Join Jerry Helms on a delightful bridge cruise to the Panama Canal. Terrific itinerary, lovely ship, plenty of bridge.

A string of fascinating and various ports of call from the Bahamas to the Panama Canal and Costa Rica…four days at sea for in-depth bridge excitement with a great host and teacher…and the convenience of a roundtrip Ft. Lauderdale itinerary make this cruise a bridge fan’s dream!

Your Host

Jerry Helms, professional bridge player, writer and teacher, specializes in group seminars. As a player, he has appeared 25 consecutive times on the annual American Contract Bridge League (ACBL) “Top 500” list.

Jerry is a featured columnist for both Better Bridge Magazine and the ACBL Bulletin. His byline for both magazines is “Ask Jerry.” He is the co-inventor of the HELLO convention that is used over the opponents opening 1NT bid. When the ACBL established its teacher accreditation program (TAP) in 1987, Jerry was asked to participate as a trainer. During his tenure he certified over 2,000 bridge teachers.

Highlights

• Lectures and Q&A sessions daily
• Afternoon and evening duplicates most days
• Private cocktail party and get-togethers with Jerry
• Gratuities included
• Starting price only $1979 pp

The Itinerary

Oct. 29: Depart Ft. Lauderdale, FL. There’s lots to see and do in the Ft. Lauderdale area: visit the redesigned Ft. Lauderdale Beach and cafes, stroll the historic Riverwalk, shop the luxurious stores on Las Olas Boulevard.

Oct. 30: Half Moon Cay, Bahamas. Holland America's private island offers everything needed for a day of play in paradise: a crescent of perfect beach; an interior lagoon; private beachside cabanas with butler service, showers and misters; and all manner of water sports and activities.

Oct. 31: At sea.

Nov. 1: Oranjestad, Aruba. Dutch Colonial style has combined with Caribbean spice to give this little capital city its charm, stately and lively at the same time. The shopping is excellent, too.

Nov. 2: Willemstad, Curaçao. Amsterdam-like canals, gabled Dutch architecture in tropical pastels, a busy floating market—this bustling duty-free port has it all.

Nov. 3: At sea.

Nov. 4: Cartagena, Colombia. This historic port city is one of the most beautiful in all the Caribbean. 18th century walls and forts around the old town defended it against pirates who attacked Cartagena for the looted Indian treasure brought there to be shipped to Spain. Today it is pirate-free, full of greenery, flower-draped balconies,shops, plazas, and prosperous markets.

Nov. 5: Panama Canal/Gatun Lake. Enormous, manmade Gatun Lake is key to supplying the water necessary to operate the locks system of this fantastic work of engineering. Formed by an earthen dam across the Chagres River to keep the water 85 feet above sea level, the water runs downhill to fill the locks. No pumps, no power other than the force of gravity!

Nov. 6: Puerto Limon, Costa Rica. This busy port is a jumpingoff point for choosing an optional excursion to experience the pristine natural beauty for which Costa Rica is justly famous.

Nov. 7 - 8: At sea.

Nov. 9: Disembark Ft. Lauderdale.

Aboard the ms Zuiderdam:

At the heart of the ms Zuiderdam, suspended in a three-story atrium, a Waterford Crystal Seahorse sets the mood for exquisite pieces of art to be seen throughout this elegant ship. Other notable pieces include a painting of Queen Beatrix by pop culture artist and icon, Andy Warhol, medallions by Frank Lloyd Wright, cast aluminum elevator doors inspired by the art deco work of the New York Chrysler Building, and a massive floral painting by Charles Ben.

Dining is a delicious adventure, with many cuisines and venues to choose from: the elegant Main Dining Room, the intimate Pinnacle Grill, specialty lunches and dinners at the Lido Restaurant, Explorations Café, and more. Beautifully appointed cabins offer top-line comforts: massage showers and soothing bath amenities, flat-panel TV/DVD players, complimentary fresh fruit, and several categories feature private verandahs.

Note: In the event that Jerry Helms is unable to travel and/or attend scheduled functions for reasons beyond the control of Alice Travel, Alice Travel will not be liable, and no refunds for such inability to travel or attend functions and events will be owed by Alice Travel. Applicable cancellation penalties will apply. Alice Travel will attempt to provide a lecturer of equal caliber.