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Celebrity Galaxy Cruise Review to Panama Canal, Central America
Contributor Level:
Deck Hand
Cruises: 2-3 cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 29
12 Night Panama Canal (Galveston Roundtrip)
Sail date: April 24, 2006
Ship: Celebrity Galaxy
Cabin type: Oceanview
Traveled as: Couple
Reviewed: 14 years ago
Review summary
We cruises the Western Carrib. and Panama Canal on Celebrity's Galaxy. We had just sailed on the Galaxy out of Rome in September, 2005, and knew what a marvelous ship it was and what to expect. Although it is an older Celebrity ship, the cabins are wonderfu, and what it lacks in modern pazzaz, and the crew are beyond belief. When we finally had to leave the ship, we felt like we did when we were kids and leaving home. The 2 nights before we returned to port were filled with hugs, pictures and kisses with the new friends we had made with other passangers, and photos, teary eyes and best wishes with our special crew members. For 12 days we were greeted by and attended to by the most wonderful people a cruise line could put together. The beauty of having the same cabin attendants and dining staff is that they become your friends. You look forward to seeing them each day. Together we shared a little of our personal lives. We shared where we all were from. What interesting countries and backgrounds of our favorite crew member. It was cute in the dining room on the last formal night, because each section cheered for their own waiter, maitre'd, wine stuart, etc. like we were supporting family. Many cruise lines with open seating, etc. may provide a more flexible dining time for the passanger, but I prefer the assigned seating table and time because it's our little world with "our" people/friends. One night we requested that another couple join us for dinner that had not been assigned our seating time, and there was no problem. We were set up at a larger table and treated as royalty. You know what! That's what it is about the Galaxy, and I assume all Celebrity ships. We were treated like royalty. While on shipboard we signed up for 2 more cruises. We're going this fall to Alaska on the Mercury, and we going from Venice to Barcellona in Oct. of 2007. Viva Celebrity!! We even called friends of ours that we had met on Galaxy out of Rome, and talked them into signing on for the 14 nights on the Millennium out of Venice in '07 with us. How bout that! So far, two cruises (3 Captain's Club credits) down, and two more (3 more credits) to go! All together, with wonderful weather, marvelous sights that we would never have hoped to see before, and definitely (and this is very important to any cruise passenger) the best coordinated, clean, excellently guided, and very, very safe land excurisons we could hope for. It couldn't have been a more enjoyable vacation if I could have planned it myself. And with the help of , that was taken care of for us. Thank you Celebrity.Ports of call
We went to the ruins of course. There was much more shade here which provided a more comfortable environment. Hurricane Wilma did not hammer this area as much, and the tropical forest was lush and shady. The site has not been totally excavated, so the presentation was much more realistic and "Non-Disney World" than totally excavated areas. I'd love to go back to Costa Maya just to see this area again.
Thumbs Up
2
Don't Miss: I couldn't tell you about other excursions because there is only time for one.
I want to fly down just to George Town for a vacation!!! We snorkeled at Sting Ray City, then out to the reefs for diving, then to Rum Point for great, great, great food (provided free). We were in an overflow boat with only about 20 and a 3 man crew. This was the best treat of all! The original tour boat we were lined up for filled up. It was too small and too packed. We were on a sport fisherman, and felt (once again) like we were treated like royalty. We got this boat by accident, but we were so, so lucky!
Don't Miss: Sting Ray City, Snorkeling, we wish we could have had time to see the turtles!
I was in Montego Bay in 1975. It has gotten bigger but not better. The bus rides to the good expeditions is much too long. We went to Ocho Rios to climb the falls. That was great, and we're glad we had the opportunity, but it was much too crowded. Our Jamaican tour guide was totally disorganized. She told us to come back to the bus when we were finished, and gave us no time schedule. We are use to getting specific times to return. There was no time left to shop or pick up pictures taken of us on the falls. Ocho Rios was wonderful, the food and shopping was first class. There were several cruise ships in port. We all on the bus wished ours was there. Instead, we were rushed out of our wonderful restaurant, had no time to browse or shop for gifts, and were hearded on the bus for the 2 hour bus ride back to Montego Bay. I will never again take a cruise tha stops in Montego Bay. It is a waste of money.
Don't Miss: I loved climbing the falls In Ocho Rios, and wished we could have taken the raft ride too! Not enough time
This would have been a "6-faced" rathing if we could have had more time. We truly would have liked to go all the way through the canal, but we know that would add more days and money. That truly would have been worth it. We took the excrusion to the forts. That was good, but not what we had expected. Panama was not as nice as we had expected. Once out of the canal zone, the country is very depressing. We were kind of steered toward commercial opportunities for the locals. I loved the Church of the Black Christ. As a Catholic, it was very impressive even though it is surronded by poverty. I would have liked to have seen Panama City and the west coast of Panama. Some day, if we can afford it, we would like to take the one way cruise from Ft. Lauderdale (where we live) to San Diege (where our previous Galaxy friends live). We almost did this time, but neither of us could afford it. Ask Celebrity to make it less expensive and we'll do it.
