Help with shore excursions

[redheads2]

Hi!

 

We are a couple in our late 50's cruising the Caribbean and Panama Canal on the Holland America ship Volendam in December.

 

We are looking at pre-booking shore excursions and would be very grateful for comments and recommendations with respect to the "Portobelo Town & Panama Canal" tour from Gatun to Colon, the Colon "Aerial Tram & Ecological Encounter", and the "Rain Forest Aerial Tram" and "Tortuguero Canals" tours in Puerto Limon.

 

If you've been on any of these tours, please give us your comments.

 

Thanks!

[Essiesmom]

I have not done the Panama Canal, but you might try the Panama Canal section under the Ports of Call on this forum for what other people are saying...EM

[chasetf]

We have not done those particular aerial trams, but did one in Costa Rica and thoroughly enjoyed it. I think it will be well worth the adventure. ;)

[JerseyGem]

Redheads: Welcome to Cruise Critic! I agree with the earlier poster that you may find more info on the Panama Canal forum, although it doesn't seem to be too active.

Click here: Panama Canal - Cruise Message Boards, Forums - Cruise Critic

 

Also post on the HAL forum (mention the name of your ship, sailing info, etc)

Click here: Holland America Line - Cruise Message Boards, Forums - Cruise Critic

 

Also, consider posting on your Roll Call forum (which won't link for some reason LOL).

 

Are you doing a full transit? If so, I would stay on the ship for the transit day rather than take an excursion. Although we took Princess through the canal, we did take HAL in Alaska, and I assume HAL will be similar for the canal. Which means that you will have an "expert" onboard who will give talks about the canal (history, building, political issues, etc- very fascinating). Also, while your are actually going through the locks, this expert will be giving a commentary over the PA system. Be prepared to stand at the rail for hours! (Put on sunblock LOL and take turns going to the buffet for cofffee and snacks!)

 

In Costa Rica, we did the ship's rainforest hike (walk)- wonderful! (But wear decent walking shoes). If you're not "up to" the hike, the aerial tram could be very interesting. Just read up about how you will get up to the tram- you may find that you have to walk uphill for a considerable way before getting to the tram. HAL is usualy very good at describing their shore excursions.