Panama on Jade Question

[njkate]

Looking at Panama on Jade for Jan or Feb next year. 
Would you do Miami ending in Panama or start in Panama ending in Miami?

Tampa/ Panama or Panama/ Tampa

Edited April 10 by njkate

[www3traveler]

Probably one if not both doing Tampa.

 

Would love to avoid the nightmare Miami can be for Panama cruises (in particular disembarkation).

[Turtles06]

I would do a B2B from Miami. 😊

Edited April 10 by Turtles06

[bluesea777]

2 hours ago, Turtles06 said:

I would do a B2B from Miami. 😊

 

That's exactly what we're doing on the Gem in Dec 2024. Miami to Panama City and back to Miami, b2b. 

 

 

[Turtles06]

1 hour ago, bluesea777 said:

 

That's exactly what we're doing on the Gem in Dec 2024. Miami to Panama City and back to Miami, b2b. 

 

 

Excellent! Enjoy!! 

 

In early 2023, the Gem did those one-way cruises, but from and back to NY. Lots of folks on the B2B. Wonderful 23 days. I wish the Gem were still in NY. 

[cruiser2015]

10 hours ago, njkate said:

Looking at Panama on Jade for Jan or Feb next year. 
Would you do Miami ending in Panama or start in Panama ending in Miami?

Tampa/ Panama or Panama/ Tampa

Based on your home location, I see two choices and two reasons for them.

 

First, if you were to travel to Miami on embarkation day (since your are so close) that would be the best choice - no overnight stay required the night before.

If that is not the case for you, because you just want to be there the day before, I would prefer leaving from Panama. It's the more difficult journey and requires flying the day before anyway.

 

Then, on your return, you have the quick trip home from Miami.

I chose something like that last January - sailed from LA to Miami (the reverse was available).

The flight home was 1/2 the time, plus, we were not 3 time zones out from home. Got home in the afternoon eastern time instead of hours later.

[njkate]

Makes sense! I love the Jade but beginning to think the round trip from Miami on Gem makes more sense, 

 

I still would not drive, Miami is a good 6 hour drive barring no traffic, no accidents  from Savannah. AA has direct flights that I’d use

[Turtles06]

10 minutes ago, njkate said:

Makes sense! I love the Jade but beginning to think the round trip from Miami on Gem makes more sense, 

The ships are virtually identical, so it seems to me the decisive factors come down to itinerary and starting/ending cities. 

[pete_coach]

We just did LA to Miami

If it was us, we would do Miami to Panama.

Panama City did not seem like a place I would want to stay, even overnight while waiting for the cruise.

 

[9tee2Sea]

On 4/10/2024 at 5:29 AM, njkate said:

Looking at Panama on Jade for Jan or Feb next year. 
Would you do Miami ending in Panama or start in Panama ending in Miami?

Tampa/ Panama or Panama/ Tampa

I would look at flight schedules at the two locations and see what times, how often, direct or non-stop, and pricing.  Dont forget to add the cost of parking if driving and leaving the car.

[bluesea777]

4 hours ago, Turtles06 said:

The ships are virtually identical, so it seems to me the decisive factors come down to itinerary and starting/ending cities. 

 

Righto!!

 

Our two b2b Gem Panama Canal cruises go to different ports each leg, so basically our cruise is a 18 day long one visiting 10 ports, plus an overnight in Panama City!!

 

Also, Christmas decorations galore on the Gem!