CalebMonroe

I agree as well. I traveled TA last year on Monarch and going on another west to east on Zenith. Be nice to have a specific site.

The trip from Bilbao to Panama in 2016 had folks getting on board in Lisbon as well as Bilbao. Some folks were scheduled to get off at Aruba rather than Colon. Pullmantur is different than typical American cruises and allowed flexibility in boarding and off loading locations. However due to Hurricane Matthew, Aruba closed its port and folks planning to get off and had arranged transport back to the states or stay in Aruba for awhile couldn't. They had to stay onboard and work out return from Panama instead.

If you are working with travel agent or check with the cruise line then you can find out if they are allowing that flexibility this time. I really enjoyed the ship and staff and met a lot of interesting folks. Since it was a re-positioning cruise there was only 1000 on board on a ship that holds 2600.

I did not use the WAVE, but I believe you can pay extra (based on thread talk) and get access w/o being in suite. Someone who did use this may respond and give you the details.

I'm getting $42 rebate back from Pullmantur via VTG for the missed visit to Aruba.

I am setting up a van or two maybe if needed to get to PC from Colon the day we arrive. There is a possibility of a tour that could be included in the transportation. If anyone is interested feel free to contact me. I used the tour guild in May coming to Colon from PC and it was excellent. :)

You might want to review some of the previous quotes as there are already a couple of groups planning tours as follows......

Please registered with My Friend Mario http://www.bscpma.com/mfm/index.htm so they can keep track of the number of people for each tour. It's getting a bit confusing for all the back and forth emails.

Thanks everyone and looking forward to meeting you all on board.

Hi Caleb,

CL1 will get you to Panama City. I'm not positive but I think it gets you there around 4 PM.

If you are interested I will need to let My Friend Mario know. How many people are in your party?

Keith

I'm interested and there is just me in my party. First solo cruise.

Thanks

We (Keith and Doreen from Montreal) are arranging for Mario's CL1 tour which takes its time crossing to the Pacific side, while Pat Novak from SC is arranging for CL9 which goes straight South for a tour of Panama City. It looks like both tours have sufficient numbers to be confirmed. Anyone wanting to join either tour can decide on board but it might be a good idea to decide before Saint Martin so we can phone/email to confirm the right size of vehicle.

I believe I prefer the CL1 tour RAINFOREST, COLONIAL FORT + CANAL EXPANSION as long as they drop us off in Panama City :) . Dave C.

Hi All

 

I think it is time to make the arrangements for the transfer and tour. Since we all will have luggage with us. I think My Friend Mario has the best reviews.

 

Can we all post so we have a accurate count to be able to make the

reservation. I believe the cost should between 70-80 per person.

Duration is between 6-7 hours.

 

I am not sure of drop off point am looking for suggestions.

 

I am staying at a airport hotel.

 

Thanks

pat novak-call

I am definitely still interested, I am traveling solo and staying at Holiday Inn Express at Calle*Ricardo*Arango*y*calle*53E* Detras*del*Santuario*Nacional which is apparently 3 minutes away from Albrook Mall. My name is Dave Cable from Indiana. (Caleb Monroe). Let me know if I need to make reservations with Mario.

Hi All

 

Anyone else besides Joan and myself interested in a debarcation tour (locks, highlights of the area) before being dropped off in Panama City?

 

If you are interested in sharing a Private excursion add your name to this list so we can arrange a pick-up at the ship and the tour and drop off.

 

Joan B

Pat Novak-Call

 

 

 

The more people who want to do this the cheaper per person it becomes.

 

I think My Friend Mario has the best reviews Google My Friend Mario to see his tour if you are interested.

 

See Everyone on the Ship

 

pat

I am interested in tagging along on this tour since I am also spending the night in Panama City before flying out on the 11:46am Copa flight to FLL on 3rd. Staying at Holiday Inn Express to use reward points,

I'm interested in combining with others interested in taxi/tour from Colon to Panama City.

I have read elsewhere that Pullmantur eventually advertises transfers from Colon to Panama City, but waits to lessen the impact on their planned excursions for that date. Hopefully that is true, but if not, combining would save some funds.

I am still looking for reasonable transportation in Bilbao to the cruise dock in Getxo, but I'm staying the night before so I am traveling from a hotel not the airport. Apparently the bus service and metro subway are $2-5and both run a few blocks from the dock, but neither have (at least from what I've found online so far) have stations or stops near the airport or the airport Holiday Inn Express (free airport shuttle) I'm staying at. Which makes no sense to me' I may get a taxi to bus or metro stop & go or just take a taxi

Does anyone know if Pullmantur has transfers after the arrival in Colon? Specifically I found they have some tours to the locks and on to shopping in Panama City for ~$70, but they appear to return to Colon. Do they have transfers to Panama City and if so where can you find them on their website? I would rather not have to pay upwards of $150 to travel solo taxi from Colon to my hotel in Panama City if I don't have to. Thanks for any responses.