Colon, Panama suggestions?!?!

[BillB48]

Gatun Locks is the largest on all the locks on the Canal. Normally there is someone there to provide a narration of the operation. Miraflores is probably set up for tourists more so than Gatun. Miraflores has a museum as well as audio/visual displays etc. Both of the locks have an elevated platform to view the operations. Miraflores might have a slight edge, but if seeing the locks is your main interest,(as opposed to sightseeing or shopping) I would not feel cheated going to Gatun.

[ADATL]

OP here - thanks everyone for your great and very helpful suggestions!

[danixbanani]

I definately think I'll be booking a tour with Mario! They sound great!

[4cruizers]

We just got off the Freedom yesterday and used My Friend Mario. We did the Gatun Lock and Embrera Indian Village tour. We thoroughly enjoyed it, as well as the teens in our group. I would highly recommend Mario.

[AryMay]

We booked a tour to the Embera Indian village with Anne Gordon. She picked us up in her car at the port and gave us lots of information about Panama as we drove to the river. From there we took a canoe to get to the Indian village.

 

Anne is married to an Embera man so has a personal relationship with the Embera people. Having her as our guide gave us an insight into the Embera that I don't think we would have gotten from any other guides. Our day at the village is one we will never forget.

 

You can find out more about the Embera village and Anne's tour a her website www.emberavillagetours.com

 

I have many photos from our day in Panama in my Carnival Freedom review. The link is in my signature if you are interested.

 

Although we hadn't planned it...at the end of the day Anne took us to the Panama Canal for a quick visit before returning us to the ship. All in all...one of the best tours we have ever taken on a cruise!

[addictedtotravel1]

Been there twice and I have to recommend either the Canal by Ferry tour or the Rail Tour of the Canal.

 

Did you go on either or both of those tours when you were there? Which one would be better?

[hoosiercruiser59]

We are heading to Panama in January 2010 on Jewel of The Seas. We have already been through the canal on Brilliance in 2008. We took the train ride the last time as an excursion. On your Panama City tour did you get time for shopping and walking around in Panama City? We were wanting to lookup the HardRock Cafe in Panama City at the MultiCentro Mall on Balboa Avenue, but didn't know if this excursion would provide that opportunity. The excursion provided is CO24 Panama City Tour and is 8 hours long.

 

 

 

 

09-Sep-2001 Voyager Of The Seas 7 Night Western Caribbean Cruise

10-May-2003 Navigator Of The Seas 7 Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise

10-Dec-2006 Adventure Of The Seas 7 Night Southern Caribbean Cruise

23-Sep-2007 Adventure Of The Seas 7 Night Southern Caribbean Cruise

24-Mar-2008 Brilliance Of The Seas 11 Night Ultimate Panama Canal Cruise

18-Jan-2009 Independence Of The Seas 6 Night Western Caribbean Cruise

29-May-2009 Radiance Of The Seas 7 Night Alaska Southbound Cruise

2-Jan-2010 Jewel Of The Seas 9 Night Panama/Caribbean Cruise

[Richard in Panama]

I confess I've been lurking on this thread . . . but I've just got to jump in!

 

We were wanting to lookup the HardRock Cafe in Panama City at the MultiCentro Mall on Balboa Avenue, but didn't know if this excursion would provide that opportunity

 

P-L-E-E-A-S-E!! HardRock Cafe?!?!?! When you've got the rainforest, monkeys, the Canal, the Embera Indians, Casco Viejo, and Old Panama?? Why not just take a tour of Panama City's casinos . . . they look just like the ones on your ship, but hey! MultiCentro Mall also has Quiznos!!! Ooooo! We went to Panama and we ate at Quiznos! And we brought home a Quiznos, or McDonald's, or Subway or yada yada . . . t-shirt!

 

I'm sorry Hoosier, but I had to say it.

 

Typically the tours avoid the downtown area of Panama City because of the horrendous traffic and 2 million people. With the completion of the new Cinta Costera they may take a run through, but as far as I know there is nothing like a shuttle that takes you into Panama City and lets you just shop (like in Rome or Athens or other ports).

 

If I lived in Panama City (I live 6 hours away), I'd almost go and buy you a HardRock Panam t-shirt just to enable you to enjoy something else that Panama has to offer!

