GoneJohnson

On the Ms. Westerdam stateroom VF5140 March 12, 2016. The trip and cruise ship ship above.

It's the 5th deck - right?

I'm looking at booking the 21 NIGHT PANAMA CANAL WESTBOUND they are holding stateroom VF5140 for me can anyone tell me anything about it? I've looked at several reviews and the deck plans and don't see anything bad. How close to the water is that? looks close.

Thanks

Thanks,

I leave my chair by the bed and am it it otherwise. I'll have someone to help/assists with my needs.

The wheelchair must have a handicapped room it's 24-25 inches wide. I was told all other doors are 22 inches wide.

I use a wheelchair how are the rooms and helpfulness? I've only had 2 Princess cruises and they were great. I'm looking at Panama Canal for sure but this caught my eye... probably to late for a handicapped room.

21 NIGHT PANAMA CANAL WESTBOUND

Departs Ft. Lauderdale (Port Everglades) aboard Holland America Line - Westerdam

Sailing Date(s):* March 12, 2016

Well due to my travel partner needing to be in college... both of our physical and financial situations I had to rebook this until 2016. Then this summer in frustration I was not doing the best physically I told them to cancel my 2016 booking. I'm kind of kicking myself now... I'm ready to go.

New or next plan... Do the Panama Canal East to West in 2017 unless I find a deal or handicapped room March/April 2016. I see NCL departs from Houston 18 nights through the canal up western USA and into Victoria Canada and back to Seattle to disembark.

That agenda is awesome as I live in Montana.

I would appreciate ANY input... please and thanks. I under stand NCL's rep and want feed back. Shorter flights before and after a Houston to Seattle cruise.

Otherwise it's Celebrity from Florida to California and more money.

I am in the same room 8176. This will be a West to East cruise. I did like the advantages going from East to West like the time changes and once the cruise was over a shorter flight home.

I just hope it will work out.

Thank you all for the wonderful tips and suggestions offered.

Randy

Well, I just rebooked it for 2016.

Thank you Huggs. I will consider it. I'm in Montana a 10 to 12 hour drive to Seattle. I'd fly out of Missoula MT to DEN, SLC, MINN then onto my destination.

I agree when comparing the costs. I hear and read such bad reviews about NCL and my TA has not recommended them at all and yes most of it's food related. I'm a picky eater or should say I like my food plain or just blahhh like a little kid no yucky stuff... to other adults I have boring taste buds so I doubt I'd complain. I go for the ride and don't need my hand held I enjoy just looking.

But this forum and my Travel Agent say otherwise.

I need to look at this roll call that you and others refer to...

Thank you all very much again,

Randy

On my bucket list is to do a B2B through and back the panama canal,

Thank you all for much help. Any other last suggestions as to a specific stateroom number appreciated. I've decided I must have a deck. I'll borrow the silly money - I don't want to but.....

I need to get this wrapped up.

I have run into a problem... due to some non-serious medical issues and lack of income I am in a different financial situation than I expected to be for the trip now. I really want to go.

Airfare went up 30 percent over my earlier projection so it's an easy 900 plus per person 2 of us and we'd need an over night stay. I wanted to go through in style and paid a lot for the aft room but I'd rather go from an interior than not go. I think I'll call the travel agent and see if there are any other rooms that would be enough less to save some.

Any thoughts are appreciated. yes, I'm a little bummed as I was really excited. I still have time to be creative.

Yep Splinter's got that right,

Except for the number of vendors I saw about 30. I'm kicking myself because there were nice wind chimes and some other souvenirs I did not buy. They were by far cheaper in La Paz than else where. I was there just there this past Wednesday March 5th, 2014. I use an electric power-chair full time or 24/7.

Fun it was. Even though I can't get off ship that often I've completely enjoyed my first two cruises. I'm looking forward to the Panama Canal next year.

You can easily get of at LA Paz but are limited to about 30 vendors right close to the cruise ship. They also had a vendor with beers, mixed drinks and basic foods. The shuttle is not wheelchair accessible and LA Paz offers no accessible transportation. From what my friend said even if I could have got into aLa Paz it would have been difficult getting around.

Thank you all very much for you help and input. We got transportation with help from Princess front desk in Puerto Vallarta and got to spend time there.

My mom and her sister both had a great time on the cruise but seeing each other for 10 days. They only see each other a day or two each year if that. They got to visit about everything… high school memories.

So now to get ready for a East to West coast Panama Canal cruise on Celebrity March 29, 2015 - any info, thoughts please post at link below?

