FourthQ

EarPlanes!! Brings back memories. When I was a child (many moons ago) the few neighbors fortunate and wealthy enough to fly would come back with cotton stuck in their ears. They would explain it was to prevent ear pain while flying, and wear it like a badge for several days after arrival home.

Thank you robthens, CPT Trips and Ashland. You are helping a novice cruiser.

Great photos and commentary, thanks! I will be referring back to these closer to the cruise.

Well, that would be a shame, as we look to learn about countries not represented in our daily "news" outlets. Thanks for the heads-up.

Thanks to all who replied. Your help makes us feel more comfortable with this cruise plan.

Thank you skynight, appreciate you took the time to read my post and share your knowledge

Re-posting this from a different forum as advised. We are relatively new to cruising (one cruise 10 years ago) and have booked a trans-Panama Canal cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Los Angeles on Emerald Princess. We see shore excursions offered by the ship at Cartagena, Fuerte Amador, Puntaarenas, San Juan del Sur, Huatulco and Puerta Vallarta. We have been to Puerta Vallarta twice and know enough to get around on our own. Looking for advise on whether it would be worthwhile to book shore excursions at the other ports through (1) the cruise line, (2) go on our own, or (3) stay on ship. Second question- we have booked a Balcony cabin. Princess is offering upgrades. The one which I might consider is an upgrade to Club Class Mini suite which offers Club class benefits. Are club class benefits worth $500/pp upgrade? We will be OK with the amount of space in our current cabin, but looking for advise on the other benefits of an upgrade. Thanks

Thank you Eassiemom, will follow your recommendations.

Greetings. We are relatively new to cruising (one cruise 10 years ago) and have booked a trans-Panama Canal cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Los Angeles on Emerald Princess. We see shore excursions offered by the ship at Cartagena, Fuerte Amador, Puntaarenas, San Juan del Sur, Huatulco and Puerta Vallarta. We have been to Puerta Vallarta twice and know enough to get around on our own. Looking for advise on whether it would be worthwhile to book shore excursions at the other ports through (1) the cruise line, (2) go on our own, or (3) stay on ship. Second question- we have booked a Balcony cabin. Princess is offering upgrades. The one which I might consider is an upgrade to Club Class Mini suite which offers Club class benefits. Are club class benefits worth $500/pp upgrade? We will be OK with the amount of space in our current cabin, but looking for advise on the other benefits of an upgrade.