Panama Canal Trip

SeminoleMike · April 3, 2011

Just back from a 14-day Panama Canal cruise on the ms Statendam. We had a few problems that caused us to miss two port calls. The first cancellation was for Huatulco, MX due to that fact that we blew out one of the 5 engines and had to overnight @ Puerto Viarta (unscheduled) and a sister ship (Oosterdam) came by and gave us an engine that they did not need. After the switch during the night we were off again.

Two days later, as we approached Puerto Chiapas MX, our ship experienced large swells that required the pilot to abort the entrance to the port as the ship may run aground and/or be damaged by the tidal action when docked. Port call. cancelled.

HAL quickly gave us credit for the two excursions that were cancelled.

Also, a fellow guest became seriously ill and we made an unscheduled stop @ Acapulco to tender him off to a hospital.

We still had 4 port calls that we were able to take as well as the transit of the Canal, which in itself is a real education and thrill.

The Cruise Log that we were provided the last day is a fantastic keepsake and summary of the two weeks.

Edited April 3, 2011 by SeminoleMike

KeithnRita · April 4, 2011

Mike, thanks for the info. We've cruised on that ship and my mother and step-dad will be taking the 4/29/2011 cruise thru the canal.

DebbieandJerry · April 4, 2011

Mike, thanks for the post. Sorry to hear about the problems encountered. To me, makes it more of an adventure.

I have a girlfriend who is cruising the canal in Sept, but I'm not sure which ship. This itinerary is on my "bucket list" as well.

zebra · April 7, 2011

Mike, we cruised the Canal twice because my hussband is in awe at the engineering - a guy thing, I guess. We loved the repositioning cruise, it was soooo relaxing.