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1873907

Again, Thanks

Randy

When I knew it was not tender I never looked into it further. A month out so I've started checking details and waiting. It sure won't ruin my cruise but getting off a two ports with La Paz being new sounded a little more excited. I'll make the best out of Puerto Vallarta. Loreto sounds nice or reading a fun place to walk… darn.

Thank you very much,

So the cruise ships docks about 10 miles away from La Paz. From my reading there seems to be very little where we get off the cruise ship the Sapphire Princess. The shuttle apparently is not wheelchair friendly. I just found this out. I leave in a month. :eek:

Can anyone offer updated information or what other possibilities there might be at or near La Paz.

My power wheelchair will go a long long way anywhere I need. Hills are not a problem... sand and very rocky roads will get me. :D

Darn, no minivan taxi's with ramps - really. :( the link seems more rental equipment. Well…

Last year someone said you could walk it. Any decent links, maps of PV to try to determine distance. I'll go looking. All I know or remember it was a few miles from the cruise ships which we could see. We were along the ocean on a concrete walk way along the water... with different venders, shops, sand sculptures and historic statues. It had a name or reference point.

Thanks again,

Randy

I'm in the wheelchair and I am taking my mother on a 10 night Mexican Rivera cruise leaving LA on the Sapphire Princess. Her sister and a caregiver for me. I had my first cruise in April 2013 and fell in love with it a 7 night Mexico same route. So I've done the route except LaPaz which is a tender and Loreto I can get off. Mom's not the best at walking so probably won't get off at the Tenders.

I want a taxi in Puerto Vallarta to take us to the walkway along the water... with different venders, shops, sand sculptures. We got rushed last time.

Thanks for any tips.

I myself have not looked very close since my cruise is not until March 2015.

A New Year's Cruise through that area might really be special.

Thank you all very much. I'm going on Celebrity - Infinity March 2015 a east to west coast cruise 15 nights. I did book stateroom 8176 in the Aft the C1 Concierge class. The S2 is tempting but this will be a different experience / view for me. ;)

I'm ready. :D

Thank you all it's helped, I'm sure it's Celebrity. Any comments on a rear facing Aft Concierge Class? I've just always thought the aft was yuck. It's looking like I'll go with a midship 2A stateroom on Celebrity. I've really made most choices...trying to stretch my dollar... and the Concierge Class while very tempting seems like a lot.

First cruise on Sapphire Princess Baja 303 midship. Second will be on the Sapphire - Caribe Deck 302.

I'm planning to go through the Panama Canal in 2015 it's 15 nights and I have come to 3 dates to depart. Two on the Island Princess and one on Celebrity Infinity. I was pricing staterooms... the terms / language confuse me some. Rookie... :o

What is the main differences on the Princess BD cabin vs Celebrity 2A things like room size, deck size, any extras, service?

The Celebrity S2 concierge class suite at midship Deck 8 looks great but for two people it's 2,000 more and thats just to much - more room, more perks. :( the room would be nice.

Handicapped rooms probably go fast so I should decide soon. Rates drop so much but the handicap rooms go fast I'm told. This will be my last cruise I believe ... unless I win the lottery this will be my last big anything.

Thanks again for any thoughts

Well it's going to be the Island Princess BD or the Celebrity Infinity 2A what are the main differences between them? ... like room size, deck size, any perks, service?

Thank you all it's working out.

Okay, I've really narrowed down the cruise to a Jan/Feb/March 2015 date. I think.

Looks like it's the Princess Island for a January, February or March cruise.

For March I only see the Celebrity Infinity.

Nothing shows for RCC in 2015.

Would anyone comment on Princess vs. Celebrity? Which ships have most recently been refurbished or will before 2015?

Cost? - any comments, suggestions, advice?

Thanks

My eyes are search tired... every day, most all day this past week.

So that leaves me to decide between seeing Colon or Aruba? Thoughts, I just want or need to get out and walk around some, a bunch if possible and look at the place be a tourist. Eat? Nothing big.

I like Holland America's current stops but they don't have any 2015 cruises posted yet.

That helps. Now just finding the best route or port stops. Can't do the tendered ports.

Any suggestions on flying into Ft. Lauderdale and Miami as it will be one of there ports I leave some. Transportation is by biggest question. My electric wheelchair needs a ramp/lift... Do you need to call a special company ahead time. Bigger airports in the west usually limit the companies to a few that can take you to an outbound destination.

So assuming I fly in the day before. I'll need to find a taxi ride from the airport to a motel. Last time and next time they met me at the airport. Do the cruise companies work with any motels/hotels for pick up like this? I'm assuming I'll need to find a taxi ride on cruise day to the dock. But the larger city might provide better or more services.

Thanks everyone it's all helping.