Pullmantur Monarch Transatlantic 9/17/2016 Spain to Panama

This is for Chrismo30 about hotels when in Panama City--I live outside of Panama City near Coronado. When my husband and I travel, we book either in Crowne Plaza Airport or Riande. Both of these offer shuttles to the airport. We have also stayed at Marriott Metromall and Marriott Multiplaza. Both of these are next to or connected the mall and have shuttles to the airport. The Riu and Best Western Zen are great hotels in the city along with many friends staying at Trump, Hard Rock, El Principe (low budget), Wyndham (next to Albrook Mall--fourteenth largest in world and at bus station), and Novotel. Hope these suggestions help, and it really just depends if you want convenience to airport or to be in the city convenient to restaurants. See you on the ship!

Hi

I have booked the UHR Palacio de Oriol in Santurze which is near the port and the Riande Aeropuerto Hotel Casino in Panama hopefully I picked two decent places.

Everything except figuring out the luggage charges is done. Next I can focus on my November cruise on the Magic Eastern Caribbean.

Have a good evening

pat

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Hi, all. I have been researching this cruise, attracted by the fantastic singles price.

Glad I just happened to stumble on this CC thread.

It's giving me the encouragement to book it.

Seeing that there are other English speaking and Americans as well as solo travelers makes me feel more comfortable.

Also, the info posted on air, transfers and pre/post info is very helpful.

Will, probably book after a bit more research.

It might be possible to have Pulmantur link dining reservations, for those who would like to be seated together in the MDR, early seating.

RCCL and Celebrity have done this, in the past.

JOAN

Hi Joan

I am actually booked on American Airlines thru "Philly" on my way to Bilboa.

Hope you do decide on this cruise it should be fun.

Pat

murrells inlet, sc

Hi Joan

 

I am actually booked on American Airlines thru "Philly" on my way to Bilboa.

 

Hope you do decide on this cruise it should be fun.

 

Pat

murrells inlet, sc

HI, Pat:

I have the cruise on hold.

I'm checking on flights and the best AA option, using miles, is from Philly on Sept 14. Connecting in LHR, arrriving after 6:00 PM on the 15.

Where do you live and what are your flights?

I'm checking on hotels and transfers, airport to hotel, hotel to port.

Lots of planning to do.

I have a mobility scooter so I have to have arrangements to accommodate the scooter.

I am mobil, but because of my back problem (pain) the scooter is helpful to me at the airports and cruise ports. Don't usually need on the ship.

I'm waiting to hear from Pulmanturs, if the cabin doorway is wide enough for the scooter.

If so, I'll probably book.

The cruise does sound nice and price is, certainly right.

I like Trans/Atlantics and have done a lot of them, mostly on RCCL and Celebrity.

Will let you know if I book.

JOAN

Hi Joan

I leave on the 15th from Myrtle Beach, SC fly to Phila. depart Phila at 6:50pm on American Airlines flight 740 to Madrid change planes and on to Bilboa arriving in Bilboa the 16th at 12:50 in a perfect world.

I have booked a hotel in Santurce which is close to the port.

How I am getting to Santurce is still being worked on but if all else fails I will take a taxi from the airport.

Hopefully you can arrange everything since I think this will be a interesting cruise.

have a good day

pat

murrells inlet, sc

H

Hi Joan

 

I leave on the 15th from Myrtle Beach, SC fly to Phila. depart Phila at 6:50pm on American Airlines flight 740 to Madrid change planes and on to Bilboa arriving in Bilboa the 16th at 12:50 in a perfect world.

 

I have booked a hotel in Santurce which is close to the port.

 

How I am getting to Santurce is still being worked on but if all else fails I will take a taxi from the airport.

 

Hopefully you can arrange everything since I think this will be a interesting cruise.

 

 

have a good day

 

pat

murrells inlet, sc

HI, Pat:

I booked and am looking forward to meeting you and everyone, for a GREAT cruise.

