GoneJohnson

Also Fuerte Amador is tendered - not good for me.

Colon is not a very accessible port, nor is it very safe. It's a very poor city, very poverty stricken, and I would not go off on my own outside the port area----there's absolutely nothing to see other than a few shops. Ships stop there just to allow passengers to take ship sponsored tours to Panama City and for physically active tours like to the rainforest. Ships usually arrive at 8am and depart at 5 or 6. They don't stay in Colon overnight.

 

The temperature and humidity does not vary much, and it will be very hot and humid regardless of when you cruise. The most active months for hurricanes are September and October, although storms can pop up any time.

 

For two of my Panama Canal cruises, I booked a 2A balcony accessible cabin, on deck 6 on Celebrity Infinity. The cabins are midship, right by the elevators. I believe they have four accessible cabins in that area, 6103, 6105, 6107 and 6109. All are great cabins in the best location.

 

I always book via a travel agent because I get perks that you can't get booking directly with the cruise line.

Thanks, these were all helpful tips or more of the type I need.

So is there a method or a port stop that might let you see more of the canal or is it just the ride through? If so then I just choose the best east/west coast ports and it's easier. ;)

Okay, I see Colon is outside the canal but offers many other options. I am understanding this better...

So do you spend the entire day and night in Colon. I guess I'm asking / wondering if it was worth the stay. How wheelchair friendly it might be. I'd be happy to get off the cruise ship and be able to walk/wander around... eat and drink something and just see a different world and culture. I don't need a big excursion but if there is a nice one I would not be opposed.

I do know this cruise will be a cruise that I will have to enjoy the view and ride as I won't be able to afford a lot of "extras" the cruise in itself is more than I would have imagined doing. I will have a chance in the next few months to afford to pay for it and that window will close.

I'd really like to go in later 2014 but I think would enjoy it more during March/April which pushes it to 2015. Doing the 10 night in March 2014 and trying to fit a April 2014 in really seems like to much for my body.

I just realized Celebrity also stops at Colon, Panama.

There is a cruise ship lecturer named Richard Dietrich who has a blog as well as a book entitled "Cruising the Panama Canal". I would go to his blog .... I would think Princess might consider sending ships other than the Island and Coral to the canal if the new canal can take the post-panamamax ships.

I too was wondering when the new construction might get done and if perhaps some larger cruise ships might go? I loved the Sapphire Princess and Princess cruise employees but feel I need to reach out and try a different cruise ship just to see it. I don't see how I'd pay for another cruise. The a Sapphire Princess gets another test this next March.

This is a last big splurge... so I'll over research it. If not for my March Cruise I'd go next spring 2014 but 2015 seems a long way away.

I think I'm going to look at March or April. I need to find more weather info about September to November but have read a few negative things about then. - rain, storms?

Again thanks, Randy

Thank you for the TA - info :o

I've found a few more today but will wait for a better choice. The different cruise line itineraries do not differ that much. Do some spend more time in the canal I'd like that? Some itineraries look to.

It's more down to which cruise line to choose. Prices are what they are.

The travel agency I've booked my last 2 cruises with seems 50 bucks cheaper than most other web sites. I believe both the Travel Agency and Princess give me a small repeat customer discount. I will call the cruise lines direct after I've figured out a little more.

NCL... offers good prices, decent itinerary but have mixed reviews. So does 1/2 a star rating mean that much? To some it was the greatest cruise to others it was terrible. :mad: Is it really a gamble with NCL?

When looking at future cruise dates I don't see as many for 2015 departing from Florida in comparison to current listings for 2013 and 2014 cruises.

Will the cruise lines publish/advertise more cruses later for 2015? There is a smaller choice now but I assume the same cruise lines will be as active again in 2015 but just have not published all the cruise dates? or are there really only going to be the few cruises I see now in 2015.

My apologies regarding the "booking with cruise line vs TA" I've been reading a lot. I've noticed that many people book direct with the cruise line.

I spoke with Princess cruise's booking person while on board. I mentioned that my TA sent me a booking on board discount. The Princess lady agreed I'd get a better deal of about 1,000 dollars so she booked my March 2014 cruise via TA for me.

I am familiar with mock booking. I understand the difference pricing. My problem is I can "really picture" the Sapphire Princess the deck plans make sense. I know where I'd prefer my room. I myself prefer mid ship up higher with a balcony but have no experience if the ride is much different from front to back. I'd hate to save 700 bucks to hear the engines all night.

