Panama Canal Sunfarer?

[Cruising-along]

I would love to hear from any of you who have done the 10-day Sunfarer sailing. The good and the bad (we've not been to any of the ports before). We understand that it would be a partial crossing of the Panama Canal, which would be ok this time.

Any advice? Which month would you recommend as best to go? Fun things to do? We like to be active, I hear that HMC has quite a bit to do there. What have you liked or disliked about this cruise?

Thank you! :)

[Williebill]

We will be aboard the Zuiderdam on the sunfarer cruise December 9. If you decide to join us, come and be a part of our roll call.

Bill

[Brown Eyed Gurl]

We did the 10 day Sunfarer in March 2006 and loved it. I don't recall anything that was bad.
I remember Panama and Curacao as very hot, Costa Rica was stunningly beautiful, Aruba had such a diverse landscape and was super windy, Curacao was charming, and going through the first 3 locks in the Canal took longer than we expected-I want to say 3 hrs each way!
In Aruba we took the island bus tour that stopped at the northshore/rock bridge, aloe vera factory, & Casabari Rock then walked around & shopped afterward in town, in Curacao we took the trolley train tour then walked around on our own (we went by the floating market in afternoon and were followed several times by different people, even into stores, so I'd recommend staying in the more touristy areas), in Panama we stayed on the ship to see the locks then walked around the cruise terminal in Colon, in Costa Rica we took the aerial tram tour (I wrote a detailed review somewhere in the port of call section).
I enjoyed that cruise very much and would even do it again.

[Sundagger]

I took this cruise last April - it's my favorite itinerary so far. I was on the Volendam, which has become my favorite ship. I prefer it's size and layout to the Vista class, but there are an equal number of people who prefer the Vistas.

The only somewhat bad thing about the cruise was the heat and humidity in April. It's always warm there, but December and January might be the best months.

I might even put up with the weather (which doesn't bother a lot of people as much as it does me) and the Zuiderdam to take this cruise again.:D

[FinelyRetired]

We did tne Sunfarer Dec. 06, 2006. Weather was never too hot. We felt the partial transit was just enough as we wanted/needed round trip from Fll to return for holidays.

Loved Aruba......so different with it's tropical side & desertlike-side. Also enjoyed Curacao immensely.

We'd choose December again.

Enjoy!!!!

Martha

[Cruising-along]

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate all your help. It really does sound like a great cruise. :)

Since I don't do heat and humidity so well, I'm leaning towards Dec. or Jan. DH worries about winter storms though. Should that be a concern?
:confused:

[bepsf]

Have a look for my posts on the "Hello from Volendam" thread from this past fall's Sunfarer Cruise.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=654783#post12227064

[Cruising-along]

Have a look for my posts on the "Hello from Volendam" thread from this past fall's Sunfarer Cruise.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=654783#post12227064 (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=654783#post12227064)

Thanks Brian, much appreciated! :)

Williebill, thanks for letting me know about your roll call. If we decide on Dec. 9 you'll see me over there. :D