Panama Canal on the Ruby Princess 2023 Christmas cruise-photo/ video journal by Bimmer09

[lola2013]

9 minutes ago, Bimmer09 said:

The bus will be parked here for the next couple of hours. Our guide was Marcos, who as we were disembarking told us to use the trash cans in the aviary rather than discarding our trash on the ground, as is the national custom apparently.

He wandered off and we would have to keep up with him-or not. We were unlikely to get lost.

 

We will see some birds. Carol is the keen birdwatcher. I don't know all the names. I just took pictures of beautiful creatures that weren't pigeons or seagulls after my French fries.

You'll recognize most yourself.

 

 

The temperature is 90F with humidity over 90%!

 

 

 

 

 

 

I recognize the blue and gold macaw since I have one sitting on my shoulder right now!  His name is Sinbad and he’s my bestie ❤️.  I would love to say we are enjoying this snowy Chicago day, but I can’t lie!!!  
Loving your review…my mom and I did a similar Panama Canal cruise on. Coral Princess.  
Susan ⛄️

Edited January 9 by lola2013

[Bimmer09]

 

 

 

 

I'm not following our guide closely so I am free to take photos

[Bimmer09]

 

 

 

 

 

None of the birds fly away. They let you get close and carry on about their business. A long lens is not needed.

[Bimmer09]

This is a very enjoyable excursion. We're in among the trees. It is quiet bar the sound of a small waterfall here and there. I can definitely say we are not cold, LOL. The birds are glorious and sit quietly while you take their photo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[DANCING GRANDMOMMY]

52 minutes ago, lola2013 said:

I recognize the blue and gold macaw since I have one sitting on my shoulder right now!  His name is Sinbad and he’s my bestie ❤️.  I would love to say we are enjoying this snowy Chicago day, but I can’t lie!!!  
Loving your review…my mom and I did a similar Panama Canal cruise on. Coral Princess.  
Susan ⛄️

How was the Coral Princess. We are doing a full transit East to West on her in December.

 

[lola2013]

15 minutes ago, DANCING GRANDMOMMY said:

How was the Coral Princess. We are doing a full transit East to West on her in December.

 

It was 2008…my first Princess cruise, and we loved it.  The ship was beautiful and the crew beyond accommodating.  It was my first cruise after about a ten-year gap and I got addicted to cruising all over again.   I hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

[Bimmer09]

 

 

 

 

 

Knees bend forward...

 

 

 

[Bimmer09]

We take a break in the shade where folks can buy a drink or an ice cream, using USD. Take some small bills $1 and $5 if you think you might spend. We had our own iced water.

 

 Toilets are few but civilized.

 

 

 

Not for drinking

 

 

Yikes!

 

 

 

 

 

I could spend every morning in this place. So far from the real world. Great choice, Carol!

[nini]

1 hour ago, DANCING GRANDMOMMY said:

How was the Coral Princess. We are doing a full transit East to West on her in December.

 

 

For us, the only reason we liked the Coral was because it can go through the old locks. We did the full transit in January 2018. If we book a full transit again, it will not be on the Coral and we can go through the new locks.

[Jasperdo]

Enjoying your Cartagena photos. Cartagena is one of my favorite sail in ports. Two old forts flanking the entrance to the harbor, and the skyline as you approach the dock. We spent the day wandering around Old Cartagena, which is fabulous. 

[DANCING GRANDMOMMY]

19 minutes ago, nini said:

 

For us, the only reason we liked the Coral was because it can go through the old locks. We did the full transit in January 2018. If we book a full transit again, it will not be on the Coral and we can go through the new locks.

Was it too small for your liking?

[rhobbkf]

25 minutes ago, Jasperdo said:

Enjoying your Cartagena photos. Cartagena is one of my favorite sail in ports. Two old forts flanking the entrance to the harbor, and the skyline as you approach the dock. We spent the day wandering around Old Cartagena, which is fabulous. 

