Would like to fully cruise the Panama in Sept/Oct 2008, any ideas on lines/ships?
Thinking of full Panama Canal cruise
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Our very first cruise was through the Panama Canal, April 2006, on Holland America's ms Zuiderdam, 21 days, Fort Lauderdale to Vancouver. Besides the many great ports we visited, and the awesome passage through the Canal itself, the experience on the HAL ship was very memorable. The Crew was excellent, very well trained, friendly, and gave great service. It was very hot and humid the day through the Canal, but crew supplied lots of cold drinks (juice and water)to keep us hydrated.I can't say enough about the beds and the bedding. My Husband and myself slept like babies.
Our only other cruise was to Alaske on this same ship, so I have no other of which to compare. I'm sold on HAL.
We recently returned from a 14 night cruise through the Panama Canal on RCI's Serenade. It was fabulous. We have been on over 10 cruises, and this one was the best. We had an outside balcony cabin. We used it everyday. The ship had recently upgraded their bedding. I slept better on the cruise (and more confortably) than at home. We enjoyed the cruise so much, we booked another cruise in the Med. for next year on RCI. I have not been on HAL, but have heard they are very good.
Who ever you book, be sure to research the history of the building of the canal. It made the trip throught the canal all that much more interesting. A narrator comes on the ship while you are transiting the canal and tells you about some of the history and what you are seeing. (The Serenade also had a lecturer onboard that gave lectures on Mexico and the Panama Canal when we had "sea" days.
The time of year that you want to do this is perfect for the repositioning cruises. They leave Vancouver/Seattle after doing the Alaska run and return to the Caribbean so there are also really good deals on them. You can check on cruise.com or cruise-connections. I also prefer HAL but Princess and Celebrity do them as well. The only problem with that time of year is its hurricane season so if by chance there is a problem you may miss a port and there could be some rougher seas. I have done it several time but do it in the spring.