WTT > Travel Calendar

Panama Canal Cruise

Plus Colombia, Costa Rica & Mexico

February 14 - March 1, 2020

Itinerary &
Daily Schedule
Tour Pricing &
Important Details
Destination
Information
Frequently Asked
Questions
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Paradise awaits as we depart Miami for a thrill of a lifetime—cruising ocean-to-ocean via the Panama Canal. We depart from Miami, stop at a private Bahamian island before enjoying two days at sea, exploring our floating accommodations and taking advantage of the pools, food, shows, and more. We'll stop in Cartagena, Colombia with its turbulent history of conquistadors and pirates before we transit the massive canal. Entering the Pacific Ocean we head north up the coastline with ports of call in Costa Rica and Mexico before arriving in Los Angeles. Join us for this 17-day cruise through one of the greatest engineering feats of mankind.

Print Itinerary & Details

Itinerary

B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

Friday, 14 Feb 2020: Arrive Miami; Transfer to Ship; Welcome Meeting & Dinner (B,D)
Welcome to Miami, a city known for its gorgeous white sand beaches, people watching and sunrise strolls. Schedule arrival into Miami International Airport no later than 12:00 noon and make your way to the dock. Everyone must be on board ship no later than 2:00pm. Ship departure is at 4:00pm. We'll gather at 5:00pm for our Welcome Meeting to be followed by dinner together to get better acquainted. Overnight Norwegian Joy - 16 nights

Saturday, 15 Feb 2020: Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas (B,L,D)
This morning we arrive at our first stop, Great Stirrup Cay, an idyllic private island paradise in the Bahamas. Stroll along soft white-sand beaches and enjoy any of the many activities or simply relax on the beach. What a tropical paradise!

Sunday, 16 Feb 2020: Cruising At Sea (B,L,D)
Today is a full day at sea. Enjoy the on-board activities, spend time lounging around the pool or just relax on your balcony taking in the expansive views. Every day your WTT Tour Leader will help coordinate travelers who want to attend shows together, dine together, or participate in other ship activities.

Monday, 17 Feb 2020: Mini-Golf Morning; Cruising At Sea (B,L,D)
Another day in paradise with a full day at sea! This morning, we begin with a round of mini-golf for those interested in a little competition. If pampering is your idea of a good vacation, take advantage of the on board spa and salon this afternoon. These optional services are available on sea days and while in ports of call. Every day your WTT Tour Leader will help coordinate travelers who want to attend shows together, dine together, or participate in other ship activities.

Tuesday, 18 Feb 2020: Cartagena, Colombia (B,L,D)
Early this morning we arrive at the old walled city of Cartagena, which reflects a turbulent history of conquistadors and pirates. Throughout Colombia, the Spanish Empire's influence in the New World is self-evident. Its fortress walls, quaint narrow streets, and balconied houses are all vivid reminders of Spain's hold on Cartagena and throughout the Caribbean and South America. Perhaps you'll opt to climb "las murallas" for an unforgettable view of the harbor.

Wednesday, 19 Feb 2020: Daylight Transit through Panama Canal (B,L,D)
Today is the adventure we've been waiting for - transiting the 40 miles of the Panama Canal, one of the world's greatest shortcuts. Sometimes referred to as “the eighth wonder of the world,” the canal is an engineering marvel that cuts across the Isthmus of Panama, connecting the Atlantic to the Pacific. Work on the canal began in 1880 and was completed in 1914. The canal passage includes transit through several locks that allow for the water level to be adjusted.

Thursday, 20 Feb 2020: At Sea; Group Dinner & Show (B,L,D)
Now that we're through the Panama Canal, we have a day at sea - on the Pacific side. Read pool side, try your hand at the casino, play a game of cards with your fellow travelers, or just enjoy the view from your cabin's balcony. Tonight we'll enjoy dinner together at a specialty restaurant on the ship, followed by an on-board show.