 

Sorry . . . well, kinda, and kinda not . . .

 

Regards, Richard

[BillB48]

We are heading to Panama in January 2010 on Jewel of The Seas. We have already been through the canal on Brilliance in 2008. We took the train ride the last time as an excursion. On your Panama City tour did you get time for shopping and walking around in Panama City? We were wanting to lookup the HardRock Cafe in Panama City at the MultiCentro Mall on Balboa Avenue, but didn't know if this excursion would provide that opportunity. The excursion provided is CO24 Panama City Tour and is 8 hours long.

 

 

 

Looking at the description of this tour, I really don't think there would be time to stop at the MultiCentro even if your tour route would take you near it. The 1 hour trip, (each way) to Panama City is a very optimistic estimate even with the new road. I'm not sure Old Panama is an included stop, but even if it isn't there is a lot on the plate already, Casco Viejo, Gatun Locks and lunch! Then you have to consider Panama City has over a million people, about 10 million cars and one traffic light;):rolleyes::eek:! Ok, somewhat of an exaggeration, but it can be congested. They may have some knock off shirts at the pier where you dock.

[marne001]

I booked a tour from a shore side operator. Was NOT crowded nor herded into a bus ala sardines as the ship's tours do and enjoyed myself immensely. Got everything the tour operator promised and no one harrassed me for tips! Amazing value.

 

Still would not walk around Colon by myself.

[Nanookz]

We just got back for our cruise on Sunday and we used my friend mairo http://www.myfriendmario.com. Our tour guide was excellent, they had drinks, snacks and lunch at the beach. The beach wasn't that nice but the rest of the tour was pretty good. I would use them again.

[garysol1]

I was looking at Mario's 007 tour and he shows the tour ending "around" 3:00pm. Our ship the Carnival Freedom sails at 4:00pm. Any thoughts?

[sunshinemullins]

I was looking at Mario's 007 tour and he shows the tour ending "around" 3:00pm. Our ship the Carnival Freedom sails at 4:00pm. Any thoughts?

 

 

We had absolutely no problem making it back to the ship on time. The tour was really interesting and even my 18 year old son thought it was a wonderful experience.

 

Those guys that are with the Mario group know what time your ship departs and their reputation and business is at stake. They will make sure you get back to the ship without having to run!

 

Enjoy yourselves. It's quite a different experience but a memorable one.

 

Wish we were going with you!!

 

Sunshine

[mustangjoe]

We are thinking of sailing out of Colon next year (2011) on RC's Grandeur OS. What airoirt do you fly to to get to Colon?

[BillB48]

Tocumen, (PTY), that's Panama's main international airprort. Depending if you have overnight pre/post cruise accomodations, the most choices are on the Pacific side in the Panama City area as opposed to Colon. Tocumen is closer to Panama City. If you are traveling directly from the airport to the ship it is about 1.5 hours to Colon.

[butterflychick]

Has anyone been on the Portobelo & Gatun Locks tour through Carnival? We are debating and I think it sounds better than the train ride. Is it very easy walking or more rigorous? Mom can walk but not too much at once. Like a 10 min rest and she can go again. Are there benches? Thanks!

[gometros]

Been there twice and I have to recommend either the Canal by Ferry tour or the Rail Tour of the Canal.

 

Carnival calls these two excursions Two Oceans and the Panama Canal. I'm trying to decide between the two, any suggestions? What are the main differences?

[butterflychick]

Anyone been on these trips?

[9ersRule]

If you can get a private tour and it is summer in Panama, I would suggest going to Portobello for a few minutes and then on to Isla Grande. Great beach, snorkling and nice drive. Not too far from Colon.

[HeinBloed]

We are just back from our CELEBRITY EQUINOX cruise and we called colon.

 

We booked with Rudy's Tour.

 

Some impressions:

 

Where North America meets South America:

 

 

 

 

 

The full review of the tour (now in English available) is here:

 

http://heinbloed-equinox.blogspot.com/2010/01/tag-62-in-colon-day-62-in-colon.html

 

http://heinbloed-equinox.blogspot.com/2010/01/tag-63-in-colon-day-63-in-colon.html

 

We had a great day. Rudy can offer you a tailor-made tour.

 

Have fun in Colón.

 

Regards,

HeinBloed