GoneJohnson

Hello,

I am cruising next March it's a 21 day Panama Canal cruise with about a dozen port stops. I am trying to find out how accessible or walkable a port is from the ship. I can cover a lot of ground in my power chair but need semi decent roads, sidewalks... it goes over a 2" bump easy.

I might rent a van to go further if walking to something is not possible.

The only two tendered ports are first stop - Half Moon Cay private island and last - Cabo San Lucas.

Please provide any info or comments you can...

how far is walking to 'town' in the ports attached?

I'll just say I had my first cruise 2 years ago, another last year and am missing this year but have a 21 day Panama cruise in March 2016.

I'm in a power chair full-time and my first 2 cruises went really good both Princess. My next will be on HAL.

I felt they were good to me, my chair... cruising is fun. Best wishes, good luck and have some fun.

I should check into my Master-cards and Discover to see if they offer anything. Good thought...

TravelGuards looks to have a fair price from my searches and a phone call. I hate making a decision when the outcome really ends up about the same.

Thank you all

Thank you all

My thoughts are similar but it helps to hear others express their reasonings as to why you do it your way.

I'll be gone today but will reread this tomorrow. Any comments still greatly appreciated.

My cruise and airfare will be separate. I need to buy my airfare before they'll insure me as they wanted cost.

I've had TravelGuard the past two years.

Randy

Hello,

I am booked on a 21 day HAL Panama Canal cruise March 12, 2016.

I need to buy cruise insurance and it looks like airfares are going up so maybe it's time to buy tickets also. I'm flying from rural Montana so my flight choices are limited.

Last year I booked my cruise insurance with my travel agent.

This year I booked my cruise direct with Holland. The price quoted from Holland seemed expensive. I called the company I had last year and it was quoted cheaper... I need to review coverages to be sure it's a fair comparison. Any reason not to go with the lower priced coverage? other than does it cover my needs?

Any comments, suggestions, input or advice is much appreciated. I have only cruised twice this will be my 3rd. I am still learning all the tips and tricks to ease the process bot physically and financially.

I am in a power electric wheelchair if that makes any difference. other than a PIA.

Thanks,

It's very loud and no where near a breeze--more like a hurricane as just posted.

Thats about what I would expect after my two Princes cruises. I freely walked the boat with what ever drink I had if I wanted. I've never cruised HAL so can't really say.

That makes cruising fun...

The Princess line had RODI and I've been told that was good. I assume HAL would be too. I had used RODI water in mine on a 7 night and 10 night and had no problems with my BIPAP same as CPAP.

Yes, thanks for asking. I never knew about that. It might be helpful or useful in the future.

I really thank you all for the sound advice. I really asked a silly question thinking about it. But for me being in a wheelchair the extra night some where in a new town is usually a PIA. extra transfers to odd sized beds so many little things it would be nice to arrive and go... but impractical and not worth jeopardizing a cruise I've been working on for three years.

Thanks, looking forward to this cruise.

Hey Thanks, my thoughts exactly. aI've never been to Florida or cruised HAL. I'd of hated for someone to say "we do it all the time"

I'm already setup with HAL to come in a day early and deal with the extra transfers. I have used an electric power wheelchair since age 15 - swimming accident, nope not diving a freak swimming....

I am booked on a HAL 21 day Panama canal next March 12th a Saturday. I am in a wheelchair so there are "extras" I think I'll need to come in a day early as the earliest flight to there is from the sticks here arrives at 2.35pm and that's just not enough time or is it okay?

I always here go early, early.... I'd hate to miss it. Air plane/port slow downs... cutting it to close. I could use the night of rest anyway.

Comments appreciated,

Randy

I have 2 cruises 17 nights with Princess but am sure I've read here on these forums that HAL starts you at the bottom. I have my first HAL booked and ready to go.

Good luck the veteran cruisers might know more.

I took my Mother on a 10 day cruise last year and rented her a folding wheelchair but she walked the ship really well and had little need for it. I also rented an O2 concentrator for myself I use a night Bipap with O2 both from CareVacations and I was very happy with the service. It was nice just having it in the room on arrival and leaving it when disembarking. Id have to have my own wheelchair.

Good luck and have fun.

I myself am in a wheelchair and it will not fit into a regular cabin. I need a HC cabin for the door only. I myself am bigger too 6'4" and take up space. I have only cruised twice on Princess and my limited experience after working with the access departments says I think they would try and can accommodate your room change request or question them at least.

I understand must have the bed a certain direction or I can't get into the bed right.

Well, I booked that 21 day Panama canal on the Westerdam, March 2016, cabin SY5001. Despite wind and motion I decided to take a chance on minimal wind and calm seas. Otherwise I'd need an inside cabin as I need a HC room for 3 people.

Thanks for your help..

I've been working on rescheduling a Panama Canal cruise I had to cancel. I'm in a wheelchair and will have 2 other persons with me.

I was first looking at different 15 day cruises and found a 21 day HAL that looks really fun.

I've been priced a cabin right up front 5001 and other than more money than I'd planed this could be a great view. I'll use the room. I read it has a small deck... I wonder how windy? Also how good can you see forward or does ships bow block most?

I've found a few room photos nothing great. If there are links please post. What type of view from the room? Large windows?

Any input pro/con's as I better make a decision soon.

Thank you very much

Well I'm interested in anyones knowledge or wag guess as to a wind factor or other factors for these two cabins. They will both catch some wind.

Cabin SY5001 vs VF5140 ON HAL Westerdam. March 2016 Panama Canel. This might be a mute point as we know there will be 3 of us so that rules out 5140. To help with my needs or better to divide it.

I've been mid forward but never first?... How much up and down? I don't mind motion but...

I was just considering one of these SY5001 5002... I would enjoy the floor space as it a 21 day cruise. I'd like the bigger deck but don't need that much room. I need it for three people.

Hey, this is a big change...

I just called Holland for the heck of it. I'm going to need 3 people in the room and the rooms I'd been looking at won't support three. They offered a price for front starboard corner that sleeps 3 stateroom SY5001.

Question is won't that get really blasted by wind?

This image might help. Will room VA5140 catch more wind?

The room I refer to is about ¾'s the way back and the first cabin's balcony to "stick out" as pointed out to me above which could let it catch wind. People's opinion about the amount of wind varies like the weather which makes sense.

Unless because the room/balcony does stick out is the only reason I question or ask. My two mid ship Princess balconies were great... the wind will vary and through the canal your moving slower.

Thank you all,

More input please.

Does anyone else have an opinion about the wind in cabin VF5140 on Ms Westerdam for sailing the Panama canal March 2016. I've not experienced any trouble on two Mexican Rivera cruises I was on a midship balcony.

A breeze would feel nice if it's 85-90 F temperatures. But yes I'd enjoy eating there too and don't need 20 knot wind constant. Are winds stronger on the east side? Above South America?

I'd hate to spend the money on a deck I can't use.

I don't recall any wind problems on the Sapphire - midship... Seemed the balcony breaks worked good. I think we were traveling slower about 16 to 18 knots in the daytime defiantly faster at night.

But I can see how this room 5140 does "stick out" and would probably catch the wind.

Another question. I've only been on the Princess Sapphire Cruise Ship once on the Baja Deck 11 and again on the Caribe Deck 10.

I assume deck 4 or 5 on the Ms. Westerdam will be really close to the water in comparison? It's tough to tell from deck plans and photos I've found.