PANAMA CANAL SEPTEMBER?

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MARKandROGER

Guest
Looking at Panama Canal from Vancouver to Tampa in September.

Is this the right month to sail along the Pacific Coast and through the Panama Canal? Or is it stormy?

Thanks for your input.
 
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ShipMaven

Guest
I do not recommend it and always advise my Clients against such a cruise at that time of year.

It's still Hurricane Season in the Eastern Pacific, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean and the South Atlantic. While chances are that you'll have good weather, you could also have rather stormy weather. You're also chancing daily rain/thunderstorms and very hot, humid conditions.

If you wish to do a repositioning cruise, you are MUCH better off doing it in the Spring when the ships are sailing to Vancouver for the summer Alaska season.
 
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MARKandROGER

Guest
Thanks ShipMaven.
Always excellent and clear advice!
:)

Though repositioning is not what I was looking for specifically, I thought how do I get a longer cruise through the Panama Canal. As we live in Vancouver, it would be nice to either start or finish around our home town. However we are flexible and not stuck in one way or the other.

Any suggestions

Mark
:)
 
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ShipMaven

Guest
Mark,

About the only way you will get the longer cruise either starting or ending in Vancouver is a repositioning cruise - of course, I'm omitting Alaska cruises.

If it's of interest to you and Roger, you might want to consider Statendam's Circle Hawaii cruises - she has one in the Springtime that begins in San Diego, crosses to Hawaii, returns to San Diego then cruises up the West Coast to Vancouver. In September, she does just the opposite - starting in Vancouver and sailing down the West Coast to San Diego, then doing her round-trip Circle Hawaii itinerary. These cruises usually are around 19 nights long.

My first experience in a Holland America Penthouse Suite was aboard Statendam on a Circle Hawaii itinerary. There's a practice on Statendam that I've yet to see on any of the other HAL ships. At the end of the cruise, the PS occupants are given a guest book to sign (if they wish) with commentaries for the next guests to read. It's really nice, and most interesting...especially when you go back and see your own contributions from previous voyages!

Also, if you want a more exotic itinerary, Crystal Harmony has been sailing from the Far East to Vancouver in the Spring - but there are numerous sea days involved. Not sure if she's repeating it next year.
 
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sage

Guest
Mark,

I'm glad to see that you and Roger are looking forward to your next cruise on HAL. Are you ready for the one, oh, let me see, next week? I am so anxious to hear about your experiences and the PS. I wish that I was along on this one.
 
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MARKandROGER

Guest
Yes Sage,

We are "beginning" to get ready for our cruise, which is next week. We leave for New York this Sunday to see New York for five days before boarding the ship.

Today we starting to put out our clothes and pickup stuff at the dry cleaners. Packing will happen on Saturday. When travelling all we really need is credit cards, travellers cheques and passport. So if we missed something oh well! I am comforted by the fact that we don't need anything else on the Rotterdam according to all the fabulous posts we received on cruise-addicts.

We are getting excited (before it seemed unreal that we were going). And I am sure that as we approach the ship my heart will start pounding with excitement and anticpation.

Will let you know what we thought about the Penthouse.

:)
Mark
 
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ShipMaven

Guest
...and remember that dry cleaning, pressing and laundry are complimentary for your category accommodations. ;)

Enjoy your cruise and the penthouse. I'll be enjoying the Volendam while you're on Rotterdam...
 
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MARKandROGER

Guest
ShipMaven,

THANKS for the info. Will detinfetly use the perks such as laundry and drycleaning.

What do you think? Bring two shirts, socks, underwear. Wear one, have the other washed on a re-occuring cycle!

:):):)
Mark

HAVE A GREAT TRIP TOO!!!
 
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ShipMaven

Guest
Mark,

I never worry about wrinkles any more (CLOTHING, that is :lol ) when I sail on HAL - I just hand anything that needs pressing to my Steward after unpacking, and it's all back the next day, in plenty of time for formal night.

I'm pretty confident that you and Roger will LOVE that penthouse. I've got Clients/friends aboard Rotterdam right now in a suite, and they are thoroughly enjoying themselves as always on HAL.

As for me, I can't wait to board Volendam - and thanks for the good wishes. I've already arranged my sailaway cocktail party for those sailing with me, and my private dinner for them and some Officer friends who'll join us. I'll have my turn at one of Rotterdam's penthouses later this year.

If I may make a suggestion to you, check to see if there's an onboard Cruise Consultant - you may be able to book a future cruise with some onboard booking perks, and the booking will automatically be turned over to your TA for follow-up.

Bon Voyage!
 
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sail7seas

Guest
Hope all of you lucky HAL cruises have a wonderful time....on Rotterdam and on Volendam. Both great ships!
 
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sage

Guest
Mark and Roger,

I agree that the dry cleaning, laundry and pressing service is wonderful on the Rotterdam. I had a piece of clothing that came back that I wasn't sure that it was mine, as it didn't look that good when I bought the garment. My husband was very spoiled with how the non hanging items came back. They were in a lovely basket with tissue paper, and he asked if I could do the same at home, and of course we all know my reply. If you have a chance, would you please look and see if there is an outlet close by to the bed, as my husband uses a C PAP machine at night. If there is not one close, I will put an extension cord in the luggage. I'm also counting on you to let me know if there is a freezer for the late night ice cream attack. I hope that everyone has a great time, and please raise a glass for me.
 
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ShipMaven

Guest
Sage,

Although the galleys have a large refrigerator, they don't have a freezer - at least they don't on Volendam, Statendam and Ryndam (Volendam is newer than Rotterdam).

I'd suggest bringing the extension cord - again, on the three ships I've mentioned, the outlet is at the nearby vanity table and shelf that goes around approx. 1/3 of the bedroom. I can't remember any outlets right at the bed, though.

I hope you and your hubby have a wonderful cruise!
 
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sage

Guest
ShipMaven and Peaches,

Thank you for the information about the galley. I guess I will just have to have that extra scoop of ice cream during the afternoon. And I will take the extension cord with me. Thanks again everyone. I'm almost to my less than 200 day count.
 
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wendyandbarry

Guest
Peaches
I was told they are getting away from the coffee pot in the PS, but if you get one good, if not just head down to the neptune.

Barry
 
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MARKandROGER

Guest
We are off today to New York
5 Nights seeing the big apple
Then we board the Rotterdam on May 23rd.
Sage will let you know what we find on board in the PS.
Thanks to everyone for their input, help and excitement!
Talk to you all in about 3 weeks.

Mark
 
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peaches

Guest
We had a coffeepot in April, but never used it. We headed down to the Neptune as usual or had coffee and danish from room service and then the Lido.
 
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ShipMaven

Guest
Each ship seems to have different "appliances" and provisions in the PS galley. I've now stayed on the PS on 3 different ships (Statendam, Volendam and Ryndam) and no two galleys were provisioned exactly the same.

Mark and Roger - enjoy your cruise!
 
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