2017 - Panama Canal Cruise - Pacific Princess

This cruise was a World Cruise for the Pacific Princess - we joined in Ft Lauderdale, FL. to LA.

January 2 - Flew to Ft. Lauderdale to stay in the Hampton Inn in Plantation one day in advance to starting our cruise.  This to hopefully insure no problem in boarding the ship.




January 3, 2017 - Ft. Lauderdale - set sail at 1635 with all passengers on board.  Noted that in addition to the usual Pilot Boat, we had the honor of a U.S. Coastguard escort as well!










We found our room (6019) and left our carry-on belongings and headed up to the Pizza Bar (per Heather's request)  This was located on Deck 9 Aft in the Panorama Buffet area.  We ate just outside the buffet on the deck.









As we ate, we watched the Ft. Lauderdale skyline fade in the distance.









January 4, 2017 - At Sea - Noon Temperature: 26C, Sky: Mostly sunny, Wind: NE force 4.
Moving along the northern coast of Cuba.





Exercise time for Harry and Heather - Gail claiming the time for reading and taking ownership of the "cheering section".







January 5, 2017 - At Sea - Noon Temperature: 26C, Sky: Mostly sunny, Wind: NE force 3.
5 nautical miles off the eastern tip of Cuba.  Later rounded the SW tip of Haiti port side and (disputed, uninhabited) U.S. island of Navassa.

The usual day at sea:  Harry and Gail go up for breakfast. and walk around deck.  Heather still sleeping so breakfast brought for her on the balcony (If she only knew what all the choices were at the buffet!!).  Ship lectures given by Bill Fall who grew up in the Panama Canal District as his father worked there.  (Today's lecture - Aruba, One Happy Island.)  Then Knitters & Knatters Get-together, Line Dancing, Lunch, Walking/reading/resting/sea watching/etc, Dance Lessons, Afternoon Tea, Trivia, Dinner, and Evening entertainment.



Left: Waxing Crescent Moon at 26%.
Right: Another beautiful sunset.





January 6, 2017 - At Sea - Noon Temperature: 27C, Sky: Sunny, Wind: NE force 2.  Heading to Oranjestad, passing over the Beata Ridge where depths reach up to 5000 meters.

Destination lecture today was - Santa Marta, Columbia, the old city.  Also we had to check out Afternoon Tea.  Evening entertainment was: Do You Wanna Dance.





Afternoon tea - Scones with clotted cream and jam found #1 place.









For dinner we chose the Panorama Bistro.  Chef George whipped some pasta with veggies of our choice topped with a delicious sauce.  During sea days the Panorama Buffet becomes a Bistro for dinner.  When in port it remains a buffet.







January 7, 2017 - Oranjestad, Aruba - Noon Temperature: 27C, Sky: Sunny, Wind: E force 5/6.
During night speed increased to maximum on 4 diesel generators, due to medical emergency on board arriving 2+ hours early - a tug was booked to assisted the vessel in berthing.






As we have been to Aruba several times we chose to walk the town sightseeing, checking out the shops, and taking a trolley ride.









On one side of the first street is seen lots of small kiosks selling local souvenirs.  Across the street are the high priced shops i.e. Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Ralph Lauren, TAGHetheuer,  etc.










Here at the end of the pricey stores is the Crystal Casino, Renaissance Mall and Renaissance Hotel.  In front of the hotel notice the opening under the road.  The hotel's boat takes guests for a ride along the waterway.  The boat goes into the hotel to the main lobby area.








View from the ship of the colorful Dutch Colonial Buildings.  City fades away as we leave.  Seen in background is the Haystack Mountain - maybe we will climb next time.

January 8, 2017 - Santa Marta, Colombia - Noon temperature: 28C, Sky: Mostly Sunny, Wind: NE force 7/8.
First Spanish settlement in Colombia - also oldest surviving city in South America.





Morro Grande Lighthouse seen as we came into the Port of Santa Marta.  We docked in the working area where ships with grain and coal were being unloaded.







We took the Gold Museum, Cathedral, Folkloric Show & Beach tour:
Gold Museum, Historic Cathedral, San Pedro de Alexandrine Villa, and the Santamar Beach Resort.



First the Gold Museum - some of the finest pieces of pre-Colombian gold.










Then down the narrow street walking to the cathedral.










Santa Marta Cathedral - first church in the city.







