Panama - cruise ship tours

[piper]

We are on the 11/9 sailing of the Zuiderdam. We have read the reviews of the ship's tours and they are overwhelmingly negative. Does anyone have advice on which tours to take in Cartegena, Colon (Panama) and Puerto Limon?

 

Thanks

[CruiserBruce]

Take the ones that interest you...we don't know what your are interested in, what your budget allows, or anything other limitations you might have.

[piper]

Good point -

in Cartegena, we were thinking about the City Highlights but also want some shopping time

in Gatun Lake, we were thinking about Fort San Lorenzo/Gatun Locks

in Puerto Limon, we were thinking about the Tortuquero Canal (this one did get good reviews)

 

We were just concerned that the majority of the reviews by passengers that took the first 2 listed were pretty negative

[take us away]

In Puerto Limon, the Canal tour is good but I also really enjoyed the zip basket tour thru the rain forest. No way I will zip line but the basket was not as scary for me. Loved the red macaw babies peeking out of their tree nest and the monkeys below us!

 

In Gatun Lake, the tour is so so. Last cruise there, enjoyed the commentary, stayed on board and enjoyed the scenery.

 

Agree about the reviews in Cartegena

[kazu]

In Gatun Lake, we did the Embera Indian Village tour and that was quite enjoyable ;)

 

 

Can't help with Cartagena and Puerto Limon as we did private tours there.

[richwmn]

Be aware that in Panama there is no option for private tours. You must be on a ships tour to leave the ship in Gatun Lake. This is a requirement of the Panamanian Government.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have been to all these ports multiple times.

Puerto Limon -- we have done the Tortuquero Canal tour -- loved it.

Cartagena -- the first time we were there we did the Fort, City and Shopping tour -- enjoyed it. The second time we did the Pirate Ship -- warning -- extremely hot and the ship goes so slowly around the bay.

Gatun Lake -- we were fortunate that the first time we were there, we had the train ride that went over to the Pacific coast and back -- both directions on the train. The Embera Village is another good tour.

[TomAndJane]

Good point -

in Cartegena, we were thinking about the City Highlights but also want some shopping time

in Gatun Lake, we were thinking about Fort San Lorenzo/Gatun Locks

in Puerto Limon, we were thinking about the Tortuquero Canal (this one did get good reviews)

 

We were just concerned that the majority of the reviews by passengers that took the first 2 listed were pretty negative

 

We are doing this in Feb 2017. We have already booked the Tortuquero Canal tour because of the reviews. Based on what we have read we were just going to stay on the ship during the Panama Canal day (10 day so no Cartegena) but please let us know what you did and if you enjoyed it. Please.... :):)

[Loreto]

Another vote for the Totuquero canal cruise in Puerto Limon...very fascinating. The market near the ship sold great coffee at reasonable prices as well as other unique items!

 

I also took a tour to Portobello from Gatun Lake, but I don't think it is offered anymore. The ship picked us up in Colon. It included a tour of the locks visitor center and watching a Panamax ship transit the locks...you could smell the fumes from the "mules" we were that close. It was an incredible experience!

 

Karen

[take us away]

Love the Panama Canal and if they had a tour to the new locks, would do that in a heart beat as they operate a bit different.

[BillB48]

Love the Panama Canal and if they had a tour to the new locks, would do that in a heart beat as they operate a bit different.

 

Actually they do have a tour that includes the new Atlantic side locks... Gatun Locks and Panama Canal Expansion.

http://www.hollandamerica.com/cruise-destinations/ExcursionDetails.action?excursionCode=100051403&portCode=GL1&voyageCode=U710&requestSource=cruiseDetailsPort

 

The tour description is not very well written, however it does indicate that you will go to the Observation Platform to view the construction of the new locks. Of course the construction is now complete and there is a very nice Visitor's Center that was opened a couple of years ago that provides an excellent view of the Agua Clara Locks as well as audio/visual presentations and a refreshment area.

 

If you would like to go through the new locks on a ship, as of now the Caribbean Princess is scheduled to be the first cruise ship to use the new locks in Oct. 2017.