Enter the surreal world of Panama and Costa Rica's rain forests and the dense foliage seems to reach out to embrace you. Unlike the temperate world, the tropical hothouse environment pushes plant life into a constant state of fast forward. And over the eons, the vigorous competition for light and space has led to some highly specialized—and almost eerily intelligent—survival mechanisms.

The smell of success.
We all know some plants emit delightful fragrances that attract pollinators (and earn our own admiration). But plants in the rain forest have raised this ability to a fine art. Some plants, like spider lilies and an orchid called La Putita de Noche, release their perfume only at night to attract the right insects. Other orchids mimic the scent of fungi to fool fungus gnats, while passionflowers and the huge Aristolochia gigantea emit their carrion-like scent to attract scavenging flies or beetles.

Masters of deceit.
When it comes to creativity in propagation, orchids know no equal. Some have markings on their petals to show insects specifically where to land, like miniature airfields. Others flutter in the breeze, making male bees perceive a territorial challenge. Yet others mimic female wasps, complete with eyes. One innovative species even gets bees drunk on its nectar so they fall into a bucket and have to climb up a spout, showering their backs with pollen.

Holly species that change sex, plants that live on air and not soil, ones with built-in cisterns, others that attract ants to scare off herbivores... the plants of Central America's rain forest are as amazing as they are beautiful.

Explore the rain forest on a Panama Canal cruise.
Cruise the historic Panama Canal and you'll be treated to many more sights as well, including a chance to explore Central America's magnificent rain forests. Our 10- to 22-day Panama Canal itineraries in winter or spring of 2007 host a Panama Canal historian on board to enrich your journey.

Choose to embark in Ft. Lauderdale, Tampa or New York, and disembark at various ports from San Diego to Vancouver, British Columbia. Here are just a few of your 2007 options.

Featured cruises sponsored by Cruise Direct Online. Click on the Ship's name for more information.

14- to 21-Day Spring Panama Canal
Amsterdam  

New York to Seattle,
Vancouver or Los Angeles
April 27, 30, 2007

15-Day Winter Panama Canal
Volendam

 Ft. Lauderdale to San Diego
or reverse
February 1, 16, 2007

17-Day Winter Panama Canal
Ryndam

 Tampa to San Diego
January 5, 2007

10-Day Panama Canal Sunfarer®
Volendam
Roundtrip Ft. Lauderdale
January; March-April; Oct-Dec 2007