BRAND NEW ITINERARY: VISIT 9 PORTS OF CALL IN 6 CENTRAL AMERICAN COUNTRIES ABOARD HOLLAND AMERICA S OOSTERDAM! ALSO INCLUDED: PRE-CRUISE HOTEL OVERNIGHT, PRE-CRUISE DINNER & BREAKFAST, AND THE OOSTERDAM S SIGNATURE BEVERAGE PACKAGE! GENUINE JOHN HALL S ALASKA ALUMNI ADVENTURE PANAMA CANAL 19 Day Adventure: April 12 - April 30, 2019 OVERNIGHTS/PORTS OF CALL: 1 FT. LAUDERDALE, FL 6 PANAMA CANAL CRUISING 11 PUERTO QUETZAL, GUATEMALA 16 PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO 2 FT. LAUDERDALE, FL 7 FUERTE AMADOR, PANAMA 12 PUERTO CHIAPAS, MEXICO 17 3 8 13 HUATULCO, MEXICO 18 4 9 PUNTARENAS, COSTA RICA 14 19 FLY HOME SAN DIEGO, CA 5 CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA 10 CORINTO, NICARAGUA 15 MANZANILLO, MEXICO TOUR DATE INSIDE: OUTSIDE: VERANDAH: PC412 APRIL 12-30, 2019 SINGLE $7,269 DOUBLE $5,389 SINGLE $7,789 DOUBLE $5,659 SINGLE $8,689 DOUBLE $6,149 PER PERSON PRICING INCLUDES: Fort Lauderdale, FL Airport Meet and Greet Service (Park N Fly Option- Please Contact Our Office), Fort Lauderdale Hotel Overnight with Dinner & Breakfast, Hotel/Ship Transfer, Ship/Airport Transfer, Cruise Escort, Cruise Line Gratuities, Classic Drink Package, Port Charges, Taxes, Fees and Exclusive John Hall s Alaska Alumni Adventures Keepsake. ADDITIONAL SAVINGS: Check Discount: $100 per person when tour payment is made by check. $750 per person deposits may still be made by credit card. FLIGHT INFORMATION: This cruise begins in Ft. Lauderdale, FL and ends in San Diego, CA. You may arrive anytime of day on April 12th. Upon completion of the cruise on April 30th, you may return home on flights after 12pm.
MS. OOSTERDAM SHIP HIGHLIGHTS: 7 Restaurant Choices Greenhouse Spa & Salon Fitness Center with Classes Themed Bars and Lounges 3 Nightly Music Venues 2 Outdoor Pools and Hot Tub Guest Capacity: 1,964 Maximum speed: 24 knots DAILY SCHEDULE 1 2 ARRIVE FT. LAUDERDALE Upon arrival at the Fort Lauderdale International Airport, you will be met at baggage claim and transferred to your hotel for the evening, the Fairfield Inn & Suites. Dinner will be at your leisure at the hotel tonight. D SET SAIL This morning you will greet your fellow travelers at a welcome breakfast and then head to the pier where you will board the newly renovated Oosterdam, your home for the following 17 evenings. Your ship will set sail at 6:30pm. B L D 3 Today you will have a welcome aboard meeting hosted by your John Hall s Alaska representative who will conduct a ship tour and answer any questions that you may have. Use the remainder of this day to get better acquainted with your floating resort. B L D 4 You have another full day to rest and relax or enjoy the many on board activities available to you. Tonight enjoy live music and dancing! B L D CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA: 5 In Port 7am-1pm Privateers loved Cartagena, the chief Spanish port in New Granada (today s Colombia). Sir John Hawkins besieged the city in 1568 and his nephew, Sir Francis Drake, sacked it 18 years later. In response, Spain poured millions into the port s defense, building the fortifications that are today a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cruise visitors can walk those deeply textured alleyways today through some of the best-preserved colonial neighborhoods of the Americas. When you re ready for a change, there are beaches ready to hand. B L D
CRUISE THE PANAMA CANAL 6 Cruising 5am-7pm For any true seafaring explorer, the Panama Canal is a must-see destination. Dubbed one of the seven wonders of the modern world by the American Society of Civil Engineers, this 48-mile waterway divides two continents and connects two mighty oceans. You will spend the day enjoy land on both sides as you work your way through the marvelous lock system. At 8pm you will dock in Fuerte Amador, Panama. B L D FUERTE AMADOR, PANAMA 7 In Port Until 5pm Fuerte Amador is a gateway to exploring the many faces of Panama. The impressive engineering of the canal itself is a wonder to behold; a quick trip to the Miraflores Locks visitor center with its panoramic observation decks offers the chance to watch behemoth barges thread their way through the legendary man-made waterway. Just minutes from the cruise port, the recently opened Biomuseo is a Frank Gehry designed natural-history museum dedicated to Panama s ecological marvels. And Fuerte Amador sits within easy taxi distance of Panama City, the bustling, multicultural capital metropolis where visitors can wander a conquistador-era UNESCO World Heritage Site, sip coffee in street cafés and peruse modern malls. B L D 8 What will you do today? The ship s schedule is full of ways to entertain and amaze you. Perhaps its time to do for a dip in the pool or pamper yourself in the