Statendam Panama Canal

[sdbvjdc]

My husband is retiring and we are taking our parents on the 21 day Panama Canal trip Oct 15, 2004 from San Diego.
Is there anyone who has taken this trip and can pass along some sage advice on activiies aboard and in the ports (Cabo, Acapulco, Santa Cruz Huatulco, Puntarenas, Costa Rica, Amador, Panama City,San Juan Del Sur, Puerto Quetzal, Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa, Puerto Vallarta)?
We do not know what types of activites are offered on the ship. Do we take a supply of books or is the library really well supplied? Does the gym have free weights, tredmill, bike?? We are not gamblers or drinkers so what else is there to do? What are the shows-full plays, singer, comic or Las Vegas style-every day and what time? Do they have a new movie each day and what time? Are there lectures or other classes?
:confused:
We can use any info you can offer. Even if you have not taken this particular trip you might offer info on the general running of the ship if you have traveled on the Statendam recently.
Thank you from San Diego

[Krazy Kruizers]

Welcome sdbvjdc.

I see that this is your first post.

We will also be on the October 15th cruise on the Statendam. We have sailed many times on HAL but this will be our first time on this ship.

We have done many of these ports before. The only one new to us is Amador, Panama. This is a tender port. There are only a couple of shops right at the tender pier. So we have selected the Panama City & the Casco Antiguo tour.

We have been many times to Cabo San Lucas - so now we just walk around town and shop. This is also a tender port. The first time we were there we toke the 1/2 day tour which also included a boat ride out to Land's End. Great.

Acapulco - have been there several times - we have enjoyed the cliff divers.

Santa Cruz, Huatulco - took the tour around to the different bays - it was okay.

Puntarenas, Costa Rica - the first time we were there we took an all day tour through the forest and saw lots of monkeys and parrots, etc. If you plan on doing anything in the forests (jungles - shots and/or malaria pills are recommended). This time we are going to do the Tropical Mangrove River Cruise.

We are hoping that HAL offers something at Gatun Lake since nothing was listed on their website. The only way you can get off the ship in Gatun Lake is either by booking a tour or paying $30 per person to tender over to the "yacht club" - which is really nothing.

San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua - the first time we were here we took the half day tour to Grenada - great.

Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala - have been here a couple of times. The first time we flew into Copan - an all day tour. This time we are going to do the Coffee Finca Plantation tour since it was cancelled on us the last time because the natives went on strike.

Zihuatanejo - the first time we were there they had floods and many of the roads were shut down. This time we hope to do the Ixtapa Resort Tour which was cancelled before.

Puerto Vallarta - Have been here many times - done the all day tour into the Sierras - great. Toured around the outskirts of town - great. This time we are only goin to go to the beach - Vallarta Beach Break.

Hope this helps and maybe we will meet on the ship???

[Krazy Kruizers]

sdbvjdc

Here is the dress code for the cruise:

Fri, Oct 15 - casual
Sat, Oct 16 - formal
Sun, Oct 17 - casual
Mon, Oct 18 - informal
Tues, Oct 19 - casual
Wed, Oct 20 - casual
Thurs, Oct 21 - formal
Fri, Oct 22 - casual
Sat, Oct 23 - informal
Sun, Oct 24 - casual
Mon, Oct 25 - casual
Tues, Oct 26 - casual
Wed, Oct 27 - informal
Thurs, Oct 28 - casual
Fri, Oct 29 - casual
Sat, Oct 30 - formal
Sun, Oct 31 - informal
Mon, Nov 1 - informal
Tues, Nov 2 - casual
Wed, Nov 3 - formal
Thurs, Nov 4 - casual

Of course HAL can change the dress as they see fit. I got this information from ship services.

[Krazy Kruizers]

In looking over my notes I see that I forgot to mention that:

San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua is a tender port

And

Zihuatanejo is also a tender port.

[garydm]

Statendam is our favorite HAL ship. We did the 16 day Panama Canal trip from San Diego to FLL in January 2004. We have the 15 day Hawaii RT San Diego on Statendam booked for February 2005. You will have an incredible time. I could do this trip again in a minute.

Another poster has provided some good ideas and I will add a few. You can also see my review in the "Reviews" section (click above). Have been to Cabo many times and our favorite hangout is the Office Bar and Restaurant-right on the beach (sand in your toes) and about a one mile walk along the water from the tender dock. Great food and drink and no after effects. Huatulco was very nice and you can swim right at the beach by the end of the pier where there are restaurants, etc. Acapulco-I would probably just stay on the ship next time. Zihua is a nice town to walk around with a large shopping area. Nice little restaurants and bars down by the beach-all within walking. You can go out to Ixtapa but it is a bunch of hotels. In Guatemala we did the tour to Antigua and it was very good-long day. Be sure and get off the ship on a tour in Puerto Quetzal as they often burn garbage around the pier area and it can get pretty smoggy and nasty there. In Costa Rica we did the Cloud Forest tour-saw very little in the way of critters and it was a long day on a bus. PV-go to the Krystal and make an appointment at the Millenium Spa-great couples massages, etc. at low prices-walking distance from the ship.

