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Panama Canal Cruise
  • Michelle LaNeve
  • Michelle LaNeve

Panama Canal Cruise

Transiting the Panama Canal on the Norwegian Joy. Starting on the Pacific side and heading back to Miami. Another trip from the bucket list. Read more
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  • Trip start
    December 4, 2023
  • Michelle LaNevePanama Canal CruiseTraveler

    Panama City

    Dec 4–6, 2023 in Panama ⋅ ☀️ 86 °F

    Off on the next great adventure! I landed in Panama late this afternoon and am staying in a lovely little boutique hotel in Casco Viejo near the square. Strolled to a local rooftop bar with some great views and enjoyed a delicious ceviche and a passion fruit margherita. I love the juxtaposition of the old town with the skyscrapers in the background. Found an appropriate mural... yes, it's a world of possibilities!Read more

  • Michelle LaNevePanama Canal CruiseTraveler

    Casco Viejo - Panama City Old Town

    December 5, 2023 in Panama ⋅ ☀️ 91 °F

    Spent the day wandering Casco Viejo, the old colonial neighborhood of Panama City. Here are some of the highlights... Plaza Herrera (one of many vibrant green spaces), Old Town buildings (colonial architecture) Church of St Joseph (450-yr old golden altar), Panama Canal Museum (what a history lesson!), St Mary's Basilica, Museum of Mola (intricate indigenous handmade reverse appliques), Arco Chato (stone ruins from a former monastery), Paseo Esteban Huertas (bougainvillea-covered arches along the bay), Panama Canal Monument in Plaza Francia, and a little plaza on the bay where the Old World overlooks the New. Along the way, there were coffee shops and cafés with local fare and a chocolate factory-yes, there was much sampling!Read more

  • Michelle LaNevePanama Canal CruiseTraveler

    Panama Cruise Terminal

    December 6, 2023 in Panama

    Boarded my floating resort, the Norwegian Joy, for the 10-day journey and she is beautiful! Where to begin... almost 1100 feet long, 20 decks, accommodates 3800 passengers and 1800 crew, 13 restaurants, 17 bars & lounges, casino, shopping, shows, movies, games, live bands, pools, waterslides, go carts, mini golf, and more! If you've never been on a cruise, take a look...Read more

  • Michelle LaNevePanama Canal CruiseTraveler

    Cocolí Locks, Panama Canal

    December 7, 2023 in Panama ⋅ ⛅ 77 °F

    Panama Canal Journey - Pacific entry
    This one goes out to all my science & engineering buffs... We began at the Cocolí Locks on the Pacific Coast in Panama City for the almost 44 mile NNW transit of the isthmus. Three sets of locks on the Pacific side, each one 1,400 feet long by 180 feet wide, renovated in 2016 to accommodate the increasingly large vessels at sea. Four sliding gates weighing 4,000 tons each separate the locks. Ship enters, gate closes behind, water level rises, ship progresses on the 85-foot rise to the Gatun Lake. There was a cargo vessel ahead of us to give perspective. Once through the first set of locks, it's under the Centennial Bridge, past the Continental Divide and on to the lake. I personally like the neon arrow on the bank indicating "enter here", and the picture of the bridge passing under the bridge (mariners will get that one)Read more

  • Michelle LaNevePanama Canal CruiseTraveler

    Lake Gatun & Agua Clara Locks

    December 7, 2023 in Panama ⋅ ☁️ 88 °F

    Panama Canal Journey - Atlantic Exit
    Crossed the Gatun Lake, which was the world's largest man-made lake in 1914 when the Canal opened. In almost 110 years of operation the Canal has only been shut down 4 times. Approaching the Atlantic side, we begin the process of lowering the vessel the 85 feet back down to sea level. 3 locks, 4 gates. Approximately 30 minutes per gate to fill and open and move forward. Then under the Atlantic Bridge and on to the breakwater. We entered the Canal on the Pacific side at 5:15am and reached the Atlantic side around 4:30pm. What a truly AMAZING EXPERIENCE!
    This one was for you, Ron ❤️    Read more

  • Michelle LaNevePanama Canal CruiseTraveler

    Costa Rica

    December 8, 2023 in Costa Rica ⋅ ☀️ 82 °F

    Costa Rica Scenic Trip.
    Starting in Puerto Límon, we traveled across the mountains to a coffee farm that is Rainforest and Utz certified. Followed the process from picking the cherries to drying, roasting and bagging, and purchased a few bags to bring home. Happy to find out they have neutral carbon emissions (actually negative) and use every part of the plant for fertilizer, natural pesticide, and even fuel. Our guide also let us see a banana flower (yes, those are infant bananas) and taste fresh cacao.Read more

