Join us on a journey from downtown Chicago to the jungles of Central America by train and ocean liner! Your trip begins with an evening departure from the Windy City to New Orleans over the Illinois Central Railroad with an overnight stay in New Orleans before the centerpiece of our holiday, passage by ship to exotic Belize, formerly British Honduras, one of the most fascinating places on earth. With the second longest barrier reef in the world, lush jungles filled with jaguars, ocelots and wild monkeys, Belize is a place of stunning natural beauty, famed for its breathtaking Mayan ruins at Altun-Ha. During our port of call in Belize City, there is time to tour these magnificent Mayan ruins, a 'must-see' sight for any traveler. Happily, Belize is not the only exotic port of call on our passage from New Orleans. We also visit Costa Maya in Mexico's Yucatan, popular Cozumel and delightfully unspoiled Roatan in Honduras, rarely visited by cruise ships and highly-rated by guests.

Of course, any good holiday should couple remarkable scenery with superb comfort and this holiday does this nicely. Aboard the City of New Orleans train, we enjoy included sleeping accommodations with meals in the dining car. In New Orleans, our guests enjoy an overnight First Class hotel stay with breakfast daily, a French Quarter sightseeing tour and, of course, a visit to famed Cafe du Monde for the best cafe au lait and beignets in the World. Our ship, the ms Norwegian Spirit, features 11 restaurants, 11 bars & lounges, an excellent spa and fitness center, a casino and acres of open deck space. Because Norwegian Cruise Line operates 'Freestyle Cruising' you may dine when you like, where you like, with whom you like, there is no required dress code and a level of personal choice on how you enjoy your vacation is offered.

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• Train travel aboard Amtrak's City of New Orleans from Chicago to New Orleans and then from New Orleans to Memphis to Chicago after the cruise, an overnight journey over the storied Illinois Central Railroad in each direction. Guests enjoy Roomette sleeping car accommodations aboard the train.
• Coach train travel from Memphis to New Orleans aboard the City of New Orleans, a short day-trip.
• An overnight stay in New Orleans at the superbly located Hilton Riverside with sightseeing tour and visit to Café du Monde before we sail. We have intentionally left large blocks of free time for you to enjoy 'The Crescent City'.
• 7-night West Indies cruise round- trip from New Orleans aboard the Norwegian Spirit. Naturally, all meals & entertainment are included.
• One night at the Memphis Beale Street with welcome dinner at the famed Rendezvous Barbecue
• Memphis sightseeing tour with the acclaimed "Memphis Jones" and live musical entertainment as we tour the home of Blues. We also enjoy the famous "Duck March" at the Peabody Hotel
• Hosted by professional tour manager with special cocktail parties & events throughout.

Day 1 - Depart Chicago's Union Station
Leave Chicago at 8:00 pm aboard Amtrak's City of New Orleans, where cozy sleeping accommodations await. Overnight train.

Day 2 - New Orleans, Louisiana
Arrive in New Orleans this afternoon and check into your hotel. The remainder of the day is free to explore the Crescent City on your own. Overnight Hilton Riverside. (B, L)

Note: December departure includes two nights in New Orleans.

Day 3 - The ms Norwegian Spirit
Embark on a morning walking tour of the French Quarter with a stop at the delectable Café du Monde, famous for their cafe au lait and warm beignets. This afternoon transfer to the cruise terminal and prepare for your sailing aboard the Norwegian Spirit to begin your adventure to the enigmatic land of the Maya. This evening enjoy a welcome cocktail party aboard the ship. Overnight ship. (B, R, D)

Day 4 - At Sea
The entire day is at your leisure to sleep in, soak up the sun or enjoy the amenities of this remarkable new ship. Overnight ship. (B, L, D)

Day 5 - Costa Maya, Mexico
This unspoiled coastal paradise in the Yucatan sprawls off the beaten path with brilliant butterflies, exotic tropical birds, deer, monkeys and even jaguar roaming the remote parts of the jungle. Overnight ship. (B, L, D)

Day 6 - Belize City, Belize (British Honduras)
Long before the 17th-century powers fought over Belizean sovereignty, a complex Mayan civilization flourished here. Today, many of the architectural treasures from that lost culture remain for you to explore in virtually untouched verdant jungles. Overnight ship. (B, L, D)

Day 7 - Roatan, Honduras
Beautiful and unspoiled, Roatan is a peaceful eco-tourist's dream, just 30 miles off the coast of Honduras. Teeming with marine life and home to some of the best pillar coral in the Caribbean, the pristine Belizean Reef is a diver's paradise. Overnight ship. (B, L, D)

Day 8 - Cozumel, Mexico
Cozumel, the popular vacation destination located off the tip of the Yucatan peninsula with its nearby Mayan ruins, is today's port of call. Overnight ship. (B, L, D)

Day 9 - At Sea
You have a final day at sea to relax and enjoy ocean travel and the many amenities aboard the ship. Overnight ship. (B, L, D)

Day 10 - New Orleans, Louisiana
Disembark the ship in New Orleans this morning and head for breakfast at Brennan's, New Orleans' legendary palace of fine dining. Afterward, enjoy free time in this vibrant city until your late afternoon departure for Memphis aboard the City of New Orleans. Overnight Westin Beale Street. (B)

Day 11 - Memphis, Tennessee
We have all morning to sleep in before our city tour of Memphis with great food and good friends including Memphis Jones, who offers one of the most entertaining tours of Memphis you'll ever have the opportunity to enjoy. We'll also make a special visit to the legendary Peabody Hotel to see their famous "Duck March." Tonight enjoy a farewell dinner at the famous Rendezvous Barbecue Restaurant with its wonderful Memphis BBQ and savory southern treats. Later, board the City of New Orleans for the overnight journey to Chicago. (D)

Day 12 - Chicago, Illinois
The train arrives in Chicago after breakfast, allowing for easy, same-day connections for all Midwest points or at nearby Midway airport. (B)

Call 877-929-7245 for fares to and from Chicago

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