to Puerto Jimenez whilst you enjoy a BBQ on deck. Arrive in Puerto Jimenez early this afternoon. There is an optional Osa Peninsula excursion.
Day 8 - Quepos - Playa Biesanz
Take the optional excursion to the Manuel Antonio Reserve. After lunch, there is an optional Forest Canopy excursion or Savegre River excursions. Afternoon cruising to Playa Biesanz where excursion participants will rejoin the ship. On arrival, enjoy a relaxing swim. Tropical Farewell dinner this evening, before cruising to Puerto Caldera.
Day 9 - Puerto Caldera - UK
Disembark your ship in Puerto Caldera and transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.
Day 10 - UK
Arrive back in the UK.
The reverse itinerary (22 Jan 2021) varies slightly as it omits the Pearl Islands, Restingue Island and Cebaco Island,. These are replaced with visits to Iguana Island and Granito de Oro. Please contact us for details. The cruise itinerary is subject to weather conditions and may be modified at the captains discretion.
Panama and Costa Rica (inc Panama Canal) - 18 Dec 2020
Day 1 - UK - Colon 2000 port (Panama)
Overnight flight from the UK to Panama.
Day 2 - Colon 2000 port
Arrive in Panama and transfer to the port to embark your ship at 12 noon. Begin your Panama Canal transit, crossing the Gatun Locks and entering the Gatun Lake. Enjoy a Welcome Dinner on board before crossing the Pedro Miguel and Miraflores Locks before reaching the Pacific Side and Panama City in the early hours.
Day 3 - Flamenco Marina
Early morning arrival at Flamenco Marina. There is an optional morning excursion of Panama City taking in the architecture, before the ship sets sail to Darien.
Day 4 - Playa Muerto
Perhaps take the optional excursion to the picturesque Darrien National Park. You'll be welcomed by Embera Indians who are renowned for their handicrafts and traditions. The ship sets sail for Coiba Island later. Overnight at sea.
Day 5 - Granito D'Oro - Coiba
Midday arrival in Granito de Oro for swimming and snorkelling. Enjoy a BBQ on deck before continuing cruising to UNESCO-listed Coiba Island. On arrival, join the afternoon walking tour with the Ship Naturalist taking in the forest and wildlife. There will be free time for swimming and snorkelling. This afternoon, set sail for Golfito. Overnight at sea.
Day 6 - Golfito (Costa Rica) - Drake Bay
Arrive in Golfito and clear immigration. Then perhaps join the optional excursion to La Gamba Field Station and Piedra Blancas National Park. Later afternoon departure for Drake Bay. On arrival, moor overnight.
Day 7 - Drake Bay - Quepos
Today there is an optional tour of the Corcovado National Park, a tropical rainforest that takes covers almost a third of the Osa Peninsula. Keep an eye out for red-eyed tree frogs, tapirs and harpy eagles, to name but a few. Evening arrival in Quepos. Moor overnight.
Day 8 - Quepos - Playa Biesanz
Take the optional excursion to the Manuel Antonio Reserve. After lunch, there is an optional Forest Canopy excursion. Afternoon cruising to Playa Biesanz where excursion participants will rejoin the ship. Tropical Farewell dinner this evening, before cruising to Puerto Caldera.
Day 9 - Puerto Caldera - UK
Disembark your ship in Puerto Caldera and transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.
Day 10 - UK
Arrive back in the UK.
The cruise itinerary is subject to weather conditions and may be modified at the captains discretion.
Panama and Costa Rica (inc Panama Canal) - 5 Feb; 5 Mar 2021
Day 1 - Puerto Caldera (Costa Rica)
Overnight flight from the UK to Puerto Caldera.
Day 2 - Puerto Caldera
Arrive in Puerto Caldera and embark your ship between 3pm and 4pm. Set sail to Quepos. Overnight at anchor.
Day 3 - Quepos - Playa Biesanz
There is an optional morning excursion to Manuel Antonio National Park. After lunch, perhaps take the optional Forest Canopy excursion. Afternoon sailing to Playa Biesanz for a refreshing swim. Forest Canopy tour participants will rejoin the ship in Playa Biesanz. Tropical evening with dinner and party. Late evening sailing to Drake Bay. Overnight at sea.
Day 4 - Drake Bay - Golfito
There is an optional excursion to Corcovado National Park/Osa Peninsula, a nature preserve and tropical rainforest. Keep an eye out for red-eyed tree frogs, quetzals, tapirs, monkeys and scarlet macaws. Swimmers will have the opportunity to get up-close to dolphins and pilot whales. Early afternoon sailing to Golfito. Immigration procedures at anchor and late evning sailing to Granito de Oro. Overnight at sea.
Day 5 - Granito de Oro - Coiba (Panama)
Midday arrival at Granito de Oro Island for swimming and snorkelling. Enjoy a deck BBQ before sailing to nearby Coiba Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Perhaps join the walking tour with the ship naturalist, before enjoying a swim. Later afternoon, set sail to Iguana Island. Overnight at sea.
Day 6 - Iguana Island
Morning arrival at Iguana Island, a sanctuary for frigate birds. Snorkel the shallow reefs at the protected Isla Iguana Bay. There is free time for swimming and snorkelling. See tropical fish, Morey Eels and turtles. Evening sailing to Playa Muerto/Darien National Park.
Day 7 - Playa Muerto
Morning optional excursion to the Darien National Park. Reach Playa Muerto by tender and head to an Emberra Village where you'll receive a warm welcome. You'll be invited to share their lunch and dance with them. Set sail to Panama City.
Day 8 - Flamenco Marina
Morning optional Panama City tour. Discover the old Panama City, Casco Viejo, with its cathedrals and historical buildings. Return to the ship for lunch. The ship is positioned at the Canal entrance for the canal transit. Cross the Pedro Miguel and Miraflores Locks before entering the Gatun Lake and crossing the Gatun Locks.
Day 9 - Colon 2000 - UK
Early morning arrival at Colon 2000. Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.
Day 10 - UK
Arrive back in the UK.
The cruise itinerary is subject to weather conditions and may be modified at the captains discretion.