CruiseMomTX
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Thank you everyone for the information! After seeing the comments of people on tours being 2 hours late we decided on the Eco Cruise on Gatun Lake for now. We can always cancel and book something else if we change our minds.
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Thank you for the report! We booked her for our port day in Feb.
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50 minutes ago, firefly333 said:
4 5 and 6 only see the locks. I had booked the eco plus locks and changed to the portobello and locks. Better price, I think 6 would be my preference. 6 is now sold out or 1 space for march 27. Selling out.
I woulnt pick the others and not see some of the locks.
Thank you and I also like #6 but it is sold out so we will check onboard. Have you done any of the tours?
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14 hours ago, baldilocks said:
We just got off the Celebrity Constellation in mid-December. I highly recommend the Grand Tour of Panama. You overlook the locks, have video presentation and watch any ships going through. After that, you will see the Embera people who great hosts. Great views of all the animals and plants along the lake. We enjoyed the excursion. Our ship did not go through the canal.
Just an after thought. We had one ship excursion on a ferry get delayed in a lock due to a freighter / lock problem. The Connie waited two extra hours for them to get back. We were in one of the bars when a couple came in and just wanted to have a drink. They looked awful. They said they were stuck on the ferry with little food or drink practically all afternoon. So, I would not recommend that excursion.
Did your excursion go through the canal? Wow and thanks for the info on that excursion. We plan to carry off water and some packaged snacks just in case.
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Thank you so much you have been a great help and I will keep a lookout for the tour you are describing.
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3 hours ago, BillB48 said:
Of course my favorite tour would be the partial transit of the Pacific Locks and Gaillard (Culebra) Cut...
Thank again BillB48 for the information especially with you just getting of the Radiance!! Is the above part of any of the tours I listed? This was a very last minute booking and we have never really researched stopping in Panama or anything involving transiting the Canal via ship or on a tour as we figured it would be a few years before we did a cruise that went there. Did your cruise stop in Cartagena or Colon? I think you or someone mentioned when we port in Colon we go through a lock but not sure. If so how early should we be up to watch and is there much to see from our balcony 9214? Do you know if we can carry snacks off in Colon since it will be a long day and I don't know what the availability of food offered or to purchase will be.
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6 hours ago, LilBlackDress said:
We had Colon, Panama as a port in March of 2020...
Our Excursion took us on a bus ride across town (over 90 mins... I slept so I missed all the different points of interest) Then we got on a ship that went through the locks.
I looked through my email and could not find the name of the excursionMaybe @birdladyremembers the name or still has a copy of the receipt
Thank you and did you enjoy and would recommend the excursion? Hopefully @birdlady replies with the name of the excursion.
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We are on the Radiance of the Seas 2/27 and the ship does not go thru the locks it just stops at the port so there are excursions and we are trying to decided which would be the best for going thru the canal/locks.
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First off yes I already posted on the Panama board but its not too active so hoping to get more help here. We are on the Radiance on 2/27 and will go to Colon, Panama for the first time and don't know what is the best tour to see the canal/locks If anyone can help we would appreciate it! You don't need to quote all of this for anyone willing to reply/help us out since its a long post maybe just put the tour number or name and your thoughts or experience.
1. Panama Canal & IMAX Experience
Overview
Take a virtual trip through the Panama Canal with an IMAX experience before exploring the former Canal zone and learning its history.
Highlights
- Visit Panama's first IMAX theater and settle in for "Panama Canal in 3D: A Land Divided, a World United," a spectacular, 3-D documentary that takes you from the days Conquistadores struggled through a water-soaked quagmire to the engineering achievement that established the canal as revolutionary in shipping and tropical medicine.
- Enjoy free time at the IMAX experience and a panoramic tour of the Old Canal Zone to learn more about the canal's history.
2. Grand Tour of PanamaOverview
Enjoy gliding along the historic Panama Canal on an exciting boat ride while learning the ins and outs of how this structural wonder operates, serving as a key channel for international trade. Cruise on the Chagres River to Gatun Lake, where a lush tropical paradise replete with exotic flora and fauna emerges. Watch as the waters of Gatun feed the Panama Canal locks system. Along the way, discover the culture of the Emberá people of Neopono Puru Island and take in a traditional tribal dance.
