Coral Princess Shore Excursions

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woodstockguy

Guest
I will be traveling with three friends on the Coral Princess on Jan. 12 to the Panama Canal. I am considering the following shore excursions:

Panama - jungle hike
Costa Rica - Sloth adventure and canoe trip.
Grand Cayman - stingray and coral reef snorkel boat.

WE are 49-50 years and prefer some activity on our shore excursions, being very interest in flora, fauna & fish. We dislike traveling with large groups and detest bus rides of any length. We also thought that these shore excursions would be less populare because the energy level appears to be less sendentary than others.

Anyone have any comments or suggestions? Anyone done any of these or other shore excursions from this trip?

All info appreciated. And if you responde, I promise to post responses to other queries after I return from vacation. It's only fair!
 
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BarbJ

Guest
We're going in December. We're looking at the "moderate activity" range but also enjoy independent exploring. The only ship excursion we've booked thus far is the one in Panama called the ocean to ocean experience. Has anyone done that one?

Other than that, since it's been our experience that we can do the same things a lot cheaper on our own, we're looking for advice on how to do that. And, of course, if there are interesting things to see and do other than what the ship offers, we'd like to know about that too.

In Cozumel, we certainly recommend going to Tulum if you have any interest at all in archaeology. We've seen a number of sites in the Yucatan, and this was one of the best. Ranks right up there with Tikal and Chicken Itza, although not in scope.
 
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Bonnie

Guest
BarbJ, I just returned last week from the Island Panama Canal and did the Ocean to Ocean. I highly recommend that excursion. The Island started thru the Gatun Locks about 7AM. Then anchored in Gatun Lake. At 8:30 AM we tendered ashore to a waiting bus. The bus took us to Gamboa where we boarded a smaller boat that holds about 300. It took us the rest of the way to the Pacific. There are three levels on the boat with tables and chairs and airconditioning in the two lover levels. The top had seating and was covered. Since I am a smoker I went to the back of the boat which is covered but no seating or windows. This turned out to be prime space. You can see everything from this spot and are still covered since it rained. You can lean over the rail and see everything forward and everything behind. There was a bag lunch on the boat which consisted of a Subway sandwich, a coke, cookies, an apple and chips. Beer was available to buy. There also is a small giftshop on the boat that sells Tshirts, mugs, coffee etc.

We went through the channel at Culebra and passed a large car carrier ship. When we got to the Pedro Migel locks we tandem locked with that ship. It was awesome. This huge ship came into the lock with us tucked in the corner. You could literally reach out and touch the lock walls! We did this all the way to the Pacific. The bus ride back was about 1 1/2 hours. The tour guide on the bus gave us great information about his country. We returned to the ship in Cristobal thru the duty free shops and a craft market with plenty of time to shop.

I loved this tour.
 
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MimiSail

Guest
Woodstock jus MHO I would do something related to the Canal in Panama if you haven't already done it--you can pretty much do only jungle stuff in Costa Rica but you can't see the Canal mechanics up close and personal anywhere elseint he world. Even if it's crowded it would be worth it. We are doing the Ocean to Ocean and looking very much forward to it, doing the aerial tram in Costa Rica, and doing the ray and reef thing in Grand Cayman (which I believe will be extremely crowded, too, but hey, can't do it anywhere else!).

Be sure to take bug spray!
 
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Cruise cutie

Guest
Did the Sting Ray excursion on the Coral in February,It was the second time I have gotten there,We went first one offered that day first thing in the morning and it was not too crowded,the stingrays are so gentle,they bump you like puppies wanting attention and since the water is waist high it's terrific,I'd go again as it's been one of my all time favorites Check out the big real estate costly mansions from the waterway as you head out to the Sting Ray Reef.... Made mansions in California look cheap...If I ever hit Powerball.....Mimisail is right about the canal excursion..We only stayed on the ship and it was great from our mini-suite to see the mules pull the ship through the locks but if I did it again I'd take a planned excursion...:daisy...Joanne
 
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Lady Jag

Guest
We're also planning to do the Ocean to Ocean and appreciate reading Bonnie's info on it! Thanks, Bonnie! :thumb

In Grand Cayman, book an independent tour. The cruise line will cancel their tours to Stingray City due to high waves MUCH faster than the independent operators. We got there when there was no one around and it was great! The cruise lines had all cancelled their tours, but it wasn't rough enough to do so, IMO. We did just fine even with our 8 yr. old son. (did Capt. Marvin's tour that time) The next time, we're doing a catamaran to String Ray City because sailing is part of the adventure for us. Again, we're booking it independently.

I think you're right about not many people being interested in the canoe trip in Limon. Also, the whitewater rafting trip will scare some people away. The rapids you'd have are really very small, nothing at all to worry about. I think this excursion will be less crowded also.
 
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pna

Guest
What would you do in Ocho Rios if we don't want to join the "Crowds" at Dunns Falls? We are in our mid-fifties, but enjoy the water and are in good physical shape. We like to be off the ship on port days, so will definitely want an excusion of some sort.
 
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Lady Jag

Guest
Good question, pna. We're not sure what to do either, as we stayed in Jamaica for a week on our honeymoon, many 'moons' ago.

I'm thinking about doing the catamaran snorkel trip because we really love being in/on the ocean. I just don't know if I want to fight the crowds at Dunn's Falls either. I have been ocean kayaking near Montego Bay and it was pretty neat. I think they have a kayak excursion that ends up at Dunn's Falls. You have the option of staying at the beach below or going up the falls. Anyone have any other suggestions?
 
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Einstein

Guest
Can anyone make a comparison between the railroad coast to coast excursion vs. the boat coast to coast ecursion as they are both priced about the same.

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Debi_D

Guest
Just returned from the Island and we did the White Water Rafting and it was awesome. We do not like crowds or bus rides either but the bus ride was really quite nice, the guide gave us a lot of information about his country. The rapids were really fun and beautiful and they will let you hop off the raft and float down the river which feels great because it was very hot. They take pics of you going though the rapids and display them while you are enjoying their lunch afterwards. The rafts are made up of either 6 +1 guide or 8 +1 guide, the ride back is a nice time for a nap for the evening fun back onboard.

In Cozumel we did the Hobie Cat Challenge and that to was great. We actually had a race between the guys and the girls. The people were wonderful, they give you free bottled water, soda or beer....Yes FREE BEER, the boys loved that. You actually learn how to sail the Hobie's and then you get to race them, you can have the guide on board or if you feel you can do it by yourself then they allow you to do that. The ride by taxi is only about 15 minutes. Then you can reward yourself and Carlos and Charlies before you head back to the ship.

Jamaica we did climb the falls (3rd time), we thought if we went on our own that they would put us with a small group but they don't so you do end up with a large crowd. It was a real hassle but if you have never climb them then it is fun.

Hope that helps!!!!
Debi
 
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fin6645

Guest
Bonnie, Thanks for the infor ! Iam going to criuse on THE CORAL PRINCESS on 2/11/2004 and I wanted help with tours. My mind is made up ::: ocean to ocean is the one. Many thanks again. Happy Thanksgiving !!!!!
 
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