Viking Expeditions Cruises – Panama & Scenic South America (United States, Mexico, Panama, Ecuador, Peru, Chile) 18 Days

Sail the Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico has been a witness to much of the history of North and Central America. In 1497, Amerigo Vespucci was purportedly the first European to sail into the gulf’s basin, charting its coast and changing the world map. Enjoy the amenities of your ship as you sail. Perhaps take a breath of fresh air on a brisk walk around the Promenade Deck or begin your day with a workout in the well-equipped Fitness Center.

Cozumel, Mexico
The island of Cozumel holds the keys to many of the most intriguing secrets of Mexico’s ancient civilizations. At San Gervasio, pre-Columbian women made offerings to Ix Chel, goddess of the moon and fertility. More recently, the Spanish left marks of their early presence in the colorful colonial architecture and lively traditions of San Miguel and at the scenic lighthouse at Punta Sur. Today, this island off Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula attracts as many snorkelers as it does history buffs; the Cozumel Reefs National Marine Park is the world’s second-largest coral reef system.

Shore Excursions – El Pueblo del Maiz: A Mayan Village
Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
Discover the traditions of the Indigenous Mayan people of the Yucatán during an immersive cultural experience. Transfer to Pueblo del Maíz, a cultural park dedicated to preserving the traditions of the Yucatán’s pre-Hispanic cultures. Join your guide for a walk among the traditional huts of a reconstructed village, uncovering rich layers of heritage as you explore. Try your hand at seeding corn, revered in this region, and listen as your hosts share the story of the village’s creation. Next, observe the process of turning cocoa beans into chocolate—a sacred food in Mayan culture—and join a music workshop to discover ancestral music and use ancient instruments to create rhythms inspired by heritage and nature. Learn about the Mayan writing system during a painting activity and cap your day by watching a dance performance that honors ancestral rituals, accompanied by ceremonial music.

Sail the Caribbean Sea
Sail through turquoise waters where legends of marauding pirates, swashbucklers and tales of hidden treasures were born. Meet fellow guests and listen to the soothing sounds of classical music in The Living Room, an ideal setting for relaxation. Enjoy a cup of coffee or sip on a refreshing cocktail.

Scenic Sailing: Panama Canal
The Panama Canal connects the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, crossing the narrowest stretch of the Isthmus of Panama. A full transit through the 48-mile-long canal takes around eight to ten hours and passes through the Gatun Lake and the Culebra Cut, an artificial valley that runs through the Continental Divide. An engineering marvel of the 20th century, the crossing passes through a series of locks that lift and lower ships 85 feet from sea level, guided by electric locomotives known as mulas. The Panama Canal transit is a rite of passage and a truly memorable experience.

Panama City (Fuerte Amador), Panama
Panama City is a gleaming city of high rises on the Pacific and gracefully blends new and old. At once a rousing tribute to international finance and a rich reminder of a colonial past, it is Central America’s unparalleled cosmopolitan center. The atmospheric Old Town, the Casco Viejo, straddles a peninsula and hosts some of the nation’s most prized cultural and historic treasures, including churches, palaces and plazas. Nearby, one of the world’s greatest engineering feats, the Panama Canal, conveys ships along its 48 miles to the Caribbean Sea.

Shore Excursions – A Leisurely Exploration of Panama City
Duration: 6 hours     
Enjoy a panoramic excursion to discover the captivating history of Panama City, Panama Viejo and Amador. Meet your guide and journey to Panama’s capital to explore its rich history and breathtaking views. Appreciate the city’s beauty while delving into its heritage as you glimpse the remnants of churches, colonial palaces, bridges and military structures in Panama Viejo. Enjoy intriguing stories shared by your guide, who will recount legends and Panama’s maritime heritage. Relax in comfort as you enjoy a scenic tour of Panama City, navigating the Cinta Costera 3 and the waterfront boulevard. Admire panoramic views of the Bay of Panama and the historic Casco Viejo, Panama’s colonial district. Finally, take a moment to capture the scenery in Amador, an area formed by the four small islands, marking the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal.

Sail the Pacific Ocean
Sail Mar Pacífico, meaning “peaceful sea,” dubbed by Ferdinand Magellan when he crossed these waters almost 500 years ago. As you sail today, attend an informative lecture or watch a film on our 8K laser-projected panoramic screen in The Aula, one of the world’s most advanced venues for learning at sea. This indoor-outdoor experience allows nature to take center stage with its retractable floor-to-ceiling windows that unveil 270° views.

Manta, Ecuador
Manta has long been closely linked to the rhythms of the sea. The city boasts the largest seaport in Ecuador and a bustling fish market brimming with sea bass, tuna and countless other delicacies. Local Manabita fare is a celebrated gastronomic tradition and considered by Ecuadorians to be one of their country’s finest cuisines. Founded as a pre-Columbian trading post known as Jocay, the city is also recognized for its heritage with craft exhibits. But the craft scene really thrives in nearby Montecristi, renowned for its intricate wickerwork and original Panama hats.

