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Longyear on Board 2010: The Panama Canal Cruise

Cruise Ship For ten days in late January and early February 2010, friends of Longyear Museum joined Longyear staff members and trustees aboard the cruise ship Island Princess. The group sailed to the Panama Canal, with stops at five tropical ports: Aruba, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, and Jamaica. While the sights and weather were superior, what made this trip really unique were the days at sea. Between ports, the Longyear on Board classroom was in session, and participants were able to dive into programs, videos, a lending library, and church services, all provided by the Museum. The following twenty-one photos provide glimpses of the Longyear on Board voyage. The quotes and images are used with permission.

Welcome Program After setting sail from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Longyear on Board travelers experienced a variety of Museum programs, watched a selection of Longyear films, and used the research materials in our traveling library. Above, participants pose for a photo at our welcome reception.

First Formal Dinner Longyear Trustees June Austin and Ellen Williams pose with Development Director John Mitchell at the first of two formal dinners on the Island Princess. One participant said, “The dinners on board every night were a highlight! Getting to know everyone was great fun.”

Welcome to Aruba Two and one-half days after leaving the Florida coast, the group was welcomed in Aruba. Here Longyear staff member Laura Distel shows off our boat. At each port, Longyear participants had the opportunity to take shore excursions provided by the Island Princess.

Ayo Rock Formation Many group members chose to visit one of the most famous Aruba landmarks, the Ayo Casibari rock formations. Here some participants climbed to the top, where they enjoyed a spectacular view of the island.

Perusing The Ark Once at sea again, Longyear continued offering a variety of activities, including a demonstration of the research software, The Ark. This tool allows users to examine the early Christian Science periodicals published from inception through 1922. After the demonstration, several participants used The Ark to do their own research. For more information about The Ark, visit Longyear's online Museum Store.

Traveling Library The trip also featured a traveling library of Longyear Press publications, reminiscences about the early workers from the Museum collection, and many other reading and audio materials. Throughout the voyage, participants borrowed these materials and read them in their staterooms or outdoors while enjoying the sun.

Cartegena, Colombia The second port of call was Cartegena, Colombia, where many travelers visited the Old City and learned about its history.

Architecture in Cartegena, Colombia The streets of Cartegena are lined with colorful restored buildings. Many tourists enjoyed horse-drawn carriage rides throughout the city, and several Longyear participants got a taste of the local neighborhoods.

Informal Dinner Longyear on Board travelers gathered from throughout the United States. A group member commented, “The trip was fantastic – I would do it again – and look forward to future Longyear trips. So nice to get to know new friends!”

Panama Canal Locks The highlight of the cruise for many was a trip through the Panama Canal Locks. The Panama Canal, constructed at the beginning of the twentieth century, connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and remains an important trade route today.

Panama Canal Locks The cruise ship emerged from the locks, and the Island Princess spent the day on Lake Gatun. After turning around and coming through the locks once again, the boat docked at Colón (Cristóbal), Panama.

Group Dinner Longyear on Board travelers gathered each night for a delicious five-course meal in one of the formal dining rooms. This was a wonderful opportunity for everyone to reflect on the day. One participant said, “I feel as though we really are a part of the Longyear on Board Island Princess family – a very special group. We bonded on so many levels and found so many common interests, as well as discovered such delightful differences that make each of us individuals and precious.”

Longyear Program Set-Up John Mitchell prepares for a Museum program aboard the Island Princess. The topic of this program was the Christian Scientist Association picnic on July 16, 1885. One cruise participant commented, “The Longyear programs usually lasted an hour, and having these meetings during days when we were at sea worked perfectly!”

View in Costa Rica A favorite stop for many on the tour was Costa Rica. The port of call was Limón, where many of our travelers boarded a bus to explore rainforests in the area. Some participants glimpsed a view of an active volcano.

Costa Rican Bananas Pictured here is one of numerous banana plants dotting the local landscape. Chiquita bananas are grown in Costa Rica, and travelers enjoyed many kinds of fresh fruit while aboard the Island Princess.

Saluting the Chefs The Longyear group participates in a salute to the onboard chefs. It is traditional to show appreciation for the meals served on the ship by waving a napkin overhead as the chefs parade around the dining room.

Sunday Service While aboard the ship, Longyear held two Christian Science Sunday church services and a testimony meeting for tour participants.

Mystic Mountain in Jamaica After waving good-bye to Costa Rica, the group headed to Ocho Rios, Jamaica. Many Longyear travelers explored colorful rainforests via the Mystic Mountain chairlifts. This was the last port of call on the trip.

Bobsled Fun While visiting Mystic Mountain, travelers participated in a variety of activities, including a forty-mile-per-hour bobsled ride on a 3,280-foot twisting and turning track. Some members of the Longyear on Board program also cooled off on the lengthy waterslide and in the “Infinity Pool.”

Longyear Program in Action The last Longyear on Board program focused on Mary Baker Eddy's last class of 1898. One participant said, “I am more eager than ever to come to Boston to see the Longyear Museum and visit the eight Mary Baker Eddy Historic Houses in New England. What a treat that will be, after hearing and learning about them on our trip!”