Anything to do near the ports?

[JimAOk1945]

Hi everyone,

 

I'm looking ahead to our partial transit Panama Canal cruise in December. I'm thinking maybe at 2 or 3 ports, instead of excursions we might just go off the ship and spend some time walking around the port area.

 

I'm hoping for some input from more seasoned travelers to the ports below. Also, are any shops and restaurants nearby?

 

Here is our itinerary:

 

Ft. Lauderdale, Florida Thursday, December 18

 

At Sea Friday, December 19

 

Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands Saturday, December 20

 

At Sea Sunday, December 21

 

Limon, Costa Rica Monday, December 22

 

Panama Canal, Panama (Gatun Lake) Tuesday, December 23

 

Colon, Panama Tuesday, December 23

 

Cartagena, Colombia Wednesday, December 24

 

At Sea Thursday, December 25

 

Aruba Friday, December 26

 

At Sea Saturday, December 27

 

At Sea Sunday, December 28

 

Ft. Lauderdale, Florida Monday, December 29

 

Thanks in advance for all your help!

[Richard in Panama]

Ft. Lauderdale, Florida Thursday, December 18

 

At Sea Friday, December 19

 

Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands Saturday, December 20 - Wander

 

At Sea Sunday, December 21 - Go to lectures about Panama and the Canal

 

Limon, Costa Rica Monday, December 22 - Do an excursion here - it's called "Lemon Port" for a reason! There are some really neat tours here and I'd recommend doing them through the ship.

 

Panama Canal, Panama (Gatun Lake) Tuesday, December 23 - Because you will be stopping in Gatun Lake, and the Canal authorities won't let you disembark unless you have booked a shore excursion through the ship - you've got to book through the ship. My favorite tour is the "Authentic Embera Village Tour". Definitely get off the ship and see something of Panama. The ship will stop at Colon to pick up folks who went on tours. There is NOTHING to see or do in Colon. Get off and you'll spend most of your time in a long line to get back on the ship. Colon is NOT a town in which to wander around. In my new PANAMA CANAL DAY book I devote an entire chapter to the tours available.

 

Colon, Panama Tuesday, December 23 - Again this is just a few hours to pick up folks on tour. Nothing to see or do.

 

Cartagena, Colombia Wednesday, December 24 - Definitely go to the old town. You can do this on a ship tour, or get a cab, or van with a few other folks and do it on your own.

 

At Sea Thursday, December 25

 

Aruba Friday, December 26 - Nice place to wander. When you come out of the port if you go straight ahead you'll be at a bus terminal. You can take a bus to the beach if you like and the bus WILL take US money.

 

At Sea Saturday, December 27

 

At Sea Sunday, December 28

 

Ft. Lauderdale, Florida Monday, December 29

 

Thanks in advance for all your help!

 

Prepare a little in advance. Do some reading - ahem!! - and you will get a whole lot more out of your trip.

 

Regards, Richard