luxe on board spa. B L D PUNTARENAS, COSTA RICA 9 In Port: 8am-6pm It s hard to throw a stick in Costa Rica and not have it hit a national park. The city of Puerto Caldera, on Costa Rica s Pacific coast, has a number of them within easy reach for cruise visitors. Just to the south, Carara is a mecca for birders, especially those chasing the scarlet macaw. Poas Volcano is inland, and rises to nearly 9,000 feet. See it before it blows again. Barra Honda contains a series of limestone caves. Palo Verde preserves one of the last tropical dry rainforests in Central America. Arenal has the most active volcano in the country. B L D CORINTO, NICARAGUA 10 In Port: 10am-5pm Puerto Corinto, a small scenic town on the northwest coast for the real local flavor in a region bounded by great lakes to the south and Honduras to the north. Peaks of neighboring volcanoes, pristine beaches, fields of sugar cane, and lush mangrove forests combine to create an intoxicating experience for all senses. Stroll the Costa Azul for views of the bay and its islands. In nearby Chinandega, discover Mayan artifacts at the archaeological museum. Or, explore the remains of León Viejo, buried under centuries of volcanic debris. B L D PUERTO QUETZAL, GUATEMALA 11 In Port: 8am-6pm Puerto Quetzal is Guatemala s largest port on the Pacific Ocean side of this Central American country, important for both cargo and cruise ships. There s not a great deal to see and do in Puerto Quetzal itself, and visitors should adjust their expectations accordingly. Choose your mode of transportation plane, bus, car or boat and decide whether you want to take in Guatemala s stunning, volcano-studded landscape, one (or more!) of the country s Maya sites, the UNESCO recognized colonial city of Antigua (the former capital), a coffee plantation or one of the many beguiling bodies of water. All of these attractions are accessible as day trips, and getting to them is all part of your Guatemalan adventure today. B L D
PUERTO CHIAPAS, MEXICO 12 In Port 8am-5pm Puerto Chiapas is the Pacific gateway to the Mayan world. Just north of the Guatemalan border on southern Mexico s Pacific Coast, the port is the starting point for excursions to the ruins at Izapa. Founded around 1500 BCE, Izapa is noted for its large, intricately carved Tree of Life stone. Nearer port, explore San Cristobal de Las Casas cathedral, journey to a rainforest, or shop for local handicrafts like stone carvings or colorful textiles. Or, simply wander the beaches and take in the untamed and exotic surroundings. B L D HUATULCO, MEXICO 13 In Port 8am-5pm Huatulco, situated on Mexico s Pacific Coast in the state of Oaxaca, has nine bays and 36 beaches, offering more than enough opportunities for fun in the sun. But Huatulco s attractions aren t limited to sand and surf; there are also archaeological sites to explore, rivers to raft, and waterfalls whose pools invite childlike splashing. Bird lovers, in particular, will find Huatulco to be especially captivating. The region is home to more than 225 bird species, including many rare ones and a number that are endemic to Mexico, like the Colima pygmy owl and the wildly colorful orange-breasted bunting and citreoline trogon. B L D 14 Spend your day enjoying the amenities on board your cruise ship. The ship boats a great list of activities, such as cooking classes and wine tastings, or attend an art show to find a piece for your home collection. B L D MANZANILLO, MEXICO 15 In Port 8am-5pm Manzanillo is one of Mexico s busiest, most important ports (some say the busiest and most important). Located on the Pacific, it s nicknamed the Sailfish Capital of the World. It s little wonder, then, that most of the activities in Manzanillo are centered on or near the water, and most of the city s culinary specialties are inspired by the fruits of the sea. B L D PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO 16 In Port 8am-11pm Puerto Vallarta squeezed into the thin space between Banderas Bay and the verdant folds of the Sierra Madre. Viejo Vallarta, the old town, is a mix of red-tiled buildings, cobbled streets, chic shops and busy open markets. Other highlights include Mismaloya Beach, Gringo Gulch, and Conchas Chinas, the Beverly Hills of Vallarta. B L D 17 Your day is at your leisure to spend as you wish as we leave Central America sail north, back towards the United States! B L D 18 Enjoy your final day at sea! You will have a disembarkation meeting hosted by your Cruise Manager today, followed by a farewell cocktail reception. B L D SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA 19 In Port 7am Disembark the Ms. Oosterdam and be transferred to the San Diego Airport to catch your flight bound for home. B L D
