ajtraveler66

Any suggestions on what to do while in Manzanilla? I see there is a ship excursion to Karmina Palace Resort that doesn't look too bad. But we are open to some other ideas. It would be great if there were some beach-side (or near beach-side) restaurants relatively near the cruise port. Sometimes that's all the entertainment we need while at port. I look forward to your thoughts and suggestions.

We will be at Puerto Vallarta in January 2024. Just going to the Malecon is one option we are considering for the day. However, we are also considering doing a day pass to a resort instead. Going to an all-inclusive resort would be nice, but it is not a make-or-break for us. We are eager to read your recommendations based either from your experience or from your research. Thanks. (A nice beach-side restaurant along the Malecon might be a nice compromise).

We are torn between two excursions for our time at Panama: "Panama Canal Experience" and "Two Oceans By Railroad". Have any of you been on either of these? According to the description, you do get to see the locks in action at the end of thet 'railroad' excursion. Hard to decide.

Thanks for the replies. Hoping to hear about those who have actually been on this NCL shore excursion. We feel uneasy about venturing out into Acapulco on our own and would feel more comfortable with the ship's excursion.

NCL offers an excursion at the Panama port (Pacific Terminal) called "Two Oceans By Railroad". At the end of the train ride, the participant is supposed to get a close-up view of how the locks work. For those of you who have taken this excursion, please share your thoughts. I realize it's expensive, but if it's truly 'more than just taking a train ride' we will probably be interested. Thanks.

Thanks for that info. I'm now thinking that since the Bliss is using the new locks that we'll be okay. I'm excited about seeing the canal, but my main reason for choosing this cruise is to also set my foot in South America. And what you say about rumors is so true. That said, if you think I need to delete this post (since I'm the one who started it) I will do so...not sure how to do that, however. Please advise if you think it's wise.

I've heard nothing yet, and I hope I don't. But I have read that due to the drought, some cruise lines are re-routing/canceling some Panama Canal cruises. Just wondering if anyone has heard anything one way or the other. Not sure if it's a factor or not, but the NCL Bliss is to go through the new canal as opposed to the original. Really looking forward to the trip, and I hope it doesn't change things. Our cruise is Jan 12 -27.

I've checked out the "Food Republic" menu. For those of you who have been to this restaurant as a 'free choice', what did you think of the food? What do you actually get 'free' before you have to start paying for 'additional' items? (For instance, I know at Le Bistro ... you are limited as to the number of items that you can order).

Of these two, I would vote for Le Bistro first. It won't disappoint. Every time we cruise, we HAVE to include this restaurant.

Thanks so much for this. We are a party of four. I've decided that if the other three don't want to go to Antigua, I'm going to go on my own without them! L.O.L.! But...I think I'm going to be able to persuade them. Knowing that the scenery along the way (on the long bus ride) is nice will definitely help. I've read so many positive comments about Antigua. It's a part of the world I'm looking forward to experiencing.

Have any of you taken the NCL Excursion "Acapulco Beach Day"? If so, please comment. Our cruise is in January. (Safety is a concern for Acapulco). We'd like to get at least one beach day in while we are on our Panama Canal Cruise. Ports in Mexico will include: Cabo San Lucas; Puerto Vallarta; Manzanilla; and Acapulco. There is a beach offering in Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala (but we'll probably go to Antigua that day). There is a resort day offered in Cabo San Lucas, but we'd prefer to walk about the marina area while there. But if that's our only good beach option, we will probably take advantage of it. We are seniors ... and we prefer to take the ship excursions, if at all possible.

We are looking for restaurant & bar recommendations for the marina area (the marina relatively near the cruise port). I've seen "Solomon's Landing" recommended, and it looks good. Are there any others? We prefer to walk if it's not ridiculously far away and if the weather is permitting. How long of a walk is it? Thanks. Is there souvenir shopping in the marina area .... or close by?

As I look at the excursions offered by NCL while in Cartagena, Colombia, there is no excursion to go to the 'Walled City' On Your Own. The closest thing I see is an excursion entitled "Discover Cumbia Dancing and the Walled City". Included in that excursion is an hour to an hour-and-a-half of free time. Note to NCL: Offer a "Walled City On Your Own" excursion, and you'll probably sell tons of tickets. All of this said, is it easy and safe to walk to the "Walled City" of Cartagena from the cruise port .... or is it safe and easy to find transportation to the "Walled City" of Cartagena? Also....while we are on the topic....any good restaurants to recommend while there?

