Panama Canal Tour

[dkb363]

We just returned from a cruise to Panama. I always book our own excursions at ports because it seems we get more for less. However, because taking a ferry through the canal was 8 hours, I booked this tour through Carnival. Pricey, but worth the protection. We were really late getting off the ferry and back into the buses. No way were we going to make the ship with an 1 1/2 bus ride to go. Carnival sent a police escort, with helicopter, and escorted all the buses back to the ship in record time. My son, who enjoyed the canal, thought that was a great way to end the trip. So consider the length of the excursion when booking independently. Sometimes the really long ones may be cheaper in the long run (no airfare to another port) through the ship. But we loved going through the locks.

[sunlover5]

We loved this excursions which we just did on the March 15 sailing of the Liberty. Only thing I can say we didn't like, going back (and we were very early) our bus driver drove like an idiot. It fell on deaf ears though when a man spoke up to the driver and guide in the bus. It was holy week so there was not much traffic on the canal!!!!

[KatSt]

We just returned from a cruise to Panama. I always book our own excursions at ports because it seems we get more for less. However, because taking a ferry through the canal was 8 hours, I booked this tour through Carnival. Pricey, but worth the protection. We were really late getting off the ferry and back into the buses. No way were we going to make the ship with an 1 1/2 bus ride to go. Carnival sent a police escort, with helicopter, and escorted all the buses back to the ship in record time. My son, who enjoyed the canal, thought that was a great way to end the trip. So consider the length of the excursion when booking independently. Sometimes the really long ones may be cheaper in the long run (no airfare to another port) through the ship. But we loved going through the locks.

We took the Panama Canal excursion through Carnival last July. It was fun for the first set of Locks, but then things went downhill. It was extremely hot and humid. We had to wait for a tanker to go through the locks and our ferry stood perfectly still in this scorching heat and humidity for over 45 minutes. Needless to say people were not happy. It wouldn't have been so bad if the air conditioned area of the ferry was cool, but the AC wasn't working. By the time we all got off the Ferry (a total of 8 hours just on the Ferry) I thought there was going to be a riot.:eek:

 

I'm glad I had the experience of going through the Locks, but next time I will be on a cruise ship in the AC. I can go up on deck to watch and then return to the nice cool ship. :)

[RJ7591]

We took the Panama Canal excursion through Carnival last July. It was fun for the first set of Locks, but then things went downhill. It was extremely hot and humid. We had to wait for a tanker to go through the locks and our ferry stood perfectly still in this scorching heat and humidity for over 45 minutes. Needless to say people were not happy. It wouldn't have been so bad if the air conditioned area of the ferry was cool, but the AC wasn't working. By the time we all got off the Ferry (a total of 8 hours just on the Ferry) I thought there was going to be a riot.:eek:

 

I'm glad I had the experience of going through the Locks, but next time I will be on a cruise ship in the AC. I can go up on deck to watch and then return to the nice cool ship. :)

 

 

We did the Ferry Canal Tour just last month and never broke a sweat! I think the time of year is key plus we sat down stairs so we were in the shade. (still had perfect views) It was definitely a long day and we regret not having any time to shop but being able to go thru the canal instead of just seeing it from the sidelines was well worth it!

 

I'll admit I'm one of those people who prefer to book thru Carnival and think the extra money is worth the peace of mind but this excursion is one that NO ONE should ever consider doing on their own! Our ship was scheduled to leave at 4:30 and our bus drove up at exactly 4:30 and we had no real delays going thru the locks or with traffic; it's just a long trip!

[toledo]

My husband's idea is that the tour should end after the first set of locks. That gave everyone a pretty good idea of how they work. That bus ride back was ridiculous. Wait until the first bus accident! Then Carnival will change that tour! I don't care how late the tour goes. Driving that fast to get back to the ship is unexcuseable.

[vacruizer]

My husband's idea is that the tour should end after the first set of locks. That gave everyone a pretty good idea of how they work. That bus ride back was ridiculous. Wait until the first bus accident! Then Carnival will change that tour! I don't care how late the tour goes. Driving that fast to get back to the ship is unexcuseable.

 

I think there already have been a few that I've read about. I hate to say it - but that's just the way they drive in Panama.:eek: Doesn't matter which tour you are on.:D

[flipflops78]

Last time in Panama I took a tour with one of the locals. He got our van pulled over and was arrested when he dropped us off at port. I guess he stole that van we were in. He was also in trouble for other things. The police officer said they were waiting for him to drop us off first.