Panama Canal Train Tours?

[Toad]

We are going with my 80 something parents on the HAL Sunfarer cruise which does a partial transit of the Panama Canal. My Dad expressed an interest in the train tour. For those of you who have done this, is it worth the time? Is the train air conditioned? Could you see well? Thanks for your help!

[wwinfl91]

We did this last year when our ship, the Zenith, docked in Colon Panama. We didn't pay extra for the domed car but the regular cars had A/C as did the buses we boarded when we got to Panama City (Pacific side) for a tour away from the train. The views of the canal from the train are not actually fantastic although we did see a large freighter and a tanker cruising in the canal from the train. The train cars are old and have been beautifully reconditioned. The whole tour was not very stressful so I would think your parents could handle it without any problems as long as they are relatively mobile (they would still have to climb up into the train). Given the options at a Colon docking this was the one we felt was the best available. If your ship is doing a partial transit I would suggest staying on the ship and seeing the canal from the ship but if you are just stopping at Colon go ahead and check this tour out as an option.

Have a great next cruise.

[doone]

I did this excursion last March and enjoyed it very much. The cars are all air conditioned whether you pay extra for the domed car or not. You can go outside the train to a little standing area if you like. I wouldn't pay extra for the domed car, no need to. I think you will like this excursion, we did.

[Krazy Kruizers]

:)

We loved the train trip. At the time we did the train trip, there wasn't an extra charg for the dome car - and we were lucky to be assigned to it. The cars are all conditioned. The train runs parallel to the canal. You can see the canal in many places. Once at the Pacific side, you transer to buses to go to the Miraflores Lock. We weren't lucky the day we were there to see a ship go through the lock. You also pass under the Bridge of the Americas and the bus takes you to the outskirts of Panama City. Then you transfer back to the train for the ride back to the another bus which takes you back to the tenders.

:)

[Peggy Tuten]

I did the trip in Feb 2003 with my 75-year old mother on a partial canal transit on the Coral Princess. It was an easy tour with very limited walking. We both thoroughly enjoyed the trip. We transited the canal and then boarded launches to take us to buses to take us back to Colon to board the train. We just had the regular coach which was very beautiful and comfortable. I agree that it probably isn't worth the extra $ for a domed car. A box lunch was served - I think on the return trip. Beverages were also available and I purchased the local beer.

The time at Miraflores locks seemed a bit long. There is a film to see in the small museum. I believe that was air conditioned as well. There's a raised viewing platform (with steps) of the locks. There was also an unannounced stop at a crafts store on the way back from Panama City. It was in the old part of the city. This building wasn't air conditioned, but was well ventilated and had a nice range of souvenirs and crafts to browse through. I think we had about 30 minutes there.

[jhannah]

We also have done the train. Really enjoyable. Others we spoke with visited the Emberra Indian village and said it was the high note of their visit to Panama. Now we're wanting to go back so we can do that!

[lcruiser]

Word of warning, when we took the train excursion (same time as KrazyKruizers) the box luncheon was not a lunch but a snack (fruit, cookie and water bottle). We were starving, I do not know if that has changed since last year, but I recomend you take something for substantial to eat.

[Krazy Kruizers]

:)

Agree with lcruiser - ours was not a box lunch - and we made note of it on our comment card at the end of the cruise. Our train trip was longer than most because we had to wait in Colon (drove around the city for a while) because the train wasn't there for us. A private tour had been arranged on it and we had to wait till the train returned to Colon. We were supposed to have been back to the tenders by 1 - 1:30. As it turned out we didn't get back until nearly 2:30 - 3. For our tour it made for a very long day with no chance of buying any food any where.

Thanks for reminding me about that, lcruiser.

:)

[DFD1]

Enjoyed the train tour very much. Beautiful restored train cars with A/C. Easy trip for those who don't need a lot of exercise. Well worth the cost. Snack lunch on return protion was the only weak feature, but we didn't starve! DFD1

[Toad]

Thanks so much for all of your responses. This sounds like a good excursion for both my husband and I as well as my parents! Can't wait, but almost too soon to start counting down!

[Krazy Kruizers]

:) Toad

This is an excellent tour for elderly parents.

Just take along some food of your own.

:)

[alys]

YES, the train is very well worth the money.....we enjoyed.....not much to see in Colon. Just a nice old-fashioned train....well appointed, but do have a good breakfast in the AM. Also.... you get to see the GATUN YACHT CLUB - ha ha.......