Friday, 21 Feb 2020: Puntarenas, Costa Rica; Rainforest Adventure (B,L,D)
We arrive in Costa Rica this morning in the seaport town of Puntarenas with its multi-colored cottages, local markets and stunning beaches. Puntarenas is Spanish for "sandy point" and that is exactly what it's built on, a sandy spit of land jutting into the Gulf of Nicoya. Puntarenas is a fishing port and as such you'll find amazingly fresh seafood. We'll have the opportunity to travel by gondola through the canopy of giant trees, hanging gardens, waterfalls and lush green landscapes. Maybe we'll see the spectacular scarlet macaws majestically soaring above the treetops or sitting in one of the trees!

Saturday, 22 Feb 2020: Cruising At Sea (B,L,D)
Relax and enjoy another day at sea. Your WTT Tour Leader will help coordinate travelers who want to attend shows together, dine together, or participate in other ship activities.

Sunday, 23 Feb 2020: Puerto Quetzel, Guatemala (B,L,D)
This morning, we arrive in Guatemala at the port city of Puerto Quetzel, which was constructed in 1984 to help connect nearby cities. This city is Guatemala's largest port on the Pacific Ocean and is a gateway to Antigua, Lake Atitlan, coffee plantations and Mayan ruins.

Monday, 24 Feb 2020: Cruising At Sea; Evening Show (B,L,D)
A full day at sea! Perhaps pamper yourself and take advantage of the on board spa and salon. These optional services are available on sea days and while in ports of call. Your WTT tour leader will help coordinate travelers who want to attend shows together, dine together, or participate in other ship activities.

Tuesday, 25 Feb 2020: Cruising At Sea (B,L,D)
A full day at sea! Perhaps pamper yourself and take advantage of the on board spa and salon. These optional services are available on sea days and while in ports of call. Your WTT tour leader will help coordinate travelers who want to attend shows together, dine together, or participate in other ship activities.

Wednesday, 26 Feb 2020: Mazatlan, Mexico; Old Mazatlan (B,L,D)
Today, we awake off the coast of Mexico. Our port is Mazatlan which has a fabulous beach combined with an illustrious colonial past. Perhaps enjoy a margarita, or visit some of the shops offering local crafts. We'll enjoy a walking tour of the Old Town including the House of Music, the Cathedral and the city market.

Thursday, 27 Feb 2020: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (B,L,D)
This morning, we arrive in Puerto Vallarta with its small village charm along with 26 miles of spectacular beaches along the Banderas Bay. You might stroll the cobblestone streets to the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, or peruse the many local wares for sale at the open-air markets.

Friday, 28 Feb 2020: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico (B,L,D)
Lying at the very tip of Baja where the Pacific meets the Sea of Cortez, Cabo San Lucas - or "Cabo" - is one of the premier resort destinations in the Western Hemisphere. Cabo's signature landmark is El Arco (The Arch), a rock formation at the tip of "Land's End." The jewel of the Baja Peninsula, Cabo is famous for its world-class sportfishing, as well as its high-end resorts and exclusive gated communities.

Saturday, 29 Feb 2020: Cruising At Sea; Farewell Dinner (B,L,D)
Enjoy our final day at sea! This is your last chance to soak up some rays or see a show, have a massage, or win big at the casino. We'll gather tonight for our Farewell Dinner.

Sunday, 1 Mar 2020: Arrive Los Angeles; Disembark Ship (B)
It's time to leave your sea legs behind. This morning, our ship docks in Los Angeles at approximately 7:00am. Make your return flight home no earlier than 12:30pm, which will help ensure you have sufficient time to disembark and get to the airport. Departure transfers are not included, but your Tour Leader will help with coordination.

To View Tour Pricing & Important Details: Return to Top of Page

Room Share	Single Room	Non-Members	Status of This Tour
$5,412.00	$8,839.00	ADD $100.00	More than 1/2 Full

$500.00 Due at time of Reservation

Your Tour Includes...

