Our Trip Thru the Panama Canal

 

In December, we embraced the thrill of a "back-2-back" cruise adventure, setting sail from Miami through the iconic Panama Canal, and then back to our starting point in Miami. This journey consisted of two unforgettable voyages: the first whisked us through the Southern Caribbean's dazzling gems—Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, and Cartagena—leading us to the vibrant Panama City. From there, we embarked on our return journey, traversing the canal once more and journeying up the coast of Central America back to Miami. Contrary to my initial thoughts, there weren't as many sea days, which allowed us plenty of time to savor the ship's amenities alongside the refreshing Caribbean breeze.

During the first leg of our cruise, we had the incredible opportunity to sail with Dondra Ritzenthaler, the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of Azamara, who took the helm in May 2024. Her impressive tenure as the Senior Vice President of Sales at Celebrity Cruises brought a wealth of experience to her new role with Azamara.

Our main focus on this voyage was to engage with Dondra and gain insight into Azamara's vision for the future, including exciting potential developments like the addition of a fifth ship. We're optimistic and hopeful for new horizons!

Experiencing the Panama Canal's remarkable operations twice within a week was a true highlight. It was an inspiring journey, solidifying our belief in Azamara's continued growth and success in crafting exceptional travel experiences.

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Discovering Quito and the Enchanting Galapagos

 In early November, our adventure began as we jetted off to Quito, Ecuador, to kickstart a thrilling journey to the Galapagos Islands. Despite our late-night arrival at Quito International Airport (UIO), a 40-minute drive through winding mountain roads led us to the impressive JW Marriott hotel.

What a delightful stay it was! The hotel offered one of our most enjoyable experiences, albeit with a small hiccup: we were advised against drinking tap water. Thankfully, the hotel thoughtfully provided bottled water in our rooms, and we took full advantage of the complementary water bottle filling station in the lobby. It was a botanical delight, with fragrant cut roses—one of Ecuador's treasures—adorning every hotel corner.

Nestled in the Andean Mountains, Quito sits at an impressive elevation of 9,350 feet, leaving us breathless in more ways than one! Sleeping posed a challenge for some due to the high altitude, and a few members of our group needed a little medication to aid in adjustment.

Our first full day in Quito was spent exploring the enchanting old city, where we uncovered a fun fact: Panama Hats originate from Ecuador! Our charismatic guide mentioned that Teddy Roosevelt's famous Panama Hat was an Ecuadorian creation. Later, we had our equatorial escapade at the “Ciudad Mitad del Mundo” monument. A quirky discovery was made - it's not precisely on the equator, but close neighbors with the line. A fascinating water demonstration of how drains swirl differently on either side of the equator piqued our curiosity.

After an exhilarating two-night stay in Quito, we caught our charter flight to the Galapagos, bound for Baltra.

Sailing the Galapagos Aboard Celebrity Flora

Upon arrival, a dedicated team of naturalists whisked us from the airport to a nearby dock, where the Zodiac awaited to ferry us to the majestic Celebrity Flora. Hand luggage in tow, we boarded with a splash of sea spray— not unlike a gentle maritime baptism. Flora, a 100-guest marvel with 50 staterooms, became our floating sanctuary for a memorable seven-day voyage.

Aboard the ship, evenings took on a unique rhythm of recap sessions, where we unraveled the day's adventures while savoring words of wisdom about the days to come. The cruise offered twice-a-day expeditions ashore, ranging from challenging treks to serene strolls, catering to every explorer’s taste.

Galapagos: An Archipelago of Wonders

Each island in the Galapagos unfolded a vibrant tapestry of creatures, unafraid and unperturbed by human presence. Among these remarkable beings, the Albatross captured my heart. Though awkward on land, this bird soars through the skies with grace. We were lucky to arrive at the tail end of the nesting season—most adults had migrated, leaving behind a few curious younglings.

The Celebrity Experience: Pure Magic

Wow! Celebrity delivered an extraordinary experience with exceptional guides and a stellar support team, both pre- and post-cruise in Quito. I'm already dreaming of a return voyage aboard the Flora to this incredible archipelago. Until then, I'll hold onto the hope of seeing you on board someday!

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Cruise Port Facility Upgrades

Established ports that have lots of cruise ship visits need upgrades from time to time, whether to refurbish aging facilities or provide new and improved services for passengers. Here are some recent and current port upgrade projects that you might come across on a cruise.

Nassau, The Bahamas, recently completed a major port reconstruction that created more space for visiting cruise ships, as well as new retail and entertainment venues. Better passenger flow and two new marinas help get land- or water-based shore excursions off to a smooth start. Shops in the port area now offer more Bahamian-made crafts and other products. There’s also a museum that celebrates Junkanoo, the Bahamian national festival.

