Panama Train beware

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bear

Guest
Just back from the Island Princess cruise to the Panama Canal. The cruise was great but beware of the Atlantic to Pacific train ride. We had reserved the train excursion well in advance. The day before we arrived at the canal we were told that the round trip train ride had been changed to a one way with return by bus. There was a very minimal reduction in the ticket cost. They said this was done to accomodate more passengers. Anyway we canceled our excursion. Good thing we did. People that took the tour said the bus ride back took over 5 hours in buses without air conditioning and there was no scenery of note. They said we made a good choice canceling. It was also too late to schedule another tour. Something to keep in mind if you're planning ahead.
 
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wwinfl91

Guest
That's really ashame. We took the trip last fall and enjoyed the trip but it included the train trip both ways. They are going to kill a good thing if this is the way they treat their guests.
 
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Rick & Jenny

Guest
Bear,

We recently did the canal boat tour and took a bus back from Panama City to the ship docked in Colon. The bus ride back during rush hour took us just a little over 1 hour. If the train ride ends in Panama City, the bus ride should not take that long a period of time.

Rick & Jenny:couple
 
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Einstein

Guest
AGree with Rick & Jenny that it should be only about 1 - 1.5 hours on the bus unless it breaks down. We with with Rick & Jenny on the P@N@M@ Cruise and also heard thta the train was VERY Hot with No A/C. :(

.
 
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Lex Luthor

Guest
Did this tour last April.. booked the domed car... was a bit hot up top because of all the glass, air conditioner was on... but had a much better view of everything compared to the regular cars... your much higher up and have a 360 view almost.

very pleased with train trip, but that was a year ago this week... hope they didn't ruin it. it was a great excursion.

5 hours does seem excessively long... but heck, on a Hoduras bus ride to the ruins at Copan my bus was delayed 2 hours by torential rainfall, flooding and mudslides across the roads. So it is possible.

Lex
 
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Firtree000

Guest
I wonder if they had some type of problem with the train. I was on this train just last month, and not only was it airconditioned, but we went both to and from Panama City.
Beth
 
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