Bit of a blog – Jewel of the Seas – Panama Canal – March 2nd 2009

[rcrider]

We're leaving on this same cruise in April. Anything special to do in Cartegna ? Any suggestions to those of us who visited Grand Cayman several times and seen the turtle farm, downtown shopping, Hell ?

Thanks

Bob

[NorbertsNiece]

In Cartagena I would defiitely recommend you take a tour of some sort.... it really all depends on what your interests are. The monastery (La Popa) is beautiful and in my opinion would stand a longer visit than the one we had but this was our first visit so everything was new. Similarly in Grand Cayman.... we loved the boat ride out to Sting Ray City. Have you considered car hire there? Have you popped into the Ports of Call boards?

[Bargeo]

Well done!!! Very enjoyable read. We did the Panama Canal on Jewel two years ago, and this brought back many wonderful memories. Thank you for posting......

[Florida_cruisers]

We are doing this same itinerary next April (2010). Some people in our party are a little apprehensive about the weather. How hot was it? How would you rate the cruise overall?

[NorbertsNiece]

Overall 10/10. Every port of call was brilliant and each very different from the other.

Weather for us was perfect. We had overcast days but they were warm enough for T-shirts and shorts. The sea was a bit choppy at times. It bucketed with rain for part of our day in Costa Rica but we were in a covered boat with waterproofs and it really didn't mar the day. We both swam in the sea in Aruba and Grand Cayman.... perfect.

[05mak05]

Panama has two seasons 1) dry and 2) rainy. The "dry" months are November, December, January and February. The other 8 months are considered "rainy" season. "One of the most important reasons Panama needs an abundance of rain is for the 50-mile long canal to be operational. Without rain, the canal watershed cannot provide enough water for the passageway to be deep enough for ships to pass through or the locks to fill properly." The weather in April will be hot. You can check temperatures, etc. at the various country tourism sites. (I told our friends who booked April for Panama Canal to expect rain. They didn't have a drop but that's unusual.)