Radiance of the Seas - October 5, 2024

Sail past Los Arcos, the soaring rock archway at the extreme southern tip of Baja California that guards Cabo's perfect harbor. This idyllic bay once sheltered treasure ships from the Orient, and pirate brigs bent on those treasures. Now Cabo caters to an international vacation set, and has a strong artistic tradition famous for its black-coral jewelry.

Mexico's largest Pacific ocean port, Mazatlan has been called the "Pearl of the Pacific" for its splendid beaches and island-strewn harbor. The resorts of the Zona Dorada ("Golden Zone") deserve their fame, as does the sport-fishing which is known the world over, yet somehow the city maintains much of the simplicity and peace of its fishing village past.

The festive strains of a marimba band are never far away in Puerto Quetzal, your gateway to Guatemala's authentic Amerindian culture. Enjoy an excursion to Antigua, the former colonial capital, celebrated for its European flavor and magnificent architecture.

Puntarenas is a paradise of sand beaches, pristine rainforests, and tranquil turquoise seas. Guests will find themselves in a watersport-lover's paradise, with fun-filled options ranging from water skiing to scuba diving readily available throughout the province. Puntarenas boasts mild weather and tropical sunshine, offering languid days to spend relaxing in the surf and sand.

Spend an unforgettable day cruising the Panama Canal, a fifty-one-mile waterway through the rainforest that is one of the world's engineering masterpieces. The ship glides down the canal with inches to spare, through locks that raise and lower it like a toy. Along the way it crosses enormous Gatun Lake, and the amazing Gaillard Cut, blasted out of a solid mountainside.

Colon is one of Latin America's busiest commercial centers. Since 1953, it has had a free trade zone, where merchants can import and export goods without paying duties. The main streets of Colon are often crowded with sailors, traders, and tourists. The city has many bars, nightclubs, and gambling establishments. Colon also has duty-free shops, which sell many products at low prices.

Once the port where the wealth of the New World flowed back to the Old, Cartagena also served as a notorious base for privateers and pirates. Today, you can stroll the tree-lined Spanish colonial artistry of old in the streets and see the works of the Gold Museum. The port is also a great place to find bargains on emeralds.

George Town is the capital of the Cayman Islands, and is situated directly on Grand Cayman. Once a center of turtle fishing, the area is now a popular tourist destination. Snorkeling and diving are especially popular, and the opportunity to swim with and feed the giant, graceful stingrays should not be missed. Don't worry--it is said that no one has ever been stung.

The Tampa area features great attractions and theme parks, from Busch Gardens with it's African themed village and legendary roller coasters, to the calm serene waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Hand rolled cigars are made the old-fashioned way in the Latin Quarter. The atmosphere in Tampa is laid-back and slightly reserved, unlike the hustle bustle of Florida's east coast cities.