My day on the Panama Canal

Doesn't time fly, well just a week ago I was sat in the sun going through the Panama Canal, and today I am back in work!

I did say in my blog about the canal on 30th January that I would try to get some photo's up when I got back, so before I write a review of the cruise I thought I would give you a quick review of my shore excursion.

So as a port Colon Panama does not have a massive amount going for it, well last Sunday about 80% of the passengers on Celebrity Equinox were in the Theatre trying to get away on an excursion of 1 kind or another, with approximately 450 people travelling to canal to do the same excursion as us.


So first by coach, and there were 10 of them, taken to the Dredging division of the Canal just before the start of the Gailard Cut. Then we went through the Pedro Migel and Miraflores locks to the Pacific Ocean, before returning to Colon by coach.

With so many people we were on 2 smaller trip boats, we got the best of the 2, early 20th Century boat with about 75 people on board - the Isalmorada.  A bit of history, she was once owned by Al Capone and used to run alcholol from Cuba in the prohibition!

Not only was the boat excellent, so was our guide, Uncle Marty, a Panamanian with a smooth American accent who was a mine of useful information about the boat, the canal and many other things during the day. In fact did you know, that the original plans were for smaller locks but were changed to allow 2 boats then being built to get through, an American warship, the Pennsylvania and an early cruise ship that never actually made it, the Titanic!

So if you have been on a canal or even a river cruise the locks work in the same way to change the level of water and raise or lower the ship it is just the size which is so different. Its strange to see an Ocean going cargo ship moving through the landscape!

So just a few photos:-

A car transporter in the Pedro Migel Locks

The next few photos show the opening of the Miraflores locks, notice the double doors in the first stage then the bottom door opening to the Pacific side.

The interesting thing, as the last door opens saltwater from the Pacific meets freshwater from the canal and is an excellent feeding place for Pelicans. 2 spotted waiting for the gates to open and get their rich pickings!

The canal has been operating for nearly 100 years, and when that milestone is reached the new locks they are now building will allow larger ships to use the Canal. Panama is spending nearly US$5 billion and you can just see the construction work close to the Pacific locks.

If you want to be geeky, well we all do at times, why not follow the link to the live webcams on the canal.

So was it worth it? I think so and the bonus for me was that being on a small boat we got to see the locks and see some of the feats of engineering that brought this place to life. An excellent day out.

Can you get away with 23 kilos of luggage?

I was just finishing packing my bag last night ready for my trip to the Caribbean, and trying to see how I could get everything there I needed within the luggage allowance from the airline.

Well having checked carefully, as I going on Celebrity Equinox this time there are no Self Service Laundrettes on board, just the same as most of the American lines, Royal, NCL and Holland America so I will be subject to the usual extortionate laundry charges. How different is Princess, with facilities available on ship - must be because it was once owned by P&O?

At least when I was Norwegian Epic they left a bag near the end of the cruise, they would wash and iron a full bag for $25; considering the normal price this was a bargain and one we did use.

Additionally, there will be no irons available to use, without the usual fee and that will definitely be to heavy to carry onto the plane. I do at least like to put on a shirt that has been ironed before I go out to dine in the evening.

So, think I might try Wal Mart, Home Depot or Walgreens while I am in Miami to buy one to take on board, but will Celebrity's security screen catch it?

Well, you are going to have to wait to find out, but rest assured when I get back I will give you the low down!

Travel Insurance - do I really need it?

I will make no apologies  about highlighting this subject again, especially with recent events. If you want to read my previous post click here.
I know how annoying it can be when a situation arises on board your cruise, you have the insurance in place and you think 'great I'm covered for all circumstances'. But then, when you do make a claim the insurance company says 'Not covered under our policy', so you are now doubly upset!

But, did you know that you can take out a policy that covers you specifically for cruises? You will get all the usual cover but you get the all important extras that a normal policy will not cover you for.

What are the extra benefits of the cruise specific policy?
 - Missed departure on the outward journey
Say you get stuck in traffic on the Motorway ahead of you, or if you miss the ship because of Strike, industrial action or adverse weather
 - Missed port departure
Cover for expenses to make the next port of departure, accommodation and travel to join your ship if you fail to arrive at your international departure point because of being  stuck in traffic on the Motorway ahead of you, or if you miss the ship because of Strike, industrial action or adverse weather
 - Cruise cabin confinement
You become ill on the ship and you can not leave the cabin and missing out on the ports of call
 - Unused cruise excursions
- Cruise itinerary change (whilst you are on board)

The policy may be that bit more expensive than the standard policy, but its not a lot more and sometimes it may be worth comparing the 2 as for just a little extra the level of cover may suit your needs better.

This is just a brief summary and of course my comments above are not substitute for the full terms and conditions and these can be provided if you ask.

So if you still need to arrange insurance for your cruise give me a call, of course you do not have to of booked your cruise through www.cruise.co.uk to be able to take advantage of the policy.

