curiousx

We (one quite elderly) have bitten the bullet and are going on the Seabourn Legend Panama Canal cruise (Costa Rica, Belize, Panama Canal) at the end of November.

This is a last minute booking and doesn't leave much time for planning, so we are looking for your advice especially with respect to shore excursions.

We depart from Fort Lauderdale and then head for Belize City, Hunting Cay (Belize), Roatan (Honduras), Puerto Moin (Costa Rica), Gamboa (Panama), Fuerte Amador (Panama), Puerto Quepos (Costa Rica), Playa Flamingo (Costa Rica), Caldera (Costa Rica) and San José (Costa Rica).

A general question is whether we should book independently or use the excursions offered by Seabourn ? If booking independently is better, then for what, and with whom ?

By way of activities I think we would enjoy, I include snorkelling (particularly at the Belize barrier reef), visiting Mayan ruins, nature walks (not too strenuous), barging or river cruising, local culture.

We are not great shoppers and don't like crowds or lots of noise.

What is the quality of the snorkelling gear on Seabourn ? Is it readily available or shold we bring our own (a pain, but can do if we hafta).

Many thanks.

Senior

To get responses try cruisecritic.com and go the Seabourn website. You should receive answers to your various questiions. I am considering Seabourn for a cruise to the Med in 2004 (early September/October) so would appreciate any comments you have after your trip. This line is very expensive so hope it lives up to your expectations. Sounds wonderful though from all the folks I have been "chatting" to on the Seabourn website. Wondering where you booked from (US or England)?

bonlou30

I have just returned from a Med cruise on the Seabourn Spirit. I cannot wait to book another Seabourn trip and the one to Panama sounds wonderful. We took some of the excursions and did some sight-seeing ourselves. Both are possible. If you are anzious about what to do or where to go then let the staff onboard arrange it for you. Their excursions are not over-priced. On our cruise there were always talks before the ports to answer questions and there were individuals on the ship on the day as well to answer questions. You will be amazed at how organized everything is. Have a wonderful cruise.

tuckerdc

Believe that Seabourn also includes a 'complimentary' excursion on every voyage.

You should love SB - we did! (But can't help with ?s re your itinerary; we did a transAtlantic last month).

curiousx

this reply (and thank you) is a bit late I know. I just wanted to assure you all that we had a WONDERFUL time and that we have since taken two more Seabourn cruises and our planning our fourth this fall. I cannot say enough good things about this line - and also about the excellent advice provided by the posters at www.cruisecritic.com.