Best dates - I was referring to a month September through April as for comfort. I've read enough to make a decision. I'd appreciate anyone's input that has traveled the Panama Canal.

Yes today I checked every cruise line that can do an East coast to West coast. I might cross NCL off the options after reading today.

Thanks for the heads up with CCL and HAL.

I'm able to find handicapped rooms on deck plans easily enough. I just don't know much about... Royal Caribbean uses the Legend of the Seas, Celebrity the Celebrity Infinity, the Princess Coral and Island ships and Holland America Line the ms Westerdam and ms Amsterdam. They are just smaller ships. It's tough to put in perspective just as my first cruise. I knew where my room was but until I was there to see and feel. I'll search images of various ships that have been posted that helped last time.

I appreciate the help and tips. I'll check those deck plans tomorrow.

I am having some difficulty trying to familiarize myself with the different ships via a webs deck plans. Trying to figure out primarily where a stateroom with a balcony and in a quieter area of the ship and where the ship rides better.

Trying to understand or find out where the handicapped rooms are on the Holland America, Celebrity and NCL cruise lines. I'm not sure others make this route. I did see an unfamiliar in one search.

I've never been in the back of the ship. How do rooms ride or sound. The ride really does not bother me. Loud areas are worse.

I'll have been at the front 1/3 of the Sapphire twice after my next trip. First trip was nice ride.

Any thoughts appreciated, Thanks

So am I hearing most of you say to just book with the cruise line?

I booked my second cruise both on Princess while on my first cruise. They said the TA was about 1,000 cheaper.

I've been going with the more expensive rooms. First cruise Baja Deck just forward of midship by the elevators. My March 2014 I booked Caribe Deck with the bigger balcony. How or where are other places, decks on the ship that people feel are still good rooms. Can I get a decent balcony cheaper. Suggestions as to location on the cruise ship.

Okay - Book it soon or early is better. I have been but just curious.

Airfare - I have kept this separate than a cruise/flight combo and worked it out myself. This works good.

Dates - Sounds like any time might be good. --- more input here please.

Recommendations on a cruise line? I see there are more than NCL and Princess. I will want to start from the East coast and end in California or Seattle. I don't think Royal Caribbean comes to California? :confused:

Please keep the thoughts coming. I guess what cruise line and the dates to go are my biggest questions. I had been looking at February and March but can go anytime.

My apologizes for mention of the TA name. I can't edit now. Thank you to the moderator who cleans it up. I do the same on a computer site. :o

Hello this is my first post here. I read a lot of very helpful information before my first cruise this past April 2013 it was 7 nights to Mexico out of Los Angeles or LA, USA. We were on the Sapphire Princess. I had a great time. Someone said it’s easy to get hooked. yep :D

I have another... a 10 day to Mexican Rivera from LA to take our Mother in March 2014 again on the Sapphire Princess. I think I’ve got the nitty gritty figured out on this one. It’s the darn waiting.

Seriously, I am a 53 year old quadriplegic and use an electric power chair, bipap mask, O2 at night. I live in Montana. My first cruise to Mexico was a beautiful experience. I wish I’d have done this sooner.

I love flying but can’t take much “sit in one place” so I don’t fly far. I’ve only flown to the East coast once the DC area.

I am very much considering taking a cruise through the Panama Canal. I think I’d prefer flying the longer flight before the cruise so I’d fly from Seattle to a departing port in Florida. I only see Princess 15 day and Norwegian Cruise Lines NCL 13 day in my searches. Princess has 4 at sea days in a row on the last leg. For the price difference NCL sounds better.

Okay some first thought help…

1. Any tips, thoughts about anything costs, weather, cruise lines, things to bring...

2. When the best time for weather to cruise Panama canal?

3. Are there better prices with combination decent weather?

4. Princess or Norwegian from cruise411.

5. Cruise Rates? - Should I book it out far in advance or can I get a better deal later? Airfare packaged into it?

6. Storm seasons?

I used cruise411 on my last 2 cruises. They have been helpful, answer questions fast… But can you shop around and really find a difference? My first cruise I had several rates all similar within 2 to 400 I think. :rolleyes:

I won’t be doing this again as I can’t afford to so I’d want to enjoy a balcony stateroom. :eek:

Any information, suggestions or links….

Thank you,

Randy