Cruise the Panama Canal aboard the Crystal Symphony

Download the Cruise the Panama Canal Brochure

From $2895.00, per person, plus airfare and V.A.T., based on double occupancy

Trip Type: Cruise

Operated by Alumni Holidays International (AHI)

Relax aboard the Six-Star Crystal Symphony as you chart a course to fascinating ports of call. Set sail on the Atlantic Ocean from Miami, Florida. Stroll across the stunning white beaches of Tortola, British Virgin Islands and explore the tropical paradise St. Barthélemy, Guadaloupe. Admire the beauty of St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles, before arriving in cultural Aruba, Kingdom of the Netherlands. Marvel at one of the world’s most impressive feats of engineering as the ship travels through the six locks of the Panama Canal. Finally, cruise the calm waters of the Pacific Ocean to Caldera, Costa Rica.

ITINERARY

Day 1
Depart your gateway city and arrive in Miami, Florida. Upon arrival, transfer to Crystal Symphony for embarkation. (Flight and transfer provided for Air/Sea participants only.)

Day 2
Enjoy a full day at sea, sailing along the Atlantic Ocean—the first of many relaxing days you'll experience on board ship. Take advantage of this time to enjoy the many activities and amenities that are at your fingertips on board Crystal Symphony.

Day 3
The day is spent cruising the Atlantic Ocean. Perhaps you will treat yourself to a massage at the Crystal Spa, or browse the ship’s gift shops.

Day 4
Arrive in Tortola. The largest island of the British Virgin Islands, it is the hub of the group. Walk along pristine sandy beaches, explore one of the lovely nature parks or visit the remains of an historic fort. You may also wish to stop in some of the shops on Main Street, or join an Optional Shore Excursion offered by Crystal Cruises.

Day 5
The ship arrives in St. Barthélemy, Guadaloupe. Time at leisure allows you to explore the town of Gustavia, relax on one of the beaches or take advantage of the excellent diving opportunities. Or, perhaps you will join one of the Optional Shore Excursions offered by Crystal Cruises.

Day 6
Crystal Symphony arrives at St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles. Browse the duty-free shops on the French and Dutch sides of the island, scuba dive or snorkel among the island’s vibrant coral reefs, or hike through some of the conical hills. You may also wish to join one of Crystal Cruises’ Optional Shore Excursions.

Day 7
Enjoy a leisurely day sailing the Caribbean Sea. Perhaps you’ll sleep in and enjoy breakfast in bed. Or, you may wish to start the day with a jog along the Promenade Deck, followed by an invigorating dip in one of the crystal clear pools. On Crystal Symphony, there is as much or as little to do as you please.

Day 8
Crystal Symphony arrives in Aruba, the smallest and most westerly of the Dutch Leeward Islands, often called the “ABC” Islands. Aruba boasts many miles of calm, white-sand beaches. The island’s outback area, known as cunucu, is adorned with whitewashed villages, mauve dunes, and stark, brown landscapes. Aruba’s charming capital, Oranjestad, reflects the Dutch passion for cleanliness, blended with characteristics of Latin and Spanish architecture. Browse the town’s chic shops on Nassaustraat (Nassau Street) for excellent shopping opportunities, or perhaps you will venture out to visit an underwater garden of brilliant corals on a semi-submersible craft. Or, take advantage of the Optional Shore Excursions offered by Crystal Cruises.

Day 9
Today is another relaxing day cruising the Caribbean Sea.

Day 10
Spend an unforgettable day transiting the Panama Canal. An expert guide will relate the history, mechanics and other fascinating facts about the canal as the ship is slowly raised and lowered through the locks. You’ll be amazed at the narrow Gaillard Cut, blasted out of the solid mountainside. Savor the beauty of Gatun Lake along the way.

Day 11
This is your final day to experience the many amenities on board Crystal Symphony. Spend the day engaged in the pursuits of your choice, from watching a movie in the Hollywood Theatre to working out in the fully equipped gym.

Day 12
Arrive in Caldera, Costa Rica. Disembark the ship, and transfer to the San José airport for the return flight to your gateway city. (Transfer and flight provided for Air/Sea participants only.)

Your Northwestern Host

Joseph Schofer is Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Associate Dean of the Robert R. McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science at Northwestern University. He is also part of Northwestern’s Transportation Center and its Infrastructure Technology Institute.

Schofer’s teaching and research focus on transportation systems, how they are planned, built, and operated, and the ways people use them to travel and ship goods. He is excited about big infrastructure, cities, the behavior of people who use them, and designs that make life better. He has a strong interest in the history and technology of infrastructure facilities that change the world – buildings, bridges, canals, and airports. He makes civil engineering important, interesting, and fun to engineers and non-engineers alike.

A graduate of Yale and Northwestern Universities, Schofer has been teaching at Northwestern for 37 years, and has served as chairman of his department and as interim dean of the McCormick School.