Embark on a remarkable luxury cruise, Discover the Panama Canal, from the bustling city of Panama to the serene shores of Belize. This exclusive journey begins in Fuerte Amador, marking the Pacific terminus of the Panama Canal, and charts a wondrous course through Central America's vibrant locales and pristine Caribbean waters, concluding in Belize City. While on this exquisite voyage, guests will have the opportunity to explore a wealth of captivating destinations. Amid the hustle and bustle of Panama City, witness engineering marvels at the Panama Canal, and experience serene environments such as the lush islands of Bocas del Toro and Providencia. Exotic locales such as San Andrés Island and Roatán offer glimpses into unique ecosystems and vibrant island cultures. Throughout the journey, an array of enriching activities await. Relish in the chance to snorkel amid the world’s second-largest coral reef, and learn about diverse cultures through curated island tours. Luxuriate in the serenity of crystal-clear beaches, or deepen your knowledge through on-board lectures and photography sessions. From diving into underwater wonders to partaking in traditional culinary classes, this cruise promises to captivate all senses.


Highlights


• Cruise the 48-mile Panama Canal, passing locks lifting and lowering your ship up to 85 feet.

• See 4,000 red-footed boobies and their bright red feet courtship rituals.

• Visit the Seaflower Biosphere Reserve, a rare Caribbean atoll archipelago.


Fuerte Amador, the Panama Canal's Pacific terminus, lies at the end of a mile-long manmade causeway, built from the canal's waste materials. Nearby, Frank Gehry's colourful Biomuseo showcases Panama's biodiversity. Miraflores Locks' visitor centre tells the story of this legendary waterway. A short taxi ride away, modern Panama City has evolved around its two historic centres: the conquistador-era Panamá Viejo and 17th-century Casco Viejo.


Cruising the Panama Canal is a bucket-list experience, navigating a 48-mile waterway that connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, eliminating the need for a voyage around Cape Horn. The journey involves passing through three sets of locks, lifting and lowering the ship by up to 85 feet, traversing Gatun Lake, an artificial reservoir, and navigating the narrow Culebra Cut—a 9-mile stretch carved through the Cordillera Central mountain range.


Bocas del Toro, an archipelago comprising the mainland and nine main islands in Panama, blends untouched natural beauty, abundant marine and bird life with Afro-Caribbean and indigenous cultures and two national parks. Bocas, a small surfing town, offers restaurants and cafes alongside pristine beaches. Swan Caye, a nearby island, is home to red-billed tropicbirds, brown boobies, frigates, gulls and terns.


San Andrés, a Colombian island in the Caribbean, lures visitors with reggae beats and breathtaking underwater worlds that teem with fish and shipwrecks just off Nicaragua's coast. Spratt Bight Beach has a palm-fringed paradise with a lively promenade. Nearby Johnny Cay Park offers an idyllic islet with coconut groves, while nature enthusiasts can explore Old Point Regional Mangrove Park, home to red land crabs, iguanas and tropical birds.


Providencia, in the Caribbean Sea, is the second-largest of the Colombian islands, measuring just 17km2 with mangrove forests and tropical dry forest. Its infinitely colourful surface, lush underwater landscapes and mangroves turn the sea green and are home to tiny fish full of life. Declared a UNESCO Seaflower Biosphere Reserve, the Old Providence Nature Park and ecotourism haven attracts divers and snorkellers to its crystal-clear waters.


Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional photographers.


Teeming with marine life, Roatán, Honduras' largest Bay Island, is surrounded by the world's second-largest coral reef, the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. The Garífuna, descendants of African and Indigenous peoples, have a vibrant culture here. Lush rainforests offer opportunities for adventure, while animal sanctuaries in French Cay like Daniel Johnson's Monkey and Sloth Hangout and Arch’s Iguana and Marine Park home provide unique encounters.


Placencia, a beach resort town on the southern tip of Belize's Placencia Peninsula, blends relaxation with adventure. Just offshore, the world-renowned Mesoamerican Barrier Reef is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with an incredible coral ecosystem. Inland, the Placencia Lagoon provides a habitat for manatees and saltwater crocodiles. North, the Garífuna community of Seine Bight celebrates its traditional heritage through drumming and dance.


Half Moon Caye, a crescent island in Belize's Lighthouse Reef, is Central America's first marine reserve. It features one of the few remaining old-growth littoral forests and shelters 4,000 red-footed boobies, known for their bright red feet and courtship rituals. The Half Moon Caye Natural Monument preserves vital ecosystems underwater. A pristine coral reef wall drops over 900 m (3,000 ft), while the Blue Hole is one of Belize's top dive sites.


Belize offers a captivating blend of ancient civilizations, rainforest trails and wild landscapes. Pristine cayes dot the 200-mile coast, luring you to Caribbean bliss, while the secrets of the ancient Maya are revealed at Lamanai, showcasing their architectural genius. Nearby, in the Maya Mountains, is the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, the world's only jaguar sanctuary, also home to pumas, deer, howler monkeys and tapirs.

Itineraries are subject to change. 

Vessel Type: Luxury Expedition / Cruise Ship

Length: 115 metres

Passenger Capacity: 152

Built: 2020-2021-2022

Our brand new ship has been designed to journey to off the beaten path destinations and remote polar regions in style and comfort. The ship incorporates a PC5 ice-strengthened hull combined with extra-large stabilisers to make your journey as smooth as possible.

Sophisticated Elegance. We know how important outdoor space is, so our spacious, relaxing public spaces provide wide open, unobstructed views throughout the ship. The destination will always be in view.

Your Wellbeing. The safety & happiness of our guests is paramount to our 120-strong crew on board as well as our passionate expedition team who'll be serving up thrilling shore excursions and lasting memories.

Cabin Types. Our 76 cabins including 6 suites have all the amenities you will need to feel comfortable including dressing gowns, hairdryers, personal safes and minibars. Our stylish cabins all have desks, a dressing area and comfy seating. En suite bathrooms all feature glass-enclosed rain showers.

Cabin layout for Vega

Inclusions


• Regional flights to the port of embarkation and/or disembarkation (only available for Antarctica voyages starting or ending in Ushuaia, and Arctic voyages starting and ending in Longyearbyen and Kangerlussuaq)
• Group return transfers from the airport to the cruise port (via our included accommodation where applicable)
• One-night pre-cruise accommodation with breakfast in a 4/5-star hotel or onboard
• All meals onboard
• 24-hour room service
• Coffee, tea, soft drinks, and selected alcoholic beverages, available 24 hours per day
• Lecture programs by our experienced expedition team and guest speakers
• Standard WiFi
• Onboard gratuities and port taxes
• One selected shore excursion/expedition activity per port of call (kayaking not included – however this can be pre-booked)
• In polar regions: Branded Swan Hellenic expedition parka to take home and use of rubber boots for wet zodiac landings.

Exclusions


• Kayaking, private tours, special arrangements, and private Zodiac tours on request and based on availability.
• Additional shore excursions are also offered (excluding polar regions, where all excursions are Zodiac-based and included). At each destination/ port of call, one pre-selected shore excursion will be included free of charge. All other excursion offers will be available at additional cost.
• Premium wines and spirits from the bar menu
• Purchases from the ship’s boutique, laundry expenses, premium WiFi packages, and spa treatments
• Visas where required, travel insurance, flights, domestic transfers, and any hotel requirements pre- or post-cruise, unless otherwise stated within the itinerary description.
Vega
Central America Luxury ExpeditionLuxury Expedition
11 Days from

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