Shore excursions on Panama Canal cruise

We just returned from this ship and Panama on Feb 11.
Our itinerary was a bit different though.
In Aruba we did the Jolly Pirate swim, snorkel and swing trip. We had a
great time. They take you to two different snorkel places and both were
very good. The crew on the boat went out of their way to make sure everyone
had fun.
In Panama we did the Canal by Ferry tour. In retrospect I wish we had
stayed on the ship. It was a 1.5 hour bus ride to the ferry, the ferry ride
through the second two sets of locks, and a 2 hour bus ride back. The
cruise ship will go through the Gatun locks both ways, so you can experience
the locks that way. The ferry was hot and very crowded, and honestly, I
don't think what more we did was really worth spending that much time on a
bus. The "scenery" from the bus is pretty depressing. From what we saw,
Panama is a filthy country. Just my opinion.
Our other two stops were Costa Rica and Grand Cayman.
The radiance class of ships is my favorite that I've been on in 8 cruises.
Have a wonderful time.
Momma
"Dean Worrell" <worrelldk RemoveThis @XameritechX.netX> wrote in message
news:3pJwj.8001$xq2.5409@newssvr21.news.prodigy.net...
> We'll be on the Brilliance of the Seas Panama Canal cruise the first 2
> weeks of March. Other than Labadee, we've not been to any of the ports on
> this cruise. Does anyone have any "must see" or any "don't bother"
> excursions or activities at any of these ports?
>
> We will be stopping at:
> Willemstad, Curacao 7am - 5pm
> Oranjestad, Aruba 7am - 7:30pm
> Cristobal Pier, Panama 3pm - 7pm
> Cartagena, Colombia 11:30am - 6pm
>
> Personally I'm not thrilled with Cartagena and may just stay on board.
>
> Thanks for any advice!
> --
> Dean in Peoria
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Shore excursions on Panama Canal cruise 

Dean, I'm with you on Cartegena. I think it's a dangerous place. However,
if you want emeralds, and if you do your homework to recognize quality, your
ship-assigned taxi will take you to the shops. The shops will dicker with
you all the way out to the taxi to get the sale so fight for a lower price.
My reference to the taxi is because we were paired with a driver before we
left the ship.

Watch for soldiers and drug dogs on the pier.

Have a good cruise,

Harry Cooper


"Dean Worrell" <worrelldk.DeleteThis@XameritechX.netX> wrote in message
news:3pJwj.8001$xq2.5409@newssvr21.news.prodigy.net...
> We'll be on the Brilliance of the Seas Panama Canal cruise the first 2
> weeks of March. Other than Labadee, we've not been to any of the
> ports on this cruise. Does anyone have any "must see" or any "don't
> bother" excursions or activities at any of these ports?
>
> We will be stopping at:
> Willemstad, Curacao 7am - 5pm
> Oranjestad, Aruba 7am - 7:30pm
> Cristobal Pier, Panama 3pm - 7pm
> Cartagena, Colombia 11:30am - 6pm
>
> Personally I'm not thrilled with Cartagena and may just stay on board.
>
> Thanks for any advice!
> --
> Dean in Peoria
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Shore excursions on Panama Canal cruise 

Everyboysmomma wrote:

> In Panama we did the Canal by Ferry tour. In retrospect I wish we had
> stayed on the ship. It was a 1.5 hour bus ride to the ferry, the ferry
> ride through the second two sets of locks, and a 2 hour bus ride back.
> The cruise ship will go through the Gatun locks both ways, so you can
> experience the locks that way. The ferry was hot and very crowded, and
> honestly, I don't think what more we did was really worth spending that
> much time on a bus. The "scenery" from the bus is pretty depressing.
> From what we saw, Panama is a filthy country. Just my opinion.

Momma, your experience on the ferry echoes mine. It was hot and
crowded, plus there was a long line to use the ladies facilities. The
ferry sat so low in the water, I could not observe very much. The walls
surrounded the ferry, which could be uncomfortable for some people. It
certainly did not allow you to feel much of a breeze, either.

The second time I visited Panama, I took a taxi to the Gatun locks. I
stood in the shade next to the locks, and I watched a ship go through.
It was cool and windy, plus seating was available, if someone wanted to
sit and watch a ship go through the locks. Try that next time, I think
you will like it.

The ferry sounds like a nice idea, so it is difficult to discourage
people from trying it.

Some areas of Panama were nice, especially when you get out of the city.
I saw rolling hills, a few ranches and some beautiful homes. The
countryside was lovely.

