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1.
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San Francisco (California, USA)
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21:00
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Probably the most beautiful city in America lies on a peninsula bordered on the West by the Pacific and in the North by the Golden Gate Strait and in the East by the San Francisco Bay. Two famous bridges span the bay: the world-famous Golden Gate Bridge and the Oakland Bay Bridge. The city is built over 40 hills, so that almost every street has wonderful views of the bay. One of San Francisco's main attractions is the 130-year-old cable cars, which are still a popular means of transport even today. Other sights include the Fisherman's Wharf with its restaurants and views of the bay; the former high security prison of Alcatraz, which lies on an island before the city and is open to visitors; Chinatown, the largest Asian settlement outside Asia; the pagoda-topped Japan Centre; as well as Ocean Beach and North Beach. The main shopping area is located around Union Square in the town centre.
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2.
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At Sea
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3.
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Santa Barbara (California, USA)
Arrival: 07:00
Departure: 18:00
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07:00
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18:00
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Sunny Santa Barbara in California is where Mediterranean flair, a wonderful climate and lively beach life meet. The city's architecture in the old Spanish style is a result of the earthquake of 1925, following which the city fathers decided to rebuild Santa Barbara in the old Spanish missionary style. The city has many sights, such as the Santa Barbara Mission founded in 1786 with its pretty facade and two bell towers. In the city centre there are many historic adobe houses dating from the Spanish and Mexican colonial era. Santa Barbara County Courthouse, built in the Spanish/Moorish style and the Santa Barbara Museum of Art are also well worth seeing. There are 18 beaches where visitors can take a dip and soak up the sun while the city centre and State Street have many shops, restaurants and pavement cafés.
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4.
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At Sea
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5.
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At Sea
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6.
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Cabo San Lucas (Baja California Sur, Mexico)
Arrival: 08:00
Departure: 17:00
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08:00
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17:00
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7.
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At Sea
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8.
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Zihuatanejo (Guerrero, Mexico)
Arrival: 08:00
Departure: 19:00
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08:00
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19:00
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The small fishing village of Zihuatanejo lies in a picturesque bay and is surrounded by beautiful beaches. Its peaceful surroundings and narrow cobbled streets are reminiscent of the old Mexico. It was founded by the native Indians and in the 16th century developed into a trading centre and hideaway for buccaneers and pirates. Today, it provides an interesting contrast to the luxury resort of Xtapa, which is just a few kilometres away and was created by leading architects and landscape gardeners around a sandy bay. There is hardly a building more than 20 years old there. Luxurious hotels are surrounded by exclusive golf courses, tennis facilities and spacious beach resorts.
Sights include: the remains of a pre-Columbian city wall in the bay of Zihuatanejo.
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9.
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At Sea
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10.
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At Sea
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11.
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Puerto Quetzal (Guatemala)
Arrival: 07:00
Departure: 19:00
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07:00
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19:00
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The Pacifc port of Puerto Quetzal is around 2 hours south of the capital, Guatemala City, and is named after the Quetzal bird, the heraldic symbol of this Central American country. Puerto Quetzal is the starting point for trips inland on the trail of the Mayans and into the tropical rainforest.
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12.
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At Sea
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13.
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Puntarenas (Costa Rica)
Arrival: 08:00
Departure: 18:00
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08:00
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18:00
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Puntarenas means 'sandy tip' and the town lies on a tongue of land that sticks out into the Gulf of Nicoya. For a long time it was the most important Pacific port in the country, and even today the harbour is lined with fishing boats, giving the town its incomparably maritime character.
This beach resort, which is steeped in tradition, is the perfect place for a stroll along the southern beach promenade, Paseo de los Turistas, which is particularly busy at the weekends. In the evening you can watch the glowing red sun sink down into the Gulf von Nicoya while enjoying a cocktail at the popular beach.
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14.
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At Sea
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15.
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Panama Canal (Panama)
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In the middle of Central America lies the tropical region of the Panama Canal with its lush vegetation and rainforests. The Panama Canal is a technical masterpiece and one of the most important waterways in the world. It takes just a day to travel along the canal, but visitors are sure to remember the trip for many a long year.
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16.