Another Port of call, Panama Canal

So another in my short series of Port reviews, and as we are currently in the 'Caribbean Season' I thought it would be worth looking at the Panama Canal - this is one of the Man Made Wonders of the world, and a place that many of my customers want to visit.

Why not read my Port review of Santorini, click here.

In 1914 the Panama Canal joined the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, changing international trade forever. The 50 mile-long pathway through the Isthmus of Panama created a significant shortcut for ships that previously had to make the perilous journey around the southern tip of South America.

 

So lets have a few facts first-

1. The United States uses the canal the most, followed by China, Japan, Chile and North Korea.
2. Early planners of the canal wisely thought ahead, anticipating that the width of cargo ships would probably increase in the future. However, modern-day cargo ship widths in general are now exceeding that so-called “Panamax” benchmark, thus there are strict limits on which ships can fit through the locks. An expansion to double the waterway’s capacity is set to be completed in 2014.
3. The Canal transports 4 percent of world trade and 16 percent of total U.S.-borne trade.
4. In 1928 American adventurer Richard Halliburton swam the length of the Panama Canal. All vessels crossing the canal must pay a toll based on their weight, and Halliburton was no different. His rate? A whopping 36 cents.
5. More than 60 million pounds of dynamite was used to excavate and construct the canal.
6. The fastest transit was completed in 2 hours 41 minutes by the U.S. Navy’s Hydrofoil Pegasus in 1979.
7. In 1963 florescent lighting was installed, allowing the canal to begin operating 24 hours a day.
8. Nearly 20,000 French and 6,000 American workers died during the completion of the Panama Canal.
9. Between 12,000 and 15,000 ships cross the Panama Canal every year – about 40 a day.
10. In 2008, a Disney cruise ship paid the highest toll to date, $330,000.

So how can you get there by cruise ship, well you will find that Princess Cruises and Holland America do have ships that do a full transit, starting in Florida and going to California or visa versa. They also do part transits, with the ship entering, usually on the Caribbean side, doing some scenic cruising and then exiting back to the Caribbean.

Celebrity Cruises have a couple of repositioning cruises that transit the canal, and do stop in Colon Panama on some Equinox sailings so that you can do an excursion and come back through the canal on a small pleasure boat.

There are a number of options here, why not come back at the end of February and look at my photos from my trip there next month.

Independence of the Seas, did I forget her?

Over the last few weeks I have been doing that maintenance on my blog that you keep putting off! You will see some changes on the page 'Ships I have been on' and I have added a new page 'StuPendous Cruise Deals'.

But I noticed that I have not put up any information about Royal Caribbean's  Independence of the Seas, even though I did a ship visit back in 2009!

Indie on a damp October morning

Independence of the Seas is a Freedom-class ship and entered service in April 2008, there are 15 passenger decks and she can accommodate 4,370 passengers who are looked after by 1,360 crew. She was built in the Aker Finnyards drydock in Turku, Finland, builder and at 154,407 gross tons, she joined Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas as the largest cruise ships and passenger vessels ever built at the time. She is 1,112 feet (339 m) long, and typically cruises at 21.6 knots (40.0 km/h; 24.9 mph).

Independence of the Seas is the third of the Freedom-class vessel. In October 2009, Oasis of the Seas, the first ship in the Oasis-class replaced the Freedom-class as the world's largest passenger ships.

Independence will be sailing from Southampton throughout this summer, but will cruise from Southampton on November 22, 2012, en route to its Winter home port in Fort Lauderdale, where it will offer Caribbean voyages from December 2012 through March 2013, she will return to the U.K. in April.

Independence of the Seas features an interactive water park, the H2O Zone, a dedicated sports pool for volleyball and basketball, and whirlpools which extend from the ship's sides. It houses an internal shopping 'street', the Promenade lined with shops, pubs and wine bars, with a "bridge" which can be lowered from the ceiling void to provide a performance space above the crowds. There is also the two story Alhambra theatre, seating 1,200, and a complete conference centre. The show cabaret lounge is based on an ancient Egyptian theme, known as the Pyramid Lounge.

On a lower level is an ice skating rink named Studio B, home to a series of professional ice shows, and is also available for personal skating. This facility was first featured on the Voyager-class and the rink on Independence of the Seas is the eighth to feature this on a ship.

The ship also features a range of eating outlets, a rock climbing wall, wi-Fi and mobile phone connectivity throughout, and flat screen televisions in all staterooms. Independence of the Seas is also the first Royal Caribbean ship to feature heated, fresh water pools. On the Sports Deck, there is a rock climbing wall, a basketball/hockey court, a mini golf course, and a FlowRider for surfing. 

The features are amazing and I am not surprised that most of the people who sail on her love it! For me, the Morgan car in the Royal Parade is just that little extra, it helps that I had one for a short period a few years ago!

Why not look at the photo slide show below for more views of the ship.