Why the Panama Canal? - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Forum, Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

Texashorselady · 03-03-2006, 06:23 PM

My DH mentioned he might someday want to do a Panama Canal cruise. It has never been a place I had ever thought about for a cruise...but I am openminded and willing to learn.

I wondered if there are any experts here who can tell me why the Panama Canal might be a wonderful cruise. I don't know that much about it other than where it is, a little of the history, and that there is a series of locks you travel through when you cruise the length of it.

Other than the technology of the locks...which is mildly interesting to me but I am not sure if it's fascinating enough to book an entire cruise based on just that...what is there to see or do? Is there gorgeous scenery? Is there fascinating history and cultures to explore? Why do some people do this cruise over and over?

Or is this maybe one of those cruises where you mainly enjoy the ship, the company you're with and just and being on a cruise...and not so much the location?

jstducky · 03-03-2006, 06:40 PM

Good question Julie!

I have not done PC, but would really really love too. I'm thinking perhaps 2008.
For me it is the locks and the canal itself that draws me. Its an amazing feat of engineering. Its just fascinating. But beyond that, I would like to take a full transit so I can see the best of the Caribbean, and the Mexican Riviera. I've also heard that Panama itself is really nice, greenery, etc. And Costa Rica is supposed to be amazing. Rainforest and animals and all that. Also, I'd like to look for a cruise that makes a port stop in Belize, as I've been told that the Mayan ruins there are better than in the Yucatan, and I thought those ruins were pretty darn good!

isujim · 03-03-2006, 06:47 PM

Julie

We did the canal partial and now are doing in October the full transit.

Check out our webshot pictures and we have some in the gallery here.

They are basically using the same technology that they used in 1917.....it is just amazing if you can appreciate the engineering for the turn of the century and it still works.......it is even the original concrete........

With so much rain it is always lush and green........

I suggest you buy Panama Canal by Cruise Ship by Anne Vipond.......Barnes and noble should have it........simple to read, covers the canal, all the ports from Miami, the Caribbean, all the way to LA.......and simple to understand maps which really help.

I will be happy to answer any specific question you may have.........but you really kinda have to experience it.........to understand and appreciate it...........like I said we loved it so much.......we are going back.

Glad to help if I can.

Jim

Texashorselady · 03-03-2006, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by isujim

Julie

I will be happy to answer any specific question you may have.........Glad to help if I can.

Jim

OK, here's a specific question: What did you do for fun off the ship? What sort of memorable excursions?

jstducky · 03-03-2006, 06:57 PM

Julie, question for you, have you cruised Mex Riv or Caribbean (western)? You basically stop at all those ports and do all of those excursions, swim with dolphins, swim with stingrays, visit mayan ruins, horseback riding at the beach, mayan dancers, etc. You just get a couple of extra port stops at like Panama and Costa Rica on top of it

isujim · 03-03-2006, 07:03 PM

Julie we were going to take the Panama train from the Caribbean side to the Pacific side.........but due to a medical emergency.........(someone fell from deck 12 to deck 11 outside the pool area) we were stuck in the canal an extra hour for a medical evacuation and our tour was cancelled.........but that was ok.....the canal itself was a history lesson and excursion in itself.

Suggest you go to royalcarribean.com or princes.com or any of the cruiselines and see what excursions are available..........while you might not ever want to do cruiseline excursions, it will give you an idea of what is available.

isujim · 03-03-2006, 07:05 PM

Alisa is right......that book I mentioned will cover every country you stop at...........In October we do Cabo, Acapulco, Huatalco, Puntarenous, cristobal, Aruba, Curacao.....and the canal and 7 sea days.

jstducky · 03-03-2006, 07:12 PM

Huatulco? I've heard that its really nice Jim. Very un-touristy since its such a new port!

Texashorselady · 03-03-2006, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jstducky

Julie, question for you, have you cruised Mex Riv or Caribbean (western)? You basically stop at all those ports and do all of those excursions, swim with dolphins, swim with stingrays, visit mayan ruins, horseback riding at the beach, mayan dancers, etc. You just get a couple of extra port stops at like Panama and Costa Rica on top of it

I've been to the west coast of Mexico/Baja and the Caribbean, just never on a cruise. I just went in and looked at a few itineraries for different cruiselines to see where they go. You do get to see a lot of ports, don't you?

But I like the unusual. Maybe we could do something that included the Panama Canal and South America. Like this...

isujim · 03-03-2006, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jstducky

Huatulco? I've heard that its really nice Jim. Very un-touristy since its such a new port!

Actually Alisa the book I am reading (Anne Vipond) says this port was built exclusively for tourism by the government of Mexico.......still not much there......completion is scheduled for the year 2008 to 2010......they are building this port apparently in stages.