Cruise Talk: Very Busy Ports

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»	Cruise Talk » Ports of Call and Destinations » Very Busy Ports

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Topic: Very Busy Ports

Darlene
First Class Passenger
Member # 112

posted 01-30-2000 12:49 AM

I just returned from at 17 cruise through the Panama Canal. We spent a day at the Gatun Locks Yacht Club - had a fabulous time. From this port, there were a number of cruise tours offered for a price. However, for those who didn't participate in these, there was a free visit to the observation deck at the locks where the Panamians provided a narration about the canal and operation of the locks. We were also given a walking tour of the rain forest, and were entertained by the national folk dancers, as well as the Emuk Indians and San Blas Indians. What a great experience! Highly recommend it.

On the same cruise we had two ports of call, Grand Cayman and Coszumel, which were so busy with other cruise ships that there were traffic jams and people everywhere! At each of these ports there were a total of 6 ships, including ours. Grand Cayman was the worst of the two because all the ships were anchored and had to tender passengers ashore. I can't begin to describe how busy the waterway was. It was a good thing that I was on the Radisson Seven Seas Navigator, which is a relatively small ship, because there was no waiting for our tender. Whereas the other ships in port, which were all much larger (i.e. the Sea Princess, etc.) had very long line-ups on shore waiting for the tender back to their ship.

The cruise lines should communicate with each other and consider staggering the days they are in the various ports. This would avoid traffic jams, tourist overload, etc. Needless to say, I didn't enjoy these ports because of the crowds. Good thing that I'd been to each of them on a previous cruise, and were able to really enjoy them at that time.

Posts: 61 | From: Canada | Registered: Sep 99 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 01-30-2000 09:42 AM

Agree with you Darlene. It is no fun to go into a port where there are so many ships. Look at St. Thomas. Sometimes it is like a zoo. When it is this bad we don't go into town and shop at Havensight. Fortunately, last time we were there we were the only ship at the dock along with another smaller one. That was pleasant. I know what it is like in Grand Cayman and sometimes I just stay on the ship and don't bother getting off, although I do like to visit the shop "Black Coral And".

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

geno-r
First Class Passenger
Member # 931

posted 01-30-2000 03:07 PM

When were last in Grand Cayman, we had absolutly no wait, there were a bunch of tenders for our ship(The Tropical), but other ships had long lines, I noticed they were using there own lifeboats as tenders.

Posts: 549 | From: Mt. Pocono,Pa. Usa | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

Darlene
First Class Passenger
Member # 112

posted 01-30-2000 07:55 PM

I'd like to hear from anyone who was on the Sea Princess when it was in Grand Cayman the day we were there (Jan. 19th)- the line up for their tender was at least a block long (in the hot sun). I suppose that is one of the drawbacks of cruising on a large ship!

Posts: 61 | From: Canada | Registered: Sep 99 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 02-02-2000 09:16 AM

There is a strong argement that too many ships cruising the Carabean are simply spoiling it!

I also feel that Alaska's main ports are spoilt by too many ships with too many people! Alaska hardly feels like a windernes when 10,000 passengers, from maybe six or more ships, all decent on a port at 8.00am!

[This message has been edited by Malcolm (edited 02-13-2000).]

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

topgun2
First Class Passenger
Member # 975

posted 02-02-2000 01:04 PM

Darlene, on the subject of tendering in, I agree that the lineup wait can be a problem, but readily solved.
We normally schedule a liesurely breakfast on days like this and mosey around for an hour or so . We then just walk down and board the tender without delays. Maybe this is too obvious like the hare and the tortoise fable.

Posts: 26 | From: burlington,ont,can | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 02-02-2000 04:52 PM

topgun2 - that is excactly what we used to do. Never rushed to get off the ship, waited until everyone else was gone; did some shopping then went to the beach for an hour or so and back to the ship for a late lunch. This way you avoid the busses returning from excursions. When we first went to Hawaii, we only did excursions in ports where we could dock and in the tender ports we went later in the morning and came back again, for a late lunch. Much easier.

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

K&K
First Class Passenger
Member # 1040

posted 02-02-2000 07:03 PM

Darlene:
I do not know if it is still the rule but, The Caymens use to not allow any ships in port on Sunday. So that limits it down beings as one would hit there on your way out or on the way back in. Every time in the pass we have been there including a two week stay the most we have seen is three.

Years ago my wife and I docked in St. Thomas with nine other ships "what a nightmare"

I really do not think with the popularity of the Caymens and the number of ships out there it is going to get any better.
We are headed there on 2/12/00 on the wind. So we hope we have better luck!

K&K

Posts: 446 | From: Sandpoint,Idaho,USA | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

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