The Canal is more amazing in person than in documentaries. Everything about this trip seemed to be worth the price of admission by itself.
Embarkation
4 out of 5
LA has little seating or shade in which to wait. All waiting is outside. Glad the weather wasn't incliment
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
5 out of 5
Ate only in the Windjammer and for dinner, the MDR. Food and service was terrific. No need for specialty restaurants.
Onboard Activities
5 out of 5
Entertainment was very good in the theater. Enrichment talks were helpful. Rock-wall staff was cool, friendly and helpful. Fitness center was complete, roomy with good hours. Best fitness center we've experienced on 12 cruises with 10 ships.
Entertainment
5 out of 5
Musicians in the orchestra were unbelievably good. Stage shows and Headliners were all as good as could be. Amazing costumes and not a slip or trip.
Children's Programs
We were 3 adults only. Reportedly only 52 children on the cruise. They were largely unnoticed by us.
Service and Staff
4 out of 5
Our room steward was just so-so. Did his job but nothing extraordinary. Had to ask for facial tissues which were left on the desk rather than being mounted in the bathroom properly. Waiters and attendants we had in the MDR and the buffet (Windjammer) were all superior to most or all. Great teamwork.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
One of the prettiest ships we've sailed, including newer ones. Some signs of rust on the outside but interior was well maintained, clean as a whistle and decorations matched our tastes.
Cabin / Stateroom
4 out of 5
Spacious Balcony was well laid out. Only 2 USB ports on one side of the bed. Take an adapter for international ports if you need more. One of the 220 ports was out of order and the shower head leaked as much from it's gaskets as it sprayed from the actual head (exaggeration). Toilet decided not to stop running twice but maintenance addressed it promptly with no futher issues.
Ship tip
Relax and enjoy. You'll be well taken care of and should have a great sail. We'd have no problems with a month on this ship.
Quaint fishing village turned tourist port. Reminded me of Catalina Island. Lots of eateries and pubs as well as clean streets and stores and a public square/park. Nice, helpful people everywhere.
No excursion were offered or needed. I'd love to do another Panama Canal cruise but as a set would be best for us...West to East, then a back to back, East to West.
The port itself was very nice with a beautiful multi-acre park outside the dock area. Park was natural looking flora with lots of native wildlife (birds, monkeys). Be prepared to walk 1/2 mile through it to get to the ship from any non-excursion transportation.
Second visit here. Spent a few minutes in the port ignoring local vendors. We've heard people who like this stop normally spend money to go to all-inclusive beach clubs for the day. We're not beach people or drinkers so choose to stay close or on the ship for good included meals.
Debarkation process in the port building was a mess. Baggage area signs are terrible if anything. There is a Global Entry sign at the immigration area but they don't have Global Entry lines. Took an hour to get through the lines after baggage was "ready." Had a transfer to the airport but the busses were ready and efficient.
Totally agree! The canal operation is so interesting. We went through the old locks when the new ones were being built. Have plans to go through in January, just hope we’re able to go through. Thank you for your review.
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