This page has been setup to facilitate those trying to find fellow cruisers to join them on private excursions.
Colon, Panama
Name of tour: NEMBERA Native Village and GATUN locks.
Organizer: Harold (If you are interested in joining this tour, please e-mail Harold by clicking here.)
Transport Cost: This is a six-hour tour and the cost will vary depending on the amount of people in the party and with a minimum of four required: $200 (1-4 pax); $50/pax (5-7 pax) and $45/pax (8-13 pax) Entrance fees of $50/pax is extra payable. INCLUDES a traditional lunch at the native village
Number of cruisers that can tour: 1-13 people
Description: We will take the 25 minute journey to get a first-hand view of the Canal at Gatun Locks. In this tour you will get to see the ships passing through the largest set of locks of the Canal (Gatun). At Gatun Locks there is a small visitor’s pavilion and you will be able to see and understand how a ship is raised up 85 feet (26 meters) in three steps from sea level (Atlantic Ocean) to the level of what was once the largest man made lake in the world, Gatun Lake. If you are lucky, you will also see the first ships that started their transit on the Pacific side being lowered back down to sea level. After this we will take the 45 minute drive to an Embera Indian Village on the Gatun River. The Gatun River flows through the rain forest on it’s way to Gatun Lake. Along the banks of the river and the lake live the Embera Indians. The Embera Indians still live much as they did hundreds of years ago. Panama has a diverse and culturally rich indigenous population. The Indian’s have managed to preserve much of their culture and traditions and still live in harmony with their natural surroundings in the rain forest. We will take a 30 minute boat ride to visit one of the Embera Indian villages where you will be greeted by the Indian Chief and watch a demonstration of native dances, rituals and healing ceremonies. You will also be invited to visit (and purchase) at the handcraft market. Enjoy seeing another side of Panama by visiting with her native people. You will also share with them a traditional lunch. The Embera people wear minimal clothing; women do not cover their breasts.
Those currently going:
• Harold & Patricia (organizers)
Puntarenas, Costa Rica
Gio Tours: Click here to see
the Guide's web page.
Name of tour: 6 in 1
Organizer: Harold (If you are interested in joining this tour, please e-mail Harold by clicking here.)
Cost: $69 per person payable at the end of the tour. At end of tour, tour operator will take credit cards or cash in USD
Number of cruisers that can tour: 10-12 people
Those currently going:
• Harold (Harry Newcruise) and Patricia
• Andy Engelbrecht (ace1966 on cruisecritic) and Ann
• Mike and Debbie Kates
• Mike and Mary Hoopman
This is the same tour in Costa Rica offered by Sheri but hers is full. If you are interested, Harold is organizing another.
Puntarenas, Costa Rica
Odyssey Tours: Click here to see the Guide's web page.
Name of tour: City Tour–Private
Organizer: Jackie (MC2102) You can e-mail Jackie by clicking here.
Cost: $95 per person payable at the end of the tour if six tour,
Number of cruisers that can tour: 10-12 people
Description: We are available for your date and it will be our honor take good care of you on our exciting day tour to Balsa river to enjoy the adventure of the whitewater rafting class II and III, friendly but lot of fun.
Our tour to Balsa river is from 8:30am to 4:30pm with cold drinks, snacks, fruits, lunch, professional equipment and guides, a/c transportation for the 1:50 hour ride each way (pretty scenic with coffee plantations, waterfalls, rain and cloud forest, colonial towns, artisans and handy craft and more).
Our rate with minimum of 6 people on this tour is 95 USD per person all inclusive and payment is fine on same day of the tour in cash or credit card (we accept them all).
Odyssey tours are #4 on Trip Advisor
Those currently going:
• Jackie & Peter (JMC2102)
Lots more room. Sign up soon by clicking here to e-mail Jackie.
Cartegena, Columbia
Cartegena Tours: Click here to see
the Guide's web page.
Name of tour: City Tour–Private
Organizer: Carolyn (If you are interested in joining this tour, please e-mail Carol by clicking here.)
Cost: $90 per person payable at the end of the tour if four tour, Price drops to $75 each for six and $65 per person for eight and $60 per person for more than eight.. At end of tour, tour operator will take cash in USD
Number of cruisers that can tour: 10-12 people
Description: We begin our tour in Manga where we will see great mansions built at the beginning of the XX Century.
We visit the main monuments of the city. We start at the hill of La Popa from where, besides visiting the monastery and the chapel, we will be able to admire a fantastic view of the city. Following we head towards theSan Felipe de Barajas Fort, themost important fort built in the whole American continent. Photo Stop. Next we walk and drive around the walled area - old city admiring houses and plazas such as Plaza de Santa Teresa, Plaza de Bolivar, Plaza de la Aduana, Plaza de los Coches, full of history and legends. Photo stop at the Palace of the Inquisition.
We do a stop at the Dungeons, which today are 23 handcraft shops.