Becca
 >> Stay informed about: Shore excursions on Panama Canal cruise 

Becca wrote:
> Everyboysmomma wrote:
>
>> In Panama we did the Canal by Ferry tour. In retrospect I wish we had
>> stayed on the ship. It was a 1.5 hour bus ride to the ferry, the
>> ferry ride through the second two sets of locks, and a 2 hour bus ride
>> back. >
>
> Momma, your experience on the ferry echoes mine. It was hot and
> crowded, plus there was a long line to use the ladies facilities. The
> ferry sat so low in the water, I could not observe very much.

We, on the other hand, LOVED the ferry excursion (booked through Royal
Caribbean on the Brilliance). We had seats at a small table right along
the railing, and enjoyed the sun and a breeze for the entire trip, plus
an incredible up close and personal view of the canal, the locks, the
bridges, the ships alongside us...everything!

We also had a pretty good guide on the bus portion of the trip, and so
were able to learn a lot about the country and the canal along the
route. He was quiet on the way back, allowing those who wanted to
snooze or rest quietly the opportunity to do so.

One of our best excursions ever. And one of the only times I didn't
feel ripped off by paying cruiseline excursion prices!

~ Peri
 >> Stay informed about: Shore excursions on Panama Canal cruise 

In article <47c47bdd$0$8078$607ed4bc@cv.net>, Peri
<nospamforperi.DeleteThis@optonline.net> wrote:

> We, on the other hand, LOVED the ferry excursion (booked through Royal
> Caribbean on the Brilliance). We had seats at a small table right along
> the railing, and enjoyed the sun and a breeze for the entire trip, plus
> an incredible up close and personal view of the canal, the locks, the
> bridges, the ships alongside us...everything!

I also liked the ferry. It was hot but I enjoyed making the full
transit to the Bridge of the America's and the Pacific Ocean. One of my
best excursion ever too.

--
Charles
 >> Stay informed about: Shore excursions on Panama Canal cruise 

Solar Travel would like travellers to post on our forum any travel
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particular cruise line or cruise ship, we would welcome your participation
in our new forum. Thanks in advance. The Solar Travel Team.

http://www.solartravel.eu/travel-forum/


"Harry Cooper" <hpc.TakeThisOut@seehorsevideo.com> wrote in message
news:76WdncSqp5qJvlnanZ2dnUVZ_s-pnZ2d@comcast.net...
Dean, I'm with you on Cartegena. I think it's a dangerous place. However,
if you want emeralds, and if you do your homework to recognize quality, your
ship-assigned taxi will take you to the shops. The shops will dicker with
you all the way out to the taxi to get the sale so fight for a lower price.
My reference to the taxi is because we were paired with a driver before we
left the ship.

Watch for soldiers and drug dogs on the pier.

Have a good cruise,

Harry Cooper


"Dean Worrell" <worrelldk.TakeThisOut@XameritechX.netX> wrote in message
news:3pJwj.8001$xq2.5409@newssvr21.news.prodigy.net...
> We'll be on the Brilliance of the Seas Panama Canal cruise the first 2
> weeks of March. Other than Labadee, we've not been to any of the
> ports on this cruise. Does anyone have any "must see" or any "don't
> bother" excursions or activities at any of these ports?
>
> We will be stopping at:
> Willemstad, Curacao 7am - 5pm
> Oranjestad, Aruba 7am - 7:30pm
> Cristobal Pier, Panama 3pm - 7pm
> Cartagena, Colombia 11:30am - 6pm
>
> Personally I'm not thrilled with Cartagena and may just stay on board.
>
> Thanks for any advice!
> --
> Dean in Peoria
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Shore excursions on Panama Canal cruise 

Charles wrote:

> In article <47c47bdd$0$8078$607ed4bc@cv.net>, Peri
> <nospamforperi RemoveThis @optonline.net> wrote:
>
>
>>We, on the other hand, LOVED the ferry excursion (booked through Royal
>>Caribbean on the Brilliance). We had seats at a small table right along
>>the railing, and enjoyed the sun and a breeze for the entire trip, plus
>>an incredible up close and personal view of the canal, the locks, the
>>bridges, the ships alongside us...everything!
>
>
> I also liked the ferry. It was hot but I enjoyed making the full
> transit to the Bridge of the America's and the Pacific Ocean. One of my
> best excursion ever too.

Charles, I am glad you enjoyed the ferry. You too, Peri. It was my
least favorite excursion, which just goes to show you, ya never know.

Becca
 >> Stay informed about: Shore excursions on Panama Canal cruise