My boyfriend and I booked this cruise somewhat at the last minute and were really looking forward to an easy getaway (we live close to the port in Miami). We had sailed on the Pearl before (to Alaska) and loved the ship, so we were very interested in trying out this itinerary.
EMBARKATION - we selected a later time frame and arrived to the port late, but we were on board in time for muster about 45 minutes after arriving at the port.
CABIN - We had a porthole room in the front of the ship. It was slightly larger than a standard inside cabin and was perfectly fine, especially as we did not spend too much time in the room. The extra light from the porthole (which could be closed for complete darkness) made it feel a bit less claustrophobic. Milos, the room steward, was friendly and did a great job with ice refreshed 2x per day and fun towel animals each evening.
Panama City is very hot and humid. I thought the history of the canal and the information about life in Panama was interesting, but overall, this tour was just OK. We basically booked it so we could get off the ship in Panama
Heaven on earth! Exit the port and look for Dave or Larry. He will flag you a taxi (cost = tip to the driver) for about a 30 minute ride to the dock. After a brief ferry ride, you can begin your day in paradise! Crystal clear water, snorkeling, lunch, lounging... I can't say enough great things about this place!
The actual excursion was fantastic, but the transit time was over an hour each way on a school bus.
Walk out of the port and take a 10 minute, $3 taxi ride to Mahahual...absolutely the best, most relaxing day you will ever have. Charming bars and restaurants along the beach, a laid back surfer vibe and $20 massages!