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San Blas Islands (Panama)
Arrival: 07:00
Departure: 14:00
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07:00
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14:00
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The San Blas islands are on the Caribbean side of Panama. The island group comprises 365 islands, only a few of which are inhabited. The islands lie in an autonomous region and have been ruled by the Kuna native Indians since 1938. There are no mosquitos, perhaps one of the reasons the native Indians chose to settle here. They go out to fish for crustaceans in special wooden boats, called "Cayucos". Unlike the other tribes of the Caribbean, the Kuna are dressed top-to-toe at all times, usually in colourful traditional costumes. For tourists, the San Blas Islands represent a beautiful, untouched diving area that people are reluctant to leave on account of its sandy beaches in sheltered coves and its warm, turquoise-blue waters.
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17.
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Cartagena (Columbia)
Arrival: 08:00
Departure: 23:00
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08:00
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23:00
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Cartagena was founded in 1533 by Pedro de Heredias, a Spaniard and companion of Columbus, as a naval port. The historic old town and the harbour are listed and have been a World Heritage Site since 1984.
Due to the flourishing trade in gold from Peru, silver from Bolivia and emeralds from Muzo, the city developed quickly and magnificently. Today, mainly oil coffee and platinum are exported and the city has been able to make a name for itself as one of the most beautiful colonial cities of South America. Sights include: the Gold Museum, the cathedral dating from the 16th/17th century and the San Felipe de Barajas fort with its amazing system of tunnels.
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18.
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At Sea
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19.
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Puerto Limón (Costa Rica)
Arrival: 07:00
Departure: 17:00
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07:00
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17:00
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Puerto Limon is the port and capital of the province of Limon at the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica and the most important Atlantic port for the export of bananas and coffee. The busy town centre is dominated by a multicultural atmosphere. The main attractions include Vargas Park, where there are lots of Banyan trees in which you can sometimes see up to thirteen sloths snoozing!
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20.
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At Sea
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21.
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Belize City (Belize)
Arrival: 12:00
Departure: 19:00
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12:00
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19:00
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The central American republic in the South-East of the Yucatan peninsula with its changeable, humid tropical climate is the second-smallest state on the American continent. Until well into the ninth century, the country was inhabited by the Maya, and even today, the indigenous peoples account for 11% of the total population. The majority of the population lives from agriculture; the main export is sugar. Over the past few years, tourismus has gained in importance due to the many water sports facilities and the Mayan ruins. The former British colony gained complete independence in 1981.
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22.
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Cozumel (Quintana Roo, Mexico)
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13:00
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The largest of Mexico's islands lies 57 km from Cancun and 20 km from the coast of Mexico. The island has developed into a popular holiday destination thanks to its idyllic beaches, the wide range of water sports on offer and the Mayan ruins. The ferry docks at "San Miguel de Cozumel", where visitors can visit the "Museo de la Isla de Cozumel" with artefacts detailing the natural history of the island. In the North of the island there are several ruins of the ancient Mayan culture. Cozumel was once a place of pilgrimage for the Mayans who wished to pay tribute to the goddess of the moon, Ixchel. The famous lagoon "Chankanaab" can be reached via the main road to the North. The lagoon has more than 50 species of tropical fish, shells and corals and is seen as a kind of natural aquarium.
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23.
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Cozumel (Quintana Roo, Mexico)
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19:00
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The largest of Mexico's islands lies 57 km from Cancun and 20 km from the coast of Mexico. The island has developed into a popular holiday destination thanks to its idyllic beaches, the wide range of water sports on offer and the Mayan ruins. The ferry docks at "San Miguel de Cozumel", where visitors can visit the "Museo de la Isla de Cozumel" with artefacts detailing the natural history of the island. In the North of the island there are several ruins of the ancient Mayan culture. Cozumel was once a place of pilgrimage for the Mayans who wished to pay tribute to the goddess of the moon, Ixchel. The famous lagoon "Chankanaab" can be reached via the main road to the North. The lagoon has more than 50 species of tropical fish, shells and corals and is seen as a kind of natural aquarium.
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24.
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At Sea
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25.
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Miami (Florida, USA)
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08:00
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Miami is a city at the South-East coast of the US state of Florida. The "Coconut Grove" district was the heart of the settlement in 1884. Today, the city is dominated by elegant boutiques and pavement cafés. Often, free street concerts are held in the side streets - usually reggae or jazz music. The city has numerous high-rise buildings, hotel complexes, areas with palm trees, shopping centres, cultural and recreational facilities.
Sights include: the Southeast Financial Center - the tallest building in Florida at 55 storeys high; Dade Country Courthouse; Metro Dade Cultural, a cultural centre that houses Miami Dade Main Library; the Centre for Fine Arts and the Historical Museum of Southern Florida.
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