HAL partial Panama Cruise - Rotterdam Nov 12 - Nov 24, 2003

[cruzincooper]

New to this blog.  We are ready to go on our first cruise, as we are uncertain of the status of the Rotterdam actually doing the partial Panama Cruise due to the current conditions.  We would still like to go but wonder what HAL has planned for a change.  I talked with an agent last week and they said 'no change'.  I don't believe that.   As we had to cancel our Lahaina trip (heartbroken) we really wanted to go on this cruise.  At this point we're flexible, everything is paid for and have made all our reservations.   M. Cooper

[rafinmd]

Check out the roll call for our cruise.  I have my suspicions as well but we'll see what happens:

 

 

Roy

[Roz]

I think you're on the 2023 cruise, not 2003. 😁

[cruzincooper]

Yes I meant 2023,  fat fingers when using my mobile phone.

 

[KAKcruiser]

People on the roll call for the March 17, 2024 Panama Canal cruise are reporting that they are being notified that the itinerary is being changed to a Caribbean Wayfarer.

[cruzincooper]

4 hours ago, Roz said:

I think you're on the 2023 cruise, not 2003. 😁

 

[cruzincooper]

Yes, I meant 2023.........new to these Blogs.

[Haljo1935]

Outlook not good for those PC itineraries.

Great suggestion to join the Roll Call to see the conversations. 

It's a hard time for PC, but once Mother Nature rights the conditions there, you should have a nice selection of itineraries again if you're willing to wait.

[fox02554]

5 hours ago, Haljo1935 said:

but once Mother Nature rights the conditions there,

Headed into the DRY season in Panama , don't look for Mother Nature to be much help for the next 6 months or so 😞

 

[Haljo1935]

2 hours ago, fox02554 said:

Headed into the DRY season in Panama , don't look for Mother Nature to be much help for the next 6 months or so 😞

 

I know; It's so sad. The poor wildlife, That is such an amazing area to see.

[AKJonesy]

I have a 31 day cruise to SA from Ft. Lauderdale in November.  I haven't heard anything.  What are people talking about here?

[mitz18]

1 hour ago, AKJonesy said:

I have a 31 day cruise to SA from Ft. Lauderdale in November.  I haven't heard anything.  What are people talking about here?

Lack of water in the lakes due to extremely dry conditions.  Just Google (or other) "Panama Canal Drought"

[cruzincooper]

We have been reading about the water shoetage in the lake causing the backup of container cargoes.  We will still go on this cruise and enjoy.  Life is too short especially at our age.  We want to travel while we can.

[bigdaddyyo]

Trying to understand how the excursions work.  Do you get off the boat prior to entering the locks or once the boat parks in Gatun Lake do you take a tender to the excursion?

[Crew News]

5 minutes ago, bigdaddyyo said:

Trying to understand how the excursions work.  Do you get off the boat prior to entering the locks or once the boat parks in Gatun Lake do you take a tender to the excursion?

After passing through the locks, you will be tendered to shore for excursions and picked up in Colon after the ship returns through the locks.

 

[3rdGenCunarder]

1 hour ago, Crew News said:

After passing through the locks, you will be tendered to shore for excursions and picked up in Colon after the ship returns through the locks.

 

 

Just want to add that there's really nothing at the dock shown, just a place to get on the bus for your tour. So you can't tender ashore and do something on your own.