Feedback on Summit Panama Canal Trip

[cruzingduo]

We are considering doing the Summit 4-22 sailing to the Panama Canal. I have read a few not so great reviews. Can anyone provide recent experiences.

 

We were recently on the Mariner of the Seas and the Zenith. Despite the Zenith's age we were impressed by the service & food. We are also looking at the Brilliance of the Seas 11 night sailing to the Caribbean on 3-28.

 

Any comments to help us make our descision are appreciated

 

Thank you.

[SoCalGal]

If you liked the Zenith you'll LOVE the Summit. We're sailing on the Summit in May to Alaska (our second time). Food and service is excellent, ship is gorgeous, balcony staterooms are roomy and comfortable, and we have found that the itineraries are usually better than most other large ships. Have a great time.

[ArtM]

We did the Summit Transcanal a year ago. All cruises are wonderful, but that one is at the top of my list.

 

The Summit was great, but this itinerary is one of the few give you a better chance to see something by crusing than by going to the area and staying in a hotel. In other words, going thru the Canal in a ship like the Summit is an unbelievable experience.

 

Art

[LSilver]

cruzingduo:

 

We've been thru the Canal 3 times; the last time was this past October. Twice, including the October cruise, we've been on the Summit.

 

We had a great time on each cruise and so should you.

[cruzingduo]

LSilver,

 

we are from NJ also. We are not found of flying. Can you tell us which ports your Canal trip traveled? Did you leave from Florida and end up in San Diego? or come back to Florida from California. We are also checking into the shorter trip on the Summit that only does 1 lock, that way it's roundtrip from Ft Lauderdale. Do you know how the Summit compares to the RCCL Brilliance?

 

thanks

[Roaddog]

Did trans canal Jan-04 from San Diego. LOVED IT!! It was not offered this January or we would have done it again. SUPER trip. Hope you have a great time!!

[davis0056]

Although our cruise is not resent we did the canal October 2002 on the Summit and have to say it was one of our best. We had an FV and couldn’t have asked for more. There is noting like it, being able to have such great views and you feel that you can almost reach out and touch the canal as you pass through. We can’t express the feeling we had and have just booked a sailing for the canal in April 06, aft cabin 9201, one of our favorites.

 

Check out our pictures by clicking on the link below, maybe they will give you some idea of how enjoyable this cruise was. One thing it going to be very hot and sticky and being able to step back into the cabin ever now and then is a great relief.

 

We could go on and on but don’t want to write a book, to us this was one of the best cruises ever.

 

One last thing a great book to read before going is “Path Between Two Seas” detail information of the canal from it beginning.

 

Have a great cruise.

 

Dave & Elaine

[robing]

If you would like a photo taste of the voyage, try

http://community.webshots.com/user/newagincourt

[LSilver]

cruzingduo:

 

Each time we went from San Diego to Ft. Lauderdale.

 

The flight to San Diego isn't too bad -- there's a non-stop from Newark that got us there mid-afternoon the day before the cruise. The pier is about 10 minutes from the airport; we stayed at the Holiday Inn right across from the pier.

 

The ports: (Mexico) Cabo San Lucas, Acapulco, Huatulco; (Costa Rica) Puntarenas; (Panama) Cristobal Pier; (Aruba) Oranjestad. Huatulco is a port that's only been added within the past 2 years; it's a charming area that the Mexican government is trying to develop. Cristobal Pier is mainly a re-fueling stop and a place to pick up passangers that take a tour originating in Gatun Lake.

[TGBarbie]

We're getting serious about planning our April 22 Summit PC trip. What were your favorite excursions? Did you book thru Celebrity or direct with locals? Feel free to give us all the details, it will make the waiting time more bearable. Thanks.....

[cal101]

We are on the Infinity's Panama Canal cruise 3/13 and would also be interested in feedback from past PC cruisers on your favorite excursions and anything else you think might be helpful. Thank You!

[Jersey Cruiser]

Robing ~ Your pics are GREAT! Thanks for sharing them. What type of camera did you use?

[makethegrade]

We are booked on the Summit for the Oct 05 LA >> Fort Laud trip.

Great pics on this site! Thanks.

 

We've done the Summit to Alaska which was terrific... both the ship and the itinery. In fact, we specifically booked the summit for this trip since we liked it so much.

 

Thanks for the feedback, and Id like to hear about more.

 

As one said... never a bad cruise. just some better than others.

 

Steve

[AFT_LOVER]

We chose 9201 on Summit for Transcanal in November. I am SO excited! May I ask, since you have done these before about excursions & which are the best for the buck. Does "X" offer free shuttles to locations as we had in Europe? Snorkeling in Aculpco (sp) just from a beach is what I want there.

I heard Costa Rico is great for wildlife. We are not shoppers other than magnets for the fridge as we are "round the world" cruises, never doing the same port twice til we've seen it all.

 

 

Although our cruise is not resent we did the canal October 2002 on the Summit and have to say it was one of our best. We had an FV and couldn’t have asked for more. There is noting like it, being able to have such great views and you feel that you can almost reach out and touch the canal as you pass through. We can’t express the feeling we had and have just booked a sailing for the canal in April 06, aft cabin 9201, one of our favorites.

 

Check out our pictures by clicking on the link below, maybe they will give you some idea of how enjoyable this cruise was. One thing it going to be very hot and sticky and being able to step back into the cabin ever now and then is a great relief.

 

We could go on and on but don’t want to write a book, to us this was one of the best cruises ever.

 

One last thing a great book to read before going is “Path Between Two Seas” detail information of the canal from it beginning.

 

Have a great cruise.

 

Dave & Elaine

[robing]

Thanks for comment on the Panama Canal pictures. the camera was an Olympus 460Z on 1280 by 960 resolution

[makethegrade]

There is a thread just of the 23 Oct 05 Summit Panama Canal cruise. It's very active and getting more active as the cruise approaches. If you are on this cruise, you should join the thread!

[makethegrade]

Any more pictures?

Yours were excellent.

[seatheworld2]

There is a thread just of the 23 Oct 05 Summit Panama Canal cruise. It's very active and getting more active as the cruise approaches. If you are on this cruise, you should join the thread!

Can you beleieve, I just booked the Oct 23 cruise and would like to catch up. How do I join the thread? Have cruised before, but not "chatted "before.

[makethegrade]

HI

welcome.

this is a very active thread where 30 or so cruisers are interacting... you should post on that thread... it's all people on the Oct 23 PC cruise...

let me see if I can you a link.

[makethegrade]

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=62227&goto=newpost

 

 

Try this link!

[makethegrade]

or try this..

 

Cruise Critic Message Boards >

ROLL CALLS >

ROLL CALLS - Celebrity "Connections" >

Roll Calls - Summit >

Summit 23 October 2005 Panama Canal

 

Come on over and introduce yourself..

 

also be sure to sign up for the Cruise Critic Party!!

[makethegrade]

wow... great cruise!