Panama/Costa Rica Excursion Help!

[tworoberts]

I lurk often and learn lots from everyone's various experiences but seldom post. Now, however, it's my turn to ask for some advise from all you experts.

We are on the Rotterdam (01/25) partial transit of the canal and we need some help with excursions in Panama and Costa Rica. Interests are animals, plants and flowers and "nature" in general; shopping, NO! We've done several transits of Panama on previous HAL cruises but never been ashore there and we've been to Costa Rica's Pacific coast previously too.

What suggestions can you made that will enhance our cruise experience?

We are really looking forward to this cruise, our first on the Rotterdam

Many thanks for your answers. Best Wishes for a Happy New Year!

Robert & Bob

[doone]

Tworoberts, I did this cruise last March and it was wonderful. What I highly recommend is the Tortuguero Canal tour in Costa Rica. I have to say this is probably one of the best excursions for the money I have done on any of my cruises. We learned on these boards to book this excursion as early as possible as it gets hot down there early and some of the animals will seek shelter.

We got off the ship, got on a bus and took a bus tour (I think we had the best tour guide around, he was spectacular), we saw a banana plantation and he explained how it worked and how the bananas are grown and harvested. We then went onto other points of interest, which he pointed out. Now we get to the Canals, there is a nice area to buy some trinkets here, use the facilities, there were some fresh fruits served and samples of the wonderful Costa Rican coffee's. Be sure to purchase the coffee, its wonderful. Then off on the Canal tour. We saw crockodials, many different species of birds, turtles, monkeys, sloths, etc. HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS, IT WAS SPECTACULAR.

You will find the Atlantic side of Costa Rica, as I have been told, to be very different than the Pacific side. They say the Pacific side is more lush, but don't know, haven't been to that side before, but I sure did enjoy the people of Costa Rica, they were very gracious hosts. I am sure you will find them to be the same.

We had dinner for dads birthday at the Pinnacle Grill onboard the Rotterdam and would highly recommend it if you haven't eaten here before, we found it to be excellent. We found the food to be excellent in the dining room as well. We had 8:30 pm seating for dinner and had a wonderful waiter, bus boy and wine steward.

Hope this helps and enjoy the Rotterdam.

[Gsel]

Tworoberts, couldn't agree more! The canal trip is one of the best we have taken in over 20 years of cruising. As Doone said, the tour is not only informative, but fun. Be sure and buy some coffee, we were very afraid to buy it, bought one package and are now ordering it to be sent home. Try to book your tour early in the morning, heat and humidity can be wicked, and be sure to have your camera, lots of film and a hat. The fresh fruit, native beer, and local crafts you find at the rest stop are great. The facilities are clean and the people are very much interested that you enjoy their country and want to return.
Hope you enjoy the Rotterdam as much as we did. She is a beautiful ship with a fine crew. We will be looking forward to your review when you return.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have also done the Tortuguero Canal tour - w signed up for the tour on the internet. But to make certain that you get on the first buses that go directly to the canal for the first run - GET TO THE LOUNGE EARLY and get the first numbers for the tour. That way you do the canal first, first the rest stop for fresh fruit and see a couple of vendors before you begin the longer drive back to the bus.

Panama Canal - Either the Embera Indian Culture Tour or the Aerial Tram & Ecological Encounter tour (if they are offered) would be more along what you want. You will not see animals or wildlife on the train trip.

[RevNeal]

This October we took the Tropical Forest/Aerial Tram & Ecological Encounter tour in Costa Rica. It was WONDERFUL, though we were soaked to the bone by the rains. But, hey, it's a rain forest! If we ever do anything like it again, we'll take some rain ponchos and an extra umbrella.

Here's a link to photos:

http://homepage.mac.com/revneal/panamacanal/PhotoAlbum30.html


Whatever you do, have a BLAST! I loved the Panama Canal Cruise ... it was the best cruise I've taken yet.

[mountainmare]

We did the same cruise last Feb and loved it!! We were so taken with the canal that we are helping the "O" do her full transit on Jan 9(its really really close). My best advice is to go to the ports of call board and lurk there awhile. I actually found CC by looking for info about shore tours. We also did the canals,but used Oscar and had a private personalized tour. Followed other cruisers advice and had great snorkeling in Curacio and Auba with the ship tours. If you are even faintly interested in snorkeling I loved the Aruba Jolly Roger. This is not the normal drunk, loud and out of control JR that you see in other ports, Great sailing, good food, three different snorkel sites and best of all a nice vintage sailing ship. Costa Rica is really a safe friendly country, go to the other boards and see what people have to say( although I'm way past the age to consider ziplining!) Say hello to the Rotterdam for me, she's my favorite ship.