PREMIUM PANAMA CANAL CRUISE
AND BOOK OF MORMON SYMPOSIUM
15-day Cruise
September 30 – October 15, 2010
San Diego, CA - Fort Lauderdale, FL
From $1,649 per person double occupancy
Departure Dates:
September 30, 2010
September 29, 2011
Itinerary
Day 0, September 30, Thursday: San Diego, CA (5:00pm departure)
Sunshine and fun are business as usual in San Diego. Walk on Coronado Island's sandy beach, take in the Old Town that brings the city's early Spanish days to life, have a wild time at the famous San Diego Zoo or a whale of a good time at Sea World. If you arrive early enough in the day you may choose to take a San Diego city tour prior to boarding the ship.
Day 1, October 1, Friday: At Sea (Symposium)
Enjoy a relaxing day at sea as we make your journey to the Book of Mormon lands. Aside from the many activities offered on board the ship, we will begin our “symposium at sea” where you will be enlightened on Mayan Culture and Glyphs. The afternoon and evening are yours to enjoy the activities on board.
Day 2, October 2, Saturday: At Sea (Symposium)
We will have another relaxing day at sea as we discuss more on the culture of Mesoamerica, the writings and interpretations, and other insights to the Mesoamerica land. You will have the rest of the day to enjoy activities of your choice provided on the ship.
Day 3, October 3, Sunday: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (8:00am – 5:00pm)
No longer the well-kept secret of the artists, writers and Hollywood stars who first "discovered" it in the 1960s, "PV" (as it is affectionately known) still retains the essence of the quaint fishing village it once was. Here is Viejo Vallarta, the quaint Old Town, an enticing mix of red-tiled buildings, cobbled streets, chic shops and bustling open markets. Here are Mismaloya Beach, Gringo Gulch and Conchas Chinas, the Beverly Hills of Vallarta. Nearby are the rugged canyons and luxuriant jungles of the Sierra Madre. Sample shore excursions: Countryside on horseback, Dolphin encounter; Town and Country; Sea Lion Encounter; Eco-safari Off-road Adventure; Canopy Adventure.
Day 4, October 4, Monday: At Sea (Symposium)
Today is another relaxing day at sea as the “Seminar at Sea” includes more information and Q&A period for our discussion this morning. You will have the rest of the day to enjoy activities of your choice provided on the ship.
Day 5, October 5, Tuesday: Huatulco, Mexico (10:00am – 5:00pm)
Everything you ever wanted in a seaside resort: warm sun, sandy beaches and nine beautiful bays rimmed in every shade of blue. Nearby: low-growth caducifolia jungles teeming with birdlife and the nesting grounds of endangered sea turtles. Sample shore excursions: Five Bays by Catamaran; Horseback Riding; Bird-watching Eco Tour; ATV Jungle Adventure.
Day 6, October 6, Wednesday: Puerto Chiapas, Mexico (Izapa) (8:00am–8:00pm)
Gateway to the Mayan world in the Pacific, shrouded in mystery. Today we will disembark with the Allens for a day of learning as we visit the archaeological site of Izapa. While visiting Izapa, we will see Stela 5, the “Tree of Life Stone”. This engraved stone dating back to 300 BC may depict Lehi’s dream as recorded in first Nephi. Snacks and water will be provided. After visiting Izapa the group will return to the dock where you will have time to shop or enjoy the amenities of the port. Try a fresh tamale, a delicious part of celebrations here, or shop for local handicrafts like tin toys, wood and stone carvings or colorful textiles. Or, simply wander the beaches and take in the untamed and exotic surroundings.
Day 7, October 7, Thursday: Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala (Kaminaljuyu) (7:00am–5:00pm)
In the cultured little country of Guatemala modern Maya still weave their stories on backstrap looms, and the great stone temples of Tikal stand in silent testament to ancient Mayan ingenuity. We disembark to the City of Guatemala, otherwise referred to as the city of Eternal Spring. Through our excursion today, time permitting, we will visit the large relief map of Guatemala in order to orient ourselves with the geographical overview of the country in relation to the Book of Mormon. We will then visit the archaeological zone of Kaminaljuyu, a place considered by many to have been settled by Nephi in the 6th century BC (see 2 Nephi 5:5-10). This will be followed by a visit the National Museum of Archaeology of Guatemala where we will analyze Kaminaljuyu’s stela 10, an altar that dates to 147 BC and may suggest a transfer of kingship from King Noah to Limhi (see Mosiah 18 & 19).
Day 8, October 8, Friday: Corinto, Nicaragua (8:00am – 5:00pm)
Puerto Corinto is a quaint coastal village in an area rich with pristine beaches, lush mangrove forests and magnificent volcanoes. In Corinto, take a stroll along the Costa Azul for a view of the bay and its islands. In nearby Chinandega, discover Mayan artifacts at the archeological museum. Farther afield explore the ruins of León Viejo, excavated from centuries of volcanic debris. Sample shore excursions: The History and Art of León; San Antonio Rum Distillery.
Day 9, October 9, Saturday: At Sea (Symposium)
We will meet for another wonderful discussion and learning session on the Mesoamerica Lands as the “Seminar at Sea” begins to come to a close. Afterwards, you will have the rest of the day to enjoy activities of your choice provided on the ship.
Day 10, October 10, Sunday: Fuerte Amador, Panama City (10:00am – 4:00am)
Energetic crossroads of commerce, purveyor of the tropical essential, the famed Panama hat. Don yours and sip a cold beverage at a waterfront café as you watch ships of all origins slip under the Bridge of the Americas. Don't miss the fascinating Interoceanic Canal Museum. Sample shore excursions: Discover the Embera Indian Culture; Panama Railway; The Canal Experience.
Day 11, October 11, Monday: Panama Canal (5:00am – 7:00pm)
The Panama Canal is a man-made canal which joins the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. One of the largest and most difficult engineering projects ever undertaken, it had an enormous impact on shipping between the two oceans, replacing the long and treacherous route via the Drake Passage and Cape Horn at the southernmost tip of South America. Today you will enjoy passing through the canal as we pass through the locks to the Atlantic side.
Day 12, October 12, Tuesday: Cartagena, Colombia (11:00am – 5:00pm)
Once a bastion of the Spanish Main, this fortified city boasts colonial architecture, pristine offshore islands and the finest emeralds in the world. Sample shore excursions: Cartagena City Tour; Old Walled City Historical Walking Tour; Rosario Islands Cruise.
Day 13, October 13, Wednesday: At Sea (Symposium)
More discussions and learning of the Book of Mormon and Mayan connections as our “Symposium at Sea” begins to wind down. Afterwards, you will have the rest of the day to enjoy activities of your choice provided on the ship.
Day 14, October 14, Thursday: At Sea (Symposium)
Today brings us to our last relaxing day at sea as the “Symposium at Sea” comes to a conclusion. We will have a review of the proposed Lands of the Book of Mormon and the Mayan culture. You will have the afternoon and evening to enjoy activities of your choice provided on the ship.
Day 15, October 15, Friday: Fort Lauderdale, Florida (arrive 7:00am)
This morning we will arrive at the pier in Fort Lauderdale where we will disembark and clear customs as we have come to the end of our Journey.
All times are approximate and times and itinerary are subject to change.
Let the Book of Mormon
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Call 1-801-226-5200
Email: blake@ldstours.com