Simon Bolivar (liberator of six South American countries) Memorial located at Quinta San Pedro de Alexandrine Villa.  He was offered refuge at this estate and died here.  Beautiful grounds with house, botanical gardens, art work, etc.







The top statue shows Simon Bolivar - frontal view is the man, proud with a swagger - step to the right and he is a generation older, wizened, visibly weaker - step to the left and he is younger, looking forward into the distance with a knowing smile.  The commander with two angels at his side.






Several different rooms in the old house to look at - chapel, dining area, living room, library, kitchen, bathroom, smoking room, and this being the bedroom where he died.  The estate owned by a wealthy family grew sugar cane for honey, rum, and panela.
For more info: https://nomadicniko.com/2014/10/10/la-quinta-de-san-pedro/

Next stop was the Santamar Beach Resort for a folklore show of traditional songs and dances.










Sights when back at the ship:
Left: Mary and Jesus statue watching over the harbor.
Right: Truck being tipped to dump the load of coal.





January 9, 2017 - Santa Marta/At Sea - Temperature: 28C, Sky: Mostly Sunny, Wind: NE force 7/8
Left Santa Marta at 0624 - delayed from the planned previous evening departure.  Waiting for an ambulance for ill passenger delayed the leaving till it was dark and with the strong winds the Captain chose to wait till a.m.. Passing 25 nautical miles north of Cartagena.
Today's lecture was "52 Million Gallons of Water, The Panama Canal"

Beautiful double rainbow made walking more enjoyable.  Deck 9 center had a nice walking path.










January 10, 2017 - Panama Canal - Temperature: 27C, Sky: Sunny, Wind: SE force 4
We entered the Gatun Locks at 0730 and exited the Mirafloras Locks at 1500.

Building a new Atlantic bridge for auto traffic will eliminate the ferry shown on the right.









What is left of the French effort to make a canal.






Schematic of the the Panama Canal

Left: Leaving the Gutan Locks - a set of three locks going to Gutan Lake.
Right: Mules that guide ship while in the locks







Two of the many lighthouses we saw along the way.










Watching the carving - turned out to be a macaw that was later displayed at the Panorama Buffet.










The Titan, originally built in Germany in WWII, is a floating crane - a cutter, a suction, and a dredger.  Still in use when needed, it is stored in Gamboa when not in use.













This is El Ranercer Prison - home of Manuel Noriega in Gamboa, Panama.  He lives in a one-bedroom apartment in the prison area.










Time to exercise as we have passed the Calibra Cut and the Centennial Bridge is also behind.  The lighting did not allow a very good picture of the bridge in the background.





Left: Pedro Miguel Locks on the left and the new Cocoli Locks on the right.
Right: Miracles Locks.
Photos taken through bluish glass at front of ship...






Miraflores Dam















Male and Female Frigate Bird.









Left:  Ancon Hill.
Right:  Bridge of the Americas that connects North and South America.







Left:  Masked Bobby.
Right: Brown Bobby - these were seen in large numbers.  When a school of fish was found they made a lot of noise and dived into the water.





January 11, 2017 - At Sea - Temperature: 30,  Sky: Sunny, Wind: E force 4.
Following a North West course along the coast of Costa Rica.   Usual day at sea :)

January 12, 2017 - San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua - Temperature: 27, Sky: Partly cloudy, Wind: E force 4.
We took the tour: Rivas, Lake Nicaragua & Scenic Drive




As we entered the port to drop anchor this statue - Christ The Mercy - dominates the hill overlooking the city.  Access to shore was via the ship's tender boats.









Colonial town of Rivas.
Left - St. Peter's Church
Right - Transportation available.

Inside the beautiful St. Peter's Church.










After leaving Rivas we stopped at a restaurant by Lake Nicaragua - refreshments were served.  Then we walked around the nicely manicured lawns around seeing various coconut trees (yellow and green), had the chance to milk a cow - Heather obviously said "NO".  Due the clouds and some showers we did not see the volcanoes in the lake.






For awhile it was just cloudy, so we enjoyed walking around and just finding a seat to enjoy the flowers and trees.











Tortillas made by hand and baked over an open grill.  Tasting was available.






Left: Beautiful orchid flowers on the newly updated dock area.
Right: Scene of the town on leaving.  The Christ of the Mercy Statue is on the left, but not seen.


January 13, 2017 - Acajutla, El Salvador - Temperature: 29, Sky: Mostly Sunny, Wind: E force 3.
Pacific Princess was the first Princess ship to berth at this port.  The tour we took: Colonial Towns and Cultural Handicrafts.

