Comments on Panama Canal Cruises and Mexican Ports?

[cruiseapril]

We are considering a HAL Panama Canal Transit on either the Zuiderdam or the Statendam. Have been looking at 2013 itineraries.

Both cruises stop at Mexican ports:

Statendam stops at Huatulco and Cabo San Lucas.
Zuiderdam stops at Puerto Chiapas, Huatulco, and Puerto Vallarta.

Would appreciate any advice about the safety of these ports.

We also have the option of the Zuiderdam partial transit with the Caribbean itinerary.

Which cruise would you take?

[Panama Mom-Mom]

Hi April,
We took the Transit Panama Canal Cruise on the Noordam in 2007, sailing from NYC to LA. The best cruise ever-April/May. The weather was perfect, the sailing was smooth. We loved Huatulco and Cabo. There were Mexican gun boats at the dock at both ports and armed security men at the check points, and we felt very safe. We sat near the beach in Huatulco and drank Marqurita's and just walked around the area. Took a cruise excursion in Cabo to view the landscape and saw a mother humpback whale and her calf, which was late in the season for them. We believe they were the whales that were found in the NY harbor.
Columbia was interesting-took an excursion to the fort, climbed a mountain to a chapel, and shopped for emerals. There were many beggars hounding the tourists to buy their trinkets, but the guide told us just to keep walking, and we were fine. We did discover as far as the emeralds were concerned-what we were looking for, could be bought back home cheaper.
Loved Costa Rica, took the Tram ride in the Rain Forrest and got hooked on Cafe Brit coffee, and still order it.
Acapulco was also great. Took an excursion to see the Highlights and our guide was great.
Can't say enought about this trip-truly, our favorite. You will see the Expansion project of the canal as well. Would recommend the transit.
Enjoy.

[lcand1923]

Panama Canal Transits are my favorite cruise. Find a copy of Anne Vipond's Book "Panama Canal by Cruise Ship". She lists many of the typical cruise ports visited on a Panama Canal transit and you can see which ones have things that interest you. Don't do the partial transit. Once you are in the Canal you are going to want to go all the way.

[RMLincoln]

We are considering a HAL Panama Canal Transit on either the Zuiderdam or the Statendam. Have been looking at 2013 itineraries.

Both cruises stop at Mexican ports:

Statendam stops at Huatulco and Cabo San Lucas.
Zuiderdam stops at Puerto Chiapas, Huatulco, and Puerto Vallarta.

Would appreciate any advice about the safety of these ports.

We also have the option of the Zuiderdam partial transit with the Caribbean itinerary.

Which cruise would you take?

I love the Huatulco stop. There's a lovely little beach right next to where the ship docks. Even back in 2004, our first there, we saw armed guard there and felt safe, also the two times we've stopped therre since.

I prefer a full transit or a west side entry partial transit becasue you get to see the whole canal

On our partial transit (from the Pacific) we had an overnight on Gatun Lake next to the Atlantiic locks which made the trip very relaxed and I would do that again, but might not consider just in and out in one day from the Atlanic locks becasue you miss alot of the canal, JMHO.

But if you like the Caribbean stops better and feel safer, peace of mind is worth everything, after all, it's a vacation.

And if you haven't been in the PC, this will be a wonderful opportunity no matter which way you do it. It's facinating.

Haven't done much in Porto Chiapas (bought some amber:) ) nor PV, and not lately so I'll let others comment on those. m--

[sail7seas]

We have done the partial transit round trip from FLL about 5 or 6 times and loved it every time. We think it a terrific cruise and are thinking of doing it again. :)
Our friends did that cruise on Zuiderdam a little while ago and had a great time.

[catl331]

Go all the way! Fantastic trip. Only port I have not been to is Puerto Vallarta but the others are just fine if you observe tourist rules: stay out of alleys, eat no raw foods, don't drink the water or ice etc.

Now you have the choice of a small ship or a medium size ship. Also a newer ship and older ship. Even though my legs tire walking back and forth on the Zuiderdam-size ship, I would vote for it. Statendam is getting a little tired. Also check www.cruisett.com (http://www.cruisett.com) to see what other ships are at the ports. A couple of large ships make a crowd on shore.

[Panama Pop-Pop]

Just for the record, the post Panama Mom-Mom made earlier had about a three thousand mile error in it. The whales we seen while on the excursion in Cabo were later sighted in Sacramento River, not NY harbor. A senior moment !!:eek:

[mamaofami]

[quote=Panama Pop-Pop;32322970]Just for the record, the post Panama Mom-Mom made earlier had about a three thousand mile error in it. The whales we seen while on the excursion in Cabo were later sighted in Sacramento River, not NY harbor. A senior moment !!:eek:[/

Never saw a whale in NY harbor. Thanks for that correction.

[Taxguy77]

Just for the record, the post Panama Mom-Mom made earlier had about a three thousand mile error in it. The whales we seen while on the excursion in Cabo were later sighted in Sacramento River, not NY harbor. A senior moment !!:eek:

I wondered about that.:confused: Where would the whales carry enough money to use the locks?:p
We've been through the canal and in talking to friends who just went a partial, I would go for the whole transit.:cool: