Island Princess Panama Canal

[shellieg]

Hi,

Is anyone signed up for the Island Princess - Panama Canal from Ft. Lauderdale to Acapulco leaving on December 24th? The ship should look great decorated for the holidays. Does anyone know...do they do anything special for New Years Eve?

Shellieg

[chrysalis]

you can find others on your sailing here.....

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=304

[donna travels]

FYI lots of kids on your cruise this year they had 450 little monsters running like crazy. We went on the following cruise and all of the staff talked about the kids and the non watching parents. The cruise is really fabulous enjoy.

[Gabrielle R.]

Hey Shellieg!

My husband and I will be on the same cruise as you! We were on the Grand over Christmas this year. The grand had snow in the evenings in the atrium- that was fun. The decorations were nice too. I'm hoping that we won't have the same problem as this last Christmas cruise had. The grand had a number of Youth patrols out taking care of the 500+ kids on the Grand.... no real problems that I saw. So, I'm just putting on my rose colored glasses and am hoping for the best!

Gabrielle

[mringenoldus]

We were on the Dec 26 sailing this past Christmas. There were a large number of kids - and the youth security seemed only minimally succesful at keeping up with them. However, it didn't really spoil anything for us.

 

We met terrific people and really enjoyed the ports.

 

What did spoil the trip somewhat was the abraisive and just-not-funny cruise director and her staff. I would rarely even notice the CD staff - but the terrible demeanor of this group was hard to miss.

 

If you have any questions I can answer I'd be happy to help.

[Gabrielle R.]

a quick question, or two for you mringenoldus. How was getting off in Acapulco? I was thinking of staying one extra day just to avoid the terrible lines and crowds, What did you do- leave the day the ship got in or stay an extra day?

Anything that your particularly liked thought was really worth doing in any of the ports? Or on board the ship?

Thanks! Gabrielle

[mringenoldus]

Hi Gabrielle

I'll answer on the ports first and then tell you about Acapulco.

 

We have been to Aruba before. Since we live in a desert - it's not my favorite island. Last time we rented a jeep (be sure it's air-conditioned) and just drove the loop around the island. This time we took the submarine ride which was pretty cool. We went to 120 feet. Since I don't scuba, I've never had the chance to see anything so deep before. Then I headed off shopping for a new swimsuit and won a little money in the casino while I waited for the shops to open.

 

We loved Cartegena and that was partly due to our wonderful private guide, JJ. I have info for how to contact him if you need it. We were met at the steps of the ship and taken to the front of every spot we visited. We actually paid him more that he charged ($30pp) since he was well worth it! Don't even think about missing the old walled city.

 

Going through the canal is more interesting than I thought it would be and for my husband it was the highlight of the trip. There is narration all through the canal.

 

We went to some very extensive ziplines in Puntaneras with the Charlie Soto tour. Charlie gets a lot of praise on the boards - but we weren't as impressed (maybe spoiled by JJ) We also stopped to see the crocodiles in the river and feed the monkeys and kotamundi.

 

We were met by Da Flying Frogs company the next day in Nicaragua. However, we decide to pass on more ziplining and just walked around the small town, sat at a beach bar for a bit and shopped at the vendor stalls. It was a nice quiet day.

 

We missed Guatemala due to high winds - but I was looking forward to the trip to Antigua.

 

I loved Huatulco! It has the beautiful blue water of the Caribbean although it's on the Atlantic side. The shops carry very nice items like silver, crafts and pottery. I bought a beautiful necklace there and a loom woven tablerunner. This little town really shines in terms of Mexican ports. I did the cooking demonstration tour. It was a terrific French restaurant using Mexican ingredients. (except that Princess put twice as many people on it than described - probably trying to make up for the lost revenue from the day before.) There is a very pretty beach with clear water right next to the pier.

 

Acapulco - we did a private tour that then dropped us at the airport ($50pp - half the price of the Princess tour and drop off) Seeing the cliff divers was interesting. Some of the people we met on the ship stayed the extra night. they wished they had stayed closer to the downtown beach resort strip rather than the Fairmont which is outside of town.

 

The airport was quite a sight - we saw fellow passengers waiting for 2 hours in the Delta line to check in. We were on Aeromexico who was delayed but promised to put us up in Mexico City if we missed our connection (we actually made as that plane was also delayed). My earring container diappeared between the baggage check and my arriving home. They check all baggage by hand in ACA - so who knows?

 

Let me know if you need anything more specific.

[Gabrielle R.]

Thanks for the information!

