3) Transit Panama Canal

On the day we transited through the Panama Canal, we arrived in Panama early in the morning. From the balcony of my room, I watched the lush green trees of Panama and the industrious ships passing slowly. The sun was just rising, and the sky shifted through a palette of colors. As we approached the canal, we passed under the Atlantic Bridge (Puente Atlántico) before entering the locks.

When it was time to transit through the Panama Canal, I went up to Deck 17, which offered a high vantage point to observe the entire process. There, I stood next to a warm and friendly couple from the U.S., Bonnie and Chris. Bonnie was particularly knowledgeable about the Panama Canal, and as we watched the ship move through the locks, she provided an insightful commentary on the process.

Our ship, cruising from the Atlantic Ocean to the Panama Canal, first entered the Gatun Locks on the Atlantic side. This system of three locks raised the ship step by step until it reached the level of Gatun Lake. Once at the lake, the ship was released to cruise across Gatun Lake, one of the largest artificial lakes in the world.

After crossing Gatun Lake, the ship entered another set of locks to lower it back to sea level, this time to the Pacific Ocean. Once through these locks, the ship was released into the vast Pacific, completing the incredible transit from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean.

Arriving Panama in the Morning

Atlantic Bridge

One of the tugboat is guiding our ship passing, the lake next to this one is the older Canal which is still working today for smaller boats

A boat is transiting through the old Canal

Up close to the lock system

Post with the lock system. Behind me are the water reservoirs; then the old Canal

Our ship is now in the lock

Entering Gatun Lake

The lock system is now behind us (it looks so small!!!)

This photo shows how closely the tugboat close to the ship their were guiding through

2) Cartagena, Columbia

In my previous experiences, going on a tour usually involves simply walking off the ship, finding your designated bus, and boarding before the tour starts. However, Norwegian uses a different system to organize passengers for their tours. They ask everyone to wait in the theater, then call tours one at a time. I’m not sure why they do this. We can read and find the bus ourselves—why take so long to let people go out?

As I mentioned earlier, there was no complimentary bus service to bring passengers into town. Almost everyone needed to book an excursion. I signed up for the "Old Cartagena Walking Tour," which lasted approximately three hours.

The first stop was the Fort of San Felipe de Barajas, where we had 15 minutes to walk around, take a look, and snap some pictures. After that, we were taken to the Plaza de Las Bóvedas Artisan Center for shopping (it seems every excursion includes a shopping stop). Instead of shopping, I took the opportunity to walk over to see the Bastion of Santa Catalina. Built in the 17th century as part of the city’s extensive fortifications, it was designed to protect Cartagena from invasions.

Following the guide, we walked to the center of the Old Town. We visited the Plaza de Santo Domingo, the Church of Santo Domingo, and the Plaza de Bolívar. From there, we continued to nearby landmarks, including the Plaza de la Aduana, the Catedral de Santa Catalina de Alejandría, and the Santuario de San Pedro Claver Church.

On the way back, the bus then took us to a small zoo, which seemed like another way to encourage passengers to make a stop. However, this wasn’t too bad—it was a small zoo with mostly beautiful birds, including friendly parrots.

Overall, there wasn’t enough time to see or do much, but the tour provided a glimpse of Old Town Cartagena.

New Town skyline viewed from the ship

Old town Cartagena

Fort of San Felipe de Barakas

Plaza de Las Bovedas Artisan Center

Bastion of Santa Catalina

Oldtown

Plaza de Santo Domingo

Inside Church of Santo Domingo

Catedral de Santa Catelina de Alejandria

Statue of San Pedro Claver and Enslaved Individuals

Goodbye Cartagena

1) Miami, Florida

I have visited Miami many times, but this was the first time I saw Miami from a different angel- Far away from a cruise ship and when at sail away.

We boarded the ship in the afternoon.  I walked around on the deck and people were already play around the pool. There is another huge ship parked behind ours.  The biggest one I ever seen.

It's a sunny day in Miami, with blue sky and white clouds.  At one moment, the city was decorated with a full rainbow. The port is alive with activities, rows of cruise ships and container terminals, with cranes and trucks loading and unloading goods, a reminder of Miami's role as a global trade hub.

The turquoise waters of Biscayne Bay glimmer under the sun. Jet skis, sailboats, and yachts are at play.

The iconic Miami skyline stands tall with its sleek high-rises glinting in the golden sunlight.  This bustling city under the sun, decorated with rainbow, palm trees, lush trees, busy highway, quiet harbor, downtown skylines, evening rush hours with moving cars, the change of hue in the sky, luxurious sail boats, lights from the city and cars at rush hours.

It was time to sail away, the sun sinks lower, casting a warm, golden light that bathes the city and the ocean. The ship navigates the Government Cut channel, flanked by the dramatic views of South Pointe Park on one side and Fisher Island on the other.

As twilight sets in, the city's lights begin to sparkle. The skyline glows with neon signs, and the illuminated bridges connecting the city islands create a magical ambiance.

15 days Norwegian Joy Cruise: Impressions and Experiences

The Panama Canal has always fascinated me, and I had long wondered about its intricate operations. At the end of 2024, I had the opportunity to embark on a 15-day cruise aboard the Norwegian Joy, departing from Miami and cruising through Central America. This journey offered a front-row seat to witness the entire process of ships passing through the Panama Canal—an awe-inspiring experience.

Itinerary Highlights: this trip included stops at:

-Departing from Miami, Florida

-Cartagena, Colombia

-Transiting the Panama Canal

-Panama City, Panama

-Puntarenas, Costa Rica

-Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala

-Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

-Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

-Ending in Los Angeles, California

When I discovered that the price difference between single and double occupancy was minimal and that I needed to travel from the East Coast to the West Coast anyway, this trip felt like the perfect choice. It became my first solo cruise, and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it.

The cruise’s timing (November 30 to December 15) was ideal. Central America’s December weather was delightful, with temperatures averaging around 72°F and minimal rain. It made exploring each port of call even more enjoyable.

The itinerary was well-balanced, with sea days spread throughout the journey. These days offered the perfect opportunity to relax, read, and indulge in some writing, making the trip both rejuvenating and creatively fulfilling.

This cruise was not just a journey through stunning destinations but also a chance to connect with like-minded individuals, all while enjoying the unique experience of transiting the Panama Canal. It’s an adventure I’ll always cherish.

Although I have cruised many times before, this was the first time I discovered that the cruise ship did not provide complimentary transportation from the port of call to the town or city, except in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. This policy made Norwegian's excursions feel almost mandatory, which was disappointing.

One disappointment is that this ship has a very small gym. It’s so tiny that it feels inadequate for the population living on board.

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Norwegian did an excellent job organizing activities to bring solo travelers together. Each day, there was a meet-and-greet hosted by a dedicated director who was very personable and outgoing, working hard to create a fun and welcoming environment for everyone to mingle.

One aspect of this activity that I particularly enjoyed was not having to worry about eating dinner alone. After the mingling session, we had the option to go for dinner together, either as a group or with people of our choice, which was very nice. While I don’t mind doing things or having lunch alone, it’s always enjoyable to meet new people, especially for dinner. It’s not just about making friends—it’s an opportunity for me to learn about different cultures, government systems, lifestyles, food, and more from people around the world.

Among the solo travelers I met, their ages ranged from 21 to over 80. Roughly 30% were in their 30s and 40s, 20% were between 40 and 60, and 50% were 65 or older.