Highlights
- Panama Canal: Enjoy the beauty and wonder of this famous passageway as you cruise along, learning about the Canal’s role as a primary channel for international trade.
- Gatun Lake: See the luscious flora and fauna of the Panamanian rainforest.
- Emberá Culture: Take in a traditional tribal dance, and learn about the customs and way of life among the Emberá people.
3. Eco Cruise on Gatun Lake
Overview
Cruise along the vast jungle area surrounding Gatun Lake and prepare yourself for a wildlife extravaganza. You will ride along the back channels, islands, and bays of this unique waterway to get an up close glimpse of the capuchin monkeys and other animals that inhabit this area. Have your camera ready to take advantage of the abundant photo opportunities, and listen along as your guide describes the culture, history, and ecology of this unspoiled region.
Highlights
- Wildlife: Keep your camera handy! Likely sightings include capuchin monkeys, sloths, toucans, crocodiles, and many other rainforest creatures.
- Gatun Lake: Built to accommodate the Panama Canal, this vast beautiful lake covers hundreds of acres of former rainforest.
4. Panama City Tour & Canal Locks
Overview
Watch closely as the rich history, dynamic culture, and engineering prowess of Panama comes alive on a full-day tour that includes a stroll through Panama City and a stop at the world famous Panama Canal. Begin the day with a panoramic drive to bustling Panama City, the first European city established on the Pacific Coast of the Americas. As you pass cosmopolitan cityscapes and old Panamanian ruins, you’ll listen to the region’s expansive history from your guide. Hop off the bus and embark on a walking tour through the Casco Viejo historic district, across narrow cobblestone pathways and past stunning Spanish colonial edifices. Here you’ll admire wrought-iron balconies, roam plazas, view 300-year-old churches, and hear the rhythm of Latin music. Then enjoy an up-close glimpse of the Panama Canal, considered the world’s greatest shortcut. With a visit to the Agua Clara Locks (expansion center), you’ll learn the history and construction process behind this feat of engineering.
Highlights
- Guided Tour: Hear tales of old Panama City and learn about its modern cosmopolitan charms from an informative guide.
- Casco Antiguo "Old Quarters" is a World Heritage Site.
- Visit the Agua Clara Locks of the Panama Canal and learn about the history behind it.
- Refreshments: Snacks are included on bus ride.
5. Portobelo & Agua Clara Locks
Overview
Discover the best of Panama during this half-day tour. First, drive to Portobelo, where you’ll roam the same streets feared buccaneer Captain Morgan did 300 years ago. Later, visit the Agua Clara Locks or Expansion Center, see the results of the world’s largest construction project, and learn how the canals expansion has changed the flow of global trade.
Highlights
- Visit Portobelo: a Colonial era Caribbean trading center surrounded by 17th century Spanish Conquistador Forts, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- A UNESCO World Heritage Site: Learn all about Portobelo's colorful history as a pirate haven for Captain Henry Morgan and other buccaneers.
- Expansion Center: Return to Colon to visit the Agua Clara Locks in the Panama Canal Zone and see the results of the world's largest construction project.
6. Panama Canal and Monkey Eco Tour
Overview
Bring your sense of adventure on this guided tour of the protected wild life sanctuaries on Lake Gatun's islands. Speed through the Panama Canal by boat and enter the labyrinth of jungle-covered islands along Lake Gatun, where naturalist guides will educate you on the wildlife that live there and their tropical habitats. Among the inhabitants you may spot are capuchin monkeys, three-toed sloths, howler monkeys, toucans, caimans, crocodiles, turtles, butterflies, and many species of rainforest flora.
Highlights
- Panama Canal: Speed alongside massive ships navigating this man-made passage.
- Lake Gatun: Learn about the rainforest that surrounds this man-made lake and how it provides shelter for native plants and wildlife.
- Naturalist Guides: Heighten your jungle and canal adventure with expert information on the surrounding ecosystem.
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Thank you so much for the information! We are interested in the Canal & Monkey tour but it is sold out so good to know we can ask onboard. Which tour would you choose from the above? If we book one and then the monkey tour is available onboard can we just cancel the original purchased one and buy the new one? We don't normally do ship tours but know we definitely need to.
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BillB48 Here are the descriptions of the tours available. I appreciate your or anyones input or experience of these tours. I think you have convinced us to do the canals now to pick which tour. You don't need to quote all of this for anyone willing to reply/help us out since its a long post maybe just put the tour number or name and your thoughts or experience.
