From New England to Panama

Exploring Cultural and Natural Treasures of Atlantic U.S.A. and Central America

Cruise Dates:
October 13–November 1, 2010

This unusual voyage combines the historic cities of America's Eastern seaboard with the best of Central America. From the shores of historic Massachusetts we'll cruise down the continent's Atlantic shore, exploring the first cities of the thirteen original colonies. All were seaports that welcomed new colonists and served as starting points for merchant ships exporting fur and timber to Europe, and in time, ideas about independence and self-government. This is where you will find America's most historic towns, filled with the finest 17th-, 18th-, and 19th-century architecture. Then, from Key West, continue to Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica, and Panama—showcases for wonderful natural and manmade treasures. Discover national parks protecting rain forests, waterways that are home to a rich variety of wildlife, and the remarkable Mayan sites. This voyage culminates with the exciting transit of the famous Panama Canal, one of the world's most important waterways.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1	USA | BOSTON, Massachusetts Fly to Boston and transfer to the Sheraton Boston. Explore the historic capital on your own for the remainder of the day.
Day 2	BOSTON | GLOUCESTER | EMBARK Enjoy a morning tour of Boston's many historic sites with lunch at your leisure before transfering to Gloucester to embark Clelia II.
Day 3	NEWPORT, Rhode Island Clelia II sails into the yacht-filled harbor of Newport, the one-time summer playground of New York's wealthiest families. See the Breakers, the 70-room Italian Renaissance mansion of Cornelius Vanderbilt II and the National Museum of American Illustration with its extensive collection of original works by Norman Rockwell, Maxfield Parrish, N.C. Wyeth, and many others. Also enjoy time in the historic harbor.
Day 4	AT SEA
Day 5	YORKTOWN, Virginia | COLONIAL WILIAMSBURG From the port of Yorktown, our excursion leads to historic Colonial Williamsburg. The capital of the Virginia colony from 1699 to 1780, Williamsburg is the nation's premier living museum, offering visitors a glimpse of life as it was in the 17th and 18th centuries. A guided tour leads along the Duke of Gloucester Street, Williamsburg's main thoroughfare, past the Capitol, the courthouse, the Governor's Palace, and the historic Bruton Parish Church. Then enjoy time at leisure to explore the museums and side streets, which are filled with taverns, bakeries, and the restored houses of wheelwrights, coopers, apothecaries, and other tradesmen. Also visit Yorktown Battlefield, site of the decisive 1781 battle.
Day 6	AT SEA
Day 7	CHARLESTON, South Carolina Arrive in Charleston, one of the East Coast's loveliest cities. A prosperous, cosmopolitan seaport as far back as colonial times, it was here in Charleston's harbor that Confederate troops first fired upon Fort Sumter, thus starting the Civil War. During our stay, tour Charleston's extensive historic district and visit the Heyward-Washington House, an 18th-century structure that features a separate kitchen house and enchanting formal garden. Drive to Drayton Hall, a historic site located on the Ashley River.
Day 8	AT SEA
Day 9	KEY WEST, Florida Discover the Florida Keys, a string of islands spanning 126 miles. We'll dock in Key West, the southernmost point of the continental United States. Attractions include Ernest Hemingway's house, the Key West Aquarium, and a butterfly conservatory. For those interested, there will be an opportunity for snorkeling.
Day 10	AT SEA
Day 11	CHICHEN ITZA or MERIDA | PROGRESO, Mexico Arrive in Progreso, on the north coast of the Yucatan peninsula, and drive to Chichen Itza, one of the most imposing of all Mayan sites. Dominating the site is the great main plaza with the adjoining El Castillo, also known as the Pyramid of Kukulcon. Other buildings include the Temple of the Carved Panels, Temple of the Warriors, and the nearby Group of the Thousand Columns, Ball Court, and Caracol Observatory. Alternatively, drive to Merida, Yucatan's capital, which has preserved its colonial architecture with its historic buildings, many of which were built from disassembled Mayan pyramids such as the Catedral de San Ildefonso, Mesoamerica's oldest cathedral.
Day 12	PROGRESO, Mexico | UXMAL Today, take an excursion to Uxmal. One of the most majestic of all Mayan cities, Uxmal means "three times built," but, in fact, the city was built at least five times. Explore the site, including the unusual oval-shaped Pyramid of the Magician, the magnificent Palace of the Governor, and the elaborately decorated Nunnery. Overnight aboard ship docked in Progreso.
Day 13	AT SEA
Day 14	QUIRIGUA | PUERTO BARRIOS, Guatemala Arrive in Puerto Barrios and drive to Quirigua, an extensive Mayan site occupied as early as a.d. 550 and noted for its huge carved stelae.
Day 15	PUERTO CASTILLA, Honduras | CAPIRO-CALENTURA NATIONAL PARK Surrounding the historic town of Trujillo are the mountains that make up Capiro-Calentura National Park. Explore the park, spotting tropical birds, several species of reptiles, cascading waterfalls, exotic plants, trees, and giant ferns. Spectacular views of Trujillo await at the summit of Calentura.
Day 16	AT SEA
Day 17	TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK | PUERTO LIMON, Costa Rica From Puerto Limon, explore Tortuguero National Park, a vast area of rain forests, beaches, and waterways that is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including howler, spider, and capuchin monkeys, as well as 300 different bird species.
Day 18	PARTIAL TRANSIT of the PANAMA CANAL Be out on deck as Clelia II transits the Gatun Lock into Gatun Lake. Dock in Colon in the evening.
Day 19	COLON | PANAMA CITY, Panama Drive along the Panama Canal to the Miraflores Locks to see ships transiting the famed waterway. Also enjoy a tour of the Panama City's historic quarter Casco Viejo and its landmarks. Alternatively, take a full-day excursion to explore Soberania National Park, home to rich wildlife, including 500 species of birds.
Day 20	COLON, Panama | DISEMBARK | USA From Colon, transfer to Panama City for return flights to the United States.