Richard in Panama

A quick read of all this and I don't find a whole lot about "your party" ... but, why do you all have to do the same thing?? Different people have different interests. Everyone would be happiest IMHO and honest opinion if they were free to make their own choices then get together back on the ship and compare experiences and pictures. Regards, Richard

As to the cruise line's descriptions of the tours being kind of vague ... remember, these are being written by folks sitting in an office somewhere who maybe have been on a couple of cruises but are putting together copy from descriptions from tour operators, etc., trying to distill things down into a few sentences that encourage folks to purchase. They usually end up with some vague copy. Some cruise lines include videos from the actual tour which help, others include passenger evaluations of a specific tour ... all of that helps.

When I've been on ships I've noticed that some people go ahead and book two or three tours for the same port at the same time if the system allows you to do that, and then when they get on board go to to lectures and shore ex presentations (if the cruise line is still offering this kind of thing) and then pick one and cancel the rest before the "last day to cancel" date. It kind of scams the system, but a lot of folks were doing it. That's why I always encourage people to wait list for a tour even if it shows "sold out."

When I lecture on ships I always have people coming to ask about the tours and my recommendations, which I honestly give them. In the end it's good for the shore ex people and the passengers even although I don't "work" for shore ex.

I understand why the cruise lines encourage you to book the tours online before sailing and why folks want to avoid standing in shore ex lines to book on board. But generally you don't HAVE to make all the decisions before sailing. Regards, Richard

The cruise line must wait for the local authorities to clear the ship before they can begin disembarking guests. That is the reason for the vague starting times.

True in many cases in ports, but the Canal is a little different. The Canal de Panama already has the manifest of crew and passengers in advance, offloading in the lake the timing has to do with how long it takes to get through Gatun Locks (which may be impacted by the size and kind of ship ahead of you), other traffic, etc.), the actual tender operation from the ship, and all the buses arriving and being in position.

Regards, Richard

A lot of locals have been skeptical about the pushed ahead January 2015 completion date for the Canal Expansion, and now we have a better idea of what that means ... Remember, "TIP" or "This Is Panama" and even the Canal sometimes operates on Panama Time.

(Reuters) - Tests with ships will begin in mid-2015 on a new set of locks that are a key component of an expansion of the Panama Canal, the waterway's chief said on Sunday ....

 

The deadline for completion is now January 2016.

 

On Sunday, Panama Canal Administrator Jorge Quijano said the locks would likely be ready, holding water, by April or May of next year.

 

"We hope to start a series of tests with the locks next year in the month of July or August," Quijano said after overseeing the arrival from Italy of a shipment of four new gates for the locks.

So ... don't wait to book your Panama Canal cruise! Besides I think the original locks are going to continue to be the favorite of cruise ship passengers. The new locks will have some interesting technical features, and they are in Panama, but ... honestly ... If it's on your bucket list to go through the new locks AND you've already experienced the original locks, or the ship you absolutely must sail on is too big to get through the original locks, OK, but I think there are going to be so many big, profitable ships going through the new locks, the LPG containers to China, the super container ships, that most cruise ships are going to continue to use the original locks.

Regards, Richard

In my experience usually off loading guests in Gatun Lake goes amazingly fast. Like every ship tour you sit in the lounge and wait until your tour is called. They don't call a tour until everything is ready ashore. But usually by 10 am or so we were headed back to Gatun Locks.

Just read and check your tour ticket and follow directions.

Regards, Richard

Check out http://www.pancanal.com for more than you ever wanted to know about the Panama Canal.

Regards, Richard

After reading your article on the Embera Indians I am trying to decide which excursion to do? Any advice.

I think they are both great tours. If you only have a day in Panama, the case with Panama Canal cruises that actually stop in Panama, you have to decide what interests you the most ... culture, history, nature, or the Canal itself.

If your interest is cultural ... the Authentic Embera Village Tour is best. Nature ... one of the boat tours around Gatun Lake, rain forest hikes, "monkey island" and the like. History ... Old Panama, Casco Viejo [Colonial Panama], one of the forts. The Canal itself ... probably the Canal Ferry tour is best unless you are already doing a complete transit on the ship. If you're a railroad buff ... the train.

