bessinfl

Thanks so much, everyone. We did go ahead and book the canal tour through Celebrity. I can't wait!


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Thank you all so much. I was leaning toward a private tour because of the expense, but you have convinced me to take the ship's tour.


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I posted this on the Panama Canal port site but got only one response. Can anyone help?

We will be on the Equinox stopping for the day at Colon, Panama, next April. I would very much like to take a ferry through the canal since the ship does not go through the canal. I have heard recommendations for Almiza Tours (My Friend Mario) or Robtad's, but neither one has a website that specifies exactly what their tours do. Are those on ferries (or are people just using the word ferry to refer to small boat tours)? Has anybody been on one of those small-boat tours of the canal, or on another company's boat tour, and how did you find it?

Thanks for whatever info you can give.




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This is one of the best cruise reports I've ever read. I've not been to any of these ports, but your narrative and gorgeous photos made them come alive. Thank you.

 

 

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We will be on the Celebrity Equinox stopping for the day at Colon, Panama, next April. I would very much like to take a ferry through the canal since the ship does not go through the canal. I have heard recommendations for Almiza Tours (My Friend Mario) or Robtad's, but neither one has a website that specifies exactly what their tours do. Are those on ferries (or are people just using the word ferry to refer to small boat tours)? Has anybody been on one of those small-boat tours of the canal, or on another company's boat tour, and how did you find it? Thanks for whatever info you can give.

At least one of the low-cost European airlines (Easy Jet or Ryanair, I can't remember which) has flights to all kinds of places from Girona, near Barcelona. It's an hour train ride between the two. (And Girona is a lovely medieval town). Or you could see Spain by train. Madrid would be worth at least at least a few days, and Toledo, Córdoba, and Sevilla are all worth a day or more. We spent two weeks seeing those four cities and didn't feel it was too much time.

 

 

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So they still have a couple of the wonderful crepes -- the Mediterranean and dulce de leche ones. Great!

 

 

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Thanks so much for this great travelogue and the photos. I've been to Brugges and St. Petersburg, although not, unfortunately, on a cruise, and I have so enjoyed seeing some familiar sights. And your food pictures are making me hungry -- which is unfortunate because I won't be on Celebrity again until next April! Anyway, I'm glad you're having such a great experience, and I'm looking forward to hearing about the rest of it.

 

 

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I say do it. I'm actually booked on that April 11-day cruise on the Equinox. It will be my first 11-day cruise (after many 7-day ones), and I can't wait. I think the extra days (and extra sea days) will be so much more relaxing than the usual rush from port to port. I suspect you'll be happy that you chose the longer cruise over the less expensive one, even if it means forgoing Aqua class. Join us!

Well, some of you have dismissed the OP's opinion, but I have to chime in and say that I miss the classical music, too. There's plenty of louder music available onboard, and there's plenty of pop music (which I also enjoy). But it was lovely to sit in one of the lounges before dinner and listen to a string quartet. I'm not ancient, but I miss it.

My sisters and I are interested in visiting the center also. I would love to hear from people who have been there.

 

 

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We had a lovely afternoon tea last week at Sweet P's. My sister and I had made a reservation for 3 p.m. on Wednesday, but at 1 p.m. we realized we were hungry and in the neighborhood so we just dropped in. The lovely woman who runs the place managed to fit us in (it's a very small place, and most or all of the seating is outside in the garden).

 

We had a choice of teas and a gorgeous three-tiered tray of petits fours and crustless sandwiches, followed (because they are baked to order as guests are expected) by delicious scones. Everything, in fact, is beautiful and delicious. There is no clotted cream (apparently they can't get it) but there was another creamy topping.

 

A friendly black cat showed up to keep us company while we ate. All in all it was a great experience. One note of warning: Don't have lunch and then expect to use this as an afternoon snack. It's VERY filling -- and we didn't eat everything we were offered because we were stuffed.

 

The Bermuda Perfumery is just a block or two up a slight hill from the main street of St. George's. It's very easy to find.

Sorry -- I misunderstood the question.

 

 

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I used the wifi at the Dockyard last week and found it to be VERY spotty. I don't know specifically about the Maritime Museum (I didn't go there). But I discovered that the best bet is to sit directly outside Island Outfitters (where they sell the wifi package) and use your device there. Mine worked in a few pother locations, but it was pretty iffy. It never worked on the ship.

Last week the Summit and the Breakaway were docked right next to each other, end to end. I did see the train right in front of the Summit on occasion, and I saw it also stopped close to the Breakaway. Very handy.

Yes, we bought our ferry/bus passes for $35 apiece right after we got off the ship. It couldn't have been easier.

 

We used the ferry round-trip about four times and took one bus trip, so I suspect we might have saved if we'd bought our tickets individually. But the passes were so easy, and they certainly saved us time and effort.

I've been able to add the 123 Go offer twice on previous cruises, when I had booked before the offer was available. So go ahead and book if you feel you're getting a good deal.

I hope Celebrity is listening and that these shows will start up again with our May 4 sailing! That was one of the main drawing points for me on this cruise.

I'd love to hear this info too (and am also on the 5/4 sailing). A lot of these people are major Broadway stars. We're lucky to have them.

 

 

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I agree. Thanks so much for all your well-informed help.

 

Betsey (leaving for Bermuda in 16 days!)

It was certainly included on the Constellation in December. My husband had it in various bars throughout the ship.

At the risk of being flamed, I have to say that I agree (at least partially) with the original poster. We, too, were on the Constellation cruise that presented us with Nassau instead of Cozumel. I was quite disappointed because we were looking forward to Cozumel and hated Nassau. (And, because we live within driving distance of Key West, spending two extra days there was not a perk for us.)

 

I didn't expect Celebrity to refund our money. But I did expect more of an effort to make us feel better about the change in itinerary. (As someone above pointed out, our departure from Key West was on-again, off-again, on-again for the entire time we were there, so we never knew when we'd be leaving and couldn't stray far from the ship.)

 

Many or most of us on that cruise had a free beverage package, so giving us free drinks was not an appealing gesture. I think OBC or a small discount on a future cruise would have been appropriate.

We disembarked from the Summit on Dec. 19 and had no trouble at all. We just took our own stuff and walked right off. It could not have been simpler.

We had a similar situation recently on a five-day -- free drinks, no excursions. We ate at Bistro on 5 twice, and at the end of the cruise our bill was $32. I can't remember what the remaining $12 was for (after $20 for Bistro), but I can assure you I was pretty happy.

We're aboard and perfectly happy. I'm sure they will get it sorted out. It's a lovely ship and nobody seems perturbed.