PANAMA CANAL General Information RESERVATIONS Reservations may be made directly to John Hall s Alaska by mail, telephone, or in person. Email us for a booking form. DEPOSITS To confirm your reservation please send a deposit of $750.00 per person within 10 days of your reservation. To reserve your space by credit card, please contact our office. FINAL PAYMENTS Final Payment must reach John Hall s Alaska 90 days prior to tour departure date. If payment is not received on time, space may be released; re-booking will be subject to availability. Mastercard, Visa, Discover, American Express, and personal checks are acceptable forms of payment. A discount of $100 per person will be extended for tours paid by cash or check. ($750 per person deposits may still be made by credit card). CANCELLATIONS If a cancellation is made in writing at least 90 days prior to departure, a full refund will be made. For cancellations made less than 90 days prior to departure, the following per person charges apply: 60-90 days - 50% of total charges; 45-59 days - 75% of total charges, inside of 45 days - 100% of fare. In the event of interruption or cancellation of your tour after its commencement, there will be no refunds. DINING OPTIONS Salt-free, kosher, food allergies or any other special dietary meals must be requested at the time of booking. Please reconfirm when you board the ship. Breakfast and lunch times may vary depending on port times and activities. SIGNATURE BEVERAGE PACKAGE John Hall s Alaska has included the Signature Beverage package with this itinerary. You may partake of any beverage, alcoholic or non, that is priced at under $8 per drink. This does include the specialty coffee from Explorers Cafe. Beverages priced at over $8 a drink will be charged to your stateroom account. TIPPING/GRATUITIES All gratuities have been included in the price of your package with the exception of your John Hall s Alaska Cruise Manager. This includes the traditional $12 - $13 per guest per day for dining and stateroom services typically added by the cruise line during your cruise, as well as all waitering staff and luggage handling gratuities while on board. Tipping your John Hall s Alaska Cruise Manager is not required and is at your discretion. PACKING RECOMMENDATIONS Lightweight jackets, t-shirts, jeans, shorts and summer dresses are fine for day wear. Comfortable walking shoes are a must (closed-toed shoes for ladies). You may wish to bring along an umbrella, a light raincoat and rain hat. Pack your bathing suit, sandals and protective sun wear such as sun block, hat and sunglasses. Many guests enjoy having a small pair of binoculars along during their tour. Each evening of your cruise, the program for the following day will be delivered to your room, announcing that evening s suggested dress code in the main dining room. Expect 3 nights of Formal Gala Attire on this cruise: Collared shirts and slacks for men in all fine dining restaurants, and dresses, skirts or slacks for women. All other nights will be Smart Casual: More relaxed than formal Gala attire. No jeans or sandals, slacks and dressy shirts are acceptable. Comfortable collared shirts and pants for men. Casual: The casual buffet option and room service are available for passengers not wishing to dress up for dinner. T-shirts, swimsuits, tank tops and shorts are not allowed in the restaurants or public areas during the evening hours. TOUR DOCUMENTS Tour documents, including detailed itinerary, luggage tags, Alumni Adventure keepsake and passenger lists will be mailed approximately 14-21 days prior to departure. This may be delayed if final payment is not received on time. EXTENDED STAYS AND ADDITIONAL OVERNIGHTS Should you wish to spend some free time exploring Fort Lauderdale or San Diego, we would be happy to help you make these arrangements. Some additional fees may be applicable. ITINERARY REVISIONS John Hall s Alaska reserves the right to revise the services included in the itinerary such as hotel accommodations and attractions. In cases of substitution, a comparable quality service will be used. Triple rooms, when available, may contain either two beds and a roll-away, or two double beds. SPECIAL NEEDS Specific medical conditions, physical disabilities or other special needs requirements must be noted at the time of booking. We do not discriminate against persons on the basis of disability and seek, to the furthest extent possible, to accommodate any person with a disability. In particular, please let us know if you have had a recent change in a medical condition such as change of diet or if you require the use of a mobility device that may include a wheelchair, scooter or walker. Contact John Hall s Alaska To Join This Alumni Adventure! Call: 800-325-2270 or Email: info@kissalaska.com