Along the narrow crowded streets - armed police were always visible to ensure that our trip was safe.

Left - Reed and wicker baskets being made at the town of Nahuizalco.

Left - Chocolate Factory.

Right - Roasting the cocoa beans.

Left - train/tram that took us to the bus via narrow cobblestone streets.

Right - Butterfly House.

Left - Owl Butterfly

Right - Red Postman Butterfly

Coffee Factory (small)

Left - factory with two looms active making fabric.

Right - young boy filling spools with thread.

Also on site a store selling products.

Iglesia El Calvario - very decorative having side rooms with fresh flowers.

January 14, 2017 - At Sea - Temperature: 27, Sky: Sunny, Wind: NE force 3.
Sea days are fun with lots of choices - exercising, playing, eating, relaxing, and being entertained.  We ended the evening with a show - Cinematastic featuring various top shows.

Left: With the Knitters & Knatters group.
Right: Line dancing time.









With dance instructors Herman and Monica Suryoutomo - today was rhumba time.









January 15, 2017 - At Sea - Temperature: 25, Sky: Partly could, Wind: NE force 4.
Very relaxing today with mirror-like sea.  Evening entertainment - "Brahms to Broadway"

Pods of dolphins jumping by the ship.

So many beautiful sunsets seen along the way.  No shots of sunrises - though we did see some peeking in our balcony when we were going Southbound direction.






January 16, 2017 - At Sea - Temperature: 26, Sky: Mostly Sunny, Wind: NE force 4.
Lecture - La Paz Pearl of Baha California by Bill Fall.  Evening - "What the World Needs Now"

Buffet time
Pizza Station













Then the buffet line - soup, veggies, entrees, bread on the left side.  Salads and desserts on the right side.  The other choice for breakfast, lunch, and dinner was the formal dining room.










Outside of the buffet area - aft of the ship - were tables for eating and enjoying the view of the ocean.






January 17, 2017 La Paz, Mexico - Temperature: 26, Sky: Mostly Sunny, Wind: NE force 4
At Puerto De Pichilingue.  Tour: Scenic Driv, Artisans & Shopping.







View from the ship deck showing the landscape as very arid.







Left: We were greeted by a band and some lively Mexican music.  Also the very serious "checkers" that went through bags throwing out food items.
Right: We are off for the tour.






Left: Very guarded dock area
Right: Kiosks were the first stop as we came off the ship.







Some more guards!
Left: Brown Pelican on ship line
Right: Osprey on light stand.








More Guards!
Left: Little Blue Heron
Right: Dbl Crested Cormorant





Trip from ship port to La Paz is ten miles.  Photos through tour bus window...
Left: Shore line
Right: One of the many sculptures along the shore line.





Weaver's shop - best prices found here for hats, bags, blankets, placemats...

Cathedral of La Paz built in 1861

Two of the beautiful wood carvings of the 14 Stations of the Cross depicting Jesus Christ on the day of his crucifixion.








On the way to the Pottery Factory.  No pictures allowed of the many beautiful designs.





Left: Showing the very arid landscape with cacti.
Right: Leaving the Port Building we were favored with dancers - fun music and beautiful costumes.



February 18, 2017 - At Sea - Temperature: 25, Sky: Mostly Sunny, Wind: NE force 4
About two hours ahead of schedule due to favorable currents and calm seas.  Entertainment -  "Motor City".


Balcony Room
Left: Sitting on the balcony watching the ocean.
Right: Inside the room.  The couch makes in to a bed at night.








One of the formal nights at the Club Restaurant.






January 19, 2017 - At Sea - Temperature: 22, Sky: Overcast, Wind NE force 4
Ship speed was increased to maximum on 4 diesel generators to ensure an early arrival in LA planning to miss the worst of the weather.  Overall this was a cloudy, cool day with mist off and on - good day to be at sea.  Entertainment - Branden & James from America's Got Talent.

Captain's Circle Party - free drinks and snacks.








San Pedro at berth 93A.  Early arrival due to predicted storms.  We did one part of the Round the World Trip.  Pacific Princess delayed leaving this port for two days because of storms (other cruise ships were also here and delayed).
The Vincent Thomas Bridge.

Great cruise!!  Quote of the day - "...throw off the bowlines.  Sail away from the safe harbor  Catch the trade winds in your sails.  Explore.  Dream.  Discover".  - Mark Twain