I booked my air with United, from Philly, connecting in Frankfort (Lufthansa). Arriving in Bilboa, Sept. 16, 1:30 PM, in a perfect world.

Would rather have booked on AA as I have a lot more miles with them,

but my best option with them was on Sep 14, arriving on the 15.

Still have to book a hotel.

I'm thinking since we will be arriving close to the same time, possibly, we could share transportation arrangements and/or hotel.

If you would like to communicate by emal, my address is casinojoanm at aol dot com

Have a good day, too.

JOAN

As single...

Is it better to book with Pullmantur directly?

Or with Vacations to Go?

Also... Can I leave Sept cruise early (Aruba?) or arrive late (Lisbon?)... might be easier for flights...

Appreciate any sage advice anyone can share.

Bob

This will also be my first time flying on Spirit Airlines (from Panama City back to the US) which I understand will be an adventure in itself!

Best,

Judy

I fly Spirit all the time stateside. They claim to have the newest fleet in US. Very nice modern planes. They do charge extra for everything (nicer seats, luggage, soda, etc) but still a savings if you manage expectations.

Bob

As single...

Is it better to book with Pullmantur directly?

Or with Vacations to Go?

 

Also... Can I leave Sept cruise early (Aruba?) or arrive late (Lisbon?)... might be easier for flights...

 

Appreciate any sage advice anyone can share.

Bob

HI, Bob:

I booked with Vacations To Go, agent Diego. He was very helpful and nice to deal with.

I couldn't, figure out Pulmantur's website and think I did fine with VTG.

I'm planning to get off in Aruba and my travel agent said no problem.

I was able to find flights to Bilbao, with FF miles on either United and AA.

Although I'm flying on AA, United had better availability.

I think if you fly into Lisbon it would not be a problem boarding there.

Just notify the agent when you book so that Pulmanturs knows, otherwise it might be a problem.

Good luck in working out your plans and hope you will book the cruise.

JOAN

Hello all

I just noticed that a roll call has been started for this cruise if anyone's interested.

Under ROLL CALLS > All Other Cruise Lines Roll Calls >Pullmantur Monarch September 17 Transatlantic

Another roll call was started on this cruise. I don't know how they can combined.

There are new people posting.

JOAN

Yes, on flying out of Aruba to Toronto, good connection, and good price, Oct. 1, one night stay in Aruba, airport is 10 minutes from port area.

 

Doing 20 days out of Rostock, Germany

Hope to meet you on board.

Where are you staying in Aruba?

I'm planning to fly out of Aruba on Oct. 1, too.

JOAN

Where are you staying in Aruba?

I'm planning to fly out of Aruba on Oct. 1, too.

 

JOAN

A great flight to Toronto on Oct. 1st,

I am still looking for a place in town, and you ???

A great flight to Toronto on Oct. 1st,

I am still looking for a place in town, and you ???

I found a privately owned, apartment on Booking.com.

The price is very reasonable (cheap), and reviews are very good. It's near the airport. The owner agreed to pick me up at the cruise port and take me to the airport, which will be a big help to me.

I'm traveling with a mobility scooter(I am Mobil) but it is helpful to me for walking far distances because of back pain.

If I would stay someplace else getting transportation from ship to hotel and hotel to ship might be a problem with my scooter.

Let me know what hotel you find.

If it works for me, possibly I might change.

Look forward to meeting you on the Monarch.

JOAN

Hi!

After reading all the threads, I decided to book cruise on board the Monarch. Leaving from Lisbon to Panama.Feel more comfortable in regards to English speaking on board. Also, was concerned about getting from Colon to Panama City since the train does not run a Sunday but more comfortable after reading threads. I will be flying out on Oct 3rd or 4th on Delta to Tampa Florida . I live in Sarasota so perfect. Just returned in April took transatlantic on Celebrity From Ft. Lauderdale to Southhampton via Lisbon and other ports.

Monica N. Sarasota Fl.

Hope to meet everyone on board

The freeze booze is 24/7 at some of the bars, no need to pack the special mouth wash.

