Emerald Princess - 23 Dec -Panama Canal full transit

[mrell345]

The only issue we had with the hop on hop off tour was as we were leaving the port we were in heavy traffic and could smell the muffler exaust of the cars and trucks.  I am 6 foot 4 and my knees were just shy of touching the seats in front so not jammed in. 

You could get off on the first stop if you wanted and take the walking tour of the old city (included) but we passed on this.

It was very hot and humid today.  Needed to bring water to drink.

[mrell345]

Piano in the Piazza 

[mrell345]

Relaxing here in the piazza before supper and it smells like they are cooking a fresh batch of cookies in the international cafe 

[mrell345]

[friend of Eeyore]

21 hours ago, Honolulu Blue said:

@mrell345: 

•  
• I can't recall seeing a seeing eye dog notice on any of my cruises. I wonder what brought this on?

Not @mrell345, but I saw the dog today. It was a little yipper of a dog on a leash without a vest. Later I saw it strolled around in a little suitcase-like dog bag. I assume it's an ESA classified dog, because it wasn't harnessed and providing a visible service such as a guide dog, and wasn't vested as a service dog (which any service dog would be). (I didn't try to interact with it anyway; I wouldn't in any case.)

[Honolulu Blue]

3 minutes ago, friend of Eeyore said:

Not @mrell345, but I saw the dog today. It was a little yipper of a dog on a leash without a vest. Later I saw it strolled around in a little suitcase-like dog bag. I assume it's an ESA classified dog, because it wasn't harnessed and providing a visible service such as a guide dog, and wasn't vested as a service dog (which any service dog would be). (I didn't try to interact with it anyway; I wouldn't in any case.)

Thanks for sharing. The notice was for a "service dog" and not a "seeing eye dog" like I said. I apologize for any confusion. Your explanation is helpful. I wonder how long Princess has allowed ESAs and if their tolerance will spread to other cruise lines.

[SKCruiser007]

9 minutes ago, Honolulu Blue said:

Thanks for sharing. The notice was for a "service dog" and not a "seeing eye dog" like I said. I apologize for any confusion. Your explanation is helpful. I wonder how long Princess has allowed ESAs and if their tolerance will spread to other cruise lines.

On my last cruise, early this month on Sky Princess, there was one (maybe two) service dogs onboard.

[mrell345]

[mrell345]

53 minutes ago, friend of Eeyore said:

Not @mrell345, but I saw the dog today. It was a little yipper of a dog on a leash without a vest. Later I saw it strolled around in a little suitcase-like dog bag. I assume it's an ESA classified dog, because it wasn't harnessed and providing a visible service such as a guide dog, and wasn't vested as a service dog (which any service dog would be). (I didn't try to interact with it anyway; I wouldn't in any case.)

I’ve seen the yipper you are talking about and that one is definitely not a service dog

[triple7tahoe]

2 hours ago, SKCruiser007 said:

On my last cruise, early this month on Sky Princess, there was one (maybe two) service dogs onboard.

On a couple of cruises in the past year, we have seen a man on a Seegway, with a white, poodle looking dog in the basket. 🙂

 

[Thrak]

2 hours ago, friend of Eeyore said:

I assume it's an ESA classified dog, because it wasn't harnessed and providing a visible service such as a guide dog, and wasn't vested as a service dog (which any service dog would be).

 

They wouldn't let me bring an Emotional Support Hippo onboard. I call Shenanigans!

 

(Call me insensitive but I'd chuck the dog and it's owner overboard.)

[mrell345]

Here we go for the main event.  Entrance to the canal in front of us with Norwegian Gem leading the way this morning. 

 

[mrell345]

Tries the rejuvinator this morning, they put fresh pieces of fruit and veg in a juicer and you get a drink with about 3oz of liquid.  It wasn’t too bad.

[dmwnc1959]

2 hours ago, mrell345 said:

Here we go for the main event.  Entrance to the canal in front of us with Norwegian Gem leading the way this morning. 

Three ship day in the canal with Silver Nova coming in through the Pacific side. She’s just now approaching the Pedro Miguel Locks, so you’ll pass each other. That should be very cool.

Edited December 27, 2023 by dmwnc1959

[mrell345]

Currently parallel to Norwegian Gem, she is in old locks and we are in new.  

[PrincessLuver]

13 hours ago, Honolulu Blue said:

Thanks for sharing. The notice was for a "service dog" and not a "seeing eye dog" like I said. I apologize for any confusion. Your explanation is helpful. I wonder how long Princess has allowed ESAs and if their tolerance will spread to other cruise lines.

 

Since the airlines have made it much more difficult to fly with a supposedly ESA dog we have seen a lot less in hotels, cruise ships, restaurants and airline terminals.  True service animals are definitely magnificent to observe but the fake ESA"s are just someone's pet that they cannot bear to leave at home and everyone else has to tolerate their annoyances.

[mrell345]

Moving from second to third locks now, it’s really humid today.  Taking a dip in the pool.

[mrell345]

Gatun lake in front of us, observation area up to the left.  I will have better pictures tonight when I get done editing from my main camera. 

[mrell345]

Just cleared the locks

 

[Essiesmom]

In first lock, Gem to starboard heading for Gatun locks

[mrell345]

Silver Nova

 

 

[coldweather]

Thanks for the continued updates.  

 

Is the wifi working well?  Is it fast enough to stream? 

[mrell345]

11 minutes ago, coldweather said:

Thanks for the continued updates.  

 

Is the wifi working well?  Is it fast enough to stream? 

Depends on the time of day

[mrell345]

Gamboa, Titan crane and Chagres river

[mrell345]

Just passing the continental divide, centennial bridge coming up and a dredging operation to the side