Some tours try to incorporate a little of this and a little of that, but those tours is my my opinion aren't that well designed, just skim the surface and come off as being "touristy." You need an entire day, i.e. longer tour, to see most of the really interesting things if you're port is Colon. If you're stopping on the Pacific side [Amador/Fuerte Amador] and are the independent sort you can see a whole lot on the Hop On Hop Off bus. If you want the Authentic Embera Indian Village experience it is an entire day excursion for either side.

Regards, Richard

It was my impression that if you are on the partial Princess transit, you cannot book a tour except thru Princess because of the need to tender at Gatun Lake. We have booked their authentic Embera tribe tour on our 2/5/15 tour.

Correct. It's a very worthwhile experience and unique to Panama. You'll enjoy!

Regards, Richard

Don, You will see some evidence of the new construction although most if it, by necessity, is set back from the existing locks and Canal. If you're on the top deck, bring your binoculars. You'll see some ongoing dredging as well. It's not like you are sailing through a construction site. If you haven't already checked it out, take a look at the Canal de Panama Web site: www.pancanal.com Regards, Richard

Don, You will see some evidence of the new construction although most if it, by necessity, is set back from the existing locks and Canal. If you're on the top deck, bring your binoculars. You'll see some ongoing dredging as well. It's not like you are sailing through a construction site. Regards, Richard

IMHO to just cruise THROUGH the Panama Canal, although exciting, is like cruising up the Hudson River but not getting off to see New York, sailing into Venice but not getting off the ship to experience Venice, cruising into Sydney Harbor but never exploring Sydney. Bill's right ... the day in Panama is "the cherry on top!"

Check out this video to see what you'd miss ...

Regards, Richard

Don ... Thanks!!! Cruising the Canal is something to get excited about, not just another day in a town overrun with Diamonds International, etc.! So I know you'll have a fantastic cruise. It's 3:30 am in Panama - I'm an early riser, even before the roosters start! The dogs, especially Spot, are in the dog house, outside, for deciding to all howl for the fun of it, inside the house at 2 am. At least cats don't howl! Regards, Richard

Great chance to experience the Canal up close and personal and see significant areas, like Culebra/Gaillard Cut and Miraflores Locks, that you wouldn't otherwise see on a partial transit.

Boarding the Ferry ...

Reach out and touch the Canal ...

Regards, Richard

Are you familiar with the map mentioned by" juniper berries "in the book?

Which one do you think would be better for tracking the transit?

 

BTW...I love your book.

I am using the information to provide my roll call with facts each day.

I am already up to Chapter 10!!

Don, Glad you are enjoying my book [PANAMA CANAL DAY: AN ILLUSTRATED GUIDE TO CRUISING THE PANAMA CANAL] and hope you tell all your friends to buy it ;) and write a review on Amazon. The book "juniper berries" is referring to is PANAMA CANAL BY CRUISE SHIP by Anne Vipond. I think the fold out map at the back of the book is, frankly, one of the best things about the book. The map is on heavy stock and can easily be removed to use while you are doing the transit. The information, as much as she gives, about the Canal and Panama is good, but the book itself is 1/3 about the Panama Canal itself and 2/3 general, somewhat boiler plate information about cruising and all the other ports you might happen to visit on a Panama Canal itinerary. Stuff like which officer has how many bars on the shoulders, Mexican Riviera, Florida, California, Caribbean islands, stuff that first time cruisers may find helpful. My favorite, which has given crew members tons of laughs, is her statement on page - well many of the pages aren't numbered including this one! - "The Purser's Office/Front Desk is the pleasure center of the ship." The poor kids that work the front desk never knew! But the map is great, almost worth the price of he book [$21.95].

So I'm not just pushing MY book ... other books I like are PANAMA FEVER by Matthew Parker and THE CANAL BUILDERS by Julie Greene. The old standard is THE PATH BETWEEN THE SEAS: THE CREATION OF THE PANAMA CANAL 1870-1914 by David McCullough. McCullough is a great historian and the book, although long and weighty, is a great read once you get into it. If there is a problem about McCullough's book for today's cruisers it is that it is a specific history of 1870-1914 and the building of the existing Canal. So much has happened since ... and it is important to understand Panama today and the Canal's role as the "crossroads of the world."