HIGHLIGHTS and EXPERIENCES:

Daylight transit through the Panama Canal
17 days aboard NCL's Norwegian Joy
Balcony cabins with unobstructed views
Visit Costa Rica, Colombia and Mexico
Walk the ancient streets of UNESCO-listed Cartagena
Includes 2 shore excursions (details to follow closer to tour departure)
WTT Tour Leader to enhance the individual & group experience
Time to explore personal interests & suggestions for things to do
And More...See itinerary for additional highlights and experiences

PLUS...

Group no larger than 23
Arranged room sharing with another solo traveler
Travel Dollar credits (a benefit of WTT membership) toward future travel with WTT

Lodging

Our accommodations will be on the cruise ship, Norwegian Joy, which was built in 2017 and renovated in 2019 with $50 million worth of upgrades, making it the most modern of the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet. The ship has several decks full of shops, restaurants and entertainment. The ship includes observation lounges with floor-to-ceiling windows, cozy sitting areas, and expansive views. This cruise is not exclusive to WTT.

In the unlikely event WTT is unable to provide the accommodation(s) listed, for whatever reason, WTT will substitute similar quality accommodation(s) at no additional cost to the traveler.

Meals

All meals while onboard ship
2 specialty dinners

Norwegian Cruise Lines offers "free-style dining." Your WTT Tour Leader will coordinate dining together based on the activities of the day. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free dietary requests can be accommodated on this tour.

Activity Rating

As a solo traveler you are responsible for yourself, your possessions, your physical fitness, and all other aspects related to participation in the WTT tour you have chosen.

Because of this requirement, WTT tours are not suitable for anyone who is physically challenged, walking impaired, or is a slow walker that cannot keep up with the pace of the group.

The activities on this tour are rated as follows:

85% Easy
15% Moderate (walking)

Activity levels are subjective and based on the reader's interpretation. Almost everyone overestimates their abilities. Therefore, it is your responsibility to read the itinerary and understand what you are doing throughout the tour.

If you are in doubt as to your ability to meet the physical activity requirements, you should not sign up for this trip.

Read more about Activity Levels

Want a Roommate...or not?

Traveling Solo? Most of the women on your tour are traveling solo!

If you wish to share with another solo traveler, select this option on the Reservation Form and your tour price will automatically be based on the room share price.
Or, you may select a single room, when available, on the Reservation Form and your tour price will be automatically based on the single room price.
These choices are clearly stated on the Reservation Form.

A few facts about sharing a room:

All shared rooms are non-smoking
Your roommate will be of similar age
No special requests about your roommate can be accommodated
See "Frequently Asked Questions" for more details

Arrival and Departure Information

Travelers will make their own air arrangements as follows:
When searching for flights for this trip, be sure to search "Multi-city" (on Kayak) or "Multiple Destinations" (on Expedia). For comparison, you may also want to search for one-way fares.

Arrival Airport: MIA - Miami, FL (Miami Int'l Airport)
Arrival Date: Friday, February 14th. 12:00PM.
Arrival Transfer: Use local shuttle or taxi. Details will be provided in Final Travel Instructions.

Departure Airport: LAX - Los Angeles, CA (Los Angeles Int'l Airport)
Departure Date: Sunday, March 1st. Depart no earlier than 12:30PM.
Departure Transfer: Not included. Departure Transfers to LAX can be arranged onboard ship for an additional fee.

Want to Arrive a Day Early?

Worried about possible flight delays? Consider arriving one day before the official tour start date. Many of our travelers choose this optional service. Your pre-tour package includes:

The room (standard check-in times apply)
Breakfast the following morning
Transfer from hotel to ship
Optional activity suggestions prior to tour
$255.00 Roomshare $496.00 Single

The pre-tour package is an optional service. Rates are established at time of tour posting. Early check-in is solely at the discretion of the hotel and cannot be arranged in advance.