As I look at the excursions offered by NCL, there is no excursion for going to the 'Walled City' On Your Own. The closest thing I see is an excursion entitled "Discover Cumbia Dancing and the Walled City". Included in that excursion is an hour to an hour-and-a-half of free time. Note to NCL: Offer a "Walled City On Your Own" excursion, and you'll probably sell tons of tickets. All of this said, is it easy and safe to walk to the "Walled City" of Cartagena .... or is it safe and easy to find transportation to the "Walled City" of Cartagena? Also....while we are on the topic....any good restaurants to recommend while there?

For those of you who have been to Getsemini while on a cruise .... How do you get there? Was it safe? Did you combine it with another excursion? Was it worth it? I did see one excursion that included both Getsemini and the Walled City .... but the downer was that there didn't appear to be any 'on your own' time. And it's that 'on your own' time that we love the most. I look forward to your suggestions/recommendations?

We're on a Panaman Cruise from LA to Miami in January 2024. Today, NCL added Manzanillo, Mexico to our itinerary. I checked out a Youtube videok of Manzanillo, and it looks like a neat place. Given the opportunity, we prefer to stay fairly close to the port ... and just take in some shopping, decent restaurant/bars. Is that possible here? It didn't say in the video if the 'malecon' area was near the cruise port, but if it's not far away, we would be willing to walk/Uber/taxi if that area is the best to visit. Suggestions on good restaurants, shopping areas, etc. is welcome. Thanks.

Below is a link to a list of NCL shore excursions for Acapulco. We'll be there in January on a Panama Canal cruise. Because Acapulco is "iffy" we ARE going to take the ship's excursion, and we want to do one that includes cliff diving. So many of these excursions include cliff divers so we don't know which way to turn. If you have taken any of these excursions or know a little bit about them, please offer your recommendations on which one to do? Thanks. https://www.ncl.com/shore-excursions/search?Mnr=4096&printfriendly=1&port=ACA

Thanks so much for your input. This truly helps. We are a party of four, and this is what I'll be recommending (Antigua) as they rely on me to do the research (which I enjoy doing very much). Knowing that the drive is a scenic one should help. They are not too keen on long bus rides. IMHO 90 minutes is not all that bad...especially if it's scenic (and I would also imagine a bit educational). Again ..... Thanks. .... What did you do in Antigua? Did you do it "on your own" or did you go with a specific tour?

We are trying to decide what to do while at port in Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala. I have viewed a few Youtube videos of the port area, but it didn't look as though there were many (if any) casual restaurant/bar areas. Perhaps there is more than the videos are showing. If there is not much at the port, we will likely do an excursion to either Antigua or Guatemala City. Thanks.

We are trying to decide what to do while at port in Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala. I have viewed a few Youtube videos of the port area, but it didn't look as though there were many (if any) restaurant/bar areas. Perhaps there is more than the videos are showing. If there is not much at the port, we will likely do an excursion to either Antigua or Guatemala City. Thanks.

Has anyone ever taken this excursion? After seeing Antigua, the tour goes to the Antigua Brewing Company for beer sampling and snacks. Sounds good. Another excursion is "Antigua On Your Own". Not sure if this brewery would be within walking distance if we took that excursion.

If we should decide to do an "Antigua On Your Own" excursion, are there decent restaurant/bars where we can kick back for an hour or so. Any restaurant recommendations?

Cartagena, Colombia is one of our ports of call on our January 2024 NCL Bliss Panama Canal cruise. We will probably do one of the cruiseship's excursions ... but we were curious to know if there is much to do in the immediate port area: Restaurants, bars, shopping. Also is the port area a safe area? And while I've got you, are there any excursions that you would recommend? Thanks.

Thanks BillB48. Most helpful.

We will be on the NCL Bliss in January and will port at Panama Canal Pacific Cruise Terminal. From what I understand, there are two ways to cross the canal, and since we're on the Bliss (a bigger ship) we will not pass through the original canal. (I may have this all wrong). We are trying to decide what excursion to take. Going to Panama City looks like it might be a nice one. But then, some have said that since we are not passing through the original canal, that we might want to consider an excursion that lets us see the original at work. Is the excursion below what they are talking about?... and is it really worth it since we'll be passing through the newer canal. Since we're at this cruise terminal for more than a day, is it possible to take more than one excursion? https://www.ncl.com/shore-excursions/PCT_01/Panama-Canal-Experience?destination=Panama+Canal+Cruises&port=PCT&sort=searchWeight&sortOrder=asc&perPage=12