Joe

Rostock to Aruba

Does anyone know if Pullmantur has transfers after the arrival in Colon? Specifically I found they have some tours to the locks and on to shopping in Panama City for ~$70, but they appear to return to Colon. Do they have transfers to Panama City and if so where can you find them on their website? I would rather not have to pay upwards of $150 to travel solo taxi from Colon to my hotel in Panama City if I don't have to. Thanks for any responses.

Hi!

After reading all the threads, I decided to book cruise on board the Monarch. Leaving from Lisbon to Panama.Feel more comfortable in regards to English speaking on board. Also, was concerned about getting from Colon to Panama City since the train does not run a Sunday but more comfortable after reading threads. I will be flying out on Oct 3rd or 4th on Delta to Tampa Florida . I live in Sarasota so perfect. Just returned in April took transatlantic on Celebrity From Ft. Lauderdale to Southhampton via Lisbon and other ports.

Monica N. Sarasota Fl.

Hope to meet everyone on board

I am also getting on in Lisbon and look forward to meeting everyone. I will stay in a hostel for 2 nights in Panama City before I fly to the Galapagos Islands for 10 days. Will stay in hostels there too. I love hostels, free wifi, usually a kitchen and I meet like minded people. I'm sure there will be enogh people to share transport from the port to the city. JoanB

Does anyone know if Pullmantur has transfers after the arrival in Colon? Specifically I found they have some tours to the locks and on to shopping in Panama City for ~$70, but they appear to return to Colon. Do they have transfers to Panama City and if so where can you find them on their website? I would rather not have to pay upwards of $150 to travel solo taxi from Colon to my hotel in Panama City if I don't have to. Thanks for any responses.

I'm sure there will be enough people to share transport from the port to the city. Will check nearer the time. JoanB

Does anyone know if Pullmantur has transfers after the arrival in Colon? Specifically I found they have some tours to the locks and on to shopping in Panama City for ~$70, but they appear to return to Colon. Do they have transfers to Panama City and if so where can you find them on their website? I would rather not have to pay upwards of $150 to travel solo taxi from Colon to my hotel in Panama City if I don't have to. Thanks for any responses.

Hi

I was thinking of this and having them drop me in panama city if possible and then take a cab to my hotel.

Anyone else have any ideas

pat

murrells inlet, sc

Hi All

Has anyone run into issues with a transfer from the Bilbao Airport?

Anyone booked their transfer yet and with whom.

Looking into transfers it seems that every one we have encountered has wanted to know how many suitcases and in one instance the reply was we hae too many suitcases.

Anyone else run into problems?

Wishing everyone a safe 4th.

pat

murrells inlet, sc

Hi

 

I was thinking of this and having them drop me in panama city if possible and then take a cab to my hotel.

 

Anyone else have any ideas

 

pat

murrells inlet, sc

I am also thinking of this. There are places near to Colon to visit and then see the locks on the way to Panama City. I'm sre we could hire a taxi or something for several people and be dropped off either at the bus station where it would be easy to take a cab to each hotel or get the driver to take us. JoanB

I'm interested in combining with others interested in taxi/tour from Colon to Panama City.

I have read elsewhere that Pullmantur eventually advertises transfers from Colon to Panama City, but waits to lessen the impact on their planned excursions for that date. Hopefully that is true, but if not, combining would save some funds.

I am still looking for reasonable transportation in Bilbao to the cruise dock in Getxo, but I'm staying the night before so I am traveling from a hotel not the airport. Apparently the bus service and metro subway are $2-5and both run a few blocks from the dock, but neither have (at least from what I've found online so far) have stations or stops near the airport or the airport Holiday Inn Express (free airport shuttle) I'm staying at. Which makes no sense to me' I may get a taxi to bus or metro stop & go or just take a taxi

http://shorebee.com/en/spain/bilbao/from-bilbao-to-bilbao

this might help

I'll be on the metro, sightseeing all the way to the ship...