Check it off the Bucket List! Panama Canal on the NCL Star October 1-16...with pics!

[SFO-F/A]

I am not the OP but this excellent photo is of carpaccio, typical Italian app, extremely thin sliced raw beef loin, generally served with drizzles of olive oil and typically a thatching of arugula, a few twists of cracked black pepper and freshly shaved Parm :p

 

And it is YUMMY!:D

[SFO-F/A]

Cubechick,

 

Your photos are amazing. I had to call my husband over to the computer to see the clarity in all of them. what kind of camera do you use?

 

When we were in Cabo, 6 of us paddled out to the rock and beach on 2 person kayaks. Your photos brought back great memories. The one of the NCL ship between the big rocks, and the tan couple on the left is AMAZING! Wow!

 

I look forward to seeing more of your photos and reading about your trip.

 

Thanks, Jacki

[wejamn]

do you remember what they were charging for a can of Boddington's

[valleyvillage]

...reminds me why I love CC! Other threads (like the one bashing the Breakaway already!:cool:) remind me why there are some threads I just should not read.

 

Can't wait for more, and P.S. I love your blog!

 

Best,

 

Richard

[jimswims]

I am loving the review and the pictures Cubechick! Thanks for taking me along.

 

The Star is our next ship so keep the information coming. :)

[Urban trekker]

Keep them coming - how did I miss the medical evacuation at Cabo - that makes it at least six - agree that the picture of the ship through the Arch is a gem.

 

Got home yesterday after the 4 days on the train.

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

[Cubechick]

...reminds me why I love CC! Other threads (like the one bashing the Breakaway already!:cool:) remind me why there are some threads I just should not read.

 

Can't wait for more, and P.S. I love your blog!

 

Best,

 

Richard

 

Thanks Richard!

 

I am loving the review and the pictures Cubechick! Thanks for taking me along.

 

The Star is our next ship so keep the information coming. :)

 

Your being on the Star is the only reason I'm doing this. LOL ;) Seriously, glad you're liking it.

 

Keep them coming - how did I miss the medical evacuation at Cabo - that makes it at least six - agree that the picture of the ship through the Arch is a gem.

 

Got home yesterday after the 4 days on the train.

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

 

I think the only port we didn't have an evac was Guatemala...of course we stopped at Manzanilla on the way w/ 2 so that makes up for it!

 

Glad you made it home!

[Cubechick]

Cubechick,

 

Your photos are amazing. I had to call my husband over to the computer to see the clarity in all of them. what kind of camera do you use?

 

When we were in Cabo, 6 of us paddled out to the rock and beach on 2 person kayaks. Your photos brought back great memories. The one of the NCL ship between the big rocks, and the tan couple on the left is AMAZING! Wow!

 

I look forward to seeing more of your photos and reading about your trip.

 

Thanks, Jacki

 

Thank you Jacki! The camera is a Sony DSC HX5V. It was a 2010 model so it cost about $180 instead of the $300 this year's model cost. And of course it had more reviews (all pretty much excellent).

 

do you remember what they were charging for a can of Boddington's

$5.95 plus 15% gratuity.

 

Well I'm going to apologize that this is going slow. I'm away for business this weekend and next so my posting/writing time is compromised! I'm HOPING to crank out another installment today!!!! If not, definitely tomorrow when I get home!

 

Thank you for your patience!

[perkydebrajean]

DebraJean,

 

You just post here and let me know when you want me to show up!! :D

 

 

Might be a couple of years from now. But someday I'll do it! :D

[Sauer-kraut]

Might be a couple of years from now. But someday I'll do it! :D

 

Keep me in mind. ;)

[ce2000]

Thanks for posting, I will embark on a Panama Canal cruise on Jan. 8. on the Island Princess. This will be my first Panama Canal cruise. and is a partial transit. I look forward to seeing your pictures and reading about the Canal.

[MNallan]

I am soooo enjoying your review! Thanks for taking the time to do it. While I am waiting for the next installment, it is worth the wait. Sometimes life gets in the way of dreaming and re-living and that really stinks!! Keep 'em coming whenever you can. Your pictures are phenominal! Thanks again :D

[RNPJN]

I’m finding that writing this review has been like what I imagine wrestling a crocodile would be like. Tricky to say the least! It was a long cruise (15 days!) and my reviews of 7-day cruises can take on “epic” proportions. Well, let’s dive in, shall we and see where we end up. Hopefully you’ll be with me at the end.

