MY PANAMA CRUISE WAS GREAT !

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I'm back. This was my 6th time to the Panama, and it was my best yet ! It did NOT rain while going through the Canal (Normally it does)! And our cabins (suites) were on the port (left) side, which was perfect ! We watched a freighter going through, on our left, the same time we were going through. Great experience ! There was a historian onboard, who lived in the Panama, and his talks were great, for learning more history and facts about the Panama !

Several of us took a tour from the Canal. I took the bus ride to Panama City. I was thinking this would take us to the new city, which I had seen from my ship, on cruise that entered from the Pacific coast, but it did not. Instead, we went to the old part, an area that they are trying to comdemn and get the people to move out, but it's not happening. We made a couple shopping stops, but the one at the YMCA was only 15 minutes, and this is where the best shopping could have been for us. Though I am glad I took the tour, I would choose something different next time. Others took the ferry through the canal to the other side, which is only about 50-60 minutes away, and then they road the bus back. These said they enjoyed the tour. There was also a train tour, and I need to find someone who did this, to learn of their experience to !

Our cruise included Half Moon Cay ... Holland America's private island. This was my 4th time there (last time, Oct '08). It was hot this day !! We chose to stay on the boat that morning, allowing others to get on the island earlier ! We did take a look at the few vendors, once on the island. Then we went to the lunch buffet provided. Then after a walk on the beach, towards the ship, we choose to get back onboard early !

We also went to Aruba, which is a place I've been at least 5 times before. We bought an island tour of the ship, as I've done before. If you walk up to the entrance of the mall, which is near ship, the tour price is usually lower. We paid $ 15 pp. However, today, you have to be sure the tour will include taking you to the NATURAL BRIDGE that has fallen, or I believe the tour is NOT worth doing ! We went to the bridge, which I wanted ! I found the best shopping prices this time. As soon as you walk to the town, on the left side of the road, are some vendors, which include going through this back alley. Only a few vendors, but still best prices. Great golf shirts, hawaii shirts, and more ! Later, after our tour, we did walk through the Mall. Not too many stores anymore. Once coming out of the store, we continued right, to the other vendors (Most, higher cost). We then crossed the street, which I had never done before, but these prices are more the higher cost and more modern ! While across the road, on the upper level, we did find a lounge that offered happy hour from 5 - 7pm. We had planned to eat on the island, but decided to go back to the boat and have dinner on the Lido deck. Actually they were grilling steak and salmon (great !)on the back deck.

Our cruise was suppost to go to Curacao, however, this was changed a couple months before we sailed. Instead, we went to Bonaire. We all loved this ! We purchased an island tour, as soon as we came to the end of the dock for $ 25pp. Had we walked another 100 feet, we may could have purchased this for $ 20 pp. We enjoyed the tour. Matter of fact, we stopped for a drink at a little outside restaurant, as we watched the local cook making the meals for the day (fun). Back in town was the shopping. The stores were more modern, making the cost for shoppping more like St Croix (opposite side of the island from where the ship docks).

We also went to Puerto Limon - Costa Rica. My first time to this Costa Rica port. Again, we enjoyed out tour, which we purchased through the ship. It included a train into the rain forest, a canal ride, a bus ride, the banana plantation (fascination), and we had a snack of fruit and drinks. Lots of shopping at the pier !

The cruise itself was great ... We were on Holland America's Zuiderdam ! The service in the dining room was very good ... If you wanted something else, they jumped right on it ! Select foods, like steak, veal, and seafood, were much better than some of the other choices on the menu (like meatloaf !). Our table included some new folks, who weren't part of our group (This was great !). We enjoyed many of the evening games onboard, like the liars club ! The shows were good ... There was a comedian violinist, a singer, and a steel band that played classical music (fantastic). This ship had happy hour every evening in the Crow's Nest, where our group met each evening, to discuss our day of events !

It was so nice to know, that after the 3rd day, we still had another week to go ! A 7 night cruise is the shortest I ever want to go, but 10 days is even better ! Again, we all thought 10 days were TOO SHORT !

Great canal experience ! Great weather ! Great ports ! Great shopping ! Great group ! Great new friends ! Great cruise ! Wish you had been there !

IT'S TIME TO PLAN YOUR PANAMA CRUISE TODAY ! DON'T MISS THE BOAT ON THIS EXPERIENCE ! (434/800) 237 3832

FYI
* Rainy season for the canal is May - December !
* If entering from the Atlantic side, have your balcony on the port side (left).