The Caribbean island of St. Lucia has begun a complete redevelopment of its cruise port in Castries. The project is intended to improve the docks, retail spaces, traffic flow, and overall passenger experience. It will take at least two years to complete, but there will be no pause in cruise ship calls on this beautiful island.

The Dominican Republic recently opened its fifth cruise port: Cabo Rojo, in the southwestern corner of the country. There’s lots to do right in the port area, which has a pretty beach, a pool and a lazy river, a dune buggy track, a Ferris wheel, and a merry-go-round, as well as restaurants and shops. There are also glass-bottom boat tours, birdwatching in Jaragua National Park, ATV adventures, and excursions to nearby beaches or the town of Pedernales.

A major upgrade of the San Juan Cruise Port in Puerto Rico – one of the busiest in the Caribbean – will invest $425 million in infrastructure, services, and attractions. The project will repair terminals, wharves, walkways, and more to accommodate an increase in visitors, expected to rise to 5 million per year during the next few years.

The port of Seward, Alaska, is replacing a 60-year-old fixed dock with a floating dock that can rise and fall along with visiting ships, eliminating the need for passengers to go up and down steep ramps. The $137 million project includes a new, larger cruise terminal and should be finished in time for the 2026 cruise season.

Port facility upgrades generally take place without any disruption to scheduled port calls, and it can be exciting to see the changes taking place. To find out if you’ll encounter any port upgrade projects on your next cruise, check with Anita, your professional travel advisor.

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Simple Tips for a More Enjoyable Cruise

There are lots of easy ways to help yourself enjoy a cruise to the fullest. Take a look at these tips and make a note to try some of them the next time you sail.

·         Don’t miss the sail-away party. As the ship heads out to open water, go up on an open deck to join the party, enjoy the view, and feel the fresh sea breeze. The joy and anticipation in the air are infectious!

·         Explore the ship. Cruise ships are marvels of engineering and design, so get to know yours. In addition to the dining spots, entertainment venues, and pool, seek out some cozy nooks where you can relax.

·         Organize your cabin. Rather than leave your belongings in your luggage and your luggage on the floor, take some time to unpack and organize. Put your clothes and shoes in closets and drawers, place toiletries in the bathroom, and stow your luggage where you won’t trip on it. Your cabin steward can provide extra hangers and show you any hidden storage areas.

·         Try new tastes. In the main dining room or at the ship’s buffet, try dishes you haven’t had before. You may discover that you love some ingredients or flavors that are new to you. If you’re willing to be adventurous but don’t want to waste food, ask a companion if they would like to share a portion of something new with you.

·         Make a resolution to try at least one new onboard activity. Each morning, open the cruise line’s app on your mobile device to check the daily schedule of events. Depending on your cruise line and ship, you may have opportunities to try out some new fitness equipment or spa treatments and to join in deck games, card tournaments, trivia and karaoke contests, enrichment classes, and more.

·         Catch a sunrise and a sunset. Watching the sun rise or set over open water is a beautiful, calming, inspiring sight. Be sure to catch at least one of each while you sail – you may find yourself making it a daily ritual.

·         Finally, if you experience any motion sickness, ask for some medication at the passenger service desk; or, ask your cabin steward for a green apple to eat. Either (or both) should help as your body gets used to the motion of the ship. After all, you don’t want to miss a moment of your wonderful cruise.

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Sober Cruising

For all who live an alcohol-free lifestyle, there’s good news about cruising, as popular cruise lines strive to welcome and support passengers who are committed to sobriety.
Many cruises have some events and activities that center on alcohol, such as onboard wine tastings or shore excursions that feature local wineries or breweries. But, one of the wonderful things about cruising is that everyone can make their own choices about how to spend their time on ship and on shore, and there are always alcohol-free options.
Those in recovery should know that most cruises offer daily “Friends of Bill W.” meetings. These are onboard meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous, named for Bill W., one of the founders of AA. Look for the meetings on the ship’s daily schedule of events.
Cruise lines also support sober lifestyles by serving a variety of nonalcoholic spirits, wines, and beers on board.

·         Princess Cruises just announced that it will launch its Amore Princess Zero Alcohol Collection this spring. This new, zero-proof bar menu will have a variety of mocktails – including the “24K Margarita” crafted for Princess by Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton – and a selection of nonalcoholic beers, wines, and sparkling wines.
·         Passengers on Holland America Line ships can purchase beverage packages that are alcohol-free and include refreshing mocktails, like the Ginger Mango Splash and Melon Mint No’jito. These packages also include unlimited premium coffees, juices, sodas, and bottled water.
·         The Zero@Sea program on Seabourn Cruise Line ships is included in passenger fares. Zero@Sea features mocktails made with popular alcohol-free spirits, along with nonalcoholic beers and wines.
·         Royal Caribbean offers a zero-proof bar menu that includes creative mocktails like the All-Aboard Spritz (lime and cranberry juices with desert pear and club soda) and the Tropical Crush (pineapple and mango juices with Red Bull Yellow Edition).
·         Virgin Voyages serves no-alcohol mocktails in all of its dining venues, including spirit-free versions of favorites like Bloody Marys, Moscow Mules, and Pina Coladas. The popular Test Kitchen restaurant even has a mocktail menu created by a James Beard Award-winning mixologist.

