2024 Panama Canal Discovery Cruise including air with Tim Taggart

Dates January 5-21, 2024
Destination Miami, FL; Day at Sea Cartagena, Colombia; Panama Canal; Acapulco, Mexico Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; Los Angeles, CA;
Duration 16 days 15 nights
Price From N/A

Religious Focus:

Sightseeing:

Activity Level:


We invite you to come sail away with Morris Murdock Travel and favorite tour director, Tim Taggart, next January to get warm and start the new year off right, discovering the modern wonder that is the Panama Canal.

This 15 day cruise with a full Panama Canal crossing is a great value that includes airfare from Salt Lake City, pre-night hotel in Miami and roundtrip transfers! Sail with Norwegian Cruise Lines on the Joy to enjoy the comfort of a single unpack experience while you visit amazing ports in Colombia, Panama, Guatemala, and Mexico on your way to Los Angeles.   This cruise will appeal to more than one type of passenger.  While the highlight for most will be seeing Canal that is now over 100 years old, these ports offer many cultural highlights and adventure galore for those seeking some activities in nature.

While on board Tim Taggart will engage the group in several lectures and activities to let you enjoy the group members you'll be traveling with.  The best part about doing a cruise with is a group is having both group time and FREE time to enjoy your vacation, your way!

Call us for more details or if you are ready to confirm your spot, click on the BOOK NOW button below and take your 1st steps in booking a dream experience, providing memories to last a lifetime.

Sarah Wangsgard
Tel: (801) 483-6473
Email Sarah

Day 1:Friday, January 5 , 2024

Salt Lake City to  Miami, FL

Today we'll depart Salt Lake City to fly to Miami and start our adventure. We'll be transferred to our hotel and have the evening to enjoy on our own.

Day 2: Saturday, Jan 6, 2024

Miami to Board the Norwegian Joy

Today after a leisurely morning we'll be picked up at our hotel and transfer to the Port Of Miami to board our "floating resort" we get to enjoy for the next 2 weeks!

Tonight after dinner we will gather as a group and have a chance to get to know our fellow group travelers.

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Sunday, Jan 7, 2024

Fun Day at Sea 

The ship has much to keep you busy and interested during your day. Today we will have a Sunday devotional (optional) with host Tim Taggart

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Monday, Jan 8, 2024

Fun Day at Sea 

Today is a day at Sea and the day is yours to relax and enjoy the ship.

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Tuesday, Jan 9, 2024

Cartagena, Columbia

Cartagena is a port city on Colombia’s Caribbean coast. By the sea is the walled Old Town, founded in the 16th century, with squares, cobblestone streets and colorful colonial buildings. With a tropical climate, the city is also a popular beach destination. Reachable by boat are Isla de Barú, with white-sand beaches and palm trees, and the Islas del Rosario, known for their coral reefs.

One of the more interesting cities on your itinerary steeped in history. This was the transit port for all the wealth Spain derived from South America. The famous "Old City" is comprised of 12 square blocks filled with attractions, boutiques and restaurants.

The old walled city of Cartagena reflects a turbulent history of conquistadors and pirates. Climb "las murallas" for an unforgettable view of the harbor. Shop for emeralds and leather goods along the cobblestone streets of this enchanting city.

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Wednesday, Jan 10, 2024

Panama Canal Full Transit New Locks

Experience one of the world's best short cuts! Journey 40 miles through the Panama Canal for an unforgettable experience. Witness first-hand one of the world's man-made short cuts that has changed travel and the transport of goods worldwide.

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Friday, Jan 11, 2024

Panama City, Panama  

Panama City, the capital of Panama, is a modern city framed by the Pacific Ocean and man-made Panama Canal. Casco Viejo, its cobblestoned historic center, is famed for colonial-era landmarks like the neoclassical Palacio Presidencial and bougainvillea-filled plazas lined with cafes. 

Peppered with classic French and Spanish architecture, you can roam as far as your eyes can see in decadent Fuerte Amador. And be sure to make your way through Panama’s verdant rainforests, visit secluded villages, and purchase handmade crafts in the city. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, sample a tamal de olla, a local specialty containing chicken with corn-stuffed cornmeal, vegetables, olives and raisins.

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Saturday, Jan 12, 2024

Fun Day at Sea

Fun day at Sea with Book of Mormon seminars with your host Tim Taggart.

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: Sunday, Jan 13, 2024

Fun Day at Sea

Today we will have a Sunday devotional (optional) with host Tim Taggart. The ship has much to keep you busy and interested during your day. 

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: Monday, Jan 14, 2024

Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala

Puerto Quetzal is Guatemala's largest Pacific Ocean port. It is important for both cargo traffic and as a stop-off point for cruise liners. 

