TUG/LOV Panama Canal Cruise Nov. 28, 2016

Luanne · Aug 9, 2015

If I came it would be with dh. And the last time this trip was brought up he, well really both of us, want to do a full transit.

Pat H · Aug 9, 2015

Just to clear something up, this trip is for anyone, not just ladies. I've had a few questions about that. Friends, family, kids and yes, even husbands/partners/SO's etc. are welcome. Last I heard there are 5 cabins already booked! We are going to PARTY!! :banana:

:whoopie:

GrayFal · Aug 9, 2015

Luanne said:
If I came it would be with dh. And the last time this trip was brought up he, well really both of us, want to do a full transit.

I hear ya. But with the add on I posted, it works for me.

Luanne · Aug 9, 2015

GrayFal said:
I hear ya. But with the add on I posted, it works for me.

I just ran it by him. Looks like a "no go" for us this time.

Passepartout · Aug 9, 2015

GrayFal said:
I hear ya. But with the add on I posted, it works for me.

That makes an interesting excursion if the cruise ship waits the day in Gatun Lake, but I think we will opt for the cruise I linked in #5 for the reasons listed. The main advantage of this is the lower airfare (no return from Chile), but we have status with Celebrity, not Princess.

You all have a great time. We'll be with you in spirit.

Jim

am1 · Aug 9, 2015

If you do not do the extended tour do not expect to be able to anything in Colon for those 3 hours that the ship is waiting for the tour to get back.

Colon is very dangerous. While outside of Colon has lots of things to see and very safe but 3 hours is not enough. There is a small plaza attached to the cruise dock and a casino attached to the plaza and radisson hotel. Good time to drink or check internet if rates are not reasonable on the ship

That being said most people doing the full transit as a tour feel its too long and a half day is enough. Half on a cruise ship and half in a smaller boat with a guide may be just right.

Not sure where La Playita is but the tour should pass under the 2 bridges linking the Americas.

The canal should be finished by then.

am1 · Aug 9, 2015

Passepartout said:
That makes an interesting excursion if the cruise ship waits the day in Gatun Lake, but I think we will opt for the cruise I linked in #5 for the reasons listed. The main advantage of this is the lower airfare (no return from Chile), but we have status with Celebrity, not Princess.

You all have a great time. We'll be with you in spirit.

Jim

Using miles will work for getting back to North America.

LynnW · Aug 9, 2015

We now have 5 cabins booked. If anyone else is thinking about it I suggest not waiting as they can pull the promotion at any time which is the $200 OBC per person and the reduced deposit of $100 per person.

Lynn

Pat H · Aug 9, 2015

LynnW said:
We now have 5 cabins booked. If anyone else is thinking about it I suggest not waiting as they can pull the promotion at any time which is the $200 OBC per person and the reduced deposit of $100 per person.

Lynn

I know of at least 2 more who should be contacting you tomorrow. One of my friends booked directly with Princess and as a past Princess cruiser got a great deal on price but none of the perks. Can they be rolled into the group?

GrayFal · Aug 10, 2015

Pat H said:
One of my friends booked directly with Princess and as a past Princess cruiser got a great deal on price but none of the perks. Can they be rolled into the group?

That is interesting.....without logging in, our BD Balcony is listed at $1,699. Once I log in as a Gold past cruiser, it shows $1649. The price you/Lynn quoted was $1,599 + $310 tax.

I wonder if once our Princess numbers are added to the Resie by Lynn, my roomie and I will get a lower price as past cruisers?????

Pat H · Aug 10, 2015

Cruise Critic Roll Call

Here's the link to the roll call. Come sign up when you book your room. I noticed that there are not too many cabins left in our category on the higher decks. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=47387763#post47387763

BocaBoy · Aug 10, 2015

am1 said:
That being said most people doing the full transit as a tour feel its too long and a half day is enough. Half on a cruise ship and half in a smaller boat with a guide may be just right.

Well this has not been my experience. We have done two full Canal transits and it makes for a fascinating day. Most people I know want to do the full transit and not the partial. I think partial transits were developed so those without the time or money for a full one could still experience some of the Canal.

Pat H · Aug 10, 2015

The promo is being pulled by Princess as of tonight for the balcony category we have. It may be available at a higher cat/price. If you want to go and get the $200/pp OBC, you need to contact Lynn by 6:30 EDT tonight. Her email is LWarner@cruiseshipcenters.com. Phone # is 877 978-7447. I know, not much notice.

