PanamaCanal cruise questions

[WDdaughter]

Splurged and booked the PC cruise for Dec 2023. Now have to pick your brains since we’ve never flown or cruised from these ports.

1. Hotel suggestions near port in San Diego?
2. Flying to/from Toronto, Canada. Likely using Delta. Which airport would be best in Houston?
3. I booked starboard side after doing a little research but I’m second guessing now. We are travelling eastbound (San Diego to Galveston). I would like shade on our verandah mainly in the afternoon heat, I am confused because I’ve read reviews and there seems to be conflicting reports on this. I’m thinking maybe the shade changes after you are through the locks?
Any other thoughts or suggestions welcomed

Thanks in advance

 

[holula]

I’m on the same cruise as you!

Houston Hobby is closer than George Bush International. Unfortunately I have an international flight and therefore it’s much easier to fly from George Bush.

I would do the shade on verandah before the locks - that’s when most of the sea days are. Which would be port side.

 

[holula]

Oh and I’ve seen Wyndham Bayside San Diego recommended. It’s basically at the port. That’s where I’m staying in December for this years cruise from San Diego.

 

[WDdaughter]

I’m on the same cruise as you!

Houston Hobby is closer than George Bush International. Unfortunately I have an international flight and therefore it’s much easier to fly from George Bush.

I would do the shade on verandah before the locks - that’s when most of the sea days are. Which would be port side.

Rebooked on port side, thanks for your help

 

[dina444444]

I haven’t booked this cruise yet, but I am planning to after I get back from my wish cruise in September. I’m very excited, and I’ll only have to fly in one direction.

 

[KVH]

Having done several of these, I would say:

1. I'd suggest either the Best Western a block up from the Wyndham or the Springhill Suites. I avoid Wyndhams like the plague with their hard sell attitudes and timeshares. BW has a free boat shuttle AND a free shuttle to/from the airport. Springhill you can walk from it to the boat.

2. Another possibility is Austin. We've been known to rent a car and drive from the port, overnight at the Hilton, fly the next day, and STILL saved money versus any Houston airport. YMMV, especially with number of people and destination. But driving also gives us a chance for a periodic pilgrimage to a Buc-ee's! That alone is worth a reason to drive up. Not to mention a meal at a Pappasito's or Pappadeaux (fried gator baby!).

3. Either side of the vessel is decent in the canal but, for eastbound, port is facing the admin building side so you'll see a little more. Be sure to stand up, smile, and wave at the photographer who gets off the ship and shoots the balconies with people on them. We got a GREAT shot one year that my DW just loves. But watching from Deck 10 is what most everyone does anyway (till the thrill wears off, directly proportional in length to the heat and rain). Personally, I really miss the hidden deck on 7, there were times we would have that all to ourselves (yeah, I'm old).

 

[lilsonicfan]

I loved our WBPC so much. I read so many posts here and on social media that Cartagena, Colombia was a port you could essentially skip, or just hang out at the terminal area. We took a tour here booked through “Free Tours Cartagena”. They do offer free short walking tours in the heart of town but we chose to book a private tour. We were given an excellent tour guide named Jesus, he was a CM on the Dream for a little while! We asked for our tour to be part city highlights and part foodie tour and I could not have asked for a better way to see Cartagena. He was so great with our kids too. We had some excellent food, learned a bit about the history of Cartagena, and even went to a grocery store to buy coffee as souvenirs (far cheaper than at the port!) People will tell you there are many, many street vendors who will approach you and this is not untrue but we found that “no, gracias” worked really well. The entire tour was $170-180 before tips for the 5 of us.

 

[happycamper47]

Either side of the vessel is decent in the canal but, for eastbound, port is facing the admin building side so you'll see a little more.

They will be doing the new canal and it is a complete let down after doing the original canal. Going Eastbound Starboard gives you a better view of the new holding basins and the actual workings of the lock gates. Even the lake crossing is blase using the new locks in our opinion.

