Richard in Panama

Thanks CAA - a great review of an interesting trip that is pretty much off the radar on CC. Relatively new although I'd heard of it, I've never actually heard from someone who took the trip. There is SO much of Panama that you miss if you just barrel through the Canal without really seeing Panama. This trip gives you a chance to see the Canal from a small boat, very different aspect than transiting on a Panamax cruise ship with thousands of fellow passengers. The small ship experience - although with only 24 passengers this is REALLY small - is totally different than on a big ship. So even for folks who've been "through" the Canal, this is a neat option.

 

 

Regards, Richard

Christmas on a ship is wonderful! Someone ELSE does all the work and you just enjoy! There will be families, but the ship will have extra staff on to help with kids programs. One side of the ship is as good as the other. In the Canal you want to be out and about while you are in Gatun Locks seeing the operation from all angles. In terms of the Canal itself the bigger concern would be what shore excursion you are going to book. When you are in Gatun Lake you have the opportunity to get off the ship and see some of Panama, but those trips have to be booked with the ship. While you are off on tour the ship goes back through Gatun Locks to Colon to wait for the tours to return. There is really nothing to see or do in Colon. It is not a safe area to walk around. The ship is only docking there to pick up folks returning from tours. There are fantastic tour opportunities ... cultural, historical, and nature!

 

The more you know in advance about the Canal and Panama and its history and present reality the better you will enjoy your trip.

 

And even if the ship is in the Canal on Christmas Day, Santa will find you! This pic was taken in the Canal on Christmas Day.

 

 

Regards, Richard

1midsun, This is a question which comes up a lot. Like most things there is no one "best" . . . The only advantage in terms of the Canal itself of a Southbound cruise is that usually the clocks are set back so getting up at 5 am to see the entire process doesn't seem quite that early.

 

If you don't want to actually get off the ship and see some of Panama [big loss, really!] then a repositioning cruise is going to be your best option price-wise. These are offered fall and spring when the ships are moving between Alaska and the Caribbean. Fall you can run the risk of a tropical depression in the Caribbean, and in spring there are northerly winds which make it feel a lot cooler in the Canal itself.

 

The passage Atlantic to Pacific is actually a southward passage, and Pacific to Atlantic is a northern passage since Panama runs east west not north south.

 

To anticipate, one side of the ship isn't any better than the other side. There is no way to psych out which chamber of the locks the ship will be assigned.

 

The more you read and prepare the more you will enjoy our voyage.

 

Regards, Richard

I work for both and like them both, but ... usually Holland can, and will, open the foredeck for guests.

 

 

Regards, Richard

If you are willing to pay the difference there is nothing better than a balcony for a cruise. However, in terms of the Canal Day itself, it's nice, but certainly not necessary. A lot of times when you are at sea it can be too windy to enjoy your balcony, but because you are going slowly through the Canal, it's nice. Nice, not necessary. If your ship offers breafast or lunch served on your balcony with champagne ... it's VERY nice!

 

Regards, Richard

Is there anyone out there who has been to Cristobal Panama and who can give me the total low down on this port and what they did there and when they were there. We will be stopping there on our 10 day Divina cruise and looking for as much info as we can get to decide what we will do there on our visit.:cool:

Cristobal ["Christopher'] is actually part of Colon ["Columbus']. Colon is now the third largest city in Panama, infamous for it's high crime rate and famous for its giant, sprawling Free Port, second only to Hong Kong. It is NOT "Duty Free Shopping" but a giant "city" where buyers come from all over the Americas to trade in large quantities wholesale. There is nothing to do in Colon itself and you don't want to walk around on your own. This is a place to either book a tour through the ship or work independently with a good tour operator, planning in advance. That being said, it is a wonderful jumping off point for a whole lot of exciting tours! Tours in Panama usually focus on one of three areas of interest, with, obviously, some overlap: Culture [think National Geographic], History, or Nature. Since you are "looking for as much info as we can get" ... not to plug my book, but since you asked, there's a whole chapter on the tours with photos as well. Get off the ship, get out of Colon, and see some of Panama!

 

There are two ports in Colon, almost next to one another. Homeport, used by RCCL and Celebrity primarily, and Colon 2000, used primarily by Carnival companies. I'm not real familiar with MSC's operation, but it appears as if you are not going into or through the Canal, just making a port stop in Panama, so I would lean to a tour that would take you through or at least to the Canal. I was surprised on the MSC Web site to see that they say they don't have tours in "Cristobal". Almost all the cruise lines offer tours from the same few big tour companies, often with different names, but the same tours. There are great independent operators as well, and if you read through posts on the BB you'll find lots of recommendations.

