Halifax - Colon New York, the Caribbean and Panama: from the Big Apple to the Garden of Eden

Welcome to New York! The city on the American East Coast offers endless possibilities. Marvel at the iconic panorama from the Top of the Rock in the Rockefeller Center, stroll through Central Park, explore trendy Brooklyn or discover the vibrant art and cultural scene at the MoMA. An insider tip is a visit to the High Line, an elevated railway line that has been transformed into a green park offering spectacular views and creative installations. Immerse yourself in the cultural flair of Chinatown, enjoy culinary delights in Little Italy or shop in the boutiques of trendy SoHo. Make the most of the long lay time and the central mooring point for a thrilling evening in the city that never sleeps.

Even the name conjures up dreams of pastel-coloured idylls, pink flamingos and the exclusive feeling of getting away from it all: the Bahamas – an archipelago with more than 700 islands and over 2,400 so-called cays made of coral and sand. This pretty postcard world attracts visitors with its dazzling white beaches, turquoise waters and unique culture – shaped by African, British and Caribbean influences.

Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas, is located on the island of New Providence. Experience the island’s history up close on your discovery trails that take you off the beaten track. The Gothic Christ Church Cathedral from the 19th century is just as impressive with its light-coloured limestone blocks as the Queen’s Staircase between high walls, tropical plants and a waterfall. The 11 ha (27 ac.) Retreat Garden, with the world’s largest palm tree collection of 170 species, offers an oasis in the city to visitors. Your stroll through the city will be particularly colourful in Bay Street, where pastel-coloured buildings line up next to each other. Which dreams of paradise will you fulfil in Nassau?

Your Caribbean island-hopping will also take you to North Eleuthera Island, part of a long double island. The name Eleuthera is derived from the Greek word for “free” – and you can enjoy this feeling of freedom while swimming, diving and snorkelling. On the pink-coloured beach, your gaze wanders over many small islands. Your experts will enrich your impressions with stories about sunken pirate ships, religious refugees who once sought refuge here and the sweetest pineapple in the world grown on Eleuthera.

Follow in the footsteps of Christopher Columbus when you reach the small island of San Salvador. To this day, a white stone cross in Landfall Park marks the landing of the explorer. Like Columbus in 1492, you too will conquer a new world here – with kilometres of secluded beaches, glittering blue inland lakes and rolling hills. Stroll through the small village of Cockburn Town or sunbathe on one of the fine sandy natural beaches. This cruise combines idyllic time out with historical background insights.

The tropical archipelago of the Turks and Caicos Islands, a British overseas territory, consists of 40 islands. The capital of the archipelago is Cockburn Town on Grand Turk: immerse yourself with your experts in the history of its foundation in the 17th century and admire the colonial architecture. On Grand Turk, you will again discover that nature is the most talented architect when the beautiful extensive beach invites you to relax and swim. Simply incredible – 400 m (1,300 ft) from the shore, the seabed drops more than 2,000 m (6,562 ft) at the Grand Turk Wall, the “Grand Canyon of the Caribbean” – a fabulous diving area. Let your experts on board give you a scientific explanation of this “underwater highway” for rays, dolphins and turtles. Or close your eyes, listen to the waves and feel the warming Caribbean sun on your skin. Yes, discovering can be as relaxing as this.

Fuerte San Lorenzo is an impressive example of how the Spanish crown protected its trade treasures against pirates in Panama – for example, from the British privateer Sir Francis Drake. The fortress is located directly at the mouth of the Rio Chagres and once stood guard at the entrance to the harbour. It is now protected by UNESCO: The magnificent military architecture of the 17th and 18th centuries and parts of the defence system are a World Heritage Site. Go on a journey through time on an individual shore visit – your experts will provide you with new insights into the European buildings in distant worlds and the development of technology associated with them.