Important Reminders About This Trip

For security reasons, all guests must be on board 2 hours prior to sailing.
Disembarkation typically begins 2 hours after docking.
Itineraries are subject to change at any time without notice.
The cruise company reserves the right to re-instate the fuel supplement for all guests should the price of light sweet crude oil increases above $65 per barrel.
WTT may collect any fuel supplement charge in effect at the time of sailing, even if tour cost has already been paid in full.
All travelers must have valid passports. Most countries require your passport to be valid a minimum of six months after your return home date, and have at least two consecutive blank pages.
Travelers from Canada and other countries should check entry requirements with their consulate. Visa requirements are based on your country of residence.

Payment Dates and Cancellation Policies

At Space Reservation: Initial Deposit is due.
Sunday, 18 Aug 2019: Initial deposit cannot be parked and is forfeited if traveler cancels after this date.
Monday, 7 October 2019: Payment in full. 50% cancellation penalty after this date.
Thursday, 12 December 2019: 100% forfeited if traveler cancels after this date.

Please review our travel and cancellation policies before making your reservation. You will be asked to confirm you have read and understood WTT's travel polices before we will accept your reservation.

Travel Insurance: We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect you in the event you need to cancel your tour. WTT will mail you information from 2 reliable travel insurance providers at the time we confirm your reservation.

You can review the insurance information from TravelGuard to get an idea of rates.

Not Included in the Price

Airfare or other transportation to and from the tour
Arrival and Departure Transfers
Onboard gratuities (approximately $15/day per person)
Any optional shore excursions not specifically listed in the itinerary
Meals and activities not specified in the itinerary
Any personal expenses or expenditures, including alcohol or beverage packages
Any pre- or post- tour arrangements
Passport and/or visa fees
Any gratuities for the WTT Tour Leader
Travel Insurance

Important Reminders

For security reasons, all guests must be on board 2 hours prior to sailing.
Disembarkation typically begins 2 hours after docking.
Itineraries are subject to change at any time without notice.
The cruise company reserves the right to re-instate the fuel supplement for all guests should the price of light sweet crude oil increases above $65 per barrel.
WTT may collect any fuel supplement charge in effect at the time of sailing, even if tour cost has already been paid in full.
All travelers must have valid passports. Most countries require your passport to be valid a minimum of six months after your return home date, and have at least two consecutive blank pages.
Travelers from Canada and other countries should check entry requirements with their consulate. Visa requirements are based on your country of residence.

Packing Suggestions

In general the temperature, rainfall and humidity levels vary based on the time of the year. We suggest you monitor weather apps before you depart for the most current information.

For worldwide weather refer to http://www.accuweather.com/en/world-weather.

For This Trip You Will Need—

You May Also Want—

Smart-casual wear if you'd like to dress up a bit for dinners. Pool and beach attire will not be allowed in the more formal sit down dining rooms.
Lightweight but warm jacket/sweater for the cool mornings and evenings or the unusually brisk day.
Inexpensive rain poncho or travel umbrella, just in case
Swimsuit and a swimsuit cover up or sundress
Bring what you need to get a good night's sleep, such as ear plugs, white noise generator, sleeping pills, etc. Unfamiliar noises of all types can disrupt your rest.

Good Packing Habits—

Pack a limited amount of comfortable, casual clothing that layer and coordinate. Your fellow travelers will not mind or even notice – seeing you in the same clothing.
Bring only two pairs of everyday shoes: one pair of well-broken-in walking shoes, and a second pair that could do double-duty as a walking shoe or a slightly dressy shoe.
Pare down your beauty regimen to the bare minimum and always pack travel-sized toiletries.
Pack medication in your carry-on and pack only as much as needed for the duration of your tour plus a few extra days as a precaution.

Luggage

On every WTT tour, our policies regarding luggage restrictions are driven by the physical space limitations of our vehicles, the restrictions imposed by other forms of transportation such as trains and small planes, and the requirement that all travelers be able to manage their own luggage.

We suggest you bring one suitcase weighing no more than 50 lbs, plus a small shoulder bag/day pack or purse. There will be limited space in the transfer vehicles used from the airport to the ship and the ship back to the airport. Additionally, suitcase storage space is limited in the ship’s cabins.
If you are arriving a day early you will be responsible for managing your own luggage; there will not be porters to assist you prior to arriving on the ship.

