Day 8 - Puntarenas, Costa Rica (Panama Canal Cruise)

Today we're at Puntarenas, the Pacific port for Costa Rica. There are many shore excursions offered here--you can see volcanos, hot springs, a coffee plantation. You can experience a tram or zip line through the rain forest canopy. We've elected to stay cool onboard the ship.

Puntarenas is strictly the port or gateway for the interior of Costa Rica. Our port guide states the town features a college, pool hall, a few rustic bars, and a collection of businesses primarily for the locals. It also states the walk along the waterfront is pleasant but to expect a variety of "vendors" (guess they mean hagglers) selling local crafts. Clearly, you have a get away from the port to see the region's unspoiled beauty.

One thing about staying onboard ship on port days is you have the ship to yourself. We walked up to the Lido and Sun decks and saw less than 10 people! As you saw in yesterday's pictures, on sea days every deck chair is occupied.

Another is you get to experience the ship's emergency drill. Today there was a simulated fire. We were asked to stay off the Promenade Deck and other areas where the crew was going through their drills. Life boats were set in position for boarding. Now we have a better idea of how we'd actually get on a life boat.

Tomorrow is another sea day. I've always said the best part of cruising for me is the ship . . . we're certainly enjoying the Coral Princess.

Day 7 - At Sea (Panama Canal Cruise)

Today we're at sea on the Pacific Ocean traveling toward Puntarenas, Costa Rica. Days at sea are perfect for relaxing.

It was interesting to wake up this morning and learn the tsunami from the Chile earthquake had passed under our ship. The seas have been calm all day, perfect for cruising.

Tonight was our second formal night. We attended the Captains Circle cocktail party. Dinner on formal night is always special. I had lobster and John had halibut--really good.

Day 6 - Puerto Amador (Panama Canal Cruise)

After passing through the Canal we anchored off the coast of Puerto Amador, the port for Panama City. It's hot and humid (kinda like south Louisiana in August!) so we stayed aboard ship today and relaxed.

This is a view of Panama City from our stateroom balcony.

Now the question of the day . . . is this building under construction or demolition?????

Day 5 - Panama Canal (Panama Canal Cruise)

Those of you who know me know getting up early is not my idea of fun. Yesterday was an exception. At 5 am Thursday we began our crossing of the Panama Canal. And we were up, watching from our balcony, as we crossed the break water from the Caribbean into the Canal.

At the Gatun Locks we lined up with container ships, auto carriers, and other large ships for our turn in the locks.

In this picture you can see the container ship NYK Diana moving into the third stage of the port side lock. The containers above deck on the Diana are stacked 13 containers wide and 5 containers high. We made our way through the three stages to be lifted 26.52 meters into Gatun Lake.

Our ship, the Coral Princess, cruised about 23 miles through the man-made Gatun Lake staying in a narrow ship channel and then entered the narrow part of the canal, the Guillard (or Culebra) Cut. This 8.4 mile section of the canal was excavated through the rock and rock-hard clay of the Continental Divide.

Here you see the new Centennial Bridge, a part of the Pan American Highway, that spans the Canal in the Guillard Cut.

A the south end of the the Cut we entered the Pedro Miguel Locks to be lowered just under 29 feet to enter Miraflores Lake. At the end of the Lake we entered the Miraflores Locks where we were lowered through two stages to sea level and the Pacific Ocean.

As we passed the Visitors Center at the second stage of the Miraflores locks there were hundreds of people waving, cheering, and taking pictures. Traveling through the Panama Canal is a memorable experience.

John says I have to tell you this was taken about 7:30 am at our Champagne Balcony Breakfast as I've having my third flute of champagne. It was a beautiful day.

Day 4 - Cartagena

Cartagena. A city of 1.2 million Columbians. And a beautiful city it is!

We left the Coral Princess around 10 am for the tour Cartagena By Land and Sea.

The sea part of the tour was a 1.5 hour harbor cruise. We made our way along the coast of Cartagena from the new residential condos to the walls of the old city. Also made a close pass to the patron saint of tour guides and taxi drivers (think her name is St. Carmen) standing in the harbor.

After leaving the boat we made a short stop for shopping and refreshments. Then on to the San Felipe Fortress . We followed our tour guide up, up, up almost to the top of the Fortress.

Tonight we're cruising glassy seas on our way to Panama. Early in the morning we'll begin passage through the Panama Canal.

Day 3 - Aruba

Lazy days at sea and beyond . . .

Arrived in Aruba early this morning. Since shopping seems to be the biggest activity, decided to stay on board ship and observe from our balcony.

To Cartagena tomorrow . . .

For now, off to dinner.

Day 2 - Caribbean

Another day at sea on the beautiful blue Caribbean.

And what do you do on a day at sea? Lots to choose from but mostly we eat. There always something available no matter the time!

Went to a wine tasting this afternoon. Very entertaining. Will go listen to disco music tonight.

We're about 200 miles from Aruba. Will dock there at 7 am Tuesday. More to come . . .