Panama Canal

Our journey across the 50 mile Panama Canal began early on January 19, 2012.  A Panamanian Pilot boarded the Pacific Princess just outside the breakwaters of the Atlantic as we entered the Canal.  By 7:30am we were making our way through the three stages of the Gatun Locks then across the Gatun Lake.

 It’s always amazing to make this passage and considering the effort that went into building this engineering marvel which was finished by the U.S.A. in 1914.  And, over the past few years we have seen the work to expand the Panama Canal continue.  This work entails deepening of the Pacific and Atlantic Canal entrances; widening and deepening of the Gatun Lake navigational channel and deepening of Culebra Cut; building of the new locks and water-reutilization basins on the Atlantic and the Pacific; raising of Gatun Lake maximum operational level, and adding a new 6.1 kilometer Pacific Access Channel.  This expansion program will add a third set of locks which in effect adds a third lane of traffic which will allow the transit of longer and wider ships.  This third lane will handle ships in excess of 1200 feet long by 160 feet wide.  Work is scheduled to be completed on this project during the 100^th anniversary of the Canal in 2014.

By 1:30pm we had cleared Gatun Lake and passed under the Centennial Bridge en route next to the Pedro Miguel Locks.  At 2:00pm we were working our way through these locks.  Cindy spent some of her time at this lock in the Thalassothearpy Pool at the front of the ship in the Sactionary.  We really got a good view from this vantage point.

Continuing on through the Canal, we next entered the Miraflores Locks under the view of hundreds of tourist watching our passage from a three story building that has viewing balconies.  The Pacific Princess continued through the Canal and passed under the Bridge of the Americas at around 5:15pm. At around 6:00pm we were looking back at downtown Panama City as we headed out into the open waters of the Pacific Ocean.

By the way, on the last sea day before arriving at the Panama Canal many of the passengers made colorful posters to hang on their balconies or display on the open decks.   We chose to highlight that this was our 9^th transit through the Panama Canal.

January 20^th is a sea day as we head northwest to our next destination, Puerto Quepos, Costa Rica.  We should be arriving there at around 7:00am tomorrow.

Cartagena

Around 6:30am today, January 18^th, the Pacific Princess entered Cartagena Bay between the two forts of San Fernando and San Jose with their bastions and hewn rock walls.  We traversed the narrow Bocachica Channel until reaching our berth in the Cartagena Port.  On the left were white colored high rise apartment buildings in the newer part of the city.  Just northwest of our pier was the Old Walled City which we had previously visited.  This Old City was very important to the Spanish Empire during the 16^th through the 18^th Century.  Outside of this old area lies another Cartagena which is new and modern.

Today we decided to do a little nature viewing and of course find some good Columbian coffee.

After a fun time watching all the animals we reboarded the Pacific Princess to cool off.  The temperature hit 86 degrees under perfectly clear skies.  The humidity was very high and returning to the ship was great…especially the air conditioning.

Later in the afternoon, Brett Siborne, Cruise Director held a 2011 Pacific Princess World Cruise Reunion.  He said there were about 50 returning world cruise passengers.

We departed shortly after 1:00pm and headed out to the open waters of the Caribbean Sea.  Tomorrow at around 5:45am we will approach the Panama Canal.  The ship should be entering the first of the locks of the Panama Canal sometime around 7:30am.

Aruba

We arrived in Oranjestad, Aruba’s largest port and the island’s capital on January 16, 2012.  The weather was a balmy 86 degrees with a few passing clouds.  During the afternoon we did get a few passing showers which cleared quickly.

On this trip we elected to not go to some of the beautiful legendary beaches, but instead take a walk into town.  We looked through several of the shops and the only changes we saw were major price increases.  The colorful buildings here in Oranjestad are always good to see.

We departed Aruba at 6:00pm en route to Cartegena, Columbia

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Embarkation and Sailaway

This World Cruise began early on Friday, January 13, 2012.  Our friends Leslie and John drove us from Pompano Beach, Florida to Terminal 2 at the Port Everglades. 

What a surprise to see an empty check-in terminal!  We sailed through the administrative processes and within minutes we were onboard the Pacific Princess.  By 3:30pm we headed to The Club Restaurant for the General Emergency Drill.  There we were pleased to see our friend Sandy Gunder (Captain’s Circle Host/Future Cruise Consultant) as the Officer-in-Charge of the drill.  Sandy was on the 2011 World Cruise with us.  Shortly after the drill it was up to the open decks for the Champagne Sailaway Celebration.  We ran into many friends from last year.  It was really good to see them all.  Our luggage wasn’t delivered until almost 8:00pm just prior to dinner.  Our great Stateroom Steward, Gabby, went below decks and located our luggage.  We can’t thank him enough.  So the stateroom was in total disarray when we headed off to the evening meal.  But, the day didn’t end badly  It was capped off in style with a wonderful dinner in the Club Restaurant headed by the Executive chef,  Antonio Cortese and the Maitre d’Hotel, Carlos Da Rosa. 

Day 2—Sea Day

On the second day of the cruise, January 14^th, the Pacific Princess navigated along the northern coast of Cuba through the old Bahama Channel.  The water in this area is extremely shallow.  Today was spent getting our stateroom organized for the next 118 days onboard. Finding little places to put all the necessities we brought is always fun and, of course, trying to remember where you put things is an adventure in itself.

The Captain came on the public address system during the day to inform us of a change to the itinerary.  We were originally scheduled to visit Santa Marta, Columbia on January 17^th.  But due to incidents of drug related violence in Santa Marta and the city being paralyzed for days by dozens of gangs, Princess has elected to bypass this stop.  Instead, we will be going to Cartagena, Columbia on January 18^th, and will have a shorter period of time ashore.    

Day 3—Sea Day

The Pacific Princess is maintaining a steady south easterly course across the Caribbean Sea en route to Aruba.  Early this morning we passed between Haiti and Jamaica.  Today is one of many brunches which are held between 10:30am to 1:30pm on Sundays when we are at sea.  And, tonight is the first of 9 formal nights to be held during the world cruise.  The ship is holding The Captain’s Gala Cocktail Party.  Captain John Foster will be addressing the passengers at two events, time depending on whether you are 1^st or 2^nd Sitting for dinner.  On this cruise we elected to do 2^nd Sitting.  The main reasons for this choice were due to returning to the ship last year from tours and being rushed to make 1^st Sitting and we always missed sailaway from many of the ports. 

Today, Curt got a belated Birthday surprise from the ship (balloons, a card, and birthday cake)!!