We are leaving from Ft. Lauderdale, so We don't get to see Aruba.:( I liked that island... WE live in MN so we enjoy seeing sand and blue ocean.

For Huatulco, where did you do most of your shopping? Can yous swim failry close to the docks? I had heard that there was a nice beach within walking distance of the pier...

I am afraid of heights,so a zip line is out for me.... Chicken- yup! Did you hear of any other excursions that you thought sounded fun?

What was in Guatemala that people enjoy seeing/doing? I haven't seen anything on the boards- so I was wonder what had been offered- I know you weren't able to go, but I was just wondering what sounded neat.

Thanks again for th help!

Gabrielle

[mringenoldus]

All of the shopping surrounds the pier and marina area. Easy to walk to. We also hiked about a mile to another town (Crucecita)and I was glad we did. they had the world's largest mural of Our Lady of Guadalupe painted on the ceiling of a church on the town square.

 

The beach is right to the left of the pier as you walk towards the port. There were a number of peopel enjoying the beach.

 

Anything that includes an ecotour should be fun in Costa Rica. Everyone I spent time with did about the same tour we did - so can't help much there. Many thought there would be afraid of the height but did fine.

 

Although it takes about 90 minutes to get to the colonial capital of Antigua, Guatamala - almost everyone was heading that way. The coffee plantation near Antigua also has tours. We were a bit disappointed we didn't get to go. This did allow us to get into Huatulco early - and that was a plus.

[webecruzn2]

We loved Cartegena and that was partly due to our wonderful private guide, JJ. I have info for how to contact him if you need it.

 

If you could provide info on JJ, I would appreciate it.

[Gabrielle R.]

Thanks for the information!

[PLW0520]

I would also love information on how to contact him. Thanks

[mringenoldus]

If you will email me directly (m_ringenoldus@hotmail.com), I will be glad to give you a phone number and an email address.

 

I hope everyone I have referred has gotten in touch with JJ - he is an excellent guide. He hopes to increase his business to give tours 365 days per year. he was described to me as a walking history book - and he is that and more.

[Dodger Blue]

Hi,

Is anyone signed up for the Island Princess - Panama Canal from Ft. Lauderdale to Acapulco leaving on December 24th? The ship should look great decorated for the holidays. Does anyone know...do they do anything special for New Years Eve?

Shellieg

 

We sailed on the Sapphire over New Years a couple of years ago. They decorated the ship, had a special party poolside, dropped balloons at midnight, had a countdown clock, and free champagne for everyone. They did a great job and was loads of fun. It was also a formal night which added to the festivities.:cool:

[mringenoldus]

We were on the Island Princess last New Years. They had a party on the pool deck, lots of streamers, champagne, hats, and noisemakers. There were many people from Puerto Rico so there was lots of dancing!!

 

The casino had geared up for a large crowd but instead everyone was dancing in the different lounges.

 

Be aware - this may add a third formal night to your trip.

[SeeaShore]

We're on Island Princess; in Cartegena on March 2nd. Talking to Lee Miles re. half-day van tour, But need more people--up to 9 in van. Costs about $200 for van. Interested? Contact me at profmona@yahoo.com.

[momosmom]

We did the Antigua and Filadelphia Coffee Plantation tour in Guatemala. VERY interesting. The only problem with Antigua is the hawkers will acost you continuously. They don't take no for an answer very easily!

[Zouave]

a quick question, or two for you mringenoldus. How was getting off in Acapulco? I was thinking of staying one extra day just to avoid the terrible lines and crowds, What did you do- leave the day the ship got in or stay an extra day?

Anything that your particularly liked thought was really worth doing in any of the ports? Or on board the ship?

Thanks! Gabrielle

 

Gabrielle, - recommend you go a day earlier and stay the night in Acapulco. The small airport in Acapulco is a "zoo" on the day of departure. Just came off the Island Princess (26 Jan-6 Feb). We arrived a day earlier and stayed at Las Brisas overlooking the bay. Upgraded to a mini-suite with private pool at the top of the hill. It was georgeous! They have a wonderful beach down and pool comple the hill that you could spend a week at.

 

Hired private guide that evening to see the town and watch the cliff divers while having dinner. The night diving is amazing. Cab to hotel is 30.00. Can be arranged at airport. Be warned - there are a bunch of time-share hawkers that will ambush you at the airport and offer you a "free" ride to your hotel (don't even listen to them). Cab from hotel to pier (which you can see from Las Brisas) is 30.00. Boarded at 2.30 pm in five minutes.

 

Send me an e-mail at grhampton703@aol.com for pictures.

 

BTW - our cruise had about ten-15 kids total.

 

Greg