Panama Canal Cruise Excursion recs

Old Aug 22nd, 2016, 02:42 PM
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Panama Canal Cruise Excursion recs

We are on 10 day Princess cruise with stops in Aruba, Columbia, Panama, Costa Rica & Ochos Rios Jamaica. Looking for non Princess cruise excursion recommendations. We have mbibility issues, no long walks. Trains, buses, beaches sightseeing are all of interest. Please give mobility related tips with recommendations, thanks!
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Old Aug 22nd, 2016, 03:04 PM
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With the 10 days, I am assuming you are doing a partial transit round trip Fort Lauderdale.

Wheel Chair accessibility would be an issue. The Princess excursions web pages are actually quite well done and offers a host of good information.

For your group, you should look at excursions with a green "E" on it's legend on the right hand side. It is an indication that it is an "easy" excursion and too much physical activities. Yellow "M" is for moderate activities and red "S" means strenuous.

If you search the Princess web pages on shore excursions, click on the "View Excursion Details" under the excursion, it will open up a detailed itinerary on the left hand side.

Click on the arrows on each activity it will give you a detailed list what's going on. including how far to walk, how many steps etc.
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Old Aug 22nd, 2016, 03:15 PM
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Not knowing your likes and dislikes, it is hard to make any strong recommendations. based on what I've done and easy excursions, my recommendation are as follow:

Aruba
Island Highlights & Beach, including the Lighthouse. Butterfly farm and Ostrich farms are interesting as well.

Cartagena
You don't want to miss the old fortress (at least from the outside and the old city wall) La Popa Monastery, and the maritime museum.

Panama
Most people take the train ride or the city tour, or to view the locks. Make sure you get up early to see the approach to the locks.

Costa Rica
The Rain Forest Aerial Tram at Puntarenas could be interesting.

Ochos Rios
Most would go to the Dunn River Falls. For people with mobility challenges, you can still go there and enjoy the sight but it will not be the same as walking the fall. There is also a botanic garden, but that would involve some walking. I would just say take it easy and go to beach and relax.
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Old Aug 22nd, 2016, 04:41 PM
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There are bus tours for Cartagena. You really don't want to walk too much in that heat, but a stroll around the downtown area is worthwhile.

The cruise critic rollcall may have some private bus tours organized already that you can join.

My friend and I did Dora the Exporer, she was fine

http://www.cartagenatour.com/

My friend who I traveled with also has mobility issues and she took one of the cruise lines excursions to Panama City, she just didn't get off the bus but she saw enough to be happy. That's another option.
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Old Aug 23rd, 2016, 06:31 AM
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Thanks all! We are not wheelchair bound, but walking limited. We are looking for PRIVATE, NON Princess excursions as we understand the cruise ship availability. Perhaps a private guide for Cartegna? A beach excursion to a safe place in Jamaica? That short of thing, thanks!
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Old Aug 23rd, 2016, 01:20 PM
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Excursions outside the ships are usually cheaper, especially if you have a small group of 6 to 8. Dora the explorer has great reputation but you may have to book early.

Aruba is fairly easy to get around and cabs are plentiful. You may even want to look at car rental, and no right turns on red lights.

For Panama, try Rudy's
http://www.rudystours.com/

Unfortunately, I have no one to recommend for Puntarenas and Ochos Rios.
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Old Aug 25th, 2016, 03:50 PM
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Cartagena, we used this company. No complaints. Very little challenging walking. Make sure to go EARLY as it gets bloody hot


Tour in Cartagena with Marelvy Pena-Hall

In Aruba we did the trike tour. Absolutely rocking. As much or as little walking as you want.

http://www.trikes-aruba.com/

In Costa Rica we did a tour to an animal sanctuary. Check cruise critic. It was a long hot day, but great people doing great things for animals.

In Panama we did the ship tour to the Pacific coast. Crowded and confining, but hey, we went from the Atlantic to the Pacific in the same day
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