Caribbean Cruise w/ Panama Canal (January 3-16, 2026)

We decided to start the new year with a partial Panama Canal Cruise that includes several Caribbean islands and Latin American ports. This map shows our itinerary (except visiting Curacao instead of Bonaire).

All of these locations are new destinations for me, except Limon Costa Rica, and I was there way back in 1988, so I'm sure it has changed!

Days 0-1: Fly to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

Days 2-3: At Sea

Day 4: Aruba

Day 5: Curacao

Day 6: At Sea

Day 7: Cartagena, Colombia

Day 8: Panama Canal  / Panama City

Day 9: Limon, Costa Rica

Day 10: At Sea

Day 11: Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

Day 12: At Sea

Day 13: Ft. Lauderdale, Florida/home

Day 7: Cartagena Colombia

Even though we had a short stop in Cartagena, we made the most of it. 

We had a taxi take us to the walled city where we spent a few hours walking around and exploring. 

Torre del Reloj (the Clock Tower)

Plaza de la Proclamacion

Plaza de Bolivar (Bolivar Square)

 

Having a cup of coffee

in front of Iglesia de San Pedro Claver (St. Peter Claver Church)

Black vulture on a balcony 

Baluarte de Santo Domingo (Bastion of Santo Domingo

Then we walked to Parque Centenario, where we had this view of the walled city.

We also saw monkeys 

and a sloth.

From there, we walked to Getsamani and saw Umbrella Street. 

We also looked at some of the wall murals.

We wandered around 

and shared a delicious arepa and fresh limeaid for lunch.

(This looks yellow due to the yellow/green salsa we added.)

We also bought some fruit,

including an orange passion fruit, before heading back to the ship. 

At the port, there is an eco park where we saw lots of tropical birds

monkeys

and some iguanas. 

Finally, we sailed off, saying goodbye to Colombia.