??? about Panama cruises

[threeofus]

After going through the locks we got off the ship and spent the day with the Embera Indians.

A poster on this board said that although RCL offers this excursion your visit is to a replica village - not sure if that is true or not. If it is I would not bother with it.

 

We took the Princess excursion and it was the real deal. We took a 45 minute bus trip and then boarded a hand hollowed canoe and were paddled across the river to an island which is where the Embera Indians live.

They allowed us to climb up a ladder into their tree homes and we spent the day with them. They put on a show for us and made a lunch from fresh caught fish that they wrapped in huge leaves.

 

It was an experience that we won't soon forget.

 

I feel blessed to have not only gone through the locks but to have seen a lifestyle that is so different from mine.

[Cruzin Carol]

I did the partial on the Brilliance in December. The original thought was avoiding all the Mexican ports that we have already been to. Once in the canal I wish we had done the total transit. I wanted to spend more time going through the canal and also wanted to see the bridge of the Americas. If anyone can't decide which way to go I would suggest do the whole transit. I am going to do it again just so I can go all the way.

[Bargeo]

I travel with a group who wants to do Panama and we are still in the planning stages. Your input would be great on the following with respect to the cost of the cruise: what time of the year is least expensive, which cruise is the best cost and best ship for this cruise? Which type of cabin would you recommend for this cruise to appreiciate the passage thru the canal? We are RCCL fans and hope that we can find an affordable cruise.

OC PAT

 

I would suggest you go to Royal Caribbean's web site and search for the Panama Canal. It will bring up all cruises they offer with the prices. I would estimate that we spent about $6000 for the total vacation, including flights, excursions, hotel and meals for a pre cruise stay. It depends on what acommodations you choose. We booked a year in advance and were able to get D-1 aft cabin 1104. Our friends had 1102 and my sis and her hubby had Grand Suite 1060. I would definitely get a balcony if you can, and an aft one is really "sweet". We like to cruise in February to get out of the cold north winters. (A full transit through the Panama was not available in February). It turns out we chose the right time to be gone. They had horrible weather at home for the whole 12 days we were gone.

 

We booked our own air and flew into Miami the day before. We stayed at the LaQuinta Airport East on LeJune Road. They had shuttle service from the airport to the hotel, and from the hotel to the port. The price was around $100 a night, and there is a Bennigans next door for dinner. There isn't anything else around, but it was fine for one night's stay. (clean and the people were very nice) We did not use their shuttle the next morning as they were full for the early one and we could only get 1:00. We were too anxious to get on the ship, so we took a cab. About $20 per couple including tip. Embarcation was a breeze....we arrived about 11:00, and were on the ship within 10 minutes. We were even escorted on since my sister had booked a suite.

 

We did ship's excursions for Curacao (the tram), and as mentioned Panama Locks by Ferry. We booked our own in Aruba (a city tour with Wix Tours $35 pp). It was very good. In Costa Rica we booked a private tour with Charlie Soto of OkeyDokey Tours $49 pp, includes a canal boat trip. We loved this tour and felt very safe. We were there two days before the tourist incident, so I don't know how we would have felt if we had known about this in advance.

 

WE had a late flight (4:30 pm) going home, so we checked our bags with Delta at the cruise terminal $15 pp (received our boarding passes the night before....that was cool), and took a cab to Bayside. It was a beautiful day.....we had lunch at Bubba Gumps. Perfect end to a wonderful vacation.

 

If I can be of any help......please ask!!!!!

[Bargeo]

Please don't make me 'walk the plank' for butting in here, but we are sailing the Carnival (gasp..:eek) Liberty TO the Panama Canal in 33 days. The ship docks in Colon, Panama for the day, and the transit can be made via a 'ferry boat' for $175.00 pp. The Liberty is too big to transit the canal, so this is how they accomplish this sailing. :)

 

In this respect, Carnival is able to offer one of their newer wide-bodied ships to the Canal, at a reasonable price. :p Thus the reason we chose the Liberty over the Brilliance, tho' we certainly enjoy the Radiance class ships!

 

I have included a "shameless plug" in my siggy for an upcoming CC group cruise on the EOS from NYC in April 2008!:D

 

Wouldn't think of making you walk the plank, Matey. These boards are for information purposes, not slamming each other. I'm sure the info you post here will be helpful to someone. Carnival can keep the cost down, by not going through the canal. We were told that our ship (Brilliance of the Seas) paid over $200,000 to go through just the first set of locks. That's a lot of moola.

 

Enjoy your cruise!!!

[Pat848]

We did the partial transit on the Brilliance in 2004 - same cruise as pbhunt. The pictures were great Patti - brought back memories.

 

I think doing the partial you end up wanting more. We are doing the full transit on the Seranade this April. It is a repo cruise starting in San Juan and ending in San Francisco. Prices are usually better on a repo and this one is the first time prices have gone down on any cruise I have taken. I also know more and look more though. We got $200 back before final payment. If we wanted to go for a guarantee we could have saved more but I wanted my room so didn't go that route but was tempted.

 

Also love the fact that it ends in San Francisco - we are staying 2 nights after the cruise.

[OC PAT]

Thank you Bargeo, Pat848 and Stirboo! Is there a better time of the year costwise to cruise thru the canal or is it about the same year round? I usually book my flights seperate and my hotels thru priceline or other discount venders. I book my tours based on recommendation thru this site. I will share this info. from you guys with my group. Again thank you!

 

OC PAt

[CPT Trips]

I travel with a group who wants to do Panama and we are still in the planning stages. Your input would be great on the following with respect to the cost of the cruise: what time of the year is least expensive, which cruise is the best cost and best ship for this cruise? Which type of cabin would you recommend for this cruise to appreiciate the passage thru the canal? We are RCCL fans and hope that we can find an affordable cruise.

OC PAT

My only panama Canal experience is on another line. We did a full transit,"last minute" with their air.

IMO to really enjoy the transit, you need to be out on deck and in various locations on the ship - fore, aft, upper decks, as low as possible (promanade deck if one), port, starboard. Getting a balcony and staying on it for the duration just would not cut it. That said, I suggest you pick a cabin type and location based on whatever your typical preferences are.

[sunlover5]

I hope no flames here either. We are booked on Carnival also for next March. Would love to do the Brillance, just can't quite convince DH. We have an aft on Carnival and for the Brillance it is over doubled the price for an obstructed view balcony. Really over the top if we go apples to apples. I know, it is 3 days longer, but inlaws have a condo in Fl we will use to extend the vacation. Wish Brillance wasn't so much. Major investment, but some friends want to do Vegas and then we would like to do another trip, so it is either that or just one on the Brillance.

Have had great cruises on both lines, I just love the ports on the Brillance!! Keep your fingers crossed and maybe we will find a deal before our cancellation period is up(we have till Dec.):)

So for us, right now it is just the ferry trip!

Everyone have a great cruise!