catsngoats

We are doing a full transit in January and and have a full day in port (Fuerta Amador) before we do.  Most of our group of 4 opted out of the Indians or monkey tours.  Our plan is to cab into Casco Veijo in the am on a Monday; after a few hours of exploring, get a cab to the Mira Flores Museum, eat an early supper there and watch ships go through; the cab back to port.  I also really want to experience a roof top bar that night,  but not sure on timing.  Must be in bed by 10pm as we leave port to start through canal at 4 am.  Does this all make sense, time wise?

Does that mean Peter Roberts is better than John Clelford?  We sail on Marina Jan 4 2020.

We will often take advantage of very favorable alc $$ in foreign ports.  It’s common for a bottle of local wine to be less than $10 such that when added to the $25 corkage fee is less than the cheapest bottle to purchase in the GDR.

Oceania does not charge extra for their specialty coffees (fraps, caps, lattes, etc).  They have a contract with Illy, IMO one of the best coffee producers around, next to La Colombe.  Since O has some of the best cuisine at sea, they are focused on the quality of their coffee service as well.

Thanks, got it.

January 2020 will be our second sailing with Oceania, first with two rooms/booking #s.  If I make an online reservation in Polo Grill, for example, and invite our friends in the other room, does it ‘count’ towards their allotted number of specialty reservations?

7 hours ago, kendon said:

To the OP, lending you the cash on Harvest Caye was our pleasure.  Reading these boards clued me in that cruise cards would not be accepted.  This was the nicest private island I've been on.

 

Thank you for arranging the CC get together.  Good turnout and the "two for ones" wasn't a bad thing either.

 

We are regular Princess cruisers and were equally impressed by the Insignia's food and service.  Princess has changed, and not for the better.  We were looking for another go-to cruise line.  Looking forward to booking another.

 

Great meeting you and your husband and hope to see you on a future cruise.

 

Donna and Ken

So glad to learn about the Harvest Caye island bar and cash.  We will be there for the first time in January 2020 on Marina.  I’ve added to my trip notes.

I have exactly the same ?  A friend and I are there on Jan 20, 2020, on Oceania Marina and I booked it.  Their desc:  “up close look at coral spawning and reproduction...hands on program assisting in coral fragment planting..snorkel tour of coral gardens...beach time, restaurant available for food/drink after”.  It’s $69 for 3.5 hours.  I liked that it’s a nonprofit and part of the tour price goes to a good cause.

I am cruising through the Canal for the first time in January, full transit, with 20-hour stop in Fuente Amador, which is the only way IMHO.  To make it even more interesting we are starting from Santiago and ending in Miami.  Thanks to Oceania, can’t wait.

Since there are many cruise lines that have Canal-focused itineraries, the decision should also include which line you prefer and where else you want stop.  As I am a foodie, I must also consider that, so Oceania is my preference.  We wanted a full transit and found such an ‘O’ trip starting from Santiago and ending in Miami, with an awesome itinerary.  Can’t wait until Jan 2020.

Many good tips and comments here, I am in total agreement with all. We also focus our cruise-related travels on Oceania because of ship size and ports.  I also use local tour companies as much as possible when O is not the only ship in port.  It is much easier to get ahead of and away from the ‘cattle’ coming off the other ships..  These local guides will often customize an itinerary for you for a good price, and you are supporting the local economy.

19 hours ago, njhorseman said:

I've been there on Marina, but going in the opposite direction, so we were at Fuerte Amador after our canal transit. I don't recall a free shuttle into Panama City, and if you look on the Oceania board there's a regularly updated "sticky" thread at the top listing the ports where Oceania offers free shuttles and neither Fuerte Amador nor Panama City are on that list.:

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1401115-oceanias-free-shuttles-list/page/19/?tab=comments#comment-57437765

 

 

Thanks for the updated shuttle list.  I do recall seeing this a few months ago.

