It’s the first night of the cruise and the comedian is already running out of material. After a few cringy jokes fall flat, she calls on the audience for some time-filling assistance. “Where y’all from?” she asks several hundred assembled passengers in Norwegian Jewel’s Stardust Theatre.
The crowd roars in reply. I hear Ecuador, Peru, Panama, Costa Rica, Colombia, Mexico, the United States and Canada. What I don’t hear is one ’Strayan.
In the realm of amazing cruise experiences, a transit of the waterways and intricate locks of the engineering miracle that is the Panama Canal ranks near the top for many, but it seems not for many Australians. Setting off on a nine-day voyage to ports in Central and South America and the Dutch Caribbean, I’m excited to visit several countries for the first time, including Panama. Vibrant cultures, intriguing history, exotic wildlife and incredible food await.
Cruising is always good for its “mixed lolly bag” of travel experiences, and in this part of the world, the variety is rich and enticing. Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Costa Rica and Colombia are all on the menu, a fantastic opportunity to spend a day here and there, to get an idea of where I’d like to return for a longer stay. It all begins in Panama City, the capital of the Republic of Panama, and in the old town, Casco Viejo, young chefs are making their mark.
Jose Olmedo Carles Rojas changes the menu daily at his restaurant Fonda Lo Que Hay, which translates as “Wha.