Between the Caribbean and the Maya

Off the Riviera Maya, Cozumel is Mexico’s second largest island. Located at the northern extremity of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, the island is renowned for its snorkeling and diving sites and the incredible clarity of its waters protected by a marine park. The island’s coasts and interior are also full of treasures: sacred Maya sites devoted to medicine, love and fertility; cenotes; a museum; an ecological reserve; mangroves; lagoons; coastal dunes; long unspoiled beaches. Don’t hesitate to climb to the top of the lighthouse in the Punta Sur Nature Reserve in the island’s south, to admire the panorama of these wild expanses from above.

During your day at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness center. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This day without a port of call can also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, to do some shopping in the boutique, or to meet the onboard photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they can visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest, and entertainment.

Belize City is the former capital and the country’s largest town. Located on the Caribbean Sea, this lively little town symbolizes the fusion of British, Spanish, and Maya cultures.  The departure point for flights over the Great Blue Hole and the barrier reef, it’s also the ideal gateway for discovering the treasures of Maya architecture: in the heart of the jungle, the grandiose and mysterious ruins of temples and palaces at the Lamanai and Xunantunich sites await you. Another unmissable experience: a trip to the mouth of the Belize River, where, with a little luck and care, you’ll get a glimpse of manatees, dolphins, crocodiles, iguanas, and many aquatic bird species.

A port city located in the north-east of Guatemala, on the coast of the Amatique Bay, Santo Tomás de Castilla offers exceptional access to the fabulous Mayan archaeological site of Quiriguá. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981, this place takes you back in time, deep into a décor of ruins and vestiges from the 8th century. 

The Bay Islands archipelago is home to stunning cays, sheltered coral islets with warm, crystal-clear turquoise waters. Off the island of Utila, the white-sand beaches lined with palms and coconut trees and the reefs of the deserted islet called Water Caye offer a picture-postcard setting that will delight fans of swimming and snorkeling.

During your day at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness center. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This day without a port of call can also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, to do some shopping in the boutique, or to meet the onboard photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they can visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest, and entertainment.

We’re pretty sure the little coastal town of Puerto Limón will completely win your heart. It is located on the Caribbean sea. Just beyond the harbor, Playa Bonita creek opens its arms to a haven of beauty rimmed by clear blue waters and shaded by giant peach-palms. If you wish to explore the lush green areas in the town, it’s worth taking a stroll through the lemon groves that give Puerto Limón its name. You’ll have all the time in the world to mosey around the streets scattered with multicolored wooden makeshift stalls. These makeshift bars with their raffia roofs offer fresh juices blended just for you.

Located on the north-east coast of Panama, the San Blas archipelago is a string of coral islands in the heart of the Caribbean Sea. More than 300 islands and cays cover an area of 300 square kilometers offering travelers a multitude of treasures. Sheltered behind a long coral reef, the San Blas Islands are full of enchanting anchorages. The long sandy white beaches bound by crystal-clear waters allows you to relax and enjoy incredible marine fauna before engaging with the Kunas Indian community. Still subsisting on hunting and fishing, they welcome you in their villages of bamboo houses gathered near the beaches.

Colón is the second largest city in Panama, at the Caribbean entrance of the Panama Canal. Colón is today an important port, and the free trade zone created in 1953 contributed greatly to the development of the city. Colón was founded in 1850 by Americans working on the Panama railroad connecting the Atlantic and Pacific coasts through the isthmus of Panama; the city rapidly overshadowed the older Caribbean ports of Panama when the canal opened.

Disembark after breakfast and continue on your independent travels or begin your journey home.