Panama Canal

[janetz]

I need some input on the Panama Canal sailings.

What time is best? I am looking at September 2018. Thoughts?

Most likely a partial. :D

 

Thanks ahead!

[CineGraphic]

Whatever you do, sail on the Coral, not the Island!

[GloriaF]

If sailing out of FLL, keep in mind September/October are height of hurricane season.

 

I agree with the Coral

[rp23g7]

Whatever you do, sail on the Coral, not the Island!

Why is that?

[janetz]

Interesting comment about the Island?

I have read both are nice.

It is hard to choose.

 

Any tips?

[OCruisers]

It's always hot & humid.

December thru Mid-March is the "dry" season.

All of ours over the years have been in the Jan/Feb time frame and we've had very good weather. :)

[janetz]

Thanks for your thoughts. :)

[Thrak]

Whatever you do, sail on the Coral, not the Island!

 

Why is that?

 

Mainly because Coral is great and Island has been hacked up in order to add a bunch more cabins. Coral has IC and Island doesn't. Coral has public spaces that were removed on Island in order to add more cabins. I sailed Island after sailing Coral and would always pick Coral if given a choice.

 

If your chosen sailing time precludes Coral and dictates Island then sail on Island. Otherwise choose Coral.

[Essiesmom]

I need some input on the Panama Canal sailings.

What time is best? I am looking at September 2018. Thoughts?

Most likely a partial. :D

 

Thanks ahead!

 

In Sept. 2018 your only choice on Princess will be Caribbean Princess, a partial through the new locks. IMHO if you have never done a Panama Canal transit, you should do one through the old locks first. And that means another cruise line. Coral starts full transits in mid-Dec. EM

[skynight]

The entire aft section of the Island was remodeled by removing the Universe Lounge and other public areas to add cabins holding an additional 200+ passengers. Bottom line, Island has more passengers than the Coral with reduced public areas an especially reduced viewing areas for a P.C. cruise. The Coral has the International Cafe, Universe show lounge the Island does not. Compare the deck plans.

The Caribbean Princess is also doing P.C. partial transits, new locks.

I would try to avoid the P.C. during Sept & Oct. This is hurricane season in the Atlantic, Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico.

[OCruisers]

While I HATE what was done to Island, it would not keep us from sailing on her again.

Given the choice: Coral for sure. :)

[iTownPrincess]

Whatever you do, sail on the Coral, not the Island!

 

Glad I picked the Coral -- didn't know this about the Island. Just booked Coral for partial transit in March 2018. Got in on the $1 deposit promo. Very excited.

 

My itinerary says Gatun locks -- these are new?

[Eagle_and_hawk]

Glad I picked the Coral -- didn't know this about the Island. Just booked Coral for partial transit in March 2018. Got in on the $1 deposit promo. Very excited.

 

My itinerary says Gatun locks -- these are new?

 

 

The Coral sails through the original locks.

[geoherb]

While September is during hurricane season, the only real worry would be if a hurricane was near Fort Lauderdale, preventing you or the ship from getting there on time. Once at sea, the captain will steer the ship away from any storms. We sailed on the Ruby in August 2014 when Hurricane Bertha was around. The ship skipped going to Princess Cays, where the storm was. We had a great cruise with smooth seas.

 

Panama is typically outside of the hurricane zone, so it's only getting there and back that you'd really have to worry about a storm.

[BillB48]

While September is during hurricane season, the only real worry would be if a hurricane was near Fort Lauderdale, preventing you or the ship from getting there on time. Once at sea, the captain will steer the ship away from any storms. We sailed on the Ruby in August 2014 when Hurricane Bertha was around. The ship skipped going to Princess Cays, where the storm was. We had a great cruise with smooth seas.

 

Panama is typically outside of the hurricane zone, so it's only getting there and back that you'd really have to worry about a storm.

 

You are right Panama is outside of the hurricane zone, but they can be impacted sometimes. Last year in November TS Otto (last named storm of 2016) formed not too far off Colon, Otto did develop into a hurricane before it hit Costa Rica. This was right at the same time as the Coral's partial transit was scheduled. The Coral was able to lock up into Gatun Lake as scheduled, however she stayed there overnight and went back down Gatun Locks the following day. I believe the Coral cancelled the stop in Costa Rica as a result.

 

Sometimes it is hard to out maneuver mother nature:D!

[nini]

janetz-

I have extensively researched for the PC and we are going in January 2018 on the Coral. (just booked yesterday with $1.00 deposit!) We are very uncomfortable with heat and humidity but really wanted to do this cruise, so, January seemed like the best time.

I was also thrilled that we are on the Coral!

Happy travels!

[cb at sea]

Still gonna be HOT and a bit humid...it always is in Panama!

[janetz]

Wow. Great comments

We usually sail hurricane season..

I will look at Jan 2018

Thanks all. :)

[Tyskie]

We went in March - excellent weather, hot but not unbearable!

 

Also did the Coral - great viewing areas, especially aft on Caribe deck.

 

Definitely try to do the original locks if possible (Gatun). If you don't do the full transit - I suggest the excursion thru to the Pacific.

 

Good luck with planning, that's half the fun!:D

[janetz]

We went in March - excellent weather, hot but not unbearable!

 

Also did the Coral - great viewing areas, especially aft on Caribe deck.

 

Definitely try to do the original locks if possible (Gatun). If you don't do the full transit - I suggest the excursion thru to the Pacific.

 

Good luck with planning, that's half the fun!:D

 

Yes it is. Thanks so much !

[Pierlesscruisers]

I need some input on the Panama Canal sailings.

What time is best? I am looking at September 2018. Thoughts?

Most likely a partial. :D

 

Thanks ahead!

 

I'll start off by saying that I've not cruised on the Coral so I have no idea what that ship is like. I have, however, sailed twice on the Island, the most recent being a Panama Canal transit this past March. That cruise was an outstanding one and I thoroughly enjoyed both the cruise and the staff whom I found to be very courteous and passenger oriented. I did miss having the International Cafe but other than that I didn't find anything that wasn't a great experience.

 

Tom

[Cuizer2]

I need some input on the Panama Canal sailings.

What time is best? I am looking at September 2018. Thoughts?

Most likely a partial. :D

 

Thanks ahead!

 

Well, if you are doing a partial, make sure you're on the part that actually goes into the canal.

[Lucky TGO]

Why is that?[/quote

 

The Coral Princess. I also agree on the Coral Princess.

Tony

[georgiacat]

The Coral is great. We went in October and had great weather.

[bbum]

Just returned recently from a full transit 21 day Ft. Lauderdale to Vancouver on the Island and besides a couple days of rough weather coming in to Victoria it was a great cruise. The Island doesn't have an International Cafe but it does have the Amelleto Cafe in the Horizon Court where you can get specialty coffees and sweets. I really liked the revamped Horizon Court. Much more civilized and much easier to find a seat. My wife is the walker and she didn't mind turning around on the promenade deck when walking. I did like that things are split up between decks 6,7 and 8, like the photo gallery, and casino on 6, restaurants on 7, Internet cafe and library on 8, and not everything on one level. We were traveling with friends and never had a problem finding 4 seats for shows if we showed up 10 to 15 minutes before showtime. We had traditional dining, so I can't comment on anytime dinning. What I did did find is that the ship was very well run, the staff was very friendly, we never felt overcrowded, if anything just the opposite. We've done over 30 cruises with Princess and this cruise was one of the best, and I too was a bit leery after reading all the negative comments about the ship, maybe we just hit it lucky, but I wouldn't hesitate to go on the Island again.