 

We’d booked this cruise in March of 2010, a full 18 months out. Wanting an aft cabin, we knew we had to move quickly (hey, we could always cancel if we changed our minds!). I left a message for my PCC telling him I wanted an aft balcony. By the time he called me back, we told him we wanted an aft suite. What can I say? We’re weak. LOL Actually we decided that a 15-day cruise screamed for a suite, and the Star has the wrap-around balconies on decks 8 and 9. Perfect for a Panama Canal cruise. Our first cabin was deck 8 on the port side. After the renovation to the Star and reading reports of the noise from the newly moved Spinnakers, I watched the cabins and was able to move to deck 9 on the starboard. Come final payment time, our cabin on deck 9 on the port side opened up and we moved a final time to the cabin I wanted to begin with. It’s nice when persistence pays off!

 

Day One

 

I won’t spend a ton of time on the pre-cruise activities, but want to mention that the Crowne Plaza in San Pedro, about a mile and a half from the Port of Los Angeles, can be booked through Priceline for $65. The hotel was perfectly fine and clean and runs a free shuttle to the port. Wanting to avoid the rush (which was turned out to be non-existent at 10:00 am) DH and I hooked up with another Cruise Critic on our roll call to rent a cab. The first car that showed up was a Toyota Prius. We looked at the three of us and at our six pieces of luggage (plus carry-ons) and went, “Nah”. The Prius drove off and we requested a van. 30 minutes pass with no van so we throw in the towel and ask for 2 cars. Another Prius arrives and don’t you know we all managed to fit in that thing? Three of us squished in the back and luggage piled in the trunk and front seat. I wouldn’t recommend it for a long ride, but for 5 minutes it was fine, especially when the windows were rolled down for elbowroom. Total cost for the three of us? $7.50. Good deal.

 

The delay at the hotel rendered our timing perfect. We spent a couple of minutes watching Princess passengers get into our line by mistake, then the doors to the terminal opened, and we were able to begin the boarding process.

 

 

We moved quickly through security, but when we went to check in we were turned away from the area clearly marked “VIP/Suite” to the Latitudes line. If you don’t get the answer you want the first time, ask someone else. We asked someone who looked a little more authoritative where we should go and he directed us to the VIP line. Ha! We checked in, met the concierge Patrick, and before I had time to think about being bored; we were being escorted onto the ship. I glanced at my watch and saw it was 11:39. Awesome!

 

 

We dashed to deck nine, through the closed doors (we aren’t rookies) to drop off our carry-on bags. Clarizia, our room steward, rushed up to us, assuring us that she’d prioritized our room and it was ready for us. Clarizia would turn out to be one of the best room stewards we ever had. Super efficient (she could make-up the cabin faster than anyone I’ve ever experienced) and very friendly, she made our 15 days wonderful.

 

 

Lunch would be the first of many at Cagney’s. I had my beloved asparagus salad and a shrimp and scallop dish with risotto that I found quite tasty. DH had the fettuccini and thought it delicious.

 

Off to the Bier Garten for the first of many sail aways. The Star would sail about an hour past her scheduled time as she needed extra provisioning due to the length of the cruise. No worries. The sun was shining and the beer was flowing and it was the first day of our cruise!

 

 

Back at the cabin getting ready for dinner, Lucky, our butler, stopped by to introduce himself. All we asked for at that point was some milk so we could make cappuccinos later. He takes a page out of Clarizia’s book for swiftness. I swear a minute didn’t pass and he was back with a carton of milk.

 

Dinner was at Cagney’s as well. I enjoyed the lobster bisque as always. It’s not the traditional bisque that you’d get in New England, but is very good.

 

 

Cagney’s was a bit deserted this first night. In fact we could walk in any specialty restaurant the entire cruise. I chalk it up in part due to the length of the cruise (figuring people were spreading out the budget), and also the older demographic. A line for Versailles began forming every night by 4:30, so you get the idea.

 

 

After dinner we wandered off to the casino where DH tripled his money playing craps. While we were at the casino I tried to order a bucket of beer. I was told we couldn’t buy them there anymore. I figured this was limited to the casino and shrugged it off. When DH was done gambling for the night we stopped by Spinnakers to purchase our bucket and were told we couldn’t.

 

Now I admit we don’t really like change, but we really don’t like change that has a negative impact on the passenger. We were told that it was now policy that you could only by buckets of beer at outdoor bars. WTH? This was confirmed by the Beverage Manager Gianina Butiseaca in a rather blunt manner. We asked her what outdoor bar was open at that time and she looked at her watch and said, “None”. Well we went off on her at that point (not proud of that at all) but really it was her demeanor that set us off more than the situation. We didn’t really want 6 beers at this point, just wanted to stock the fridge. But most managers I’ve dealt with would have given us the 6 beers as the policy is new and just told us to know what to do in the future. I think the situation was poorly handled on all sides.

 

 

Well I put that all out of my head when we turned in for the evening. All-in-all, it was a wonderful first day. As I snuggled down into my comfy bed I looked forward to the first of many wonderful sleeps at sea.