1. Panama Canal & IMAX Experience
Overview
Take a virtual trip through the Panama Canal with an IMAX experience before exploring the former Canal zone and learning its history.
Highlights
- Visit Panama's first IMAX theater and settle in for "Panama Canal in 3D: A Land Divided, a World United," a spectacular, 3-D documentary that takes you from the days Conquistadores struggled through a water-soaked quagmire to the engineering achievement that established the canal as revolutionary in shipping and tropical medicine.
- Enjoy free time at the IMAX experience and a panoramic tour of the Old Canal Zone to learn more about the canal's history.
2. Grand Tour of PanamaOverview
Enjoy gliding along the historic Panama Canal on an exciting boat ride while learning the ins and outs of how this structural wonder operates, serving as a key channel for international trade. Cruise on the Chagres River to Gatun Lake, where a lush tropical paradise replete with exotic flora and fauna emerges. Watch as the waters of Gatun feed the Panama Canal locks system. Along the way, discover the culture of the Emberá people of Neopono Puru Island and take in a traditional tribal dance.
Highlights
- Panama Canal: Enjoy the beauty and wonder of this famous passageway as you cruise along, learning about the Canal’s role as a primary channel for international trade.
- Gatun Lake: See the luscious flora and fauna of the Panamanian rainforest.
- Emberá Culture: Take in a traditional tribal dance, and learn about the customs and way of life among the Emberá people.
3. Eco Cruise on Gatun Lake
Overview
Cruise along the vast jungle area surrounding Gatun Lake and prepare yourself for a wildlife extravaganza. You will ride along the back channels, islands, and bays of this unique waterway to get an up close glimpse of the capuchin monkeys and other animals that inhabit this area. Have your camera ready to take advantage of the abundant photo opportunities, and listen along as your guide describes the culture, history, and ecology of this unspoiled region.
Highlights
- Wildlife: Keep your camera handy! Likely sightings include capuchin monkeys, sloths, toucans, crocodiles, and many other rainforest creatures.
- Gatun Lake: Built to accommodate the Panama Canal, this vast beautiful lake covers hundreds of acres of former rainforest.
4. Panama City Tour & Canal Locks
Overview
Watch closely as the rich history, dynamic culture, and engineering prowess of Panama comes alive on a full-day tour that includes a stroll through Panama City and a stop at the world famous Panama Canal. Begin the day with a panoramic drive to bustling Panama City, the first European city established on the Pacific Coast of the Americas. As you pass cosmopolitan cityscapes and old Panamanian ruins, you’ll listen to the region’s expansive history from your guide. Hop off the bus and embark on a walking tour through the Casco Viejo historic district, across narrow cobblestone pathways and past stunning Spanish colonial edifices. Here you’ll admire wrought-iron balconies, roam plazas, view 300-year-old churches, and hear the rhythm of Latin music. Then enjoy an up-close glimpse of the Panama Canal, considered the world’s greatest shortcut. With a visit to the Agua Clara Locks (expansion center), you’ll learn the history and construction process behind this feat of engineering.
Highlights
- Guided Tour: Hear tales of old Panama City and learn about its modern cosmopolitan charms from an informative guide.
- Casco Antiguo "Old Quarters" is a World Heritage Site.
- Visit the Agua Clara Locks of the Panama Canal and learn about the history behind it.
- Refreshments: Snacks are included on bus ride.
5. Portobelo & Agua Clara Locks
Overview
Discover the best of Panama during this half-day tour. First, drive to Portobelo, where you’ll roam the same streets feared buccaneer Captain Morgan did 300 years ago. Later, visit the Agua Clara Locks or Expansion Center, see the results of the world’s largest construction project, and learn how the canals expansion has changed the flow of global trade.
Highlights
- Visit Portobelo: a Colonial era Caribbean trading center surrounded by 17th century Spanish Conquistador Forts, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- A UNESCO World Heritage Site: Learn all about Portobelo's colorful history as a pirate haven for Captain Henry Morgan and other buccaneers.
- Expansion Center: Return to Colon to visit the Agua Clara Locks in the Panama Canal Zone and see the results of the world's largest construction project.
