Zuiderdam Panama Partial Excursions

[1884Vic]

My husband and I recently completed our fourth HAL cruise on the 1/5 Eurodam and have booked the 11/17 Zuiderdam partial transit (aft balcony - yip yip).

 

It was a very nice trip with family and I will likely be writing up a short review over the weekend. Looking ahead, I would like to get a feel for the partial Panama transit excursions.

 

Do any recent cruisers have the excursions guide? Before anyone suggests I am also reading the port-specific boards. I just want a ballpark idea of not only the price of excursions but the types (looking for cultural/natural - NO SHOPPING). I am specifically looking for Cartegena (want to maximize a short day in port) and Costa Rica. We are normally DIY'ers but are thinking short days in Central/South American ports might lend themselves to taking a reliable excursion.

 

For the record, we will be 40 (gulp!), are fit and active and speak enough restaurant and travelers Spanish to get ourselves only pleasantly lost but not panicked.

 

Thanks!

[kazu]

Assuming you are stopping in Gatun Lake? For that spot the only choice is a HAL tour - you can't get off the ship unless you are on a ship's excursion ( that's not HAL - that's Panama security). We did the Embera Village for that one. Very nice - not a lot of shopping other than their wares that you can walk by admire and leave.

 

Cartagena - we too have a short stop. You have a huge group so I can't recommend our guide that we are using as the max that she can handle is 12.

 

But I had checked out another guide who I think is very good - Dora - I think she is number 3 on trip advisor. She has three vans and guides so if you book quickly you might be able to accommodate your group.

 

Sights in Cartagena are close by so there is little risk in this port - IMO.

 

As far as shopping - just tell the guide you are NOT interested and don't want to do it. It should be no problem.

 

Dora's price is around $60 USD pp.

 

hope this helps and do hit the ports boards as there may be other suggestions :)

Edited January 25, 2014 by kazu

[1884Vic]

I should clarify - we will be 40 years old - not 40 people. Reading that I realized I was unclear. Haha. This is a celebratory cruise for us. (Aren't they all?) My parents will be coming along with us but choose excursions more suitable for their abilities and interest.

 

I am interested in Embera Village. Can you elaborate?

 

And thank you for your response. I lurk every day but don't cruise as often as some on the boards so I have little reason to post. But I do appreciate the information!

[tooalto]

I second Jacqui's embera Village recommendation. Great day. We also used Dora for Cartegena. Dora was ill but another guide took us and he was great. A lovely day and very pretty small city. If you're stopping at Puerto Limon, try Oscar Brown tours.Unfortunately, I decided to get sick and was unable to take the tour, which included the jaguar sanctuary, banana plantation and a small river cruise, but the photos and videos my DH brought back were great. He had a wonderful time.

[kazu]

I should clarify - we will be 40 years old - not 40 people. Reading that I realized I was unclear. Haha. This is a celebratory cruise for us. (Aren't they all?) My parents will be coming along with us but choose excursions more suitable for their abilities and interest.

 

I am interested in Embera Village. Can you elaborate?

 

And thank you for your response. I lurk every day but don't cruise as often as some on the boards so I have little reason to post. But I do appreciate the information!

 

OOPS, If I misread I apologize :o I can do that at time:o

 

HAL has a decent description on their shore excursions, but if you can find DBA"s blog or some of his old posts here (Dutch by Association) he expounds on it well. You basically travel up the river in a dug out canoe (motorized, never fear) and arrive at the village - experience the village - enjoy the children laughing, a bit of a performance, a bit of local bite (good) and head back after a break in the dug out canoe. It was different and relatively authentic which was nice.

 

Ok, Dora is quite good but if it is the two (as opposed to 40) of you, then you might want to compare as I think if you want to avoid shopping. I would be tempted to check out Marelvy Pena ( marelvy@gmail.com) as well. I think she does a bit more authentic stuff - where Dora stops for a photo op, she goes in. Just from what I have checked out. and my choice for 2015.

 

For Puerto Limon, we used Danillo Hall - we basically combined 3 of HAL's tours into one - it was a great day and we enjoyed it immensely.

 

By all means, visit the port boards and also your roll call, you might well find more that would be willing to join you and help you reduce the cost :D

 

If it helps and you have other ports that are similar, feel free to check our 2015 Westerdam roll call (the sail a way gang) or the spread sheet in my signature for the Westerdam cruise. I have only booked what I consider the key private tours at this stage of the game. (HAL tours don't show)

 

Embera Village was a very different tour and I think when we did it, one of HAL's better tours.

 

Most of the private tour operators that are written about on trip advisor and cruise critic (I put more faith in that) are very good. Their names at are stake if they get one bad review or you miss the ship. We have done private tours in South America, Europe, Baltics and the Caribbean and Panama and we have never ever run to catch the ship :)

 

Have fun planning:D

Edited January 25, 2014 by kazu

[1884Vic]

Thank you kazu! Your post is extremely helpful! I am interested in shopping for native crafts (former museum curator and old habits die hard) but don't want to be subjected to junk shops and expensive jewelry I neither want nor need. These tours sounds right up my alley.

 

Thanks again!

Edited January 25, 2014 by 1884Vic