Pat H

LynnW · Aug 10, 2015

Pat is right the promotion for the cat BD has been pulled but it is still available for other categories but of course this could change anytime. This is the best promotion Princess has ever done so the are selling out fast.

I just booked a friend of Pat's into a cat BE and was able to get the promotion.

Lynn

am1 · Aug 10, 2015

BocaBoy said:
Well this has not been my experience. We have done two full Canal transits and it makes for a fascinating day. Most people I know want to do the full transit and not the partial. I think partial transits were developed so those without the time or money for a full one could still experience some of the Canal.

Full transit in a cruise ship is great. Half and half may work. Full transit in a small boat I feel time and money can be better spent.

I guess others feel differently.

m4travels · Aug 11, 2015

I wish, I wish, I wish I had seen this earlier. Just made some arrangements with friends for an October 0216 cruise that we can't back out on. We've done the full transit (and doing it again in August 2016) but would enjoy a partial like this as well.

Pat, the excursion you listed sounds great! Hope to see you on another cruise soon!

Michael

LynnW · Aug 12, 2015

It seems that for now the promotion is back on. We are up to 10 cabins booked.

Lynn

GrayFal · Aug 14, 2015

m4travels said:
I wish, I wish, I wish I had seen this earlier. Just made some arrangements with friends for an October 2016.cruise that we can't back out on. We've done the full transit (and doing it again in August 2016) but would enjoy a partial like this as well.

Pat, the excursion you listed sounds great! Hope to see you on another cruise soon!

Michael

Oh what a shame!
DH and I are looking forward to a trip similar to your TA plus Baltic when he retires in 2018. Not really that far away.

Be well.

Pat H · Aug 15, 2015

Just a reminder that if you want to take advantage of the promo, it ends on Tues the 18th.

Pat H · Aug 26, 2015

In case you didn't book already, there is a new promo for our cruise that started today:

1) Free gratuities which is worth $115/per person for all cabins balconies and below & $120 for mini-suites and above.
2) Free specialty dining for 2 for 1 dinner. Worth $20-$25 per person.
3) Free LOCATION upgrade.
4) $100 deposit.

Mini-suites & above also get a bottle of wine per room.

Looks like we have 12 (2 outside the group) cabins booked plus another 5 waiting for this promo.

LynnW · Oct 2, 2015

Pat H said:
In case you didn't book already, there is a new promo for our cruise that started today:

1) Free gratuities which is worth $115/per person for all cabins balconies and below & $120 for mini-suites and above.
2) Free specialty dining for 2 for 1 dinner. Worth $20-$25 per person.
3) Free LOCATION upgrade.
4) $100 deposit.

Mini-suites & above also get a bottle of wine per room.

Looks like we have 12 (2 outside the group) cabins booked plus another 5 waiting for this promo.

Just wanted to let everyone know that this promotion is still available if anyone is still thinking of booking. We are up to 16 cabins in the group.

Lynn

Pat H · Oct 16, 2015

If you have been on the fence about booking this cruise, be aware that the promo offering free gratuities, free specialty dining and free location upgrade is ending Oct. 26.

Also, everyone who has booked should have gotten an email stating that Princess is raising the daily gratuities from $11.50 to $12.95. You can still get the lower rate if you prepay the gratuities by Oct. 31. If you decide not to go on the cruise before the next payment is due, you will still get a full refund.

Please pass on to anyone you know who is going on the cruise and is not part of this group.

LisaH · Sep 20, 2016

It is getting closer! I will be going with 5 other friends. One of them is a guy and he is not my husband this time

Any thoughts on excursions? So far, we have only booked for the Panama Lock transit by boat.

Pat H · Sep 20, 2016

Hi Lisa, I am doing the boat through the canal also and probably the walking tour of Cartegena. Not doing anything in Aruba or Jamaica. There is one other couple going, the rest are all women.

TUG/LOV Panama Canal Cruise Nov. 28, 2016

Luanne

TUG Review Crew: Expert

Pat H

GrayFal

TUG Review Crew: Expert

Luanne

TUG Review Crew: Expert

Passepartout

TUG Review Crew: Veteran

am1

am1

LynnW

TUG Review Crew: Rookie

Pat H

GrayFal

TUG Review Crew: Expert

Pat H

BocaBoy

Pat H

LynnW

TUG Review Crew: Rookie

am1

m4travels

LynnW

TUG Review Crew: Rookie

GrayFal

TUG Review Crew: Expert

Pat H

Pat H

LynnW

TUG Review Crew: Rookie

Pat H

LisaH

Pat H