Regards, Richard

I am going on a cruise that will go to Panama next February so I am haunting these boards getting info. Imagine my surprise today when I saw the black and white photos on your post and my sister is in one of the photos. She died several years ago so we are trying to pin down when this photo would have been made. She is in the second photo. I sent this link to her daughters in South Carolina and they agree that it is their Mom. If you could give me any information about when and where that photo was made, I would really appreciate it.

Thank you for all of your information about Panama too!!

Itansil, It was November 2008 on a ZUIDERDAM partial transit out of Ft Lauderdale. Regards, Richard

We did the partial transit Dec '12 and did the "full transit boat tour", we are making a return partial transit again this Jan '15. We were thinking about doing the RR but afraid we would we be disappointed if the views are not available? What other excursions would you recommend in Panama City??

The history of the Panama Railroad is almost as interesting as the history of the Canal itself, which is why I included a chapter just about the railroad. Had the railroad never been completed, I think it would have taken longer for the Canal to come about. It's not that there aren't any views from the train ... but it is primarily a train ride across Panama and wasn't designed especially for Canal viewing. It winds in and out with fascinating glimpses of the Canal along the way.

There are so many great tours to choose from, it just depends on your interests. With the partial transit the independent options aren't available to you. Since you tender off the ship in the Canal you land in a secure area with only a parking area for tour buses for ship-sponsored tours. Taxis, independent operators, etc. aren't permitted in that area.

My favorite is the Authentic Embera Indian Village tour. The one offered by Princess usually visits my favorite and most authentic village Embera Puru. There's lots of discussion of this tour already on this board.

Whatever you do, I know you'll have a great time. There's so much to see and do in Panama ... I'm glad you are coming back!

Regards, Richard

In reading some of the posts about observation points on the ship - most mention how much better the experience is if they have the bow of the ship accessible to passengers and not just the crew.

 

How can I find out which ships allow this?

 

Thanks ahead of time for your info.....!

A tough one! You can ask reservations and I expect in most cases they will have a prepared answer which doesn't really answer the question. So you ask, "Mary, are you prepared to bet your job on that answer?" Not that it will make any difference because a lot of these folks just don't know, or they may think, yea, you can go to the top deck and look out in front of the ship.

I know ZUIDERDAM when I was on always opened the front deck, even had stewards with coffee and "Panama Rolls" out front, chairs for people who had difficulty standing a long time ... and after every Canal call we had a great Hotel Manager who would get everyone together after "Canal Day" and ask, "What could we have done better?" Not sure how things are now.

You can study the deck plan and look at any pictures you can find of the ship. If it's filled with winches and equipment you have your answer. If you find some images with guests all on the bow of the ship, you'll know. And the answer will vary from ship to ship within the same cruise line. Sometimes although it's possible to get there and have a great view, in order to get there you have to go through a crew area. A lot of things vary from ship to ship even within the same fleet, depending on how the Capt and Staff Capt want to interpret things.

Maybe one way is to rephrase the question ...

WHO HAS BEEN ON A CANAL CRUISE RECENTLY WHERE THE SHIP HAS OPENED THE FORE DECK FOR PASSENGERS IN THE CANAL?

No guarantees ... It always amazed me at how much can change when a senior officer changes ... Capt, Staff, Hotel Mgr, CD. Fortunately the crew manages to go with the flow, pick up the pieces and adjust to the changes.

This was Christmas Day on ZUIDERDAM in the Canal when an unexpected guest showed up to join guests on the Fore Deck ...

Regards, Richard

Usually the cruise line puts maps from the Canal in staterooms the night before the transit. All of these maps are pretty basic. If you want the detailed charts of the Canal $27 from http://www.nauticalchartsonline.com. Even waterproof should you be caught out on deck in a tropical downpour. Not a bad souvenir of your trip.

Regards, Richard

Thanks! Looks like the best option is to book a tour in advance. Do you know of a good tour operator that we can use? We are interested in doing a Gatun Locks, rainforest/jungle and fort tour. Do you know which is the better fort to visit - Portobello or San Lorenzo?

