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Princess First Timer Panama Canal Nov 2017

Jamileau

By Jamileau,
in Princess Cruises

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Jamileau

Jamileau

Posted
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Hi everyone! So I have my very first Princess cruise booked. I have been on one other cruise - solo carribean with Carnival. This cruise is to check off some bucket list items. It will be a father/daughter trip (my bucket list) and the Panama Canal (my Dad's bucket list). We are on the Island Princess from LA to Ft. Lauderdale.

 

I'm just wondering what are the need to know things about Princess/the Panama/longer cruise - this one is 15 nights as opposed to 7.

 

CC was a HUGE help before my first cruise - even solo I didn't feel overwhelmed thanks to this site!

 

I'm already counting down the days (290)

 

Thanks in advance for all your help!!

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satxdiver

satxdiver

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Princess is a good bit different than a cruise on CCL. You will find an older crowd and particularly on a longer cruise even older than a 7 day cruise out of the USA. Princess is more subdued than CCL in that the silly pool games are gone and the constant announcements during the day on sea days. Princess ships are not as flashy as CCL ships but more upscale in appearance and Princess has the Piazza on deck 5 where a lot of events happen like live music plus the IC (International cafe) which is a 24 hour food venue. On your cruise there will only be a handful of kids aboard due to the longer cruise and it being Princess.

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diane.in.ny

diane.in.ny

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One correction to a post above. The Island Princess does not have the International Cafe. It was removed when the additional cabins were added to the stern.

 

As for the canal experience, try to read Path Between the Seas before you go and/or watch some of the documentaries.

 

Wander all over the open decks during the canal transit. It looks different from every direction. When in a lock, go down to the Promenade Deck to be at land level. Watch ships going in the other direction.

 

On the Baja and Caribe decks there are unlocked doors way forward. Walk through them to come out on a little open deck. Ditto for aft on the Emerald deck. If you want a spot by the rail, you'll need to get out there early, like an hour before the ship is due to enter the first lock.

 

Check threads for the Panama Canal in the Ports of Call section. There is tons of information. We did our second time in November and will do it a third if the opportunity presents itself.

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HaveDogWillTravel "Live from...." Rare

HaveDogWillTravel

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We just got off that exact cruise.

If I did it again I would

 

1. Go from Ft Laudedale to LA. We had to set our clocks forward 4 times -yes 4! Once for Aruba as well which we did get back-and I found it horrible always felt jet lagged on those days. I much prefer gaining an hour to losing it. So I'd do the trip east to west.

 

2. Definitely pay the premium for an aft facing suite. We had A729 and it was amazing to stand over the locks as they opened and closed, not to mention the beautiful vistas. Of course walk around the entire ship and see it from all sides and decks. It was never so crowded that we couldn't see from every area we wished to. Most people moved around creating openings.

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stargazers

stargazers

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One of the waitresses in the specialty restaurant said it was an interesting experience to be looking out the window, midship, and watch the sides of the locks appear and disappear throughout the day. Light, then dark as the ship lowered in the water. A different perspective.

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nanabananna

nanabananna

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If Bill Fall is your Panama Canal "expert" don't miss his talks. He used to live in Panama Canal Zone and knows a lot and gives great lectures (plus a talk as you are going through the canal).

 

If your Dad is a veteran be sure to send in his DD214. He'll get $250 OBC. :eek:

 

 

oh! never mind. I just saw that a 15 day cruise would receive $250.OBC

I thought differently. : (

Edited by nanabananna
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ar1950

ar1950

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Not necessary the $250. OBC

 

The military credit is $100. at least that is what my husband has always received.

If JR-Retired, please let me in on how to receive the $250. bc that is what we would want too! :D

 

Not JR-Retired, however:

 

https://www.princess.com/downloads/pdf/faq_answer_legal/Military_Personnel_Benefit_US.pdf

 

You need to do a 14 day or longer cruise.

Edited by ar1950
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nanatutu

nanatutu

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Posted (edited)
Not necessary the $250. OBC

 

The military credit is $100. at least that is what my husband has always received.

