HAL 11-day Sunfarer, excursion questions

[blue_water]

Looking at the excursions offered by HAL from Gatun Lake, it looks like you meet the ship back in Colon after these excursions. If you stay on the ship you're docked at Colon for 4 hours.

Questions -

Is it worth staying with the ship for the ride back and a few hours in Colon? Or is an excursion from the Lake a better experience?

 

If we choose an excurson we're looking at the "Monkey watch and canal cruise to Colon". You tender to shore on the lake but it's not fully clear if you board a boat there or bus to the other end of the canal and return (from the west) to the lake in the boat. Has anyone taken this? Do you take the boat back to Colon, or board a bus after the 5 hr excursion?

 

The ferry option has excellent and poor reviews, we considered that but the smaller boat mentioned above sounds like more fun. We're just not clear on where these start and end and if there's a bus ride back to Colon after. The HAL rep couldn't help with these questions.

 

Thanks for any help with these questions!

[CruiserBruce]

"Better" is a relative statement. It depends on so many things, including what your interests are, and if the tours offered meet your needs.

 

We stayed onboard. Don't think it 4 hours docked in Colon, tho. The ship stays in Gatun Lake for a while, then goes back thru the locks, which is always fun to see. I think we were at dock for 2 hours, maybe a little more.

[BillB48]

On any of the tours that you leave the ship in Gatun Lake (after Locking through Gatun Locks) you will rejoin the ship at Colon. While you are on your tour the tour the ship will lock back through Gatun Locks and proceed to Colon.

 

Is it worth staying with the ship for the ride back and a few hours in Colon?

That's a little hard to answer, you have come a long way and there is only a short time time in Panama, the excursions give you an opportunity to see some of the country or explore some more of the Canal.

 

The ferry option has excellent and poor reviews, we considered that but the smaller boat mentioned above sounds like more fun. This option gives you an excellent look at the Canal. IMO it takes you to the heart of the Canal which is the Gaillard Cut where the bulk of the excavation for the Canal took place. This part of the Canal has more of the WOW, two majestic bridges you sail under as well as passing through the two locks on the Pacific side. It is also a great A/B comparison of the locks when you pass through Gatun on your Panamax ship and then lock through the Pacific Locks on the "ferry." Two different experiences, gives you a completely different perspective of the locks. If you are interested in the Canal, the ferry tour would be the one to take. One added benefit is you do get to see some of the construction for the Canal expansion project on the Pacific side.

 

Just to be clear, on any of the tours there will be a bus ride back to Colon where you will rejoin the ship.

[blue_water]

Thanks, the ship is docked at Colon from 3 - 7PM.

Yes "Better" is relative, sorry, just comparing the excursion options to a ride back through the locks and 4 hrs in Colon. Seeing the rest of the canal is a great opportunity, hoping to find something other than the "ferry" option.

Thanks!

[BillB48]

If you are looking to see the Canal from a land perspective you could look for tours that include Miraflores Locks, that involve traveling to the Pacific side. There is also a relatively new tour that takes you to the viewing area at Gatun Locks and then to a new visitor's center that overlooks the construction of the new locks for the Canal expansion. This tour would keep you on the Atlantic side. The four hour stop in Colon is primarily to pick up the passengers who are on tour... at times they may not use the entire 4 hours, they may also stay longer too, as well. There won't be anything to do in Colon other than visit the shopping area right next to the ship.

[blue_water]

Thank you. We would like to experience a tour from the water if that's the best vantage point, just that the reviews are so mixed on the "ferry" option. But that may be the best option, and we're not looking for anything fancy, just not a long day being bored. We will look into the ideas you mentioned in more detail as well, appreciate the help.

[BillB48]

We would like to experience a tour from the water if that's the best vantage point, just that the reviews are so mixed on the "ferry" option.

 

Either on your ship and then the ferry would be the best vantage point, viewing the Canal at other spots are always next best IMO. Hope you enjoy!