Cruising Through Panama Canal

[capnlars]

We are booked on the Monarch repo cruise that will go transit the Panama Canal.....the schedule shows Oct 28 6a to 4p as "Cruising Canal", then it shows the next day, Oct 29 6p to 8p as "Cristobal Pier, Panama". What happens for that 2 hours on the 29th? Do people get off the ship for 2 hours?

[BILL-WI]

We are booked on the Monarch repo cruise that will go transit the Panama Canal.....the schedule shows Oct 28 6a to 4p as "Cruising Canal", then it shows the next day, Oct 29 6p to 8p as "Cristobal Pier, Panama". What happens for that 2 hours on the 29th? Do people get off the ship for 2 hours?

 

The two hour stop would be the same day. Perhaps there is a misprint...but it is the same day. The stop is to allow passengers that took excursions to catch back up with the ship and board for the rest of the cruise!

 

Have a great Canal transit!

 

BILL

[BillB48]

There is also an area to buy some souvenirs that you just can live without at the pier.

[sas80]

We are booked on the Monarch repo cruise that will go transit the Panama Canal.....the schedule shows Oct 28 6a to 4p as "Cruising Canal", then it shows the next day, Oct 29 6p to 8p as "Cristobal Pier, Panama". What happens for that 2 hours on the 29th? Do people get off the ship for 2 hours?

 

Where the heck is the Monarch going??? Why is it headed to Florida?

[Sue L]

Where the heck is the Monarch going??? Why is it headed to Florida?

 

 

It is going to replace I believe the Sovereign of the Seas which I think is going to Pullamatur in Europe. If I am wrong in the placements someone will correct me.

 

 

To the OP at Cristobel Pier is a flea market set up with a lot of beautiful handmade type craft items. Beautiful tortuga (sp) nut carvings and embroidery items made by the Emberra Indians. If you like things like that it is so worth getting off the ship.

[BillB48]

The Sovereign out of Port Canaveral is being sent to RCI's Pullmantur Cruises in Spain. The Monarch will do the 3/4 night to the Bahamas.

[B J]

Definetly get off of the ship, just watching the native dancers perform is worth it and the things offered for sale or quite unique. Do not buy the items from Panama the ship will offer the day you go thru the canal they will be much cheaper on the pier.

[cb at sea]

Cristobel Pier is a "flea market" situation. You get off the ship and go into a big open-air marketplace. Local vendors and a duty-free shop are there. Also, a small "convenience" store. It's a nice break from the ship. You are not allowed to leave that area and go anywhere else, as the town outside of the pier looks like it's a tenement town!

[capnlars]

Thanks everyone for your replies.

[leoandhugh]

and the third piece of the puzzle is that Monarch will be replaced here on the west coast by the Mariner. Finally, we 2nd class pax are getting a newer, bigger ship with balconies, a concierge lounge etc. It has been a long wait. And Cristobal is a dump - it is a duty free port full of warehouses and containers; if you do get off the ship, it is not wise to wander far.

[FitzLA]

and the third piece of the puzzle is that Monarch will be replaced here on the west coast by the Mariner. Finally, we 2nd class pax are getting a newer, bigger ship with balconies, a concierge lounge etc. It has been a long wait. And Cristobal is a dump - it is a duty free port full of warehouses and containers; if you do get off the ship, it is not wise to wander far.

 

The Monarch is not being replaced by the Mariner. Mariner is replacing Vision of the Seas doing 7 night Mexican Riviera cruises. There is no replacement for Monarch doing the 3/4 night Baja cruises at all.

[Coralc]

I liked the Cristobal stop! They had some interesting stuff there. I don't think we really bought anything, but the butterfly wing art and wood carvings were interesting. They actually had some nice quality T-shirts there too. There are some ports that people prefer or don't. But it is nice to see what's there and decide for yourself. :)

[capnlars]

The two hour stop would be the same day. Perhaps there is a misprint...but it is the same day. The stop is to allow passengers that took excursions to catch back up with the ship and board for the rest of the cruise!

 

Have a great Canal transit!

 

BILL

 

The schedule posted is now changed - the canal transit and the Cristobal Pier stop are listed on the same day.