We Visit a Church called San Pedro Claver Church.
Finally we go to the new city and see all this modern architecture, we see the bay and the forts, and we visit Pierino Gallo Mall. (Emeralds, fine leather goods, coffee, hand craft, cafeteria, Internet) .
Transportation: air conditioned car or van with a capacity of 10 people or small bus with a capacity of 18 pax (Depending of the passengers in your group).
We will meet you as soon as you arrive in Cartagena and get off the ship, when you come down from the gangway , follow the walkway and we will be at the end of the pier ( 70 meters , 280 ft.) we will be with a sign and your name on it “ Carol Bailey Group ". (Don’t move from there)Staff will be there wearing green jackets.
We are a group of three guides who handle these private tours. One of us will be there standing waiting for your group.
Monument tickets included..La Popa and San Pedro Claver Church, transportation, Tour guide, and port fee.
Those currently going:
- Carol Bailey X2
- Paul Plasnik X2
- Chuck Remy X2
- Mary Lou Wood X2
- John Tilbrook X2
- Andy Engelbrecht X2
- Trish Gallo X2
- Bill MandevilleX2
- Harold Jalleh X2
Lots more room. Sign up soon.
Puntarenas, Costa Rica
Gio Tours: Click here to see
the Guide's web page.
Name of tour: 6 in 1
Organizer: Salle (If you are interested in joining this tour, please e-mail Salle by clicking here.)
Cost: $69 per person payable at the end of the tour. At end of tour, tour operator will take credit cards or cash in USD
Number of cruisers that can tour: 10-12 people
Those currently going:
• Mal & Salle (Young oldsters)
• Jo & Ron (friends of Mal & Salle)
• Linda N. and Lillian S. (Ventura cruiser)
• Laura S. and Louise C. ( friends of Linda and Lillian)
• Ann and Jeff Singer (hanny)
• Ralph and Kris Burgess
This tour is now full. If anyone starts a new one, let me know. The guide will meet us in port with a sign saying YAWITZ.
Colon, Panama
Embera Village Tours: Click here to see
the Guide's web page.
Name of tour: Standard Tour
Organizer: Sheri (If you are interested in joining this tour, please e-mail Sheri by clicking here.)
Cost: Dependent on # of travelers (2 pax: $175/pp - 5+ pax: $120/pp) there is a deposit required with the balance due the day of the excursion. Cash is preferred, credit card payment has 5% added. Deposit is paid via paypal on their site or Sheri can email link.
Number of cruisers that can tour: 16
Those currently going:
• Sheri & Terry (Sherifa)
• Mal & Salle (Young oldsters)
• Carolyn & Jim (Cabailey)
• Jo & Ron (friends of Mal & Salle)
• Linda N. and Lillian S. (Ventura cruiser)
• Laura S. and Louise C. ( friends of Linda and Lillian)
• Robert and Margie
• Lionel and Jean Boiteau
• The Bloomfields (friends of the Boiteau's)
This tour is now full. Meet at 8:45 AM ship's time in the Martini Bar.
Puntarenas, Costa Rica
Gio Tours: Click here to see
the Guide's web page.
Name of tour: 6 in 1
Organizer: Arlene (If you are interested in joining this tour, please e-mail Arlene by clicking here.)
Cost: $69 per person payable at the end of the tour (Arlene will find out if credit cards are accepted)
Number of cruisers that can tour: 10-12 people
Those currently going:
• Arlene and Barry (arbarkar)
• Jane and Ron (mickey22)
• Nancy and Dave (nancyc)
• Linda and Bill (Nanny2Trey)
• Kathy and Bob (kathynorth)
• Sheri and Terry (Sherifa)
This tour is now full. The guide will meet us on the dock with a sign saying KARCHMER
Payable in USD or credit card at end of tour.
Robtad’s tour Option #6: Gatun locks and the Embera Indian Village
Organizer: Kathy and Bob Medaglio Click here to e-mail Kathy
Port: Colon, November 8
First-hand view of the Canal at Gatun Locks. At Gatun Locks there is a small visitor’s pavilion ($5.00 entrance fee). Embera Indian Village on the Gatun River ($45.00 entrance fee). Includes 30 minute boat ride to visit one of the Embera Indian villages where you will be greeted by the Indian Chief and watch a demonstration of native dances, rituals and healing ceremonies. You will also be invited to visit (and purchase) at the handcraft market and will also share with them a traditional lunch.
Number of cruisers that can tour: 10-12 people
Those currently going:
•Kathy and Bob Medaglio
• Linda and Bill Hobbs
• Jane and Ronald Marcantano
• Arlene and Barry Karchmer
• Ann and Jeff Singer
6 hr tour 9:30am-3:30pm $45 USD to Roberto with self pay $5
Pavilion entry fee and $45 Embera Village entry fee
This tour is currently full
Copyright 2013 • Jim Bellomo • Click here to e-mail Jim