Shore Excursions – Manta’s Timeless Traditions
Duration: 4 hours      
Discover Ecuador’s craft industry and gain insight into the traditions that shape its local communities. Drive along the coast of Manta to arrive at the cabuya plant weaving factory. One of the last of its kind, this factory preserves the ancient craft of weaving with this special plant. Observe local artisans as they work, both to create their products and to maintain this tradition. Continue to Montecristi, the birthplace of the toquilla straw hat, also known as the “Panama Hat” after President Theodore Roosevelt wore it to inspect the Panama Canal. Watch as skilled weavers craft these iconic hats and peruse their goods for a keepsake to take home. To round out your understanding of Ecuadorian craftsmanship, enjoy a tagua nut carving demonstration. Often referred to as “vegetable ivory,” this nut can be utilized for many products, from simple buttons to intricate jewelry.

Sail the Pacific Ocean
Traverse the world’s largest ocean, which covers almost 64 million square miles. At twice the size of the Atlantic, the Pacific is an ocean of extremes. Renew your body, mind and spirit in our Scandinavian-inspired spa, a Nordic sanctuary of holistic wellness, today while at sea. Whether you unwind in the Sauna, relax in the Warming Cave or take a dip in the Spa Pool, you will feel recharged and revitalized.

Lima (Callao), Peru
Lima was founded in 1535 by Francisco Pizzaro as La Ciudad de los Reyes, or “City of Kings.” It soon grew into the capital of Spain’s Viceroyalty of Peru and established the oldest university in the Americas, the National University of San Marcos. One of the most cosmopolitan cities in South America, Lima’s extravagant collection of architecture spans the centuries: early colonial, Spanish baroque, neoclassical and Art Nouveau buildings all adorn the cityscape. The historic center, graced with hundreds of balconies built during the viceroyalty era, is a UNESCO Site.

Shore Excursions – Best of Lima
Duration: 4 hours 30 minutes      
Gain a deeper understanding of Lima’s history by viewing its ancient art and exploring its colonial structures. Board your motor coach and drive to the Larco Museum, a colonial mansion built atop a pre-Columbian, 7th-century pyramid. As you walk up to the museum, take in the colorful flowers that populate its garden. Once inside, uncover 5,000 years of ancient Peruvian history as you walk through their extensive collections, including Mochica Portrait Bottles and pre-Hispanic gold and silver works. Continue driving through the streets of Lima to Santo Domingo Church. Here, you will see its Rococo-style belltower and wander through its ornate turquoise and gold interior. Finally, stroll to the city’s main square and view the towering Cathedral of Lima and the Presidential Palace before returning to your ship.

Sail the Pacific Ocean
Sail the Pacific Ocean, its vast expanse of waters covers more than 30 percent of the Earth’s surface and touches the continents of Asia, Australia, North and South America. Soak up the views from the Finse Terrace, a unique outdoor lounge area named after a famous mountain plateau in south-central Norway. Relax amid your surroundings in comfort, with heated couches and lava rock “firepits,” allowing you to enjoy the outdoors no matter the temperature, as you admire the dramatic scenery or expansive ocean vistas.

Iquique, Chile
Iquique enjoys a scenic locale between the Pacific Ocean and the Pampa del Tamarugal, a vast plateau within the Atacama Desert. This bustling city was once part of Peru and grew prosperous from saltpeter mining. It was ceded to Chile in 1883 after the War of the Pacific. Today, Iquique boasts many architectural treasures around its central Arturo Prat Square, from the stately Municipal Theater and the elegant Casino Español to a Gothic and Moorish-style Clock Tower. The city’s well-preserved Georgian-style homes are a picturesque legacy from the 19th-century mining boom.

Shore Excursions – Iquique at a Glance
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes 
Embark on a historical voyage through Iquique with a scenic drive towards Cavancha Beach and Plaza Arturo Prat. Uncover the history of Iquique during a guided tour by motor coach. Journey to Astoreca Palace for a glimpse into the impressive mansions and the privileged life of the nitrate barons, and learn about the region’s saltpeter industry. Afterward, relax during a picturesque drive along the renowned Cavancha Beach, before concluding your visit at Plaza Arturo Prat, the central hub of downtown. View the architectural marvels within the plaza, including the Municipal Theater, a Renaissance-style building and former opera theater. Venture into the Centro Español and see the expansive oil paintings that narrate scenes from Don Quixote’s life. Enjoy a traditional Chilean beverage at this historic establishment before embarking on your journey back to your ship.

Sail the Pacific Ocean
Cross the Pacific Ocean and learn about its fascinating geology, with more than 75,000 volcanoes—many still active—reaching up from its depths. Linger on the Sun Deck of your veranda for vistas of azure and turquoise as you sail through some of the world’s most beautiful waters. Perhaps you will take a dip in the Infinity Pool or stroll the Promenade Deck.

Santiago (Valparaíso), Chile
Bid farewell to your fellow guests and journey home. Or spend more time exploring, perhaps joining one of our extensions.