beachbaby1218

We are sailing on the NCL Pearl through the Panama Canal into Gatun Lake. This is our first Panama Canal cruise and I am wondering if we would enjoy staying on the boat or taking an excursion such as railroad or ferry.  Can anyone offer suggestions?  TIA

I was there this past week, and though I had a good idea of how to get where I was going, I used one of these "guides" He basically just navigated me through town. There are lots of sketchy people outside the gates, but they will pretty much leave you alone if you're with one of these "guides"

 

 

 

Basically, when we got to the place where I was going, he asked did I have any "change" I gave him a few bucks for his trouble, and he seemed satisfied. They guide several people around throughout the day, and if they get a few bucks from each one, then they're doing pretty good considering the poverty in the area.

 

 

 

As a side note, if you're looking for good jerk chicken they will take you to Peppers. The place had literally the least authentic jerk chicken I have ever had. Don't waste your time with this place...

Thanks for the reply. So Peppers isn't good? Where do you suggest?

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I see many people talk about locals with ID that offer a walking tour of town and will help you get to local places. What is the going rate for such services? We will be there in a few weeks and am curious as to the going rate. TIA

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Thanks again for the replies. I really appreciate all the help. We are all ready planning on doing excursions in Belize and Roatan so we wanna have a couple of relaxing days so thanks for the help!

 

 

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We have been to both and have done the "relaxing day" at both. I preferred CM over GC. The beach was nicer, the people were friendlier, the prices were cheaper, and I felt like we had a more "local" experience in Costa Maya. I would recommend Yaya Beach Club there.

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Thanks for the review. We will be in Falmouth in 3 weeks and are looking for a little something to do without an excursion.

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Oh I can't wait! Looking to book the Bliss through the Panama Canal

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Just FYI for anyone who is on the Epic room 10017, it is a hull balcony. It's a huge balcony, but difficult to really see anything. I think next time I will pick a regular size balcony.

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Wish we could afford the Haven. 7 days to go until we're on the Epic. Looking forward to your review

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If you are talking about cabin 10017 on the EPIC you are not in a hull balcony. You will be in the first full balcony on deck 10. That's a good cabin because you will be looking down at the ocean from your balcony rather than the top of lifeboats.

Thanks!!! That makes me feel better!

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18 days to go and i just realized this. We are in room 10017, which is a hull balcony (rather than 10015 which is an interior room. I hope I made the right choice!

Beachbaby, I signed up with Mystic Snorkel and just got my confirmation for the beginning of Feb. Thanks for mentioning them!

 

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We decided to go with Cozumel H2o. They go to 4 reefs and their private tour is $100 per person for 4 people.

Thanks everyone for your help!

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Thanks Swells1!! Our group is gathering tomorrow to plan and reserve so this helps bunches!!! :)

No, we're going to Grand Cayman and Jamaica

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Beachbaby, I signed up with Mystic Snorkel and just got my confirmation for the beginning of Feb. Thanks for mentioning them!

 

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You're welcome! We're having a "cruise planning" get together this Saturday to decide.

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I'm going to take one of the boat tours. Either Mystic Snorkel or Cozumel H2o. They both offer small groups

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Here's the deal....

 

Yes, Money Bar has snorkeling and it has a reef called Dzul Ha right off in front. BUT the boats stop farther out, where there is more coral. If you go to Money Bar you can swim all the way out there, if you are comfortable with swimming with current. I wouldn't call it beginner snorkeling doing that. Cozumel has current, and it can be blowing north one day, south an hour later, or out to sea... no way to predict. If you are a great snorkeler, then it would be okay.

 

 

 

If you do a boat snorkel trip, you are getting off the boat over the snorkel area, then getting back onboard the boat by ladder. It is much easier.

 

Also, the boat will take you to 2 other snorkel spots, which may be better that day than Dzul Ha. No way to predict which ones will have tons of fish day to day.

 

The bad thing is that everyone will be riding the boat, from spot to spot, which might be a half hour in between. If everyone is cool with that, then not a big deal.

 

 

 

It is totally up to you.

Thanks so much! I think that makes up my mind.

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So are we better to do the 3 reef tour or just go to The Money Bar? My husband and I are avid snorkelers but my friend and my mother in law have never been. I would love for them to have a memorable experience

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The 2 tours I've looked at take you to 3 reefs. I've looked at Mystic Snorkel with Cuchi and Cozumel H2o

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Thanks. I think we may look into a boat snorkel

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I am also interested in this tour and curious if anyone has done it. The few snorkel tours NCL has are not interesting as they spend more time on the beach than in the water.

We are a group of 4 adults, 2 experienced and 2 inexperienced snorkelers. I have heard Cozumel is the best place to snorkel. Suggestions please !!

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Has anyone used this company for excursion? I would love to snorkel and visit Hell. A friend of mine wants to see turtles (that's all she wants!). We would like to see all we can. TIA

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Did you snorkel there? We are looking to see rays, turtles and fish

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We used iconcierge on our cuise last year. The app is a little slow, but it is a pretty good way to keep up with a large group. We used one app per room and were able to keep up with everyone fairly easily.

I would assume that the Falls are first because if they are offering alcohol, I wouldn't think they'd want you climbing drunk.

 

I also heard that it is 1-1/2 hour trip from the ship. Does anyone know this also?

 

Thanks,

I was thinking the same thing. I hope it's not really 1-1/2 hr trip!