Fitness

Walking is a key component of this tour. The ship is large and between personal exploration and shore excursions you can expect to walk 3-5 miles over the course of a day. Although the activity level on this trip may not appear strenuous, we believe you will enjoy the tour more if you possess a general level of fitness and endurance.

Phone & Internet

Only you can determine your need to stay in contact while traveling. Internet access is available in most hotels, sometimes for a fee.

If you are bringing a cell phone, contact your cell phone service provider before departing about adding international calling and/or texting features. Texting internationally is often less expensive than placing a cell phone call.
Learn how to make an international call BEFORE you leave. Consult your cell provider and check out the web site www.HowtoCallAbroad.com.

Money

Only you can determine the optimum amount of cash to take on tour. When budgeting for out-of-pocket expenses, there are several aspects to consider: the number of meals you are responsible for, the amount of money you like to have on-hand for snacks and drinks, and your individual shopping interests and habits.

Notify your credit card issuer that you will be traveling and provide dates of travel.
ATMs are available on-board and in ports. You may want to have extra cash on hand as ATMs may be limited and have higher than normal surcharges.

Tipping

Gratuities for NCL staff have NOT been pre-paid. The daily charge will appear on your individual ship account.

You are not required to tip guides during shore excursions. However, if you feel you have received excellent service, a small tip is always appreciated.
You are responsible for tipping wait-staff, porters or other individuals who provide service to you at the hotel or other public locations.
You may want to tip your WTT Tour Leader for an outstanding job. The amount is entirely a personal preference. If you'd like a guideline, consider $5-$8 per day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I Find…

My Trip Information

When to Arrive and Depart (i.e. Making Travel Arrangements)

Arriving a Day before the Tour Begins

Activity Rating

Payment and Cancellation Penalty Dates for this Tour

Still Can’t Find what you’re looking for?

What if…..

State Department Alerts and Warnings

I Need to Cancel

Preparing for Your Trip

Trip Specific Details

Meet Your Tour Manager

When to Make Your Airline Reservations

Do I need a Passport or VISA?

Immunization and Shot Recommendations

Partial Payments and Final Payment

Meet Your Fellow Travelers

Meet Your Tour Leader

Final Travel Instructions

Room Sharing Tips

WTT Policies and Cancellations

General Policies

Cancellation Policies

Cancellation Date Reminders

Can WTT Cancel a Tour?

If you wish to express your interest in this tour, do so by completing this pre-reservation form. Remember that a pre-reservation does not require any money and there is no obligation whatsoever. Once this tour is finalized, including pricing, hotels, firm dates, etc., those who have sent in a pre-reservation will be contacted via email. *** You will be asked to decide if you want to make a deposit. If you are no longer interested after being contacted, you don’t have to do anything!

***Note: We give notification priority to members of Women Traveling Together (WTT) first, followed by non-members.

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk *

Information we need to know about you

First Name *

Last Name *

Email *

Are you a current member of Women Traveling Together? * Yes
No

Trip Information

Name of Trip *

The following date option(s) are available for this tour. There may be one or more choices displayed as dates, months, or seasons. Please choose ONE. *

This trip is my # * choice for

Note: You can pre-register for a maximum of 3 trips by filling out this form for each trip you want to pre-register for. If you designate more than one trip with the same ranking only the last trip submitted with that ranking will be saved.

There is no obligation to go on standby. If we have a cancellation, we will notify those on standby in the order you were put on the standby list**. If you are notified of a space on the trip, you will be required to pay the full amount of the trip at that time.

**We give notification priority to members of Women Traveling Together (WTT) first, followed by non-members.

To be placed on Standby, please complete the following:
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk *

Information we need to know about you

First Name *

Last Name *

Email *

Phone

Do you want to roomshare with another traveler? * Yes
No
Are you a current member of Women Traveling Together? * Yes
No

Trip Information

Name of Trip *

Special Instructions Is there anything else we need to know?

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