This port city was constructed in 1984 to help connect nearby cities. Travelers often venture out to Antigua, a 90-minute trek to where 17th century colonial facades beckons and Guatemalan history comes alive..

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11: Tuesday, Jan 15, 2024

Fun Day at Sea

Tim Taggart will have a lecture today and then the day is yours to relax and enjoy the ship.

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12: Wednesday, Jan 16, 2024

Acapulco, Mexico

Acapulco, a beach resort town on Mexico's Pacific coast, is set on a large bay backed by high-rises and the Sierra Madre del Sur mountains. Made famous by the jet set in the 1950s and ’60s, it's known for its high-energy nightlife, beaches and golf. From its iconic La Quebrada cliff, professional divers plunge 40m into a small ocean cove every day and night.

As one of Mexico's oldest coastal tourist destinations, Acapulco has much to offer both tourist and traveler. Shop, swim or simply take a siesta on the beach. But be sure not to miss the legendary La Quebrada cliff divers.

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 13: Thursday, Jan 17, 2024

Fun Day at Sea

Fun day at sea to relax and enjoy the ship.

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 14: Friday, Jan 18, 2024

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Puerto Vallarta is a resort town on Mexico’s Pacific coast, in Jalisco state. It is known for its beaches, water sports. Its cobblestone center is home to the ornate Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe church, boutique shops and a range of restaurants. El Malecón is a beachside promenade with contemporary sculptures.

Smaller and more subdued than Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta has retained a good deal of its small village charm along with 26 miles of spectacular beaches along the Banderas Bay. Stroll the cobblestone streets to the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Or peruse the many local wares for sale at the open-air markets.

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 15: Saturday, Jan 19, 2024

Cabo San Lucas

Cabo San Lucas, a resort city on the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula, is known for its beaches, water-based activities and nightlife. Playa El Médano is Cabo’s main beach, with outdoor restaurants. 

Cabo's signature landmark is El Arco ("The Arch"), a rock formation at the tip of "Land's End." The jewel of the Baja Peninsula is famous for its world-class sportfishing, as well as its high-end resorts and exclusive gated communities that line an area simply called "the Corridor."

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 16: Saturday, Jan 20, 2024

Day at Sea

Tim will provide a lecture for the last day at sea to enjoy the ship, relax from your adventures and enjoy some time with your group of new friends!

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 17: Monday, Jan 21, 2024

Disembark Ship

Today we must say goodbye to our ship and group of new friends as we disembark the ship for our transfer back to the airport for our flight back to Salt Lake City.(or other home city and onward destination) with memories of great adventures and friendships made that will last a lifetime. 

Meals : Breakfast

Highlights of the Tour:

  • Small group size (50 max) for cruise package with air and transfers 
  • All Inclusive price * Air, hotel, transfers, cruise & on board group activities
  • Morris Murdock tour Director/Guest lecturer for the whole trip 
  • Four Private group shore excursions will be offered for our group (optional with cost TBA)

Included:

  • Cruise cost for chosen cabin on Crown Princess
  • Round trip airfare from Salt Lake City
  • Pre night with transfers in Miami, FL
  • Group director while on cruise for travel and group assistance
  • Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks daily while on board ship
  • Daily entertainment on board
  • Group activities and Book of Mormon seminars during cruise days

Not Included:

  • Government fee's and taxes: $569.90 per person 
  • On board Gratuities
  • Optional Excursions in ports both private and group
  • Trip cancellation/Trip interruption coverage

Optional Pricing

* Following rates are per person, based on double occupancy in cabins.  

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Cruise Tour Add on Options

  • Optional 4 Port Private Shore Excursion Package: Cartagena, Columbia; Panama City, Panama; Acapulco, Mexico, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Price TBA

Payment Terms:

    Deposit of $500.00 per person is due at booking
  • Final Payment is due September 1, 2023
  • ** This tour is based on a minimum of 30 passengers traveling-max of 50

Note: Fares shown are in U.S. dollars and are per person, based on double occupancy. Government taxes, fees, and fuel supplement (where applicable) are additional. NCL reserves the right to charge a fuel supplement without prior notice should the closing price of West Texas Intermediate Fuel increase above $65.00 per barrel on the NYMEX (New York Mercantile Exchange Index). In the event a fuel supplement is charged, NCL will have sole discretion to apply the supplementary charge to both existing and new bookings, regardless of whether such bookings have been paid in full. Such supplementary charges are not included in the cruise fare. The fuel supplement charge will not exceed $10.00 per passenger per day. Prices are based on availability and subject to change.

NOTE: Cruise ports are subject to change before notice by the cruise lines and are beyond the control of the booking agency.