Has anyone cruised Panama Canal with P&O

[purple myra]

We are really keen to do the Mexican Riviera and Panama Canal cruise (E830) 2009 though, not this year....

a bit concerned as we have never cruised before, are we picking the most suitable cruise line for us?

We will be (40 & 42 years old at time of sailing ) we're not pool/beach lovers we enjoy having something to do and somewhere new to see.

We will definitely enjoy the evening entertainment although we are not 'party people', we like the idea of having a nice meal a few drinks and watching a show.

Is this the cruise for us?

If not, can anyone suggest an alternative ( must include the canal though )

[haggis]

Hello there. Well if you havent cruised before, you surely have picked the big one. We've been there 4 times, two full transits and 2 partial transits. The full transits are, IMHO the best. More excitement amongst the passengers and a very enjoyable, if not tiring day. Our last trip through was on P & O's Adonia (now Sea Princess) and we started off at Acapulco. This gets the long flight over starting in Acapulco as normally the flight back is from Barbados. Its 16 hrs flying time to Acapulco and 8 hrs flying time, overnight from Barbados.

We've done these trips with Princess and P & O and found the P & O cruise could possibly have the edge on a younger passenger company. This could be accounted for by the long flight out to the ship but, having said that, the Princess trips were every bit as enjoyable.

I'm sure that whichever ship or company you decide to travel with, you've a guid Scottish tongue in your head and you'll soon make friends in your own age group.

Go for it. Its great.

Jimmy

[purple myra]

oh thanks for that Jimmy,

I've just let my hubby read your reply as he was a bit more apprehensive than me.

Think its almost, nearly, maybe a certainty now :D

[The Monocled Mutineer]

P&O is one of the few lines that for it's ex.UK/Southampton and ex.UK fly programme will have a passenger profile that will be 99% English, Welsh, Scots & Irish.

 

Most other lines, and especially for the Caribbean and Central America cruises will, to varying degrees, have a much higher US & Canadian passenger profile.

 

Accordingly, the food and entertainment by line will be in accordance with the majority expectations and preferences.

[Sparkle 123]

Hi Myra

We did the Panama And Mexican Riviera cruise on the Arcadia over Christmas 2006. It was a fantastic itinerary. The Panama canal transit was fascinating. if you want to click on these links you can see our photos.

http://www.cruisemates.com/gallery/view.php?id=3239

http://www.cruisemates.com/gallery/view.php?id=3249

If you can try and get an aft balcony cabin, that way you can see all the locks closing behind you and you can see the front view on your cabin TV! Thay also have a narrator onboard over the ships PA system.

The ships photographers took some great shots of the transit from a helicopter.

This was definitely one of the best itineraries we have done so far. The only downside is the long flights on a charter airline.Its worth it though.

With reference to the choice of cruiseline for a first time cruisier I think P&O would be a good choice. We enjoyed the entertainment very much although we were lucky to have Jane Macdonald onboard, she was great. The production shows were very good too. There were plenty of shore excursiions if you are not into beaches.

If you have any other questions ask away!

Lisa

[unhappy cruiser]

We did the Panama anboard Ventura last year. We did a back to back cruise so went both ways! The best trip was the train ride alongside the Panama booked through P&O. The train was old and gorgeous with wood paneling, brass lights and refreshments and the staff sing traditional songs to you. The train has observation platforms outside the min carriage so you can hear the wildlife in the rainforest as you trundle along. Book early as this trip sells out very fast. Enjoy.

[Rockin Daddy]

We did the Panama anboard Ventura last year. We did a back to back cruise so went both ways! The best trip was the train ride alongside the Panama booked through P&O. The train was old and gorgeous with wood paneling, brass lights and refreshments and the staff sing traditional songs to you. The train has observation platforms outside the min carriage so you can hear the wildlife in the rainforest as you trundle along. Book early as this trip sells out very fast. Enjoy.

 

Are we sure it was Ventura ?

regards

Rockin Daddy

[Scottie Girl]

We did B2B cruise on Arcadia last year and thoroughly enjoyed the transit through the canal. We had a balcony but our steward advised us they had opened uo a large balcony on the front of the ship, under the bridge and we spent time there as we went through the locks. Although it was a long flight to Acapulco it wasn't nearly as bad as we thought it would be. I can thoroughly recommend this cruise. It was lovely being able to sail back to Southampton as this saved another longish flight home from Barbados. You would most certainly enjoy this cruise.