Library is pretty well supplied. I think I will bring fewer books to Hawaii and use the ones they have. The gym is pretty sad or it was earlier this year. The equipment is very old and in pretty poor shape. It is the only real disappointing area on the ship. You will have plenty to do. Go to a movie or two each day, a show at night, cards or games in the card room, eat, etc. I never ran out of things to do. Going thru the Canal is wonderful and will occupy all your time that day.

Be glad to amplify on anything or answer questions. Wish we were going with you. And, best of all you leave from San Diego.

Gary

[gizmo]

I would buy some books ahead of time so you can get ideas of what you might want to do. Look at Hal's web site for the excursions that are listed and check out the Mexcian Riveria board on this site.

Acapulco.
You can get a taxi or van when you get off the ship. They will take you on the same tour the ship does but you can get a better price. Part of this tour can include the Cliff Divers, Princess Hotel, and some great views. There is a restaurant where you can sit and watch the cliff divers instead of standing in the hot, hot sun. You buy either 2 drinks or 1 drink and a sandwich. The sandwich looked pretty good. I went for the 2 drinks. Don't order a Margarita. They taste like that "real lemon juice" out of the bottle. I can't remember the price but it was very reasonable and well worth it. We got there a little early and got a table in the shade.

Zihuatanejo
The tender leaves you off right in town. It is a small town with some interesting stores and vendors along the beach. It is the "old Mexico" and I enjoyed this port very much. I just walked around the town, stopped in the church, and did a little shopping.

Costa Rica
I did a private tour that included a banana plantation, a stop to see a sloth at the tour guides friend's house, some views and a boat trip on one of the canals. I enjoyed it.
Many people have done the Tortuguero Canal excursion which is available through Hal and this is highly recommended by all.

[sdbvjdc]

Thank you for all the suggestions and information. Where do you find things like the dress schedule? I have been trying to find that out because we will be celebrating the birthday/retirement on the 4th and were hoping that we could eat in the fancy resturant that night and not miss the captain's dinner. So if the 4th is casual then it is not the captain's dinner, I would guess. Is my assumption correct?

I am printing all the port info and will take it with us.
Keep the information about the ship coming. And thank you all for your help.

[alaskagal515]

Hi...this is my first time using these boards so I hope I'm doing this correctly. :confused: Two years ago I was on the Statendam from Vancouver to San Diego then the Circle Hawaii back to San Diego. I really enjoyed the Statendam and will be on the October 15th sailing as well. Last year I was on the Prinsedam from San Francisco to Boston. I visited several of the same ports so I can let you know which excursions I enjoyed.

Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala...Filadelfia Coffee Plantation & Antigua
Puntarenas, Costa Rica...San Jose All Day Tour
Santa Cruz Huatulco, Mexico...La Crucesita & Scenic Drive

Everyone has a different idea of what they enjoy. I tried not to have an all day excursion everyday, sometimes I only went for half a day also to vary the type of excursion I went on. My roomate and I did all of our excursions together...that was fine since she's known me since I was born (She could be my grandmother).:D So we had a good time together. I therefore took her into consideration when we planned our excursions. I really liked the Guatemala and the Costa Rica excursions best of the three that overlap with our ports on this trip. At any rate I started cruising three years ago...this is my third cruise with HAL. I plan to go every year on a cruise with HAL. :p I hope that I gave you some useful information. I also got some good information on all the ports I've never been to. Thank you for posting your inquiry. I can't wait to visit all the new ports. Looking forward to meeting everyone on the Statendam October 15th. :cool:

Sara :)

[Krazy Kruizers]

sdbvjdc

Nov 4 is a casual night since it is the last night of the cruise and everyone has to get their luggage ready to put out.

Nov 3 is a sea day and the last formal night which is the captain's dinner.

[Krazy Kruizers]

I am starting a thread on the roll call board for this cruise - check in there.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Just reread the part about the gym.

Husband is disappointed about the condition of the gym. He uses the treadmills nearly every day - has to - heart problems.

Hope some of the equipment will be fixed or replaced by the time we get on the ship.

[RedmondCruiser]

My wife and I are also on this cruise. We took the same cruise last year and had a great time. Bring your own paper backs - ships library is well stocked but all are hard backs and don't do well around the pool. Most of the shore excursions are still available after you board -

Cabo - Have only taken water shore excursions but have enjoyed all of them.

Acapulco - Cliff Divers are a good bet - Where the boat docks is not the best place to walk around.

Huatulco - Make sure you walk into town and see the harbor.

