Voyage of the Tropics: Bahamas, Caribbean & Panama Canal

Miami is one of the world’s most popular holiday spots. It has so much to offer; from its countless beach areas, to culture and museums, from spa and shopping days out, to endless cuban restaurants and cafes. Miami is a multicultural city that has something to offer to everyone.

Miami blends coastal light with a distinctly cosmopolitan energy, where pastel Art Deco facades line palm-fringed boulevards and Latin influences infuse the city’s rhythm. As you step on board Scenic Eclipse, a warm welcome and a glass of Champagne set an elegant tone for the days ahead. Settle into your spacious suite, where your private verandah offers a first glimpse of sea and skyline. As evening falls, join fellow guests on deck to watch Miami recede into the dusk, the sun setting over the Atlantic as the voyage’s relaxed cadence begins.

Please book your flight to arrive into Miami prior to 02:00 PM.

Often described as the Nature Island of the Bahamas, Andros feels wonderfully remote, its mangroves, pine forests and luminous flats creating a sense of quiet seclusion. It is home to more than 180 known blue holes, both inland and offshore, forming one of the world’s most remarkable concentrations of these geological formations. Five national parks help safeguard its wetlands, reefs and forests, underscoring the island’s significance as a sanctuary for wildlife and marine life. Time here invites a gentler pace – perhaps following a coastal path, learning about Andros’ unusual geology, or simply absorbing the stillness that defines this untamed Bahamian outpost.

Part of the Exuma Cays, Staniel Cay is a hidden gem in The Bahamas, south of Nassau. It is home to a small village, a yacht club and is famous for the swimming pigs, who have become an attraction paddling in the translucent water of nearby Pig Beach. On Staniel Cay you can enjoy beautiful beaches and a rustic and authentic Bahamian lifestyle.

Tonight, settle in at the spacious Scenic Lounge Bar to enjoy your beverage of choice, whether it be aged whiskey, there are over 130 varieties, or a glass of wine, whilst reflecting on the day's discoveries.

San Salvador, one of the smallest inhabited islands in The Bahamas, feels wonderfully intimate, with your Scenic Discovery Yacht calling at the low-key settlement of Cockburn Town (pronounced “ko-burn”). Distinctive within the archipelago, the island is dotted with clear inland lakes, understated monuments and quiet sweeps of pale sand that invite unhurried exploration.

Long associated with the first landfall of Christopher Columbus in 1492, San Salvador’s role in Atlantic history is marked by a simple white cross near the reputed landing site, a modest tribute to an era of early ocean crossings. As the afternoon light softens and the shoreline takes on a gentler hue, you may choose to return to the Sky Bar for a cocktail, watching the island recede as your Scenic Discovery Yacht slips out into another serene Caribbean evening.

Embark on a cultural odyssey at Cabo de La Vela, where the indigenous Wayuu people welcome you to their ancestral lands. Learn about their rich traditions, from vibrant handicrafts to ancient rituals. Engage with locals and share stories during a visit to the local school. Cabo de La Vela is a place of striking beauty where the rugged desert landscape is adorned with windswept dunes and lapped by crystalline waters.

Later today, perhaps visit the open bridge on Deck 7 to meet the Captain and navigational team and gain first-hand insight into a Scenic Discovery Yacht’s state-of-the-art technology from one of the most inspiring vantage points on board.

Scenic Discovery:
Today, dependent on weather and local authority approvals, the Discovery Team may offer exciting watersports activities including stand-up paddleboarding, perfect for enjoying the beautiful waters of Cabo de la Vela.

