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»	Cruise Talk » Ports of Call and Destinations » Panama canal suggestions?

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Topic: Panama canal suggestions?

rpotvin
Just Boarded
Member # 1070

posted 02-03-2000 01:04 AM

If someone did the Panama Canal cruises, what do you suggest as activities for the ports of call? (Aruba, Carthagena (Columbia) and Limon (Costa Rica).

Thanks!

[This message has been edited by rpotvin (edited 02-04-2000).]

Posts: 1 | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 02-03-2000 08:23 AM

Where are you stopping in Colombia - Cartegna? and where in Costa Rica - Limon or Puerto Calldera? This would be helpful if we knew the ports.

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

Scottylass
First Class Passenger
Member # 420

posted 02-14-2000 06:57 AM

Rather than post another topic, I thought I might enquire through this one. All you cruisers out there that have been through the Panama Canal, can you advise are there any advantages of travelling East to West, as opposed to West to East??? Just wondering.....

Posts: 648 | From: Stirlingshire, Scotland | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

MagnmPI
First Class Passenger
Member # 299

posted 02-14-2000 04:54 PM

Good question Scottylass.

I prefer East to West because I live in the Western side of the United States. I can deal with a long flight at the begining of my vacation but I prefer a short flight at the end.

Posts: 545 | From: San Francisco Bay Area | Registered: Aug 99 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 02-14-2000 05:15 PM

And I have done it the opposite way from West to East because I live in the East and it is shorter to fly home from Ft. Lauderdale/Miami. Take your choice. There is no difference either way. You usually go to the same ports.

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

skinny63
Just Boarded
Member # 1089

posted 02-14-2000 08:40 PM

Sailing on Galaxy in late April. Itinerary includes flight into San Juan then stops in St. Thomas, Aruba, Cartagena, Panama Canal, Caldera, Acapulco, Cabo San Lucas flying home from San Diego. Suggestions on shore excursions or what to avoid. A little aprehensive about Cartagena - any reason to be?

Posts: 6 | From: Canada | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 02-14-2000 10:23 PM

When you are in Cartegna just say NO to the hawkers. They will drive you crazy. Do not buy any perfume from them as we were warned that, although the boxes are packaged in cellophane, they contain water. If you want to go on a tour, go with the ship. Last time we were there I stayed on the ship. There were armed soldiers at the dock and a small boat with a machine gun mounted on it. Pretty scary.
Tours in Puerto Caldera are usually good. We didn't want to spend the whole day going to San Jose so we took the trip to Sarchee. Very good. Our friends went to San Jose and had a good time. There are other posts on this forum regarding the other ports you will be visiting, so I won't go into them.
Enjoy yourself.

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

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