 

Tomorrow the meet and greet and our first sea day in two cruises!

We were on the pearl just ahead of you on . Bucket of beer policy must only be on that ship as we got buckets at Spinnaker, Malting's and Bliss And strangely no deposit for the bucket!

[pink sand judy]

Cubechick, keep the pictures and your review coming. Awesome... We did the Panama trip in 1998. We loved it, however, even in Nov. my husband had trouble with the heat. I think I met you at Boston Travel show one day with Jimswims. Looking forward to your next chapter soon I hope.

[time2cruise1]

Keep them coming - how did I miss the medical evacuation at Cabo - that makes it at least six - agree that the picture of the ship through the Arch is a gem.

 

Got home yesterday after the 4 days on the train.

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

 

I wated just a few seconds longer and got the whole name of the Star. What a great day. Keep it coming Aimee great review,

 

[NJLVW]

This review is awesome. I love reading your reviews. They always keep you where you want more. Yes, I want more. Your pictures are also spectacular. Looking at the lobster bisque made my mouth water. Can't wait to be onboard for mine. It is quite different then here in New England but I must admit mighty good.

 

Thank you so much for sharing.

Norma

[Princess Patches]

Thanks for your wonderful review with all the fantastic photos. I really enjoyed it.

[Kruizin'Kath]

Thanks for taking the time to take us on your journey! We will do the canal in 2013 for our 40th anniversary, then cross it off our bucket list! We were able to buy buckets of beer in Spinnakers on the Dawn last week during the Pats game, and they didn't even charge a deposit for the bucket! Anxiously awaiting the rest of your review!

[coka]

Hi Aimee,

I am enjoying your review and pictures so far. I will be on the Star after Jimswims so I too am looking forward to the phenomenal photos. How lucky...a Panama Canal Cruise to cross off the bucket list. As you cross things off the list I hope you add something to it...!

 

coka

[Urban trekker]

I haven`t been charged for the bucket deposit on my last couple of cruises - wasn`t aware of the change regarding where you could buy them but I got mine at Topsiders Bar so that probably was the reason.

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

[Cubechick]

I haven`t been charged for the bucket deposit on my last couple of cruises - wasn`t aware of the change regarding where you could buy them but I got mine at Topsiders Bar so that probably was the reason.

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

 

One bartender tried to charge us the $5 deposit on the cruise. That was almost 2 weeks into the cruise. I believe it's still technically the policy, but almost no one enforces it.

[Cubechick]

Days 4 & 5…at sea & Acapulco…

 

I’m going to cheat a bit and toss in two days at once. Let’s face it. Most sea days are remarkably similar, so I’m only going to mention what happened that was unusual. Had an emergency medical evacuation of two passengers off the coast of Manzanilla. I watched the entire process with fascination. They used a tour type boat to draw up along side us and get the passengers off. Thankfully the waves were minimal enabling them to muscle the stretchers from our platform to the bobbing boat. Watching the process made me nervous, but this maneuver has obviously been practiced numerous times and was pulled off without a hitch. The evacuation took about an hour to complete.

 

This was also the night of the VIP party held in Spinnakers. This was the first time that I’ve gone to one of these were the officers did not shake hands. I know from reports on Cruise Critic that many officers choose to do this for sanitary reasons, but I had never encountered it. It was also the first VIP party where we weren’t required to take pictures with the Captain, which was nice because it kept the line moving.

 

Some of the staff were lined up kind of blocking the stairs to the bar. We walked by them anyway so that we could order drinks of our choosing. I also paused and spoke with Jorge the cruise consultant because I, and a friend of ours, hadn’t received our Latitudes welcome baskets for being platinum.

 

We had a lovely time and ended up talking with the Hotel Director, Filippo Bertuzzi , for a good hour. He’s a really nice man who’s very enthusiastic about his job and the well being of his cruise and passengers. He really made our cruise a pleasure.

 

Tonight we used our first platinum certificate for dinner at Le Bistro. Our meals were as good as always. Still miss the old mushroom soup in the bread bowl, but the escargots were piping hot and delicious. I had the filet as usual and found it cooked perfectly. My only observation is that the rest of the fleet needs to get the recipe for the potatoes they serve with the filet on the Pride of America. I was told that they’re made for “American” palates…I just know that they’re cheesy and delicious. Oh well, I guess I’ll have to go back to Hawaii if I want them!

 

 

 

Now, on to Acapulco. We arrived on time despite the delay from the medical the day before. Unfortunately Acapulco lived up to my expectations. Ugh. I’d read that it had become dirty and somewhat dangerous due to the drug cartels. You knew you were in for an “experience” when the pier is being patrolled by the military with machine guns at the ready…and a helicopter is circling overhead with two more soldiers perched on the railings of the chopper, also with machine guns. Also there was a protest of some sort with a couple of thousand people marching in the streets. Not speaking Spanish, this was a little unsettling. We were later told that it was teachers protesting, so ultimately not a big deal.