Cartagena's magnificent city walls and fortresses, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, enclose a well-restored historic center (the Cuidad Amurallada, or walled city) with plazas, churches, museums, and shops that have made it a lively coastal vacation spot for South Americans and others. New hotels and restaurants make the walled city a desirable place to stay, and the formerly down-at-the-heels Getsemaní neighborhood attracts those seeking a bohemian buzz. The historic center is a small section of Cartagena; many hotels are in the Bocagrande district, an elongated peninsula where high-rise hotels overlook a long, gray-sand beach.When it was founded in 1533 by Spanish conquistador Pedro de Heredia, Cartagena was the only port on the South American mainland. Gold and silver looted from indigenous peoples passed through here en route to Spain and attracted pirates, including Sir Francis Drake, who in 1586 torched 200 buildings. Cartagena's walls protected the city's riches as well as the New World's most important African slave market.

Cartagena is a beautifully preserved and colourful city oozing colonial charm. This World Heritage-listed walled city is looked over by a great 17th-century hilltop fortress, and is filled with churches and monasteries, bustling plazas where traditional musicians and dancers entertain, and candy-coloured buildings with balconies draped in bougainvillea. Renowned for vibrant festivals and cuisine, Cartagena is a treasure trove of Latin American culture and history. Wander its Old Town, with cobblestone streets that are frequented by artisans, hawkers and food vendors touting tropical fruits. The surrounding landscape of pristine beaches and tropical forests adds to its allure.

Return to your suite for an evening of privacy, where 24-hour in-suite dining allows you to savour dinner on your verandah as the city lights begin to glow.

The San Blas archipelago is located off the Caribbean coast, east of Colon, and is made up of 365 islands that range in size from tiny ones with a few coconut palms to islands on which hundreds of Kuna Indians live. Only about fifty are inhabited. The Kuna rule the San Blas Territory with internal autonomy, and have tightly preserved their language and cultural traditions over the centuries despite influences from European colonies. In addition to their own language, Spanish is widely spoken and many men work on the mainland, but live on the islands. Women wear costumes with unique designs based on local themes, geometric patterns, and stylised fauna and flora. The island of El Porvenir is one of the main seats of government for the Kuna Indians. Many Kunas from the other islands came to settle on El Porvenir, bringing with them their traditional arts and crafts, including the famous molas. These intricately hand-sewn designs are made by the women of the tribes as part of their blouses and dresses. With the increased tourism, molas are now a favoured souvenir and craft item for visitors.

Welcome to Lemon Cay, a hidden paradise in the San Blas Islands of Panama, which is home to the indigenous Guna people and one of the biggest coconut plantations in the world. Immerse yourself in the beauty of these pristine isles dotted with swaying palm trees and surrounded by crystal-clear waters that are mottled by thriving underwater coral gardens.

Take a short Zodiac ride to Lemon Cay, where the Guna people greet you with music, dance and vibrant traditions. Explore handcrafted mola textiles, sample local cuisine and browse artisan goods. Relax on the beach and soak in the natural beauty, this unique cultural experience is open to everyone on this day.

This evening, savour the flavours of Asia at Koko's Asian Fusion, where expertly crafted dishes from the Sushi & Saké Bar or the vibrant Night Market+ menu provide a refined counterpoint to the day's cultural immersion.

Scenic Discovery:
Subject to weather conditions and local authority approvals, today may offer the opportunity to get active with the Discovery Team exploring the crystal-clear waters of Lemon Cay through snorkelling, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding.

Translated as Mouths of the Bull, Bocas del Toro is both a province and an archipelago in the northwest Caribbean Sea in Panama. The archipelago contains 10 larger islands (including the main Isla Colon, where the town of Bocas del Toro is situated), 50 cays and 200 tiny islets. The region contains Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park, Panama’s first national marine park that covers over 32,000 acres and protects forests, mangroves, monkeys, sloths, caiman, crocodile and 28 species of amphibians and reptiles. The park also contains Playa Larga, an important nesting site for sea turtles. With all there is to see in this region, visitors should also pause to enjoy the pristine white beaches lined with palm trees that lie all along the surrounding clear waters of the Chiriqui Lagoon

Discover the enchanting beauty of Bocas del Toro, a destination with lush forests and mountains on one side and pristine beaches on the other. It has an Afro-Caribbean culture with a very distinctive language that blends English, French and Spanish, where calypso and reggae music fills the streets and dishes are created with seafood, coconuts and spices. Spend the day exploring colourful reefs, unwinding on powdery beaches, or discovering picturesque villages.

