SLO Live/SLO Jam 5/10/2018 Bliss

[skierjj]

Enjoying your post. Now looking for a needle in a haystack. If by chance you see a tall young man with a contagious laugh traveling with his mother (Ryan and Debbie) tell Ryan Joe wonders often how his is doing. I believe they are also in the Haven. We meet them on the Sun repositioning from Alaska to Miami.

 

 

 

Ok I will be on lookout for Ryan and Debbie, do you happen to have a picture or any more descriptions of the two of them? Maybe their ages, hair color, height etc. thanks

 

 

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[skierjj]

We’ve been having pretty good luck in Casino.

I ordered that smoky old fashion drink in the Haven bar. It was exquisite. The making of it was a show. Since my little cruise critic ap won’t let me post a video, I’ll post stills.

 

 

 

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[bren9311]

Following along! On bliss 3/30/19 for PC!

 

 

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[AlexandNessa]

We’ve been having pretty good luck in Casino.

I ordered that smoky old fashion drink in the Haven bar. It was exquisite. The making of it was a show. Since my little cruise critic ap won’t let me post a video, I’ll post stills.

 

 

 

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So excited you got to try it! Awesome!

[skierjj]

 

 

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[skierjj]

Cartagena day finished.

Now I’m a whole day behind. Luckily there are many posts online about the Bliss going through the new locks of the Panama Canal today.

We have a sea day tomorrow so I hope I can catch up tomorrow morning!

Good night![emoji99]

 

 

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[overone45]

Next was drop off at ship or drop off at the aviary next to the ship. So Columbia has the most exotic bird species according to Fernando. They have a problem with smugglers and poachers of exotic birds and animals. If they catch people trying to export birds illegally, they try to rehabilitate the birds here and hopefully release them back into the wild. Plan on 30 minutes to see birds, monkeys, turtles, including Bathroom break and gift shop.

I guess those two are the only ones I got with this iPhone. Mike took a lot with his cannon.

A green parrot hitched a ride on my backpack for a minute or so.

Then there was about a 10-15 minute walk to ship.

 

 

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I’m really enjoying your posts. I’m interested in doing this excursion. Is it strenuous? One person in our party has trouble with his knees & can’t walk very far.

Thanks.

[skierjj]

I’m really enjoying your posts. I’m interested in doing this excursion. Is it strenuous? One person in our party has trouble with his knees & can’t walk very far.

Thanks.

Yes there is quite a bit of level easy walking at a slow pace because everyone is stopping to take pictures. I’d say we must have walked a total of 2 miles over 4 1/2 hours. There are also stairs at the hotel, not sure if they had an elevator or not. The fishing village part is in sand and some mud, and walking along the beach near a marsh near the mangroves. Old town has some ups and downs with curbs and cobblestones. We climbed a long gentle slope to get to top of walled city overlooking the bay. The bus has 3 stairs and is air conditioned. I didn’t look specifically but I think the bus could accommodate a wheelchair. It seems to me that the whole tour could accommodate a wheel chair but it would get muddy and sandy on the beach. (We washed our shoes when we got back).

Hope that helps to make a decision.

[overone45]

Yes there is quite a bit of level easy walking at a slow pace because everyone is stopping to take pictures. I’d say we must have walked a total of 2 miles over 4 1/2 hours. There are also stairs at the hotel, not sure if they had an elevator or not. The fishing village part is in sand and some mud, and walking along the beach near a marsh near the mangroves. Old town has some ups and downs with curbs and cobblestones. We climbed a long gentle slope to get to top of walled city overlooking the bay. The bus has 3 stairs and is air conditioned. I didn’t look specifically but I think the bus could accommodate a wheelchair. It seems to me that the whole tour could accommodate a wheel chair but it would get muddy and sandy on the beach. (We washed our shoes when we got back).

 

Hope that helps to make a decision.

 

 

 

Yes, thank you. You are very helpful. I’ll show this to my friend & see if he is up for it. It looks like an amazing tour. Looking forward to your next post.

Enjoy.

[skierjj]

Dailies Day 5:

 

 

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[skierjj]

So we woke up early to see us approaching the entrance to the canal. It was dark out. There were many barges/ cargo ships in the area as we slowly glided by them.

We are the very first Mega cruise ship to go through the new locks and people working the canal and land tourists alike came out to see our beautiful Bliss in all her glory going through the canal. There were two drones taking pictures as well.

Also photographers got off to take pictures and the canal pilot and other officials came on board to present the captain with a ceremony to welcome the Bliss’ first voyage through the canal.

Also a pretty lady came onboard in traditional Panamanian dress and jewelry and brought tons of hand made handicrafts from Panama to sell.

 

 

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[skierjj]

We got dressed and went up to Haven deck 19 sun deck for our spot to view our approach to the entry. Mike and I brought Mikes cannon power shot 50, our medium/large long range binoculars and my iPhone, (which are all of the pics here on this review).

The commentary was heard all over the ship as well as on your TV slightly delayed (a couple of seconds) on the bridge cam channel 2. The commentary was very good. He spoke about all things Panama Canal. History, culture, politics of building, wildlife (look for crocodiles, we didn’t see any), different ships going through and their cargo, just a wealth of knowledge. IMHO, The speaker made it so much more enjoyable and entertaining.

We went under a huge bridge under construction:

 

 

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[skierjj]

From our vantage point we had a nice reflective surface coming from the windows outside the Haven observation lounge. The suns angle was such that we got some shots with reflections.

 

 

 

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[skierjj]

A couple of selfies:

 

 

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[skierjj]

Entering first lock:

We are now in Haven observation lounge and you get a weird reflection of carpet in these photos:

Lock wall/gate opening:

 

 

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Edited May 15, 2018 by skierjj

[skierjj]

Now we went back to our room to see what we could see. Deck 15:

 

 

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[Llonergan3]

Awesome pictures, thank you for sharing!

 

 

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[skierjj]

Now I go down to deck 8 for a view from the waterfront. I see the line men getting our ship stabilized in the middle of the lock:

 

 

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[AlexandNessa]

I don't want to quote your whole post with all the pics, but the bartender who made the Old Fashioned, his name is killing me. We had him in the Haven on the Escape. I want to say it begins with an "A?" Miroslav was the one who made mine, and I heard he is on the Escape also.

 

Your pics have been amazing. The PC is on our bucket list, but I've always been hesitant to book it without the locks being able to accommodate a mega ship (I'm a fan of bigger ships for longer cruises). Enjoying living vicariously through you.

[skierjj]

Deck 8 aft on waterfront great place for viewing Panama Canal (and probably glaciers in Alaska, I would imagine).

 

 

 

 

Looking up at aft balconies and suites:

 

 

 

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[skierjj]

 

Water filling up locks very fast!

 

Now I go for a walk about. I’m taking pictures of horizon observation lounge at pretty peak time so you can see how crowded it can be. Also pics of some of the buffet there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[skierjj]

I realize that these are lousy pictures, but I just wanted you to see the crowds of people you might experience:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[skierjj]

Now Haven observation lounge:

 

 

I just wanted you to have a comparison.

Just FYI:

I’ve enjoyed cruising in almost every category, from an inside cabin, ocean view, balcony, mini suite spa balcony, aft balcony, up to Haven Spa suite.

I just want to give you information, not judging.

Ok more of Haven: upper lounge deck above courtyard:

 

 

View of Gaton Lake. This part of Panama Canal day is very relaxing and beautiful. There are many islands and beautiful green jungle all around. I didn’t get many pics because I think I was charging my phone.

 

 

 

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[skierjj]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[AmyJA]

Well that was just too much fun today! Thanks for giving us a peek into your PC experience.