Recent experience with the ferry tour of the Panama Canal

[loriva]

We were on the Coral Princess, sailing roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale departing on 30 Nov and doing a partial transit of the canal. The following is to provide an updated review of the ship "Panama Canal Experience by Boat" excursion.

 

The Coral was scheduled to go through the first lock chamber at Gatun at 0700 hours. The Coral was delayed by 90 minutes, however, due to a ship making the transit from the Pacific having had mechanical problems, which backed everything up.

 

We lined up in the Princess Theater, then followed the staff down and tendered about five minutes to where buses were waiting. The guide on our bus (Mahelis) said it would be a 1 hour and 15 minute ride to Gamboa, where we would board the ferry. We think, however, our bus driver (Ismael) kept getting lost trying to take “shortcuts” as it took us two hours. We were the third bus leaving and the last to arrive—with the first bus beating us by 30 minutes.

 

The Coral was the only ship in that day, so the ferry was not at all crowded—fewer than 200 on a boat they said held 500. Because the Coral had been delayed, the ferry missed its scheduled lockage at 1100 and could not go through Pedro Miguel until 1500 hours. The weather for our day in the canal featured on and off showers. This was good in that it kept the temperature in the low 80s. The ferry claims to carry 500 passengers, but it would be pretty crowded with that number. The ferry had three levels, but I think they but they only used the second and third levels on our trip. The lower two levels were, obviously, completely covered. The top level was covered in the back and they rolled down plastic curtains when the rain really picked up a one point in the trip. There was a very small sir-conditioned area on the second deck, where they laid out the buffet lunch (a stir-fry dish, pasta salad, sandwiches, and fresh fruit—the pineapple was very tasty). (I think the lowest deck had a larger air-conditioned area, but perhaps they weren't using it that day since it was fairly cool and not really needed--saving energy/money?) Coolers full of bottled water and soda (no diet) were available for free throughout the trip and Costa Rican beer was on sale for $2 per can. As others have said, people move around quite a bit to experience things from all angles and we never had a problem on our trip finding some place with a good view. That could have been different with a full boat. The tour guide did keep asking people who were standing up to take photos to keep moving along so they didn't block the view of those who had gotten seats up front.

 

The trip is very interesting and how can you go all the way to the canal and not go ocean to ocean? At was fun going through the southern locks, under the bridges, and out into the Pacific. And the canal area is beautiful. All of the guides from the buses, who provide commentary on the drives out and back, accompanied on the ferry and one of them provided commentary on the trip. Unlike others reported, there was no one from the ferry crew taking and selling photos—but lots of other passengers to do return favors for you. You have the opportunity to touch the canal walls during one of the lock passages. The trip is long--particularly if the ferry is moving slowly as it needs to kill some time before its lockage time--so it could get tedious at points and is likely not a good trip for those easily bored.

 

The ferry pulled in at 1900 hours and then it was back on the buses. (The buses do not have a restroom—so make that last pit shop before getting off the ferry. The heads on the ferry are not fancy, but serviceable and clean enough.) It was 90 minutes back to the ship—again, our bus was last as the driver pulled into two entrances for the port before finding the correct one, meaning the departure of the Coral was delayed by one hour. We were glad we had our CC.com hints of bringing an energy bar for a snack and I-pods for entertainment on the dark ride back. The crafts market at pier six in Colon was closed by the time we returned and the ship wouldn’t have allowed anyone to shop even if it had been open as we were one hour late for sailing. (There was a lady selling souvenirs on the ferry—polo shirts for $18, tee-shirts and hats, maps of the canal, shot glasses, etc.)

 

We enjoyed our day a lot and are glad we did this excursion.

[errunvb]

We went through the locks on the Coral about 2 weeks before you and had the sme experience. Late getting through the locks (no big deal) and the passengers who took the ferry did not return until about the same time you did. We did the train and I would recommend it as well as the train ride is smooth (seamless track) and comfortable about an hour each way then you spend about 3 hours touring all the ex military bases by boss with even time to shop in a small shiopping center on the Pacific side of the canal. Bet you were glad you were on a Princess sponsored tour so that the ship would wait. We left 3 people in Aruba who were late. By the way, the shopping at the pier is good.

[Wasasalad]

What cruise line were you on? Cunard just called me today and said they no longer have the train in Panama!

I booked it months ago!

 

We went through the locks on the Coral about 2 weeks before you and had the sme experience. Late getting through the locks (no big deal) and the passengers who took the ferry did not return until about the same time you did. We did the train and I would recommend it as well as the train ride is smooth (seamless track) and comfortable about an hour each way then you spend about 3 hours touring all the ex military bases by boss with even time to shop in a small shiopping center on the Pacific side of the canal. Bet you were glad you were on a Princess sponsored tour so that the ship would wait. We left 3 people in Aruba who were late. By the way, the shopping at the pier is good.

[whale-watcher]

We were lucky last year, and made it through the canal in record time with the ferry...but it sounds as though you had a MUCH better lunch! We felt that this excursion is very worthwhile...we have never taken a full transit, and wanted to experience the entire canal (before it is enlarged).

[joand452]

Do you know if there would be people from other ships on this tour? I'm wondering if this would be the same tour for our RCCL cruise in March. We're the only ship at the Canal that day.

 

Looking forward to it!