Last weeks vacation was a bust so we booked a cruise.
We are going on a cruise to the Panama Canal in December of 2006! Yep---over a year away. With 2 ruined vacations due to hurricanes, we are planning for next year and hoping there will be no problems. We still hope to go to Key Largo this October but are excited about next years cruise.
Has anyone been to the Panama Canal? We are going on a 10 day cruise with Royal Caribbean. My parents are going and so are my hubby's (yes--you heard right--should be interesting). We booked a suite for us and my parent's have a connecting balcony room. The in-laws are on the same deck but not close to our room.
Yvonne

By Karen~moderator on Tuesday, July 19, 2005 - 05:18 pm:

I've never been to the Panama Canal, but I HAVE been on an 11 night cruise, and you will LOVE being on the ship for a 10 day cruise! What ship are you sailing on? I'd love to cruise with the kids and have a suite.

It should still be warm in Key Largo in October. I really hope you get to go this time! I guess we lucked out last week - we had hot sunny weather once Dennis passed us by.

By Cat on Tuesday, July 19, 2005 - 05:24 pm:

I've been to the Panama Canal, but not on a cruise. We lived in Panama for 2 1/2 years and visited the canal a few times. That was before the US gave the canal back to Panama. It really is beautiful there. Panama in December is just like Panama the rest of the year. The forecast is always 90*, 90% humidity! lol Sounds like it's going to be fun.

By Yjja123 on Tuesday, July 19, 2005 - 05:28 pm:

We were supposed to go to Key Largo on Saturday but tourists were not allowed in until Monday. We rescheduled it for October and headed to Orlando. We did Universal Studios 2 days and took the boat out on my sister's lake 2 days. It was an OK vacation but not the relaxing one we were hoping for. It IS warm in October (I live in Florida) but the boating conditions may be iffy. The whole Key Largo thing has been so we can use the boat slip at the condo. We will just have to see--it will be the 3rd attempt so isn't there a saying "The third time is the charm"?

Our cruise....
Brilliance of the Seas Dec 1, 2006
Fri: Miami
Sat: At sea
Sun: At sea
Mon: Oranjestad, Aruba
Tue: Oranjestad, Aruba
Wed: Panama Canal cruising/ Cristobal Pier, Panama
Thur: Puerto Limon, Costa Rica
Fri: At sea
Sat: George town, Grand Caymon
Sun: At sea
Mon: Miami

By Yjja123 on Wednesday, July 20, 2005 - 05:04 pm:

Cat
There is a train tour and a boat tour of the Panama Canal. Do you know anything about these?

By Cat on Wednesday, July 20, 2005 - 06:23 pm:

Sorry, Yvonne, I don't. We left Panama in 1999. Things have probably changed a lot since then.

By Karen~moderator on Wednesday, July 20, 2005 - 06:24 pm:

I am envious! I am dying to go to Aruba!

By Eve on Thursday, July 21, 2005 - 07:14 am:

Have fun!! It sounds wonderful to me!!

By Yjja123 on Thursday, July 21, 2005 - 10:07 am:

My parents are excited about Aruba too.
I want to see the Panama Canal.
I can't believe we are planning it over a year away! The longest we have planned a cruise has been 8 months.
Oh well, gives me more time to save for the suite.
We have been on 7 day cruises previously. I am worried about 10 days. Hopefully I will be OK being gone that long. LOL
The kids have already started saving for money to put on their seapass (they have to pay for arcade, etc, with allowance).

By Yjja123 on Friday, July 22, 2005 - 06:32 pm:

We are going to go on a submarine in Aruba. It looks like an exciting excursion.
Karen--you asked what cruiseline. We are sailing on Royal Caribbean.

By Jelygu on Friday, July 22, 2005 - 08:14 pm:

OOOOhhh! Sounds like fun! I've never even been on a cruise, but I would like to plan one like yours