 

[JWelch62]

We've stayed at the Wyndham Bayside many times. (SD Locals). It's a bit dated, but you can't get closer to the port. I've never had to deal with hard sells on timeshares at the Bayside. Maybe it's a generic Wyndham issue, but I've never experienced it.

 

[soniam]

Having done several of these, I would say:

1. I'd suggest either the Best Western a block up from the Wyndham or the Springhill Suites. I avoid Wyndhams like the plague with their hard sell attitudes and timeshares. BW has a free boat shuttle AND a free shuttle to/from the airport. Springhill you can walk from it to the boat.

2. Another possibility is Austin. We've been known to rent a car and drive from the port, overnight at the Hilton, fly the next day, and STILL saved money versus any Houston airport. YMMV, especially with number of people and destination. But driving also gives us a chance for a periodic pilgrimage to a Buc-ee's! That alone is worth a reason to drive up. Not to mention a meal at a Pappasito's or Pappadeaux (fried gator baby!).

3. Either side of the vessel is decent in the canal but, for eastbound, port is facing the admin building side so you'll see a little more. Be sure to stand up, smile, and wave at the photographer who gets off the ship and shoots the balconies with people on them. We got a GREAT shot one year that my DW just loves. But watching from Deck 10 is what most everyone does anyway (till the thrill wears off, directly proportional in length to the heat and rain). Personally, I really miss the hidden deck on 7, there were times we would have that all to ourselves (yeah, I'm old).

I am a little surprised that Austin works out so well. I live there. I thought Houston would have better access to and options for flights.

We were on the road today and stopped at a Buc-ee’s. They had the Buc-ee furry character out for pictures. I had never seen him before.

 

[Intr3pid]

If you are flying into San Diego and touring before the cruise, there is no need to stay close to the port. All major attractions are within 20-30 minutes from the port. The downtown is literally across, and the airport 10 minutes away. Pick any hotel chain you like or are loyal to and grab a taxi to the port in the morning.

We always stay on the side closer to land. You can pick up cell phone signals, and the western Mexican coastline is a treat to sail by. For you, this would be the port side.

IAH would have the most international flights - more frequency and better prices. I know Air Canada/United use IAH, and they compete hard with Delta on that route.

 

[Cruising Girl]

I stayed at the Gaslamp Plaza & Suites before EB Panama in 2019. Really neat hotel with lots of history. 2 miles to port. Grabbed a taxi morning of cruise. Used DVC exchange points to stay there. Not sure if its still on the new exchange though.
I'm doing the 2023 WB in October. My question to all--I'm booked on starboard side. What will my sun/shade be on the WB?
Thanks so much!!

 

[WDdaughter]

I stayed at the Gaslamp Plaza & Suites before EB Panama in 2019. Really neat hotel with lots of history. 2 miles to port. Grabbed a taxi morning of cruise. Used DVC exchange points to stay there. Not sure if its still on the new exchange though.
I'm doing the 2023 WB in October. My question to all--I'm booked on starboard side. What will my sun/shade be on the WB?
Thanks so much!!

Based on looking at your itinerary, it looks like most of your sea days are your second week after going through the locks. So it looks to me that you should be starboard to have shade on your balcony in the afternoon at that portion of the cruise, basically opposite to me. But any comments from someone who has already sailed these itineraries?

 

[Cruising Girl]

Thanks!! Thats what I thought BUT.... always good to double check your thought process!

 

[Cruising Engineer]

We stayed at the Springhill Suites in SD. It's right across the street from the port (the building with the blue/white checkers and yellow vertical stripe). Great hotel.

 

[KVH]

One other thing about port/starboard. With Eastbound, at least until the crossing, on the port side you'll be able to sit on the verandah and watch a bunch of Central America roll by. Can make for some interesting pictures, especially at night with a lightning storm on land. Starboard is basically nothing but water. A minor thing but something else to think about.