We (4 adults) will have a day in Panama City in January 2020 before the full transit the next day, on Oceania Marina.  What are the current options for getting into Casco Viejo (old town)?  Are there free shuttles, or plenty of taxi cabs, or a local tour guide/driver?  We want to go in the morning, as a tour to Monkey Island will be in the afternoon.  The ship's tours are now available but I would prefer 'local' options.

Cruise line transfers may vary somwhat, but are at $50 per person.  From what I’ve learned so far, the public coach bus is $6 US one way, from Santiago terminal to the San Antonio dock.  Until a few months ago, it stopped at the San Antonio bus depot.  Now, since the cruise ship dock has become established (new a few years ago I think), they go the last mile. 

St. John is best for Virgin Islands snorkeling.  Trunk Bay, one of the national

park beaches, get there as early as possible; and Honeymoon beach which is accessible by the trail at the top of the hill to the north of Cruz bay or more quickly by hiring a water taxi.  I never did the water taxi when we were there for two weeks Feb 2018, but saw several small boats arriving while we were at Honeymoon beach.  We hiked it, down hill to get there, about 20 min, and uphill to get out.  Take food and water, no facilities at the beach. the snorkeling is great, to the left of the beach.

Virgin Islands: St John - assuming you will be docked at St Thomas, get the Red Hook ferry (20 min from Charlotte Amalie) to St John ( another 20 min).  Two great beaches:  Trunk Bay, which gets crowded, so get there as early as possible; and Honeymoon Beach.   I can provide more detail about getting there if this is an option for you, meaning you have a long day in port.  I was there Feb 2018 and it was awesome.

Yes, thanks, that will most likely be our choice.

We will be doing the same Jan 2020:  with an early arrival to Santiago we will have most of the day to make our way to the port (SA).  Are there any wineries along the way/in the region?

We (4adults) will be stopping in Limon on Oceania Marina Jan 2020 and are trying to decide between Jungle Breeze and Veragua Rainforest.  Two of us have prior experience, two are new to zipping.  Which one has ‘faster’ lines, self-controlled brakes?, longer/shorter lines.  Based on TripAdvisor reviews I am leaning towards Jungle Breeze + Tortuguero Canal with either Greenway Tours or Syltravel - any experience with these companies?  Thanks.

On 9/17/2018 at 12:38 AM, Pipo said:

As a local, I'd say no. The port is industrial, and the area next to the dock is not attractive at all. You can walk to downtown, but it's not as colorful as most of Caribbean islands, no duty free shops either. You can take a taxi to Playa Bonita ($10 each way), which is the closest beach to downtown Limon.

We (4 adults) will be stopping next Jan 2020.  Which zip line is better:  Jungle Breeze or Veragua Rainforest?  Thx.

On 12/11/2018 at 10:45 PM, geeko1 said:

you dont need a tour. rent a kayak and paddle out to the reef and snorkel.  there are tie offs at the reef for the kayaks.

Is this possible from Harvest Caye?  We are stopping there Jan 2020 and I would prefer Not to pay for ship tour,  but hesitant to ferry to Placencia for private tour.  We are parked from 8-6.

I’m in the same ‘boat’:  planning a Jan 2020 Oceania.  Now that NCL owns them we are stopping at Harvest Cage.  I was first leaning toward hopping over to Placencia, but then read further and started fussing about return ferry times.  How early did you book with Wildside Adventures?

On 8/22/2018 at 8:23 PM, opensaysme said:

 

This is sooo precious! Now this is my kind of fun! And just the sort of creative thing I like to see/hear about! Thank you for added that! That made my night! :halo:<3<3

Yes, as a foodie, I love shopping in other countries for unique goodies, especially cheese, chocolates, alcohol.  It’s interesting to compare prices, availability (or not) of common stuff.  You often have to get away from the pier, into a town, to find a true local store.

I’m also in the midst of research, will read PATH BETEEN THE SEAS, and watch McCullough DVD.  We have decided on a Jan 2020 Oceania full transit route:  Santiago to Miami. Most ports will be new to us.  So far, planning dinner at the Miraflores locks restaurant.