Celebrity Excursions in Panama - Opinions

[tgrllyct]

We set sail for Panama on the Constellation on 12/1/08. Would like to get anyone's feedback who has done any of the tours through Celebrity cruise line that goes to Colon, Panama.

 

We were thinking about doing the "Grand Panama" tour, which includes an Eco-Cruise, the Embera Indians, and a ride to the Gatun Locks. Problem is, it seems the Embera experience is a "re-creation" of a primitive Indian village. We really wanted to experience the REAL thing, and because of this, my husband would rather not pay the money for this tour to get a "Disneyland" experience.

 

Anyone have any feedback on this? Any excursions you would definitely recommend? We are in our 30's and healthy, so there's really no limitations as to what we are able to do.

 

Appreciate any feedback you can offer!

[MELCH]

love to hear what you did in panama

[tgrllyct]

love to hear what you did in panama

 

So we just got back from our trip a few days ago. Panama was EXCELLENT! We booked the "Grand Tour of Panama" through our ship (Celebrity Constellation). It was fantastic - the highlight of our trip.

 

First a bus takes you to a historic resort where you transfer to a boat. The boat takes you on the Gatun River and stops at a village of the Embera Indians. Was so cool to meet them, see how they live, ask them questions (translated by our guides), dance with them, and have opportunity to buy their hand woven baskets.

 

From there you get back on the boat and do an Eco-Tour of the Gatun Lake. We saw sloths, monkeys, birds, butterflies, etc. Very cool.

 

You get back to the resort, have a light lunch, and then board the bus which takes you over to the Gatun Locks Observatory where you can watch the ships come through and see first-hand how the locks work.

 

From there they take you back to the ship. It was about a 5 1/2 hour tour, and well, well worth it. If you have opportunity to do this tour on your vacation, I think you agree with us that you definitely get your money's worth and have some great memories and pics to bring home with you.

 

Cheers!