Don't Miss: Don't miss some of the other things we didn't get a chance to try. They may be better
I want to fly down just to George Town for a vacation!!! We snorkeled at Sting Ray City, then out to the reefs for diving, then to Rum Point for great, great, great food (provided free). We were in an overflow boat with only about 20 and a 3 man crew. This was the best treat of all! The original tour boat we were lined up for filled up. It was too small and too packed. We were on a sport fisherman, and felt (once again) like we were treated like royalty. We got this boat by accident, but we were so, so lucky!
Don't Miss: Sting Ray City, Snorkeling, we wish we could have had time to see the turtles!
The pyramids are wonderful. When we cruise we like to see ruins, ruins, ruins. We did the same in Europe. It was very hot, but we're from south Florida - so what! Many passangers that did not experience or understand hurricanes were dissapointed in the landscape. Only time will help that. That had nothing to do with the cruise or land excursion. However, the "tuna in a bag" lunch provided on the bus could have been nicer. My husband doesn't eat tuna.
Don't Miss: the ruins of course
We took the river tour and had a great time. The guide (as always) was very knowlegable and spotted animals along the way that the average eye would never catch. The river landing provided us with top notch food and refreshments, and the little band was excellent. This was a great choice!
Don't Miss: Too many other excursions that sounded great, but not enough time to do more
This would have been a "6-faced" rathing if we could have had more time. We truly would have liked to go all the way through the canal, but we know that would add more days and money. That truly would have been worth it. We took the excrusion to the forts. That was good, but not what we had expected. Panama was not as nice as we had expected. Once out of the canal zone, the country is very depressing. We were kind of steered toward commercial opportunities for the locals. I loved the Church of the Black Christ. As a Catholic, it was very impressive even though it is surronded by poverty. I would have liked to have seen Panama City and the west coast of Panama. Some day, if we can afford it, we would like to take the one way cruise from Ft. Lauderdale (where we live) to San Diege (where our previous Galaxy friends live). We almost did this time, but neither of us could afford it. Ask Celebrity to make it less expensive and we'll do it.
Don't Miss: Don't miss some of the other things we didn't get a chance to try. They may be better
I was in Montego Bay in 1975. It has gotten bigger but not better. The bus rides to the good expeditions is much too long. We went to Ocho Rios to climb the falls. That was great, and we're glad we had the opportunity, but it was much too crowded. Our Jamaican tour guide was totally disorganized. She told us to come back to the bus when we were finished, and gave us no time schedule. We are use to getting specific times to return. There was no time left to shop or pick up pictures taken of us on the falls. Ocho Rios was wonderful, the food and shopping was first class. There were several cruise ships in port. We all on the bus wished ours was there. Instead, we were rushed out of our wonderful restaurant, had no time to browse or shop for gifts, and were hearded on the bus for the 2 hour bus ride back to Montego Bay. I will never again take a cruise tha stops in Montego Bay. It is a waste of money.
Don't Miss: I loved climbing the falls In Ocho Rios, and wished we could have taken the raft ride too! Not enough time
We took the river tour and had a great time. The guide (as always) was very knowlegable and spotted animals along the way that the average eye would never catch. The river landing provided us with top notch food and refreshments, and the little band was excellent. This was a great choice!
Don't Miss: Too many other excursions that sounded great, but not enough time to do more
The pyramids are wonderful. When we cruise we like to see ruins, ruins, ruins. We did the same in Europe. It was very hot, but we're from south Florida - so what! Many passangers that did not experience or understand hurricanes were dissapointed in the landscape. Only time will help that. That had nothing to do with the cruise or land excursion. However, the "tuna in a bag" lunch provided on the bus could have been nicer. My husband doesn't eat tuna.
Don't Miss: the ruins of course
We went to the ruins of course. There was much more shade here which provided a more comfortable environment. Hurricane Wilma did not hammer this area as much, and the tropical forest was lush and shady. The site has not been totally excavated, so the presentation was much more realistic and "Non-Disney World" than totally excavated areas. I'd love to go back to Costa Maya just to see this area again.
Don't Miss: I couldn't tell you about other excursions because there is only time for one.
Pros: Everything went as planned, no surprises, all arrangements and expectations met.
Cons: We had to return home and reality
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