Thinking of booking a Premier cruise to Panama Canal

[bnbeyer]

I've received a casino offer for a Premier cruise with a free ocean view room and $500 fun play credit in the casino.  It is in Sept. 2020 for 10 days out of Mobile, AL on the Carnival Fantasy.  The itinerary is:

• Mobile, AL
• Day at Sea
• Day at Sea
• Day at Sea
• Panama Canal Partial Transit
• Limon
• Day at Sea
• Mahogany Bay
• Cozumel
• Day at Sea
• Mobile, AL

 

I'm targeting September 2020 because that will be mine and my husband's 20 year wedding anniversary. I wish the Fantasy ship had the on-deck movies and more specialty restaurants for free lunches. I think my husband would like those. But this itinerary excites me. I was thinking about a Mediterranean cruise for our anniversary, but even if a free offer came for that, we'd have to pay for flights to Europe. I'm trying to keep it cheap since I've changed jobs and took a 10% cut in pay, plus our youngest son will be in college at that point.

 

Have you done the Panama Canal?  What does it mean by Partial Transit? Will we go through the locks?

 

[Jasonsterling]

That sounds very exciting! I saw the Fantasy next to our ship in Cozumel on my last cruise. It looks like a lovely ship. A partial transit is, as I understand it, going through the locks on the Gulf side and entering Gatun Lake and then turning around and going back through the same locks in the Gulf. As opposed to going all the way through the canal into the Pacific. I LOVE days at sea and have been thinking of another Panama Canal cruise for that very reason. I think you'll have a very good time.  

 

OH! And I'll add I have done the Panama Canal on the Fantasy's sister ship the Elation and I really enjoyed it. I mean it had been something I was looking forward to for a long time, since I was a kid, when I did it so it was like checking off a dream. If the transit through the locks is the same way you have to be up EARLY- lol and the sun is intense so use sunscreen and shade! 

Edited October 25, 2019 by Jasonsterling

[bnbeyer]

7 minutes ago, Jasonsterling said:

That sounds very exciting! I saw the Fantasy next to our ship in Cozumel on my last cruise. It looks like a lovely ship. A partial transit is, as I understand it, going through the locks on the Gulf side and entering Gatun Lake and then turning around and going back through the same locks in the Gulf. As opposed to going all the way through the canal into the Pacific. I LOVE days at sea and have been thinking of another Panama Canal cruise for that very reason. I think you'll have a very good time.  

 

OH! And I'll add I have done the Panama Canal on the Fantasy's sister ship the Elation and I really enjoyed it. I mean it had been something I was looking forward to for a long time, since I was a kid, when I did it so it was like checking off a dream. If the transit through the locks is the same way you have to be up EARLY- lol and the sun is intense so use sunscreen and shade! 

 

Thank you!  I think I'm going to go for it.  I'm going to ask the casino if they'll throw in Cheers since it's 10 days, and Cheers would be pricey.  They gave me cheers on the one I have booked for April with my sister, but that's an Ultra.  I figure, it never hurts to ask.  🙂 

 

[tallnthensome]

2 hours ago, bnbeyer said:

I've received a casino offer for a Premier cruise with a free ocean view room and $500 fun play credit in the casino.  It is in Sept. 2020 for 10 days out of Mobile, AL on the Carnival Fantasy.  The itinerary is:

• Mobile, AL
• Day at Sea
• Day at Sea
• Day at Sea
• Panama Canal Partial Transit
• Limon
• Day at Sea
• Mahogany Bay
• Cozumel
• Day at Sea
• Mobile, AL

 

I'm targeting September 2020 because that will be mine and my husband's 20 year wedding anniversary. I wish the Fantasy ship had the on-deck movies and more specialty restaurants for free lunches. I think my husband would like those. But this itinerary excites me. I was thinking about a Mediterranean cruise for our anniversary, but even if a free offer came for that, we'd have to pay for flights to Europe. I'm trying to keep it cheap since I've changed jobs and took a 10% cut in pay, plus our youngest son will be in college at that point.

 

Have you done the Panama Canal?  What does it mean by Partial Transit? Will we go through the locks?

 

You will go through the locks into Gatun Lake then turn around. The full transit will sail the full length of the canal itself up the Pacific. 

[Tapi]

Great itinerary to celebrate your anniversary, and the price is right! 😂 Fantasy is a bit weathered for my taste, but for a chance to do a partial Panama Canal transit, I’d be willing to overlook her condition. That’s been on my bucket list for a long time.

 

3 hours ago, bnbeyer said:

I  was thinking about a Mediterranean cruise for our anniversary, but even if a free offer came for that, we'd have to pay for flights to Europe. I'm trying to keep it cheap since I've changed jobs and took a 10% cut in pay, plus our youngest son will be in college at that point.

That reminds me of our plans for our 10th wedding anniversary a few years back. I had planned and even had a deposit down for a 10 night Mediterranean cruise that included Croatia, Greece, and Turkey, plus a pre cruise stay in Venice, Italy.
 