 

 

Regards, Richard

Valiamo, I'm not sure what Web sites you are looking at ... Princess, Holland America, and Celebrity/Royal Caribbean are all doing Canal trips in February. The Canal trip you book is important as there are lots of considerations and variations, which is why I've included a chapter in my book about "Booking Passage." This is a good time to book for next year because a lot of the cruise lines have good advance booking discounts. As far as the Canal itself goes one stateroom is no "better" than another, since during the Canal passage you want to be out and about the ship seeing the Canal from all vantage points. My advice is to book a trip that lets you get off and spend a day seeing Panama and not just a ship that barrels through without stopping.

 

Regards, Richard

A group of 14 of us have booked the Coral Princess for January 2015 for a Partial Transit of the Panama Canal. Does anyone know if the Coral Princess offers Lectures of what to expect as we prepare for the Canal transit? We've heard other cruise lines such as Celebrity offered daily lectures on the Canal and what we will be experiencing.

 

Thanks

 

Brian

Brian, A very good question for Princess. A Canal cruise isn't just a quick "getaway" or R&R cruise for a week in the Caribbean. The reason why most people go on a Canal cruise is not line dancing, bingo, art auctions, teeth whitening, Botox, or even production shows, but THE CANAL. Naturally people want to know all they can in advance, and through lectures on board. Some cruise lines drag out an old David Mc Cullough video, a great video when it was made on Royal Viking (which ceased operation in 1998!), but a whole lot has happened, and is happening since then!

 

Regards, Richard

I would love to get your new book, Richard. Is it PANAMA CANAL DAY: AN ILLUSTRATED GUIDE TO CRUISING THE PANAMA CANAL?

 

JuanL, Yes, that's it! I think you'll find it answers a lot of questions about tours and provides a lot of valuable information and history. For most people a trip through the Panama Canal isn't "just another cruise" but a special journey. The more you know about the Canal, it's history and place as "the crossroads of the world", the more you will get out of your Canal cruise.

 

Best wishes to you and your Mom. I know you'll enjoy the trip whatever you choose to do.

 

Regards, Richard

Unfortunately, I'm not sure I'd recommend the Embera tour. Folks always ask similar questions which is why in my new book I included pics of people getting in the boats (walking down a slope which can be muddy), walking up ... sometimes with assistance ... from the river to the village, folks boarding the train, boarding the ferry boat, etc., believing that a picture is worth a thousand words.

 

Steps to the tender really depends on the ship. The crew will do everything possible to assist you in getting ashore. On many of the newer ships there is a small elevator that will take you down to near the tender platform. The crew is used to assisting people getting on and off the tender. Once you get ashore it is a walk to the bus. Wheelchair MAY work, but understand sometimes these passage ways aren't smooth paved concrete.

 

Another consideration is others on the tour. Every tour, unfortunately, is not for every body. While people may admire you and your mom's "can do" attitude, the time in Panama is short and there is a lot to see. If you do decide on the Embera tour, I'd check with Anne Gordon to see if she could do a private tour for you (obviously probably costing more than the ship tour). Good luck! It's unfortunate that for many people by the time they take those "dream," "lifetime" trips, they are physically unable to enjoy everything.

 

Regards, Richard

JuanL, When I was working a segment of the World Cruise a lady in a wheelchair told me about a Web site which is specifically designed for wheelchair travelers and has a wealth of information about what is available in different countries. It amazed me the things she came up with. I don't remember the site, and am not sure what, if any, outreach it has in Panama, but it would be worth spending some time on Google. In one case I remember the site connected her with volunteers in the country who volunteered to aid and assist her. Just a thought ... if you discover anything, be sure to post it.

 

I suppose you've already searched through the "disabled" cruise travel bulletin board on CC.

 

Regards, Richard

PANAMA CITY - GATUN:

We are interested in the Princess tour to the colonial city of Panama, Miraflores Locks Center & Scenic Drive (PC1-115). Our thinking in this, and in Cartegena, is to take the wheelchair which she can push like a grocery cart and if she gets tired, I'll push her.

 

Questions:

1) Tendering: Are there steep steps going from ship to tender and will they take a fold-up wheelchair?

2) Can we take the wheelchair on the bus to Panama City and could I push her around on the tour, if needed? We would be willing to wait out anything that would be too complicated on the tour.