6. Panama Canal and Monkey Eco Tour
Overview
Bring your sense of adventure on this guided tour of the protected wild life sanctuaries on Lake Gatun's islands. Speed through the Panama Canal by boat and enter the labyrinth of jungle-covered islands along Lake Gatun, where naturalist guides will educate you on the wildlife that live there and their tropical habitats. Among the inhabitants you may spot are capuchin monkeys, three-toed sloths, howler monkeys, toucans, caimans, crocodiles, turtles, butterflies, and many species of rainforest flora.
Highlights
- Panama Canal: Speed alongside massive ships navigating this man-made passage.
- Lake Gatun: Learn about the rainforest that surrounds this man-made lake and how it provides shelter for native plants and wildlife.
- Naturalist Guides: Heighten your jungle and canal adventure with expert information on the surrounding ecosystem.
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4 hours ago, BillB48 said:
I am assuming you are just making a port call in Colon and not transiting the Canal. If you are trying to avoid the longer bus travel, only one of those tour suggestions possibly does not involve a fair amount of bus travel. Almost every tour listed will involve transportation to the some location on the Pacific side. The bus ride over and back is really not a bad trip, a large part of it is over an expressway and while I would allow an hour an a half each way the trip is really just a little over an hour. However there is always a couple of stragglers that are the last to get on the bus and the like... so the hour and half is probably more accurate. The bus ride to Portobelo does not go to the Pacific side and is over secondary roads going through some country side as well working class towns
I think if you want to go through the locks and see a good part of the most interesting parts of the Canal, I really think that still is your best choice. Although I don't believe you listed that tour. The boat portion of the tour lasts about 4.5 hours, but that often times depends of the vagaries of shipping. In other words ship happens and that can cause the longer tour times.
About the only tour that would offer a chance of a little shopping and local food sampling would be the Colonial Panama on Your Own. There has been in the past ample native goods available in the area of the Las Bovedas and Plaza Francia. As far as food goes, I am not much help there, I know there are a number of boutique restaurants, read high prices and probably not that representative of "comida tipica" (local food) in this section of Panama City. Interesting sites in Colonial Panama (also called Casco Antiguo or Viejo) are the Panama Canal Museum, Palacio de Las Garzas (Presidential Palace), Church of San Jose (Church of the Golden Altar), the ruins of the Convent and Church of Santo Domingo (Flat Arch) as well as Las Bovedas mentioned earlier. While the Casco is not that big, I am not sure how convenient these sites would be to visit walking on your own.
There are lots of interesting things to see in Panama and well worth the visit, to me the Canal is the star. If there is anyway to do the partial transit that would be my first choice. The good thing is the partial transit will not spoil the experience when you return on a full transit cruise. If you have any questions about the other tours I'll try to answer them, just try to include some of Royal's description of the tour. I looked at their website and could not find much that detailed the tour.
Thank you so much for the information! I will post descriptions of the tours.
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4 hours ago, hey-buc said:
http://www.cartagenatour.com/, you can also find her here on Cruise Critic
Thank you and I did already find this on another CC post and emailed and booked our tour with her so we are excited about that. Now to figure out what to do in Colon.
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We are sailing on the Radiance of the Seas on 2/27 and will be our first time to Panama and we can't decide what to do. We don't normally take ship excursions but it sounds like it is the best option here especially being our first time. We want to go through the canal/locks and would like a little shopping and try some local food but reading a few reviews on the long 7 hour day that includes a lot of travel/bus time were not so sure anymore. Make us feel better about the long day and help us decide please, lol. If you have any input, suggestions, etc. on the below ship excursions please let me know or if you have any links to reviews of them we would appreciate that.
Panama Canal and IMAX experience
Grand Tour of Panama
Eco Cruise on Gatun Lake
Panama City Tour and Canal Locks
Portobelo & Agua Clara Locks
Panama Canal and Monkey Eco Tour (sold out but wondering if spots might open up)
Soar Through the Rainforest on the Gamboa Resort Aerial Tram (I'm scared of heights so not sure I could do this)
Colonial Panama On Your Own
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We are on the Radiance of the Seas on Feb 27th and wondering the same. We also have a balcony cabin on deck 9.
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16 hours ago, LeeW said:
Colon means partial canal transit. You will enter around sunrise and lock up to the lake. Tours will depart from there. Then lock back down and go to Colon dock. Highly recommend the small boat through the rest of the canal if you haven't done this before. Goes by various names so read descriptions. All day tour but they usually serve a lunch onboard. Ask the pilot about the dent in the Miraflores lock.