I can't make specific operator recommendations, but I'm sure others on this board will have some. I think the cruise lines have a similar tour. Most of the tours on most ships are by a few big operators. An outfit by the name of "Mario" has gotten a lot of favorable comments on CC, but I think his operation has been bought out by another company or is operating under a different name. You're looking to cram a lot into a single port call. The Embera Tour [where I do know Anne Gordon at Emberavillagetours.com is an all day affair. Portobelo, which isn't just the fort but an interesting town about 30 minutes from Colon, takes a while. San Lorenzo is is nearer to Colon, and its possible for them to do a tour that includes Gatun Lock, a taste of the rain forest, and San Lorenzo. As Spanish fortifications go, in my opinion Portobelo is more interesting, but takes longer. Regards, Richard

My cruise ship (MSC Divina) will be docking in Cristobal (not sure if this is same as Colon) on Nov 17. Are there tour operators waiting at the port who offer a variety of tours or do we need to bokk something in advance? Does anyone know of a good tour operator that we can use? We would like to see the Gatun Locks, do a rainforest/jungle excursion and visit a fort (not sure which is the better fort to visit - Portobello or San Lorenzo). Any help/advice would be appreciated!

You can get taxis at the port that will take you around, but this isn't like a lot of developed ports where there are tour operators just waiting for you. IMHO you'd do best to book something through the ship or in advance. If you look through this board you'll find lots of comments about various local tour operators, and use Google and the travel evaluation sites. I believe there is a tour that gives you a GLIMPSE of the rain forest, San Lorenzo and the observation deck at Gatun.

Cristobal (Christopher) was the Canal Zone area of town and Colon (Columbus) was the Panamanian area, now it's just Colon, but the area where the ship docks is still often called Cristobal. There used to be an actual old pier that the ships used that was called Cristobal, but it was turned into a pier for container ships.

I think you'll have the best time making arrangements in advance.

Regards, Richard

Thanks Richard. I've located that board. We are on the Pacific Princess, one of the small girls, so we can access Quepos.

You might do better on the Costa Rica board. Usually ships have stopped in Puntarenas which can has a deep port. Glad to see Quepos now being used as well. Regards, Richard

Richard....

 

That sounds like excellent advice.

 

Thank you....I will be going back and forth on the ship throughout the transit.

What temperatures will I be encountering that time of year?

Is rain a strong possibility?

Approximately what time does the transit usually start?

Last time, it was very early in the morning if I remember correctly....I believe it is a full day journey....correct?

I am sure your book will answer all these questions. It is arriving in a few days!!

 

Regards,

Don

Yes, Don, my book, PANAMA CANAL DAY, will answer these questions and a lot more. I have a question for you, how is Amazon sending you the book? By wagon train? In answer to these questions ...

What temperatures will I be encountering that time of year?

Canal is about 9 degrees off the Equator, the Tropics. So it is always hot and humid. The plus of taking your trip Jan-April, is that we have winds from the north those months and that mitigates the heat. It feels a lot more pleasant.

Is rain a strong possibility? Always. Again tropics. I usually tell folks on Panama Canal Cruises that I guarantee it will rain sometime, and usually I'm right, not always, but usually, even if it's just a few drops.

Approximately what time does the transit usually start?

Cruise ships, who've paid about $30K extra for a guaranteed daylight transit slot, usually are on station around 4 am. It's better to be early than late! Again, hefty fees if you're late. The Canal pilot comes on board around 5 am and usually your approaching the first lock around 6 am. I encourage folks to be up at 5 am and out on the fore deck to experience the entire process. It's a magical time! But, it's your cruise, so you can sleep all morning if you want.

Last time, it was very early in the morning if I remember correctly....I believe it is a full day journey....correct? Complete transit will usually run around 10 hours.

Regards, Richard

Don, Questions are good! No problem. IMHO when you are in the Canal you want to move around, to see everything from all angles. Staying put is a mistake. Maybe when your crossing Gatun Lake, that's the time to have a champagne breakfast served on your balcony, but the rest of the time move around. The folks that just stay glued to the front of the ship make a mistake. Entering the locks the front is a great place to be, but during the lockage take it all in from all angles.

Regards, Richard

Thank you for making it possible!

Regards, Richard