Expect incredible morning views as you arrive into the port for Panama City. Tinged with a silver pre-dawn light, the city will metamorphosise into a golden glow as the sun rises above it. And from then on expect one stunning view after another. Very interesting in its own right, Fuerte Amador is obviously overshadowed by its proximity to Panama City. So should the Miraflores museum of the Canal, which offers a comprehensive and immersive tour of the Canal including a 3-D experience, four exhibition halls, an observation deck, and a surprisingly good restaurant not interest you then there is always the option of lovely Casco Viejo – literally the old quartier of Panama. The grand old colonial houses, cobbled streets, independent boutiques and buzzing street scene make this a must stop on your itinerary. And if you like seafood, you will not want miss the many restaurants and market stalls serving different variations of so-fresh-it’s-still-practically-swimming ceviche. Best eaten like the Panamanians do, with salty crackers and a cold beer on the beach. And if money is no object, a cup of geisha coffee – supposedly the world’s best and definitely the world’s most expensive at $7 a shot is definitely a pick me up! Cool cosmopolitan capital aside, Panama has a skyscraper filled skyline that is worthy of some of its North American counterparts. But if urban utopia is not your scene then fear not, the sandy beaches and lush rainforests are never more than a short cab ride away.

Expect incredible morning views as you arrive into the port for Panama City. Tinged with a silver pre-dawn light, the city will metamorphosise into a golden glow as the sun rises above it. And from then on expect one stunning view after another. Very interesting in its own right, Fuerte Amador is obviously overshadowed by its proximity to Panama City. So should the Miraflores museum of the Canal, which offers a comprehensive and immersive tour of the Canal including a 3-D experience, four exhibition halls, an observation deck, and a surprisingly good restaurant not interest you then there is always the option of lovely Casco Viejo – literally the old quartier of Panama. The grand old colonial houses, cobbled streets, independent boutiques and buzzing street scene make this a must stop on your itinerary. And if you like seafood, you will not want miss the many restaurants and market stalls serving different variations of so-fresh-it’s-still-practically-swimming ceviche. Best eaten like the Panamanians do, with salty crackers and a cold beer on the beach. And if money is no object, a cup of geisha coffee – supposedly the world’s best and definitely the world’s most expensive at $7 a shot is definitely a pick me up! Cool cosmopolitan capital aside, Panama has a skyscraper filled skyline that is worthy of some of its North American counterparts. But if urban utopia is not your scene then fear not, the sandy beaches and lush rainforests are never more than a short cab ride away.

Your Discovery Voyage will come to an end in the capital of Panama, Panama City. This cosmopolitan city, which comprises a juxtaposing skyline of skyscrapers, 17th-century churches and colonial-style buildings, is steeped in history and boasts a thriving culinary scene.

Savour one last sumptuous breakfast on board your Scenic Discovery Yacht before saying farewell to the crew and new friends who have shared this remarkable journey with you. As you disembark, know you have created unforgettable memories to last a lifetime.

Please book your flight to depart out of Panama City after 12:00 PM.

#Spa treatments and services at additional cost. Daily activities may be subject to change; please consult your Daily Wonder for updates.
+All drinks on board, including those stocked in your mini bar, are included, except for a very small number of rare, fine and vintage wines, Champagnes and spirits. Specialty restaurants require a reservation, enquire on board.
^Experiences on board our two helicopters and submersible are at additional cost, subject to regulatory approval, availability, weight restrictions, medical approval and weather conditions.
~Kayak and stand-up paddleboard not available in all locations.

Helicopter and Sumbersible in operation in select regions.

The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Scenic cannot guarantee the voyage will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information.