Has any one ever traveled in a family ocean view cabin for 3 kids and 2 adults? If so, what ship offers

reasonable fares? Ideally, we are 11 people ( 3 children - 1 family,  2 children-1 family) plus one couple.  We can break up into 2 family ocean view cabins and one

balcony. Just looking at possibilities now. We are hoping for the family cabins to be very reasonable. We

would like to leave out of any port near NYC. Just doing research now and don't have any particular destination or dates

in mind. But need to leave and return from same port.

Thank you in advance.

On 6/2/2023 at 2:55 PM, D. B. said:

I always book a dining package pre cruise and although you cannot book your dining days and times before boarding just make it a point to go Directly to the main dining room maitre de and schedule your days/times there  as they have access to all dining venues on their computer.

  That has always worked for me.

Thank you for the tips.

On 5/29/2023 at 9:54 AM, Arubamoose said:

We did this tour in 2019 on the Reflection.  We docked in Colon and they bussed us to a point on the canal where the tour boats picked us up.  

 

The tour boat was basic.  Buy your own beer, ok food.  Ride was amazing.  Great views.  Got off in Panama City and bussed back to Colon.

 

The issue was waiting for the pilot to show up at the tour boat entry.  They now own up to it and warn you about "substantial delays" in their description.  

 

Picture 300 people waiting for hours in the hot Panama sun with only one bathroom?!?!  They would not let us reboard the busses to wait it out.  It was a poop show to say the least.  Many refunds were issued that evening by those smart enough to complain.

 

Not sure how they do the tour now.  But be warned.  Go potty before!!!

 

We just got off the Edge and did the partial transit.... different views than the tour boat.  Didn't bother with an excursion that day and enjoyed an empty ship.  

Thank you.

22 hours ago, OfTheSeasCruiser said:

Dinner on the Edge is not included in the package

Thank you.

21 hours ago, OfTheSeasCruiser said:

Dinner on the Edge is not included in the package

22 hours ago, jelayne said:

I think Dinner on the Edge is treated like the Chef’s Table and is not included in the dining packages.

22 hours ago, jelayne said:

I think Dinner on the Edge is treated like the Chef’s Table and is not included in the dining packages.

Thank you.

22 hours ago, jelayne said:

I think Dinner on the Edge is treated like the Chef’s Table and is not included in the dining packages.

Thank you.

4 minutes ago, Turtles06 said:

 

I hope the comments above have clarified for you that it is not a "one or the other" situation of missing the locks.  All of this will happen on March 15.  The Beyond will enter the Canal and go through the new Agua Clara locks.  You will be on board.   The ship will then anchor in Gatun Lake, and those who have chosen to take the excursion you are considering will get off for that. 

 

So if you did get off in order to take that excursion, you should through the original locks on the Pacific side and you will have a very different experience than the new locks you had gone through in the morning.  What you would miss would be the Beyond turning around and going back through the Agua Clara locks (which you'd just come through in the morning.)   The ship will dock in Colon to await the guests who headed off on shore excursions from Gatun Lake.

 

I hope you enjoy whichever option you choose. 

Thank you so much! Still trying to decide what to do, but I am clear about everything now.

If I buy a 4 night  Special Dining Package, is Dinner on the Edge a restaurant I can choose from?  I ask this because the per person charge if $118.99

and the complete package for 4 nights is $137.99. I wonder if they exclude the more expensive restaurants from the package? Also, how difficult is it

to reserve the four nights as soon as I get on the ship?  Do I go to each separate restaurant to secure a reservation? If  not, what time does

the maitre d ' show up and where to make the reservations? Thank you.

5 hours ago, mahdnc said:

If I have time later, I'll take a look. 

That’s OK,. All I wanted to know is if they have restrooms. I am sure they do!

9 hours ago, janabelle61 said:

There is a risk of cancellation with the excursion.  The Canal Authority schedules the smaller boat traffic one day before and if the time doesn't fit with the ship schedule,  they will cancel.  Fortunately for my sailing we were able to go, but they notified us with our excursion tickets.

 

The ferry itself is nice, with lots of seating.

Thank you .

That makes a lot of sense. Thank you. 

21 hours ago, RTShaker said:

Once the new new observation area at the historic locks in Gatun is complete the excursion should be about 2 hours less. It was interesting enough, but the long drive with no guarantee of seeing a ship in the locks (which we didn't) didn't make it worthwhile for me.

Thank you very much. I don't think it is worth the time either. I apprecitate your feedback.

Thank you for all the info and pictures. They are wonderful! On the  Celebrity Beyond itinerary it has March 15, 2024-Panama Canal: 6:00 AM (A) 3:00 PM (D). The next entry is: March 15, 2024- Colon: 5:00 PM (A)

9:00 PM (D). The next day we are cruising!  So, I am guessing it is one or the other- stay on ship through the locks or miss the locks for the ferry  excursion or another excursion. I will most likely stay on the ship. There may be complications waiting for the ferry to get the okay to go through the locks plus not sure what amenities the ferry has and how busy it will be. We are not up for standing several hours.  Thank you so much for your information. It is very helpful to me.

Has anyone done this tour?  Can you tell me, logistically, what is involved? I don't want to get stuck

in traffic. Also, I am thinking I can learn just as much looking this info up on Youtube or online.

I have read reviews where people get stuck in traffic and it's very HOT in Panama. Thank you.

56 minutes ago, Essiesmom said:

Is your cruise doing a partial transit, or is it just a port call in Colon?  If a partial transit, you will go thru the Agua Clara expansion locks and wouldn’t need that part of the excursion.  Look for something that takes you through some of the original locks.  EM

Yes it is a partial route.

This is a description of the excursion:

It is offered on the 5th day and it is during the partial tour through the Panama Canal.

Not sure if it is worth getting off ship.

Okay- great idea. Thank you.

Has anyone done this tour?  Can you tell me, logistically, what is involved? I don't want to get stuck

in traffic. Also, I am thinking I can learn just as much looking this info up on Youtube or online.

I have read reviews where people get stuck in traffic and it's very HOT in Panama. Thank you.

Thank you. I also found a video on  youtube that showed all of this.

We booked the Coco Beach Full Day Pass. Has anyone done this? I know the area just opened recently. How was the beach area? Were there available umbrellas and chairs on the beach?

Is there a nice swimming area or are the over -the- water cabanas right there?

I signed up for this to have a  nice beach area and a lobster lunch. I don't see anywhere

that people received the lobster, as advertised.

Thank you in advance for your replies.

18 minutes ago, NavyCruiser said:

 

Sorry, didn't want to sound so negative, but just sharing an observation.

99% of the people were very nice, but only takes One know-it-all to ruin it for everyone else...

Here's some suggestions to make it a more enjoyable:

- Ship can spare at least One staff member to keep this organized.  We've shown up to ping-pong play where there's 2 or 3 people & staff member is avail, so if 20+ people show up for PB play, ship can afford to have One staff member there, who can organize different skill levels, ie: beginners, moderates, & wanna-be pros, so that 5.0 players won't be slamming the newbies off the court, & organize who's playing next ... etc.

- Enclose the open area with tennis-court wind screens

- Permanent court lines with painted-in kitchen area

- Have open play times while in port also, when there's less or no wind, rather than just sea days

 

I agree with all of your suggestions! Hopefully, someone at RCCL will read this and take your advice.

17 hours ago, arste said:

 

We were on the Allure in December.  They do provide paddles and balls.  

However, we always pack our paddles when we cruise.

Okay, I will pack mine also. Thank you.