Puntarenas - Lots of vender stalls on shore - buy Brit Coffee

Amador - Nice facility on shore, though small. - No one liked the city tour but talked to many who liked the jungle tours.

Gatun Lake - Don't pay money to go into the yacht club. I hope HAL now does this for free.

San Juan del Sur - Small town - did'nt talk to any one who went on a tour - Great beach bar ( sorry you don't drink) but the bar had wooden floors, thatched roof and an old dog sleeping in the corner - plus one dollar Luna beer. We had a fair sized group from the ship and we had a great time.

Puerto Quetzal - The cruise line owns the large vendor pavillion on shore - Prices were high but keep walking further back in the vendor stall areas for much better deals. If its a clear day you will be amazed at the number of volcanos visible from the boat.

Zihuatanejo - One of my favorites - Vender stalls run for several blocks - why they don't stay longer is a mystery.

Puerto Vallarta - Good sized city - If you like very good authentic Mexican Food try Las Palomas - Its about in the center of the beach drive - We always go there and have never been disappointed.

---- I hope Krazy Kruizer is right - last year we had 5 formal nights and 5 informal - If I tell the wife and I'm wrong - I'm dead meat.

See you all by the aft pool.

[sdbvjdc]

We have been instructed by our doctor that we must drink beer while on shore ;) (and we have been know to have a glass of wine before dinner) so we will take advantage of the great beach bar in San Juan. Sorry to missrepresent myself.

I am off in search of the roll call board to sign in. You can't assume that I know anything, and you will be close to the truth. It would be fun to meet with everyone while we wait for our cabins to be ready.

More questions.
I heard that there are robes in the cabins, but is this only in the verandah cabins? We are down in the hold.
Ditto: small refrigerator
safe (size?)
hair dryer

RedmondCruiser- The temperature is supposed to be in the 80's, but does it get cool in the evenings? in the air conditioned ship?
We are bringing all the mosquito sprays but do we need to get malaria pills if we are going to kayak in the Panama Canal and bike through the jungle?

Thank you all for the info.

[RedmondCruiser]

to - sdbvjdc

My doctor has never given me that advice - maybe he can take advice from another physician. - Temperature and humidity are tropical and it does not take a break. October is on the cusp of seasonal temp change. - can go either way - either comfortable or very hot. Temperature in the ship is always comfortable. -- I'd take some precaution if you intend to travel in the jungle, as far as deet - don't know about anti malaria drugs.

One side light - last year we were anchored in Gatan Lake and the aft pool area on the Amsterdam was invaded by a bee colony. They finally started to form a ball in the ceiling of the overhang. I was watching from the pool. They prompted a one strip officer to look over the situation. Five minutes later it was a two stipper. Five minutes later the first officer is looking over the bee hive. and you can guess who shows up next. -- you quest it The Captain. Now everyone had to clear out and watch from the Lido while two men, dressed in full fire fighting gear did battle with the bees. CO2 extinguishers and Raid took out the pesky insects and the decks were washed free of dead bees. - therefore you never know what you'll get in Panama.

[Krazy Kruizers]

DEET - is it!!

We never leave home wothout it!!

And if you do decide to take a bike ride through the forests/jungles --- you need to start taking malaris pills --- soon!!!

One can never be to sure.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Redmond Cruiser

You mentioned about meeting at the aft pool.

Check in with the roll call board.

Maybe some of us can get together.

[sdbvjdc]

More questions.
I heard that there are robes in the cabins, but is this only in the verandah cabins? We are down in the hold.

Ditto: small refrigerator??
safe (size?)??
hair dryer??
In room CD player for personal music?

Thanks

[RuthC]

More questions.
I heard that there are robes in the cabins, but is this only in the verandah cabins? We are down in the hold.

Ditto: small refrigerator??
safe (size?)??
hair dryer??
In room CD player for personal music?

ThanksAll cabins get robes; one size fits most.
Only the S and PH suites get a refrig on the S/R/V-class ships; all cabins on the Vista-class ships. If you aren't in a cabin with a fridge, and want one, your TA can request one for a small charge.

Except for the Noordam all cabins have a safe; method of operation varies by ship. It's large enough to hold a goodly amount of jewelry, wallet, credit cards. The door is smaller than the inside.

Again, except for the Noordam all cabins have a hair dryer. Some are more powerful than others.

Those of us in steerage do not get a CD player. There is a radio with several channels---each channel a different style of music.

[sdbvjdc]

RuthC-Thank you for the information. This is all helpful.
Krazy Kruizers-Based on your information I was able to secure reservations at the Pinnacle Grill for the first night and Doug's birthday. So that is one worry removed. Ship Services did confirm that there were only the 4 formal nights. So again, thank you for helping us pack.

[ptcandy]

.

So we have selected the Panama City & the Casco Antiguo tour.




Hi
Hope you see this. Can you tell me about this excursion? Do you spend 8 hours on a bus or do they allow you to get out?

thanks