We wanted to go to the Panama Canal and the time of year worked best for both my husband and I. We also thought we'd try a different cruise line (we were very sorry we did).
We were on a 14-day NCL Star cruise through the Panama Canal, starting in Miami and ending in Los Angeles. The cruise itself was very good. Enjoyed the canal and the scenery. The ship was good, the room was great, and our cabin stewards were good.
First, let me tell you that we have cruised mostly with Holland America. Holland America has some of the best foods we have eaten. Just got off a cruise in September to Alaska, food was fabulous. It's always exciting to see whats on the menu for the night.
Room was good. Had a mini-suite with balcony. Cabin attendant was excellent.
We had a 2-hour private tour of the Everglades. It was AWESOME!!!
Was a really good tour. Lots of alligators (crocs?). Lots of birds too. Saw a whole lot of vehicle tires in the water and embedded in the banks. Long bus ride to and from.
If you want to continue to hear out of your ears, this is not the tour for you. They had music blasting, drums banging, and the tour operator trying to sing. He insisted that we only shop in this one store. He also said it was the only bathroom that could be used. I'm pretty sure he had some relative and or some hookup with "that store". When we got to the walled city, instead of letting us walk around, he insisted that we dance and understand the instruments the band was playing on the bus.
Bad tour, and drinking rum and coke at 10 in the morning is not my thing. I'm not sure if my hearing will ever get back to what it once was.
Bad tour, only wanted us to shop where he suggested.
We signed up for the bus right to/from Antigua. We decided to cancel because the ride was anywhere from 1.5-2 hours each way. I get car sick really easy and I didn't want to get into one more crowded bus/van.
We hired someone privately for a tour. It was supposed to be just my husband and I, then it become us two and four others, then at the last minute while we were in the van, they decided to merge two vans together and it became 15 people in a 15 passenger van. Small seats and tight quarters. Had a good time though, and learned a lot about the country. Saw a couple nice churches, bought some souvenirs. Fun time.
Cancelled and did out own things. Had a fun walk around the city, saw the cliff divers. It was nice to get out and walk instead of being in a bus.