We recently went to Cartagena for the first time.  Right off the ship is a Nature preserve that is free to stroll through and has all the birds AND some monkeys running around too!  No need to book an excursion!  We'll be going back in April and can't wait to visit the preserve again. 

[phabric]

11 minutes ago, rhobbkf said:

We recently went to Cartagena for the first time.  Right off the ship is a Nature preserve that is free to stroll through and has all the birds AND some monkeys running around too!  No need to book an excursion!  We'll be going back in April and can't wait to visit the preserve again. 

First cruise we took an excursion at Cartagena.  Our second cruise,  we walked around the Nature Preserve at the port area.  We really enjoyed it.

[LT Hambone]

3 minutes ago, phabric said:

Nature Preserve at the port area

 

 

Curious - what Nature Preserve are talking about?

 

 

[phabric]

Just now, LT Hambone said:

 

 

Curious - what Nature Preserve are talking about?

 

 

At the port area, there are parrots, flamingo, monkeys, turtles, peacocks that you can walk around and see for free, a gift shop and small snack bar before the exit for the tour buses, taxis.

[LT Hambone]

Ahhh - 

 

 

Never mind - I just found it - Port Oasis Eco Park.

 

Great idea - will keep this in mind for our upcoming cruise - thanks!

 

 

[nini]

1 hour ago, DANCING GRANDMOMMY said:

Was it too small for your liking?

 

1. No Vines 2. No Alfredo's 3. Buffet at the front with slanted windows that were either dirty and/ or steamed up to see out of (humidity) 4. No aft balconies 5. The International Cafe was right next to (and sort of part of) the Casino so it was miserable to get something from there. It polluted the area just walking by

[Ellipooh]

Very much enjoying your review - my first of yours, and it's delightful.

I'll be doing a full transit in April, and appreciate your helpful hints tremendously!

[DANCING GRANDMOMMY]

52 minutes ago, nini said:

 

1. No Vines 2. No Alfredo's 3. Buffet at the front with slanted windows that were either dirty and/ or steamed up to see out of (humidity) 4. No aft balconies 5. The International Cafe was right next to (and sort of part of) the Casino so it was miserable to get something from there. It polluted the area just walking by

Yes, I see that. Hopefully the cozy atmosphere, with less people will bring the added enjoyment of being able to get to know our fellow passengers and the crew better. 

 

[Bimmer09]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With apologies for the inadequacies of the CC photo software

[Deck Chair Queen]

15 hours ago, MacMadame said:

As she should be!

Princess has made a deal with Stephen Schwartz, whom I consider to be a second tier Broadway composer, to create four production shows. This is the first. It was interesting to see some numbers from the unproduced and nearly mythical show, Houdini. And of course the crowd roared for anything from Wicked. Magic tricks don’t “read” well in such a venue, IMHO. 

[Deck Chair Queen]

2 hours ago, LT Hambone said:

Ahhh - 

 

 

Never mind - I just found it - Port Oasis Eco Park.

 

Great idea - will keep this in mind for our upcoming cruise - thanks!

 

 

Yes it’s very nice but no substitute for the Aviario Nacional de Colombia. There you will find 1700 birds of 170 species; 22 hectares. For the most part they are not caged (but the humans are, in immersive exhibits). They hang around because of the natural habitats, no predators, and plentiful food and water. It’s one of my most memorable excursions ever. I had my binocs and took 100 photos which someday I will run through Merlin to identify. The Andean Condor was probably the rarest but they were all beautiful from the eagles down to the little green parakeets. I was in heaven and wanted it to last forever. 

Edited January 9 by Deck Chair Queen

[Bimmer09]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Bimmer09]

 

                                                                                                                                                   

Why I like Toucans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Best Christmas Eve ever!

 

 

back to the ship!

[nini]

2 hours ago, DANCING GRANDMOMMY said:

Yes, I see that. Hopefully the cozy atmosphere, with less people will bring the added enjoyment of being able to get to know our fellow passengers and the crew better. 

 

 

The small "cozy" atrium and all was not conducive to those goals. However, enjoy your cruise!