Amstertdam cruise april 24 panama canal

[garyandjean]

I notice on this cruise that there are not very many ports with shore excursion.

 

In particular Cartenga, my wife would like to buy emeralds and all the reputable shops are in town with no shore excursion at this time.

 

Do they add excursion closer one gets to departure.

 

Is Cartenga save enough to take taxi down and back by ones self.

 

gary and jean

[catl331]

I contacted HAL about this and they said they are negotiating still with these ports that do not have excursions listed. I have seen discussion under Ports of Call--Colombia for Cartagena tours. The shop docks in an industrial port. People say that it is safe to walk around the tourist areas but do not venture far off the path. Have you joined the rest of us cruisers on the Roll Call for that trip? If not please do. It is listed under Amsterdam, April 24 or 27, 2008 Panama transit. Carol:p

[Krazy Kruizers]

Be very careful if you go out on your own. We have been to Cartegena several times -- did a couple of tours. Now we just stay on the ship or walk over to the only shop that is left in the gated freight area.

 

Personally -- JMO -- I would not travel around there on my own.

[cruz chic]

Be very careful if you go out on your own. We have been to Cartegena several times -- did a couple of tours. Now we just stay on the ship or walk over to the only shop that is left in the gated freight area.

 

Personally -- JMO -- I would not travel around there on my own.

 

I agree.

[garyandjean]

Thanks for the reply, that is what I thought.

Hopefully HAL comes up with shore ex as wife wants to look at buying emeralds from there.

 

gary and jean

[advocado]

I just returned from a Panama Canal cruise that stopped in Cartagena. Before I left, I read a number of positive remarks on CC about Lee Miles who owns both a travel business and emerald store in Cartagena. I contacted him (destinationcartagena.com) and arranged for a car and driver (Martine). It was wonderful and not that much more than the HAL excursion, but without the crowds or bus. We went to places the excursion couldn't. Lee arranged the itinerary with us in advance (including a stop at his store). Check it out.

[hammybee]

You can easily walk to the shops from the pier.

 

I have not felt unsafe in Cartegena, but the street hassel factor is enormous.

 

If you do indeed buy a serious something, I would consider asking for the jeweler to provide an escort back to the ship if that makes you more comfortable.

[CruiserBruce]

We were able to book tours in Cartegena many months ago for our stop there next month. Are you going through the website to book?

 

On the other hand, with Mr Chavez from Venezuela strutting around right now, we might not be able to stop there.

[advocado]

You can easily walk to the shops from the pier.

 

I have not felt unsafe in Cartegena, but the street hassel factor is enormous.

 

If you do indeed buy a serious something, I would consider asking for the jeweler to provide an escort back to the ship if that makes you more comfortable.

Hmm... I didn't see any shops within walking distance of the dock when we were there last month. It was completely industrial and somewhat of a drive to get into the shopping district.

[garyandjean]

We were able to book tours in Cartegena many months ago for our stop there next month. Are you going through the website to book?

 

On the other hand, with Mr Chavez from Venezuela strutting around right now, we might not be able to stop there.

 

Very interesting developments at this time. It may escalate and we will not be able to get in there. Oh well just less money wife will spend.

For me the cruise is the holiday and ports are nice but not that important.

Only the last one

[jtl513]

We were able to book tours in Cartegena many months ago for our stop there next month. Are you going through the website to book?

Yes, but on our cruise it's not just Cartagena that we can't book excursions for. We also can't book anything for Puntarenas (C.R.) or Puerto Chiapas (Mex).

[CruiserBruce]

Jtl513:

 

On our cruise- like yours a repo for Alaska, leaving two days prior to you, we also have not been able to book Puerto Chiapas. But as mentioned, we have booked Cartegena and also have booked Puntarenas.

 

The various ports trickled in, starting about last May, and all, but Chiapas, have been available since last Sept. Chiapas, I understand, is a little under developed, tourism-wise. HAL has been stopping there infrequently for the last 12-18 months.

[advocado]

HAL's website never made the Chiapas excursions available before our cruise through the Canal last month. Once on board, the excursions were posted and available. However, we opted just to take the shuttle into Tapachula ($10 r/t per person). It's right there when you get off the ship. Had a great time by ourselves. The shuttle has a tour guide on board who talks the whole way (about an hour) and is very knowledgeable. Even recommended a couple of restaurants for great tamales. The townsfolk were very friendly and police are everywhere. We felt quite safe.

[cruz chic]

I just want to add my 2 cents worth in about Columbian emeralds. I was on a Panama cruise in 2005 and we had a guy aboard to talk about Columbian emeralds. Being that I love the bling I had to go. Someone asked why would a person buy an emerald from Columbia rather then somewhere else. The guy stated because it would be a good memory of Columbia. I was amazed. I was waiting to hear how much better they were...anything.....It turned me off right then and there. If you love the item it's probably worth getting but it doesn't appear that they are anything better then the garden variety and I was surprised by that.

[RedmondCruiser]

We have missed Cartegena due to political unrest in the past and had the port replaced with Aruba. With a possible war brewing it may be on the "lets pass this one up list". HAL will be the final arbitor on this one but they pay close attention to the US State Dept and the Intellegence services. Another final arbitor could be the Insurance Company covering HAL. We have been scheduled to go to Cartegena twice and as of this date have never been there. ---- This April will either be the first or the third pass.

[cruz chic]

I could live without another stop at Cartegena. Wasn't my favorite place.