3) Princess says the Miraflores Visitors Center is not wheelchair accessible, but the Visitors Center website says all entrances are accessible. Anyone know what the actual situation is for people with some mobility issues?

I would definitely talk with the Princess tour people and rely on their advice, if necessary asking to speak with a supervisor, and noting their name. I suspect the problem is more with the tender and the bus. There are definitely steps to the tender. There is a difference between being wheelchair bound and needing to use a wheelchair some of the time. The ship and the tender can be moving in different directions at times and it is a challenge just to get guests who walk on and off safely. Many of the buses used for tours do not have any place underneath to store wheelchairs, even if you mom is not wheelchair bound.Some

times, as at Miraflores Center, the tour buses have to park and drop off at one place, while cars can use a different place. One may be wheelchair accessible and the other may not be.Accessibility is a rather new concept in much of the world, including Panama. We are just now beginning to see handicap parking spaces.On some of these stops there may be tour buses that have one or two spots for wheelchairs, but, again, you have to work closely and in advance with Shore Ex.Regards, Richard

The only possible negative for fall is that it is still hurricane season in the Caribbean. Although Panama is outside the hurricane belt the path across the Caribbean isn't. The rain, whenever you go, is warm and usually is tropical showers. I like January-March because the winds in Panama blow from the north. There is less chance of rain, but, I think more importantly, the northerly winds keep the winds blowing across the deck of the ship making it feel cooler and less humid if you're not used to tropical weather.

 

Regards, Richard

Your times should work fine! It's Saturday morning so there will be a ess traffic. Have a fantastic cruise!!

 

Regards, Richard

by eMail: mario@myfriendmario.com

 

by phone (507) 6615-2271

 

For Embera Village tours you can try emberavillagetours.com

Regards, Richard

There is a Radisson Hotel right next to the pier in Colon. It is very nice. They might be able to set up a transfer for you as well.

 

I would suggest arranging transfers in advance, and not just depending on getting a transfer at the airport when you arrive when you are tired, anxious, and will pay whatever. Here's a link that lists a number of transfer and cab services. You'll have to invest some time and send some emails to set something up.

 

Don't be tempted to wander around Colon: not safe. There is a nice restaurant in the hotel, Super 99 grocery store for those last minute essentials is right next door.

 

Have a great trip!

 

Regards, Richard

I have a big concern and that is how far is sit from the ship? What assurance would we have of getting back to the ship on time?

 

Good questions! I'd give him a call and ask. 507 is the country code for Panama and I'm sure you can find a number on his web site. No area codes. Cell phone numbers are 8 digits.

 

Regards, Richard

 

BTW - The only folks I know who can guarantee the ship won't leave with out you is the Shore Ex people on board. Shore Ex Mgr is usually the last person to cross the gangway.

Gatun Lake Safari [Nature: Fuerte Amador]

 

This tour is operated by a “gringo” [not an offensive term in Panama, just descriptive of expats] who actually lives on a houseboat on Gatun Lake. This tour used to be offered through the cruise lines. Now you have to book it independently and directly with Captain Carl. [JungleLandPanama.com]

About 20 guests ride in small boats across Gatun Lake into some of the many little eddies and bays. This guy knows where the troops of monkeys hang out. When I did the tour we saw five of the six different types of monkeys and in several places the monkeys came right on the boat to eat grapes out of our hands. We saw caiman, iguana and sloths as well as monkeys. It is the one tour where I can almost guarantee you will actually see some of the abundance of wildlife living in the protected area that surrounds Gatun Lake. Lunch is served on Captain Carl's houseboat and if you like you can view and hold some of his pet animals.

 

From my new book ... I've done almost all of these Panama Canal tours. In my opinion Captain Carl's is one of the best, if you are interested primarily in NATURE. You've got three choices, with some overlap, for Panama tours: Culture, History and Nature. Independent or with the cruise line. I've done the Jungle Land tour several times and loved it!

 

Getting back to the ship ... make it clear when booking with Captain Carl what the back-on-board time is, and he will pretty much know if it will work for you or not. Regards, Richard

Josh, Figure about $25-35 an hour for the cab. Just work something out with the cab driver. He'll probably be happy to wait for you. Just arrange before you hop in the cab and, naturally, you don't pay anything until you are back at the ship. Official cabs in Panama are yellow with checkered stripe on the side, but there are also some independents. With your kids I'd stick with a yellow cab. Regards, Richard

Ft. Lauderdale, Florida Thursday, December 18

 

At Sea Friday, December 19

 

Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands Saturday, December 20 - Wander

 

At Sea Sunday, December 21 - Go to lectures about Panama and the Canal

 

Limon, Costa Rica Monday, December 22 - Do an excursion here - it's called "Lemon Port" for a reason! There are some really neat tours here and I'd recommend doing them through the ship.

