Dock or tender in the Panama Canal

[dijo]

We will be on the Island Princess Panama Canal cruise November 20th with port stops in Aruba,Cartagena,Cristobal, and Limon,Costa Rica. Can anyone tell me whether we dock or tender in these ports?

Thanks,

Dijo

[rdsqrl]

Aruba and Cartagena you'll dock. Not sure about Limon. You can find out for yourself by going to your Cruise Personalizer on the Princess site and once you're logged in to your cruise, click on "Itinerary." If it's a tender port, it'll say Tender Required" in the "Comments" section.

[leoandhugh]

I think you will find that the ship docks at all four ports you mentioned; we have never tendered at any of them. If the ship spends any time in Gatun Lake in the Canal, they may tender pax on shore excursions and pick them up later when docked at Cristobal:)

[RickEk]

Since you're doing the partial transit, once you pass through the Gatun Locks into Gatun Lake, the ship will tender ashore anyone who has booked an excursion. The ship will then exit the locks and dock at Cristobal and wait for the excursions to return. That's the only tendering that you'll be doing on this itinerary.

[Chelseaprincess]

We did the same itinerary last December on the Island. We docked at each of the ports. In Panama, after passing through the locks to Gatun Lake, the ship anchors for about 3-4 hours. If you booked a tour, you would use a tender. Then she will go back through the locks and dock at Cristobal. That’s where they take you to board after the tour.

Hope this helps.

Chelsea