  • Michelle LaNevePanama Canal CruiseTraveler

    Grand Cayman

    December 10, 2023 in Cayman Islands ⋅ ☀️ 84 °F

    Beautiful Georgetown, Grand Cayman -
    I had never been here and it did not disappoint. Our wonderful guide gave us a thorough history of the island... Took us to Hell and and then to Church (aka the Rum distillery), guided us through the turtle sanctuary, showed us the 7-mile beach, the house made of 3,000 conch shells, and the Aspiration Monument (a tribute to Caymanian women) located in Heroes Square. We sampled the tasty patties and the banana rum. So much fun AND I learned a lot...it was a good day 😉Read more

  • Michelle LaNevePanama Canal CruiseTraveler

    Cozumel, Mexico

    December 11, 2023 in Mexico ⋅ 🌬 79 °F

    The Island of Cozumel, Mexico -
    I was looking to do something completely different in Cozumel, so I opted for the Mayan Chocolate, Honey, and Tequila circuit. Visited the sanctuary where tiny stingless bees make delicious honey with wondrous medicinal benefits; experienced the way the Mayans made chocolate and brought back samples 🍫; and tasted several varieties of tequila including coffee and hibiscus flavors. Drove by some beautiful remote beaches, and enjoyed the welcoming "mi casa es su casa" vibe from the locals.Read more

  • Michelle LaNevePanama Canal CruiseTraveler

    Costa Maya, Mexico

    December 12, 2023 in Mexico ⋅ 🌧 77 °F

    Costa Maya, Mexico -
    The weather in Mexico has been less than ideal... in Cozumel yesterday all the water activities were canceled. Today in Costa Maya, we could not even get off the ship due to high winds and crashing waves. These photos were taken from the ship at the pier as the surf pounded the vessel. Unsafe conditions to go ashore, but the restaurants and bars were still open! Won't catch me complaining about my surroundings... Any way you look at it, t'was a good dayRead more

  • Michelle LaNevePanama Canal CruiseTraveler

    Harvest Caye, Belize

    December 13, 2023 in Belize ⋅ 🌧 79 °F

    Harvest Caye, Belize -
    One of NCL's private islands, this stop offers a resort-like feel for a day. Restaurants, bars, local shops, an expansive pool, water playground, sandy beach, water sports, ziplining, parasailing, and a wildlife area with butterfly enclosure. 🦋 The weather was beautiful in the morning, not too sunny, but we did have some light rain in the afternoon. Even though I had my poncho (Be Prepared!) I enjoyed the walk back to the ship in the refreshing drizzle. Paradise!Read more

  • Michelle LaNevePanama Canal CruiseTraveler

    Island of Roatan, Honduras

    December 14, 2023 in Honduras ⋅ ⛅ 81 °F

    Roatan, Honduras -
    Last port before heading back to Miami is the island of Roatan just off the northern coast of Honduras. Spent the afternoon at the Gumbalimba Park, where we learned about the history and culture of the island, crossed a rope bridge, followed the nature trail, saw macaws and capuchin monkeys really up close and personal, explored the insectarium, and ended with a stroll on the beach. What fun the animals were! Lovely little island and fair weather helped make the day so enjoyable.Read more

  • Michelle LaNevePanama Canal CruiseTraveler

    Sea Days

    December 15, 2023, Gulf of Mexico ⋅ 🌧 75 °F

    Sea Days - Caribbean Sea and Straits of Florida
    We had a few leisurely days at sea, even though some days saw 16-foot waves and 30-knot headwinds. Still, the ship was a great playground and we got to experience artful gingerbread villages, a round-the-world wine tasting, and behind the scenes tours of the laundry, kitchen and theater.Read more

  • Michelle LaNevePanama Canal CruiseTraveler

    Port of Miami

    December 16, 2023 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 73 °F

    And so it ends -
    In a flash, 13 days of travel has ended. I am always left awestruck by the places visited, but even more amazed at the great people I meet along the way. Happy to have shared good times and good food (and all the drinks) with Dolly, Harold, Ruth, Lorelei, Joseph, Terry (for President), Mike (aka Cruise Bob), Louise and Mel (on his 92nd birthday), Tasha, Vernetta, Pat, and Johnie. Cheers to our next cruise 🍻Read more

  • Michelle LaNevePanama Canal CruiseTraveler

    Miami

    December 16, 2023 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 75 °F

    A Hearty THANKS!
    To all the dedicated staff on the Norwegian Joy that made the cruise memorable and made us all feel like family.... Ruby, Gladys, Duggal, Svet, Ashok, Mawel, Joanna, Bennie, Artie, Ari, Made, Shelton, and countless others who work so hard every day to make these trips possible. Thank you, everyone! See you on the next one 🛳Read more

    Trip end
    December 16, 2023
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