 

Panama Canal, Panama (Gatun Lake) Tuesday, December 23 - Because you will be stopping in Gatun Lake, and the Canal authorities won't let you disembark unless you have booked a shore excursion through the ship - you've got to book through the ship. My favorite tour is the "Authentic Embera Village Tour". Definitely get off the ship and see something of Panama. The ship will stop at Colon to pick up folks who went on tours. There is NOTHING to see or do in Colon. Get off and you'll spend most of your time in a long line to get back on the ship. Colon is NOT a town in which to wander around. In my new PANAMA CANAL DAY book I devote an entire chapter to the tours available.

 

Colon, Panama Tuesday, December 23 - Again this is just a few hours to pick up folks on tour. Nothing to see or do.

 

Cartagena, Colombia Wednesday, December 24 - Definitely go to the old town. You can do this on a ship tour, or get a cab, or van with a few other folks and do it on your own.

 

At Sea Thursday, December 25

 

Aruba Friday, December 26 - Nice place to wander. When you come out of the port if you go straight ahead you'll be at a bus terminal. You can take a bus to the beach if you like and the bus WILL take US money.

 

At Sea Saturday, December 27

 

At Sea Sunday, December 28

 

Ft. Lauderdale, Florida Monday, December 29

 

Thanks in advance for all your help!

 

Prepare a little in advance. Do some reading - ahem!! - and you will get a whole lot more out of your trip.

 

Regards, Richard

Many people do not realize that the tourist business and passenger ships/trains are not the primary business of the Canal or Panama Railway. Folks sometimes get upset if the excursion train has to sit for 20 or 30 minutes and wait for a train full of containers that have to get to the other side of the Isthmus before their ship gets there. They were offloaded on one side, taken by rail to the other, because they obstructed the view required for the ship to pass through the Canal.

 

Actually the passenger transit segment, ships carrying over 50 passengers which would include giant cruise ships as well as the ferry you were on, accounts for only 8.9 percent of Canal revenue. In 2013 there were 206 passenger ship transits carrying 225,367 passengers, out of over 14,000 transits. Everything is designed to maximize revenue and get the most ships through the Canal in the shortest possible time, which often means the Canal ferry is waiting for a larger, more profitable ship, to share the lock.

 

 

Bill, can you contact me? Thanks!

 

 

Regards, Richard

Appreciate the clarification. This might be the port where you do the excursion, and at some of the other ports just do your own thing. Have a great trip! Regards, Richard

I think that's the point of this post- we are looking for non-excursion suggestions that are near the port or originating from the port. As someone who clearly has experience in Panama, maybe it would be more constructive to offer some advice?

 

With all due respect, I think you will find scores of suggestions if you take the time to browse through this board. You will find that a) there is really nothing to do in Colon; b) Colon is not a safe city to walk around in; c) The interesting things are quite a way from Colon and Home Port. There are independent operators but you want "non-excursions", not sure what that means, If you're thinking of renting a car, forget it. Other than hiring a cab for the day . . . is that a "non-excursion"??

 

Regards. Richard

Coming to Panama and just staying on the ship would be like going to Venice, New York, Boston, Southampton, Pireaus or Civitaveccia and just staying on the ship! You've come all this way ... why not see some of the country you've visitig????

 

Regards, Richard

I'm trying to learn more about the different tribes and locations. Where does the Island Princess take their guests on their tour? I will be going in April of this year.

 

There is no way to know for certain which village they will use. The "best" and most authentic village is Embera Puru, which is the one Princess normally uses. However, to get there you cross Madden Lake and go up the San Juan Pequini River. April is the end of the dry season, and Madden Lake provides water for the Canal if Gatun Lake is low, which it may well be at the end of the dry season. When the Canal pulls a lot of water from Madden, the river drops. In April it will be very likely that the river to Embera Puru will be too low to get there, other than hiking up the river bed, so it is likely you will visit another village.

 

But go anyway . . . these are wonderful people and I'm sure it will be an experience you will remember for a long time. Regards, Richard