If JR-Retired, please let me in on how to receive the $250. bc that is what we would want too! :D

 

If it is $250 for military credit my husband would like to get that too! We are sailing on Coral Princess the 18th of March and he was given a $100 OBC.

Edited by nanatutu
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Jamileau

Jamileau

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Thank you all! I am excited to have a bit more relaxed cruise as opposed to Carnival, not worried about the demographic being older at all! We are Canadian so we won't be getting any veteran OBC, but we did get 300 OBC each for an anniversary special so that's good - and we've already gotten one price drop! I'm keeping my eye on the price. If there isn't an International Cafe is there still a coffee place to get specialty coffees? I love my lattes in the morning. I am also thinking about getting the beverage package. Touchy subject I know but for me just knowing that everything is paid for and I won't have a bill at the end for drinks is worth it - especially since it's optional for each person in the cabin with Princess. 289 days to go!! LOL

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ar1950

ar1950

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If it is $250 for military credit my husband would like to get that too! We are sailing on Coral Princess the 18th of March and he was given a $100 OBC.

 

Same answer:

 

Not JR-Retired, however:

 

https://www.princess.com/downloads/pdf/faq_answer_legal/Military_Personnel_Benefit_US.pdf

 

You need to do a 14 day or longer cruise.

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Traveler808

Traveler808

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Posted
If it is $250 for military credit my husband would like to get that too! We are sailing on Coral Princess the 18th of March and he was given a $100 OBC.

 

Your March 18 cruise on the Coral Princess is a 10-day partial transit, hence the $100 OBC. The OP's cruise on the Island Princess is a 15-day full transit.

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caribill

caribill

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One correction to a post above. The Island Princess does not have the International Cafe. It was removed when the additional cabins were added to the stern.

 

 

One correction to the correction.

 

The Island Princess never had an International Cafe, so it could not have been removed.

 

The real question many have had is why was it not installed at the same time the other modifications to the ship were made.

 

The cabins added to the stern area replaced the Universal Lounge, a venue that was for shows.

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cruisehappy001

cruisehappy001

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Originally Posted by Jamileau

If there isn't an International Cafe is there still a coffee place to get specialty coffees? L

 

Yes, at the bar at La Patisserie on deck 5.

 

Additionally there is a "coffee bar" right at the Port side of the dessert station of the Horizon Court Buffet at the front of the ship.

 

I think they might also be available at the casino bar as well, but I do not remember about specialty coffees for sure... (I am sure someone who knows for sure will chime in to confirm or not?)

 

I know that they have regular brewed coffee as I get it there.

 

Happy Cruising!!!

 

Mark

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RRFPresident

RRFPresident

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We sailed the 15 day LA to FL Panama Canal cruise this past October on the Island Princess as a father/daughter trip and it was great. In reference to your question about the drink package, I got the non alcoholic version and loved getting hot chocolates at what they call the Patisserie which is also where you'd get your lattes (though you'd have to get the all inclusive package for those or a coffee card). They have waiters there who were on the ball taking orders of those sitting at the tables or walking up to the counter so there was never any big wait or lines. It was also the best drink service when visiting the buffet that I've experienced and I've had times where the waiters offered drinks to you and the nearby diners and then skip your table when returning with the drinks or not return at all.

 

Check out the link to my photo review of our trip in my signature. I love reading other people's photo reviews when planning my upcoming trips!

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brianlojeck

brianlojeck

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I can tell you the best three places onboard to view the canal transit:

 

Deck 10 and Deck 11, all teh way Forward. You'll see an unmarked door that leads out to a wonderful view-deck out front.

 

Deck 8, all the way Aft. The door is a bit less secretive looking, and leads to a great view.

 

Both of these give much better views than the Deck 15/16/etc areas, and better than the Sanctuary's rearward view.

 

If you have the patience to put up with an amateurish video production, i threw together a video showing how to get to all 3 locations.

 

My wife and I just got off the Island through the Canal, and had an amazing time! I hope you and yours do as well!

 

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