Thank you for the information and everyone else too! We have never been to Panama or Columbia so those are both new ports and we have no idea what to do or how safe anything is to do on your own. Do you know in the cruise planner what specific tour you mentioned for the small boat through the canal? Or if anyone has done the tours below has any input?
Panama Canal and IMAX experience
Grand Tour of Panama
Eco Cruise on Gatun Lake
Panama City Tour and Canal Locks
Portobelo & Agua Clara Locks
Panama Canal and Monkey Eco Tour (sold out)
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We are just off the Adventure and didn't see any big payouts but did hear about a few hand pays. I think in the end we donated more than we won, lol. We are going on the Radiance on Feb 27th for the first time so would love to see your thoughts/review/pictures on your sailing and how the casino is. Enjoy your cruise!!
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2 hours ago, hey-buc said:
In Columbia, I highly recommend Dora the explorer, we were with her this pass December.
Is she a tour guide? How do we book or find information online?
Thank you
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Thanks for the review! We just booked our first sailing on the Radiance for 2/27 a 10night and are excited. Do you have a picture of just the show schedule? We were wondering what the production shows, etc. will be.
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We just got of the Adventure yesterday and had a great time. Did our first B2B, a 4nt then 5nt and it was also a new ship for us. For the first time we booked with Next Cruise while onboard yesterday and are sailing on another new to us ship the Radiance on 2/27. We are excited to do a 10 night and go to 2 new to us ports, Cartagena, Columbia and Colon, Panama. We also stop in Costa Maya, Roatan and Cozumel so also port heavy to us but we are excited. Now on to research the ship and the new for us ports. If anyone has any recommendations or input on the ship or Cartagena or Colon please share!
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Thanks again for taking the time to do the review and answer questions! Do you have a picture of the show schedule?
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We have been to Cozumel multiple times on cruises and this year finally decided to do our whole vacation in Cozumel in Feb. Well we liked it so much we extended that stay by a few nights then after getting home almost immediately booked a return 2 weeks later. Went back in May for a week with our kids then went back in Aug for 2 weeks staying at a fantastic rental. We love Casa Mexicana or doing a rental. I did a food review for our 2 week stay I will link below. In Nov we took our first cruise since March 2020 and in Cozumel took a taxi downtown to walk around, visit with new friends, shop and then lunch at Cerveceria Punta Sur. In Jan we are doing the Adventure b2b so two port days in Cozumel and we plan to have lunch at Cocina Economica Las Palmas on 25 Avendia one stop and at Guidos on the other stop.
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1 hour ago, Ret MP said:
We have a January 2024 cruise booked out of Galveston on the Harmony. Can't wait! I'm happy with the itinerary, for the most part. We are going to Roatan. We've been booked on cruises, not on RCCL, that were supposed to go to Roatan but were diverted because of weather. So, we're looking forward to going there on RCCL. Not to excited about Cuz. We've been there far too often. But, their adult beverages are good, so I'll make the best of it. I think we have only been to Porta Maya once. So, we're good with that. I really like cruising out of Galveston, one of my favorite ports. I really like that we will have 3 full days of cruising/at sea.
Until Wonder came out, Harmony was the last Oasis Class ship that we haven't cruised on. Now we need to work on Wonder. We're always playing catch-up with the new ships. Now we have to think about Icon, too. We've also don't two Quantum Class ships and I guess we have two more of those to think about. This is fun, I like playing catch-up with cruising. Something to look forward to.
We will also be glad to have a new port going out of Galveston. For anyone tired of Cozumel take a taxi downtown and just explore, lots of food and shopping. For nice handmade clothes Allum the Hands of Mexico which I did a review on the Cozumel forum. For places to eat we have now stayed in Cozumel 4 times this year and Love it I did a food review from our 2 week August trip I will link below. In Nov we took a taxi downtown walked around, shopped, visited with friends we made while staying there then lunch a Cerveceria Punta Sur. In Jan we will port there twice so one lunch at Conina Economica Las Palmas on 25 Avenida and another at Guidos on Melgar.
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Which excursion ?
in Royal Caribbean International
Posted
Thanks & I'll go back and take at look at that one.