Everyone who maintains a sober lifestyle is on a unique journey, and sailing on a ship where non-alcoholic options abound – but alcohol is still readily available – may not suit everyone. If cruising with alcohol on board isn’t for you, there’s another option for sober cruising: some specialty cruises are completely alcohol-free. Just ask Anita, your professional travel advisor, for more information.

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Cruising Brazil

Brazil is a fantastic cruise destination with more than 4,500 miles of coastline and a high-energy culture. A variety of cruise lines call on this vast country, which covers roughly half of South America. Here’s a quick look at some ports you can visit along Brazil’s Atlantic coast, from north to south.

Like many Brazilian port cities, Belém has a historic center where colonial-era buildings make a scenic contrast with the skyscrapers in newer parts of town. Belém’s Cidade Velha (Old Town) includes the lovely Teatro da Paz, charming squares, and the busy Ver o Peso market.

In Fortaleza, named for a fortress that dates from 1649, you’ll find Parque Ecológico do Cocó, a huge urban park, and the Mercado Central, full of handmade jewelry, leather goods, and local tastes. Or, head for a sandy beach that’s backed by dramatic red cliffs at Morro Branco.

A network of rivers, lagoons, and bridges makes Recife the “Venice of Brazil.” Enjoy the beach at Boa Viagem, or view collections of medieval weaponry and art at Instituto Ricardo Brennand. Perched on lush green hills, the lovely and historic area of Olinda is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Originally a complex of sugar plantations, Maceio is now better known for beaches, seafood, and Festa Junina, a celebration around the June solstice. Praia do Gunga is one of Brazil’s prettiest beaches; or, you can take a boat ride to Maragogi and wade in clear tidepools that emerge between the reefs.

Salvador is prized for its blend of Native, African, and European cultures, which are reflected in the city’s architecture, food, and music. The historic neighborhood of Pelourinho is full of architecturally significant buildings, museums, and demonstrations of capoeira, an Afro-Brazilian martial art.

Backed by stunning mountains, Rio de Janeiro is world-famous for the beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana, the celebration of Carnival, and the Samba tradition of music and dance. It also has vibrant neighborhoods with top-level cultural attractions, fine dining, and sports. There’s so much to see that it can be a challenge to select just one shore excursion, so be sure to consider all your choices.

Many cruises that visit Brazil also call on ports in the neighboring countries of Uruguay and Argentina, stop at some of Brazil’s islands, or include a sail-up part of the Amazon River. To explore your options for cruising in beautiful Brazil, talk with Anita, your professional travel advisor.

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Cruise Ship Internet Service

Some who cruise see their time on board as an opportunity to unplug from daily life, disconnect from work or school, and put their digital devices away. But others want to stay connected while they cruise, whether it’s to stream a favorite TV show, update family and friends at home, check in with colleagues at work, or even work remotely. If you’re in the second category, here’s what you should know about internet availability on cruise ships.

Internet service at sea has been improving, and most ships now provide service through their wireless networks (with the exception of some that sail to remote locations).

On many ships, WiFi access is an extra – it’s not included in your fare, so you’ll need to pay for it. If you want access for the duration of a cruise, you may be able to purchase a discounted WiFi package in advance. But if you know you’ll need to be connected for only part of a day or two, wait until you’re on board to purchase access at an hourly or daily rate.

Some cruise lines offer different levels of service. If you just want to check your email, you may be able to purchase a lower-cost level of access. If you want to stream TV or conduct video chats, you may need to purchase the strongest, highest-priced internet access.

Cruise ships get their internet service from multiple sources, including land-based signal towers when they’re closer to shore, and satellites when they’re out at sea. In either case, signal strength can vary, and the connection is likely to be slower than what you’re used to. Because signal strength is usually stronger when the ship is near shore, you may want to do any streaming or video chatting when you’re close to a port. Regardless of the ship’s location, you may experience better signal strength very early in the morning or late in the evening, when fewer passengers are using their connected devices.

Even if you purchase the best and strongest internet service package you can, remember to put your phone in airplane mode for the duration of your time onboard. You can turn on your wireless feature separately to connect to the ship’s Wi-Fi, and you’ll avoid unwanted data and roaming charges.

For more information about internet service on your next cruise and advice on making the best use of it, talk with Anita, your professional travel advisor.

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