Bahamas, New Providence Island Cruise from Nassau to Balboa — 11 Days

Nassau, Bahamas

Nassau pairs colonial landmarks with Caribbean water close to the cruise harbor. Walk Bay Street to Parliament Square, then climb the Queen’s Staircase to Fort Fincastle. From the hill, Nassau Harbour and the city open below. The National Art Gallery of The Bahamas offers a quieter look at local artists. Paradise Island adds beaches and resort attractions across the harbour. Allow extra time for road traffic if you venture farther afield.

Staniel Cay Bahamas, Bahamas

Staniel Cay places you in the heart of the Exuma Cays, where limestone islands rise from clear Bahamian water. The village and Staniel Cay Yacht Club make a relaxed base for exploring by boat. Nearby, Thunderball Grotto is a sea cave featured in a James Bond film. Big Major Cay is known for its swimming pigs. Come for snorkelling, quiet beaches and unhurried days afloat.

San Salvador Island Bahamas, Bahamas

San Salvador is the Bahamas at its most elemental: a low, quiet island ringed by clear water and coral reefs. Christopher Columbus is believed to have made his first landfall in the Americas here in 1492, at present-day San Salvador. Beyond the modest settlements, beaches and inland lakes reward an unhurried day ashore. Bring time for a swim or reef excursion; the island’s appeal lies in its open horizons, not crowded attractions.

At Sea (At Sea)

Coastal Cruising (Coastal Cruising)

Cartagena Colombia, Colombia

A short ride from Cartagena’s cruise port brings you to its UNESCO-listed historic centre and handsome colonial streets. Inside the old walls, flower-draped balconies, shaded plazas and broad stone lanes lead to cafés, churches and lively markets. Visit Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, the great fortress built to defend the harbor, then explore colorful Getsemaní. Come early, before the midday heat settles over the plazas, and save time for a cool drink beside the Caribbean.

San Blas Islands Panama, Panama

San Blas is no conventional cruise port. More than 300 islands and cays fringe Panama’s Caribbean coast. Here, clear water and white-sand beaches meet Guna Yala, an Indigenous territory with a distinct culture. Choose a boat outing for reef snorkeling, or visit a Guna community and discover mola textiles, sewn by Guna women. Access and transport require advance planning, typically through a local operator or community.

Bocas del Toro, Panama

Bocas del Toro is a Caribbean archipelago where rainforest meets clear water and coral reefs. Your first stop is likely Isla Colón, home to Bocas Town, the islands’ hub for cafés, markets, and water taxis. From here, boats reach Red Frog Beach and Bastimentos Island National Marine Park. Spend your time snorkeling, exploring mangrove channels, or enjoying lunch beside the sea.

Panama Canal, Panama

Few journeys change your sense of scale like a passage through the Panama Canal. This 50-mile waterway links the Atlantic and Pacific, lifting ships through locks and across Gatun Lake. Watch the gates close, water rise, and a vast vessel move within inches of concrete walls. On deck, the engineering is the spectacle; beyond it, rainforest edges the route. Bring binoculars, and stay outside for the crossing.

Panama City, Panama

Balboa sits at the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal, where ocean-going ships begin their passage between continents. From the port, Panama City’s skyline rises beyond the canal’s working waters. Visit Casco Viejo for restored colonial streets, independent cafés and views across the bay. Or follow the Amador Causeway toward the Biomuseo and sweeping views of ships awaiting transit. Balboa rewards travelers who look beyond the canal to a capital shaped by trade, history and the sea.