We're Panama Canal bound! Got questions?

[Jesterscourt]

Plenty of food! As soon as you arrive at the Village, you get ham sandwiches that you make yourself and a little bit later you get the best Tlapia fish cooked fresh by the Villagers and served in banana leaves and delicious fruit before you return. Just bring water for the bus ride.

[ncmomof2]

Plenty of food! As soon as you arrive at the Village, you get ham sandwiches that you make yourself and a little bit later you get the best Tlapia fish cooked fresh by the Villagers and served in banana leaves and delicious fruit before you return. Just bring water for the bus ride.

 

Thank you, thank you for this info!! This is a big relief! Hungry kids are cranky kids after all... :o It seemed like there had to be food available on an excursion this long smack in the middle of the day, but since the excursion description said nothing about food, I was a little worried. Just curious -- were there any sandwiches available besides ham? No biggie, we'll make do no matter what, but my family doesn't eat pork...

[Jesterscourt]

Yes, they have cheese as well as ham for the sandwiches, but really, shortly after that you will get the cooked fish and plantains, so we really didn't even need the sandwiches but it was fun like grade school making your own sandwiches with the loaves of bread and squeezing mayonaise out of tubes! It is a long bus ride so make sure the kids have something to do in case they are bored by the commentary although they should prepare Panama Canal questions for the guide and they will get a kick out of the "red devil" school busses, and if it's a school day, passing the kids in uniform coming or going to school. The poverty you pass will also be an eye-opener.

[pokeyjones]

Yes, they have cheese as well as ham for the sandwiches, but really, shortly after that you will get the cooked fish and plantains, so we really didn't even need the sandwiches but it was fun like grade school making your own sandwiches with the loaves of bread and squeezing mayonaise out of tubes! It is a long bus ride so make sure the kids have something to do in case they are bored by the commentary although they should prepare Panama Canal questions for the guide and they will get a kick out of the "red devil" school busses, and if it's a school day, passing the kids in uniform coming or going to school. The poverty you pass will also be an eye-opener.

 

Hi, we just got back last night from the Zuiderdam's PC itinerary and also did the ferry thru to the Pacific. They served ham with cheese sandwiches and egg salad sandwiches with the crusts cut off, a pesto pasta, muffin, fresh cut and some whole fruit, a potato and egg fritatta like dish, served with toothpicks, like an appetizer. It seems as if the tour operator is trying harder. We had no delays in getting thru any of the locks.

 

(One guest went to the Miraflores locks to watch the operations and actually, we were the only boat they saw, and were quite disapointed in their 2 hour/each way bus ride, for the experience they had.)

 

Also, the bus ride was really not that bad for us, a little bumpy in spots, but, I have been on worse roads in my own community. It was more like one and a half hours, rather than the advertised 2 hours, as we had an early departure and, then, partial police escort back towards the ship ensure a speedy arrival. We had adequate time to shop on the pier and see and hear the Embera. By getting back later, the Embera sold me a basket marked $25 for $20, without me asking. Small mola handbags for $5 each, marked $7.

 

Actually, the ship departed late. I overheard it was due to a delay with the train.

[pokeyjones]

Peggy, if you or anyone else need any "cruise critic" or "walk" name tags, I've left extras with the wonderful concierge staff (Bong and Kate) in the Neptune Lounge on the Zuiderdam (from our cruise which ended yesterday). There are probably 50 of them, so please feel free to use them or add to the amount if you have extras too.

 

This could help those who need cc name tags and for some reason were not able to make them, need extras, or left them at home by mistake.

 

Have a great walk!!

 

Melissa, what a wonderful time we had with you!!! Thank you so much for starting this thread so we didn't have to use up valuable internet minutes for family and friends at home ;).

 

I was one of those on the bow of the ferry during the excursion to the Pacific. It was definitely the place to be to get the best experience of the crossing. We had a fantastic time on the ferry and were glad we picked that excursion.

 

It could get hot there, so a hat, sunscreen, water, and occasional visits to the air-conditioned areas of the ferry are a must.

 

As penguinchick said, the cruise was a blast!!! So glad I was able to share this experience with so many wonderful cruise critic members (and now friends!)

 

Donna

 

Thanks Donna,

I was already on board and didn't see your post...We had plenty, though... And Cruisinetta grabbed a bunch for her trip on the Noordam in February! Maybe we should let the following Zuidy sailings know.

 

This trip was a blast! I found Mrs. Zuiderdam, who was a cruisecritic member! You can find pictures of the trip thru a link on the Dec. 9-19 rollcall board. It includes the 1st ever banner wave out of FLL!!! Special thanks to LAFFNVEGAS and INLETCAMERA.COM

[Jesterscourt]

Parrotplay, a more complete Embera review and comments was written by me yesterday under "Embero" in the Panama section, and if Richard from Panama is back from his Zuiderdam assignment, he should have a lot of info on his "blog" which can be accessed also from the Panama section. Steve

[parrotplay]

Parrotplay, a more complete Embera review and comments was written by me yesterday under "Embero" in the Panama section, and if Richard from Panama is back from his Zuiderdam assignment, he should have a lot of info on his "blog" which can be accessed also from the Panama section. Steve

 

Jestercourt - I am subscribed to the Panama Thread, and i read your post yesterday. I am looking forward to this tour the most. I have also read some of Richard's posts, and his blog on the Embera, that is why i am looking so forward on taking this tour. Thank you for posting. Any photo's ?

[bunkobuddy]

what a great post. I have a couple of questions on the tour that goes by bus and then ferry to the Pacific locks. Are there bathroom facilities on the bus and on the ferry? Would you recommend this particular excursion? Thanks.

[kimmiekaz]

Hi ncmomof2 and everyone else! :) As promised, here's a link to Melissa's review of Zuiderdam: http://www.cruisecritic.com/reviews/review.cfm?ShipID=266.

 

Melissa, could you post a quick note on this thread when your official review is available? I'm eagerly awaiting it and don't want to miss it! :o

 

Thanks! And thank you as well for the great "live from' updates! It was great following along with you -- I'm just jealous you swam with the dolphins since I'm afraid it's not in our budget...:(

[melissa@cruisecritic]

Thanks again to everyone who followed my reports from the ship, and happy sailing to all of you!

[newcruisers04]

I could have sworn two minutes ago I saw the Blue Water Bridge beside your name..does that only show when you are online? Anyways, we are located right under that bridge ! :-)

[ncmomof2]

Hi ncmomof2 and everyone else! :) As promised, here's a link to Melissa's review of Zuiderdam: http://www.cruisecritic.com/reviews/review.cfm?ShipID=266.

 

Thanks! Just in time for some last minute info before we sail on the Zuidy in 6 days!