Bells of the Cascades Cruise XV: Panamania! With Cathy Moklebust

Ft. Lauderdale, Florida - Often called the 'Venice of America,' Fort Lauderdale offers a surprisingly sophisticated and relaxed alternative to its more frenetic neighbors. The city's identity is defined by the 165 miles of inland waterways that weave through it, and the best way to appreciate this is from the water itself. We highly recommend hopping on the Water Taxi for a leisurely tour; it’s not just transportation, but an experience, offering front-row views of stunning mansions, mega-yachts, and lush tropical landscaping. For a taste of the city's vibrant heart, head to Las Olas Boulevard. This is the city's elegant main artery, lined with independent boutiques, intriguing art galleries, and a fantastic selection of restaurants, from casual sidewalk cafes to upscale dining rooms perfect for a memorable meal. It’s an ideal place for a sophisticated stroll and some people-watching. Of course, the beach is a major draw. The beautifully redesigned Fort Lauderdale Beach offers wide stretches of clean sand, a palm-fringed promenade, and a more laid-back atmosphere than you might expect. If you have a bit more time and an adventurous spirit, the Florida Everglades are just a short drive away. An airboat tour through this unique 'River of Grass' is an unforgettable experience, offering a glimpse into a wild ecosystem teeming with alligators, wading birds, and other wildlife. It’s an accessible yet authentic taste of natural Florida that provides a perfect contrast to the city's polished charm.

Half Moon Cay, Bahamas

At Sea - Cruising

Oranjestad, Aruba - Aruba presents a unique Caribbean landscape, trading lush jungle for an arid, desert-like beauty of cacti, rock formations, and its iconic, wind-swept divi-divi trees. The cruise port docks directly in the capital, Oranjestad, a clean and walkable city defined by its brightly colored Dutch colonial architecture. A complimentary open-air trolley makes a convenient loop through the main downtown area, which is filled with high-end retailers and local boutiques. While the city is charming, Aruba’s primary draw is its magnificent coastline. A short taxi or bus ride north of the port reveals two of the Caribbean’s most celebrated beaches. Eagle Beach is a vast expanse of pristine white sand, consistently ranked among the world's best, offering a more tranquil atmosphere. Adjacent Palm Beach is livelier, lined with resorts, beach bars, and a full spectrum of water sports. For those seeking an alternative to the beach, the island’s interior offers a compelling look at its rugged terrain. A visit to Arikok National Park showcases a dramatic coastline and caves with ancient Arawak petroglyphs. Closer to the port, the Casibari Rock Formations provide an easily accessible opportunity to climb among massive tonalite boulders for panoramic island views. Aruba offers a polished and safe environment, balancing world-class beach relaxation with accessible and distinctive natural scenery.

Willemstad, Curacao - Willemstad is not just another Caribbean port; its historic core is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site, offering a cultural depth that rewards exploration. The city is bisected by St. Anna Bay, and the two sides, Punda and Otrobanda, are connected by the iconic Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge. Walking across this floating bridge as it swings open for passing ships is a quintessential Willemstad experience. Punda is home to the famous Handelskade, the waterfront row of brightly colored, 18th-century Dutch colonial buildings that form the island's signature image. Its gridded streets are filled with shops, galleries, and cafes, along with the Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue, the oldest continuously operating synagogue in the Americas. Across the bay, Otrobanda (“the other side”) offers a more residential feel with a maze of winding alleys. It is also the location of the Kura Hulanda Museum, a powerful and essential institution that chronicles the transatlantic slave trade and its profound impact on the region. While the city itself is the main attraction, Curacao’s renowned beaches require transportation. A taxi or pre-arranged tour is necessary to reach them. For a full-service beach club atmosphere, Mambo Beach is a popular choice. For more natural beauty, the island's west coast (Westpunt) features stunning coves like Kenepa Grandi and Cas Abao, known for their turquoise water and dramatic cliffs. A visit to the Curacao Liqueur Distillery offers a brief, flavorful diversion for a taste of the island's famous spirit.

Panama Canal - A transit of the Panama Canal is not a port of call; it is the destination itself. This is a day dedicated to witnessing one of the greatest engineering achievements in human history, a slow and deliberate passage between two oceans. The experience is a fascinating blend of immense industrial power and serene natural beauty, best viewed from an open deck with a good pair of binoculars. The journey is a masterclass in logistics and scale. Your vessel will be guided into a series of massive locks—like the historic Gatun Locks on the Atlantic side or the Miraflores Locks near the Pacific—by powerful locomotives known as 'mules.' You'll feel the ship rise and fall dramatically as millions of gallons of water are moved by gravity, lifting you from one ocean to the level of Gatun Lake, and then lowering you back down to the other. The sheer size of the lock gates and the precision of the operation are genuinely awe-inspiring. Between the locks, the scenery shifts entirely. You'll cross the vast, man-made Gatun Lake, a critical freshwater reservoir dotted with islands that were once mountain peaks. The surrounding rainforest is a vibrant ecosystem, and it’s not uncommon to spot monkeys or tropical birds along the banks. The most historically significant part of the journey is the Culebra Cut (formerly Gaillard Cut), a narrow, nine-mile channel carved through the solid rock of the Continental Divide. It is here that the immense human cost and ambition of the project feel most palpable. A full transit is an all-day affair, a meditative experience that unfolds at a relaxed pace. Find a comfortable vantage point, listen to the onboard commentary that explains the history and mechanics, and appreciate the rare opportunity to sail through a living monument to human ingenuity.

Gatun Lake

Colon, Panama - Colon is best understood not as a destination in itself, but as a functional gateway to two of Panama's most significant experiences: the Panama Canal and the historic forts of Portobelo. The city of Colon is an industrial port, and it is strongly advised to explore the surrounding region via organized tours rather than on your own. The primary draw is, without question, the Panama Canal. From Colon, you can visit the Agua Clara Visitor Center to witness the new, larger locks in operation. Watching massive Neo-Panamax container ships and vessels from around the globe being raised and lowered is a genuine spectacle of modern engineering. The scale of the operation is difficult to comprehend until seen firsthand. For a journey into the past, the nearby town of Portobelo, a UNESCO World Heritage site, offers a different perspective. Here, you can explore the ruins of 17th and 18th-century Spanish colonial forts that once protected treasure fleets from pirates. The town has a quiet, rustic charm, a world away from the industrial activity of the canal. Other excursions may offer opportunities to visit indigenous Embera communities or take a boat trip on Gatun Lake, the vast artificial lake that forms a major part of the canal. A day in Colon is about the world-class attractions that lie just beyond the port's gates.

Puerto Limon, Costa Rica