Coral Princess / Panama train tour ???

[Vol Fan Mom]

We (7 adults) are debating between taking the train expedition or the ferry tour. Our biggest question is: Do you board the train before or after you get to Gatun Lake. We want the experience of going through the locks at least once.

 

Thanks in advance for any help.

[KAJOKG]

It's not possible to leave the ship before entering Gatun Lake. The ship goes through the locks, then anchors in Gatun Lake. Only those with excursions can disembark and be tendered to shore, where excursion vehicles will be waiting. The ship then leaves the lake, goes back through the locks and docks at either Colon or Cristobal where it waits for excursion folks to be returned. There is time to go ashore at either of these ports where there are rather nice shopping plazas and entertainers dressed in native costumes dancing and singing. Lots of shops. But not enough time to take an excursion from there. Also, the towns at these ports are not particularly desireable.

 

As for the Train Ride. We took both the train ride and the Ocean to Ocean. We enjoyed them both. To see more of the locks and enter the Pacific ocean on board a small ship, the Ocean to Ocean is the tour to take. If you wish to hear much of Panama's history, definitely take the train ride. You board the train, then are bused into a city on the Pacific, a little shopping, then back on the train to a shuttle which takes you back to the ship. Both of these tours are excellent!

[mii]

Just as K said you go through the Gatun Locks and then proceed to Gatun Lake where you are tendered ashore for either the train or the ferry ride. We took the Ocean to ocean ferry ride and highly, highly recommend it. You got a different prospective of being in the other two locks on the Pacific side along with in our case a HUGE tanker. There are some that say that the trip is long(it does take most of the day) but to us was well worth it. Once you get to the Pacific side you are taken back to the ship by bus. There is more info and reviews about this at the Ports of Call board under Panama Canal.

 

Marilyn

[Colo Cruiser]

Dont wait to long to book that as it fills up fast, especially because you have 7 people. :)

[Vol Fan Mom]

Thanks everyone. I will pass the info along to the other 6 and we will try to reach an agreement on which tour to take.