Oosterdam March 4-20 Photos and more coming

[Tinknock50]

Cool pictures and review....thanks!

[Krazy Kruizers]

Great pictures.

How wonderful that you were able to see a ship entering the new locks. We weren't that lucky on a couple of our Panama trips.

[puppycanducruise]

Love your pictures and comments.

Thanks for posting.

[ottahand7]

Part 2 of the locks these are mainly in the area of the second set of locks the Pedro Miguel Locks.

It was very hot. Having the aft cabin was a plus. Watching the forward camera on TV showed the bow packed as we entered Miraflores but as we passed through Pedro Miguel the crowds had thinned out.

 

The tree is near the Miraflores locks and behind it you can see the lights for the new canal.

 

 

[Krazy Kruizers]

Great job with the comments and pictures.

[ottahand7]

Thanks Krazy Kruizers. Will be taking a few days break - driving to Baltimore for a long Easter weekend. Happy Easter all.

[FlorenceItaly]

Thanks Krazy Kruizers. Will be taking a few days break - driving to Baltimore for a long Easter weekend. Happy Easter all.

 

Wishing you safe travels and a wonderful holiday weekend.

[Brodysmum]

Do you have pictures of your cabin, I will be in 7149 in June.

[ottahand7]

Brodysmum - no photos of the inside. We were in Neptune 4180 so it would be apples and oranges. I will revisit the trip tomorrow with photos from the Gatun locks to Aruba.

[ottahand7]

Gatun Lake and Aruba photos. All we did in Aruba was head into town for some rum to bring home and the sunset cruise. This was a Holland sponsored tour. It was a major disappointment. They were 25 minutes late, the booze watered down and they served regular cola in place of diet. The sunset was beautiful. I would definitely pass on this unless you have a few drinks before getting onboard. No beer. The shopping area in Aruba is nice and close to the ship.

 

 

 

 

[frankc98376]

Enjoyed PG so much on Oosterdam, PG Manager Arlin and our Server Fjori were both GREAT!!!

[puppycanducruise]

Lovely sunset.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thanks for sharing your pictures. The sunset is lovely.

Sorry your sunset cruise was a bust.

[ottahand7]

Finally to Half Moon Cay. The fine weather continued so we made it through 15 days with no rain. There was a lot of wind nearing Aruba and in the Pacific. We took a later tender to go on our horseback riding adventure. The island is beautiful and our group agreed it would be nice to have more time to spend there. The tenders were packed as soon as they started leaving and the last one to arrive back they were packed like sardines. We had a ride in a super packed life boat back to the ship. Very hot.

The horseback riding was fun. The trail ride was brief as was the ride in the sea but the sea ride more than made up for the brevity in excitement. Comments on the excursion on Holland's site said the horse crew were bossy and rude. We found them efficient and watched out well for the humans and the horses. They did a good job sizing up the riders and matching them to the horses. They made sure that families were able to get together before taking off because the horses were assigned as they came out of the corral. My sister was mounted early, I was the last. It was a nice, slow ride on the beach and up the hill. Although it said there was a view there is too much vegetation to see the full view of HMC.

After our dry land ride the horses were refitted with heavy duty water saddles that allowed comfort and support for what was next. We went out in 2 groups so we spent some time on land waiting our turn. Off we went into the surf and it was no wading in knee deep water. The horses were deeper than chest high and leaping in the deep surf. One really understands how strong a horse is when riding them in the water. It was thrilling. Although our ride a ways down the beach and back was short it was enough because it took some riding. Everyone in our group took part in the water ride. I wouldn't sign up for this if not doing the water part as it wouldn't be a good value or use of time in HMC. The oldest participant appeared to be around 75. We could mount and dismount from handy platforms.

 

Konigsdam

 

 

Two "dam" ships in HMC

 

Guides took all of our photos with our cameras

 

 

Last tender - packed to the gills.

[ottahand7]

Flags from the trip. Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama in order.

 

 

 

 

 

[ottahand7]

Final shots, Aruba flag, Bahamas flag (HMC), lifeboat captain practice, a shot of the cabana area.

 

 

 

 

It was a lovely trip, 16 days of wonderful weather. We covered 4830 miles, the ship used 352,00 gallons of fuel and 49,320 eggs were consumed according to the voyage log. On to planning my next one with a friend who is a cruise travel agent 12-day Iberian Adventure from Amsterdam to Rome in September on the Konigsdam.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Just got caught up with your review and pictures.

All Great!!