panama canal on brilliance of the seas

[pay in your Med i care]

To all, We did the ten night cruise in December - we were on the same trip as Key West Karen - we also had a fabulous time. Aruba was better than we had expected - we did a catamaran/snorkel trip - it was very worthwhile - snorkeled in two locations - saw the sunken ship - felt like you could touch it. Had an OK lunch with this trip also. We did the Pub Crawl, which was a blast - would highly recommend it. In Panama we took the Gatun Lake tour and also went through the locks - on land. Very historic. We then, on our own, took a cab into Colon - had a "tour guide" jump in outside of the pier area - we were suspicious but he - James Mason - was worth the small price - ten $ or so - he took us to a great (very inexpensive) department store and a grocery store - we like to do this to see the true culture. We had no problems with bugs at any point on our trip. In Costa Rica we did the bus/train/boat tour - again very good. We stayed in Costa Rica for ten days several years ago and loved it - would recommend going to the Arenal Volcano. This side, the Carribean, was much different. The port city has nothing in it that you would be safe doing on your own - it's a pit of garbage - literally. There is a flea market at the pier that is just a block away - that's the only thing there. The weather in Grand Cayman was so-so - we've been there before - the turtle farm was a must in my book and seven mile beach is great - weather permitting. Enjoy!

[lisad63]

Torontomale26,

 

The actual time zip-lining was about 1 1/2 hours, plus travel, plus time to put on and take off gear. We had a 7:30 am excursion time, and we were back at the ship in time for lunch.

 

There were 9 spans, but there was a lot of waiting on the platforms for each of our group (around 20), to go from one platform to the next.

[lisad63]

Sande,

 

Formal nights were nights 2 and 9, mystery dinner was on night 8.

 

Lisa

[Micki Dee]

Sande,

 

I was on the 11 nt Panama Canal cruise aboard the Brilliance last month. Here is the link for my copies of the cruise compasses and my pictures from the ports:

 

picasaweb.google.com/MickiDee41

[Scribilo]

Best tour was the zip line in Costa Rica. Ships excursion was sold out so we did the Jungle Breezes on our own. $40 per person plus $20 per person for transportation. Got to the location at about 9:15 -9:30 and were held up a bit by a large group of about 25 people in front of us (30 minutes). If we were to do it again we would try and get there a little earlier. It only took about 25 minutes to get from the ship to Jungle Breezes location.

[Sande]

Lisa and Micki Dee -- THANKS to both of you!

 

I just love the way people on these boards are so helpful.

 

Sande

[Sue L]

Sande,

 

I was on the 11 nt Panama Canal cruise aboard the Brilliance last month. Here is the link for my copies of the cruise compasses and my pictures from the ports:

 

picasaweb.google.com/MickiDee41

 

 

Hey Micki,

 

Thanks so much for the links to the compasses as well as all your beautiful pictures. That really made my day!!!

 

 

Sue

[cck0000]

:) WOW

Thanks for posting your beautiful pictures.

And the Compasses too!

That looks like you spent alot of time to scan and load them.

Anyways, thank you very much!

I will enjoy perusing them all.

I am on the 10 day Panama Brilliance in March. I am wondering if there is much of a difference...just minus Curacau.

Thanks again

[Micki Dee]

I love sharing my vacation pictures with everyone. I'm a huge scrapbook fanatic, and I love taking pictures, so it's always fun to let other people enjoy them.

[Sheik]

Thanks for sharing your beautiful pics Micki Dee!!

 

Where did you shoot your best picture of the Freedom of the Seas?

[cruzobsessed]

i'm on the 12 night panama cruise in december and my itinerary varies slightly from yours. i don't have costa rica but i have columbia. are there any other differences?

[Micki Dee]

I took my pictures of the Freedom while she was in Miami being cleaned for the Norovirus, so she was empty except for her crew.

[Sheik]

Where in Miami, Watkins?

[mstea]

Hello,

Thanks MikiDee, loved the pictures, have shared them with the other couple that is also going on the 2/12 sailing..

Does anyone have a copy of the Menu's.. Want to see which night would be best to go to the $$ restraunts.. thanks,,

also how was the temp. on the ship, like in the dinning room... one ship we were on was so cold everywhere... too cold.... thanks....

[trishalee]

I would love to see the menus also. There must be some different things that we've not seen on the 7 night cruises. Anyone have these?:)