I’ve wanted to see the Panama Canal for the longest time, and as Debra and I began to travel more, I added it to my bucket list. And for my money, cruising was the best way for me to see the canal and for Debra and me to see Central and South America.
Twice booked, twice cancelled, though. But as the saying goes, “third time was the charm!” Days before we left home to cruise the British Isles in September, I spotted a fare that was too good to pass up. And that was how Debra and I found ourselves on a 14-day Panama Canal cruise aboard the Emerald Princess in December 2019.
Twice booked, twice cancelled, though. But as the saying goes, “third time was the charm!” Days before we left home to cruise the British Isles in September, I spotted a fare that was too good to pass up. And that was how Debra and I found ourselves on a 14-day Panama Canal cruise aboard the Emerald Princess in December 2019.
Our cruise started in San Pedro, California (just south of Los Angeles) and ended in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Debra and I loved the itinerary, which included six ports of call, a full day transit of the Panama Canal, and seven “sea days.”
We sailed the British Isles aboard the Pacific Princess, the smallest ship in the Princess fleet with fewer than 700 passengers. Now we were on a ship more than four times larger, with room for almost 3,100 guests. With a less intensive port schedule (we visited 11 ports in 14 days on the Pacific Princess!), we were able to savor the on-board experience on the Emerald: leisurely dinners in one of several dining rooms; interesting enrichment and port lectures; entertaining musicals, comedy and magic acts, and other diversions each evening; and creating new friendships with fellow passengers.
We sailed the British Isles aboard the Pacific Princess, the smallest ship in the Princess fleet with fewer than 700 passengers. Now we were on a ship more than four times larger, with room for almost 3,100 guests. With a less intensive port schedule (we visited 11 ports in 14 days on the Pacific Princess!), we were able to savor the on-board experience on the Emerald: leisurely dinners in one of several dining rooms; interesting enrichment and port lectures; entertaining musicals, comedy and magic acts, and other diversions each evening; and creating new friendships with fellow passengers.
The first port of call was Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, which Debra and I have visited many times over the years. All the other ports were new to us: Hualtulco, Mexico; San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua; Puntarenas, Costa Rica; Panama City, Panama; and Cartagena, Colombia. New sights, new scenery, new cultures. We had a wonderful time!
I look forward to sharing our experiences with you.
I look forward to sharing our experiences with you.
My Stories, One Port at a Time
I will post stories from each port of call, with a new story every month or so.
I will post stories from each port of call, with a new story every month or so.
Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Las Bahias de Huatulco
Nectar of the Gods
Port Oasis Ecopark
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