 

 

We were supposed to take a ship excursion hiking (I figured that a ship excursion would be a safe bet here), but changed our minds due to the high heat and humidity. Instead we lingered on the ship, then decided to wander around a little bit.

 

 

 

I figured we were going to stick near the harbor, but for some reason DH took it in his head to follow some skeevy guy to “the market” (later on he told me his was looking for a craft market). We were only about a block from the main road when I started to feel uncomfortable. He lead us a few blocks in and for a moment I thought everything might be fine when we saw a couple of other tourists in a stall shopping. But those were the only other suckers, er I mean tourists, we would see. Before I get anyone wound up I want to state that we ended up fine, but I really wouldn’t recommend doing this.

 

The market is a maze of shops and he kept leading us in circles as we got really nasty looks from the “shop keepers” when we wouldn’t stop and buy anything. I’m not much of a shopper to begin with, but I really wanted out of here. I was starting to get really nervous when I finally recognized where we’d come in. I grabbed DH and we hightailed it back to the ship. We gave the skeevy guy $5 for the “tour” (his phrase). He tried to haggle for more, but DH told him to give us back our money then, so he disappeared (it probably didn’t hurt that there were two cops across the street at this point).

 

If I ever end up here again I would only get off of the ship to do a ship excursion (our friends did the ATV one and had a great time…thought the lunch they were served was excellent!) or just hit Carlos and Charlie’s which is right on the pier.

 

Well, Acapulco looks nice from the ship at least!

 

 

Dinner was at Endless Summer. We figured it was our last chance to have Tex Mex since Moderno will be on the ships we sail next. No more complimentary margaritas, but they still make fresh guacamole that everyone enjoyed immensely. Three of us ordered the beef fajitas and the platters were enormous! Each one could easily have fed two if not three people. Too bad they didn’t cut back on all that meat and keep the margaritas instead!

 

Tomorrow, our last stop in Mexico, Huatulco!

[spacepotatoes]

Tonight we used our first platinum certificate for dinner at Le Bistro. Our meals were as good as always. Still miss the old mushroom soup in the bread bowl, but the escargots were piping hot and delicious. I had the filet as usual and found it cooked perfectly. My only observation is that the rest of the fleet needs to get the recipe for the potatoes they serve with the filet on the Pride of America. I was told that they’re made for “American” palates…I just know that they’re cheesy and delicious. Oh well, I guess I’ll have to go back to Hawaii if I want them!

 

 

Yes!! We ate at Jefferson's Bistro on POA and at Le Bistro on the Sky, and I remember thinking "what is this?!" about the potatoes on the Sky. They were not at all what I remembered having on the POA, which I preferred.

[Cubechick]

This review is awesome. I love reading your reviews. They always keep you where you want more. Yes, I want more. Your pictures are also spectacular. Looking at the lobster bisque made my mouth water. Can't wait to be onboard for mine. It is quite different then here in New England but I must admit mighty good.

 

Thank you so much for sharing.

Norma

 

Thank you so much for the lovely comment! I'm glad you enjoy my reviews!

 

Hi Aimee,

I am enjoying your review and pictures so far. I will be on the Star after Jimswims so I too am looking forward to the phenomenal photos. How lucky...a Panama Canal Cruise to cross off the bucket list. As you cross things off the list I hope you add something to it...!

 

coka

 

I haven't figured out what to add on yet...not specifically...I definitely have a Baltics cruise in my sites and would love to go to Europe at some point. Right now I'm campaigning to return to Hawaii since the Breakaway crossing doesn't fit into our schedule. ;)

 

Yes!! We ate at Jefferson's Bistro on POA and at Le Bistro on the Sky, and I remember thinking "what is this?!" about the potatoes on the Sky. They were not at all what I remembered having on the POA, which I preferred.

 

It is my hope that if I keep mentioning the potatoes someone will listen and roll them out on all of the ships! :D

[rajones007]

My Dad would be heartbroken to see what has happened to his beloved Acapulco. He loved it there. I remember back in the 70's, when I was just a wee lad, he'd go every year. One year it would just be him and his brothers, and the next year they'd all bring their wives. They did that, every other year without their wives, for about 15 years.

 

He'd always bring me back a Mexican toy. "Ball-in-a-cup?!?!? NEATO!!!! Thanks Dad!!!"

 

Even after he and my Mom divorced, he still went. Just not as often. Maybe once every other year....right up until he died in 2006.

 

EDIT. Sorry for going on like that. I wanted to also thank you for the update. Please keep them coming. And don't forget the ship photos. Whatever you got, I'd like to see them...please.