But then a few months prior I switched jobs and only had a 4 day window before I started training. Plus I would be taking a pay cut for a few months so all of a sudden money was a bit tight. Long story short, we went from a 2 week Mediterranean getaway to a 4 night budget cruise to Ensenada for which we paid like $250pp, all taxes included for an obstructed view cabin. 😂. But my wife and I agreed that it was such a fun cruise, and the perfect way to celebrate our wedding anniversary. 

 

Happy Anniversary! And enjoy every minute of it, no matter what you do! 
 

PS. 4 years later, we finally got our wish to sail in the Mediterranean, and it was an absolutely fantastic cruise! Easily one of the most memorable and best cruises we’ve ever taken. 

Edited October 25, 2019 by Tapi

[bnbeyer]

46 minutes ago, Tapi said:

Great itinerary to celebrate your anniversary, and the price is right! 😂 Fantasy is a bit weathered for my taste, but for a chance to do a partial Panama Canal transit, I’d be willing to overlook her condition. That’s been on my bucket list for a long time.

 

That reminds me of our plans for our 10th wedding anniversary a few years back. I had planned and even had a deposit down for a 10 night Mediterranean cruise that included Croatia, Greece, and Turkey, plus a pre cruise stay in Venice, Italy.
 

But then a few months prior I switched jobs and only had a 4 day window before I started training. Plus I would be taking a pay cut for a few months so all of a sudden money was a bit tight. Long story short, we went from a 2 week Mediterranean getaway to a 4 night budget cruise to Ensenada for which we paid like $250pp, all taxes included for an obstructed view cabin. 😂. But my wife and I agreed that it was such a fun cruise, and the perfect way to celebrate our wedding anniversary. 

 

Happy Anniversary! And enjoy every minute of it, no matter what you do! 
 

PS. 4 years later, we finally got our wish to sail in the Mediterranean, and it was an absolutely fantastic cruise! Easily one of the most memorable and best cruises we’ve ever taken. 

 

Thanks!  The Panama Canal wasn't something I ever really thought about as a travel destination, but the more I think about, the more I feel like it's an appropriate one to add to my bucket list.  I'm sure we'll do the Mediterranean at some point, but I don't think we can do it properly right now with my current budget.  

[Djptcp]

DH and I did a 10-day Panama Canal partial transit on Holland America and it was awesome. I don't know if Carnival does this, but on HAL there was a woman who provided a commentary over the PA system throughout the transit and it was so informative. Be sure to book a balcony cabin for the best enjoyment. We have also done many Premier cruises on Carnival and they are lots of fun. There is a welcome aboard party with free drinks and appetizers and a farewell party with the same. You will also receive little gifts in your cabin during the week. Both  DH and I received free drinks all week while in the casino, which was plenty for us as we aren't big drinkers. We have sailed on Carnival 46 times with out 37th coming up in 9 days. Haven't sailed on the Fantasy though, so can't comment on it. An older ship, it probably doesn't have a Steakhouse, but you can still order some Steakhouse selections in the main dining room for about $20. The lobster tail is worth the price. Have a great cruise!

[GB Chicago]

We did the partial transit Panama Canal cruise in April on the Sensation and it was really nice.  Due to the length of the cruise the crowd on our ship was on the older side - median age around 60 and very few kids.  Agree with previous posts, it can get super hot on deck as you watch the ship go through the locks and into the lake.  Our ship stayed in the lake a few hours then turned around.  It takes a few hours to go in and out of the multiple locks so this takes most of the day.  Carnival also brings a park ranger on board to narrate and that was really great.  Very enjoyable especially if you like sea days. 

[lazydayz]

Sounds like a great cruise choice. We did the recent Miracle 13 night Panama Canal cruise (full crossing but the first locks were the most interesting and Gatun Lake is beautiful) and it was awesome. Loved the crossing and the sea days.  I assume this a Journeys cruise, and if so, there are lots of extra activities: midnight buffet, horse racing, Glee Club, dance lessons with professional dancers (ours were a couple from Canada), and lots of chances to interact with the officers and crew. Enjoy! 

[GB Chicago]

Actually I meant the Miracle!  Sensation was Havana!

 

[bnbeyer]

15 hours ago, lazydayz said:

Sounds like a great cruise choice. We did the recent Miracle 13 night Panama Canal cruise (full crossing but the first locks were the most interesting and Gatun Lake is beautiful) and it was awesome. Loved the crossing and the sea days.  I assume this a Journeys cruise, and if so, there are lots of extra activities: midnight buffet, horse racing, Glee Club, dance lessons with professional dancers (ours were a couple from Canada), and lots of chances to interact with the officers and crew. Enjoy! 

 

It is listed as a Journeys cruise. That sounds like fun!

 

I booked it!  Between port fees, gratuities, drink package, wi-fi, and flights, the total will be around $2400 after you subtract out the $500 funplay and $200 OBC.  Not too shabby for a 10 day anniversary cruise!