The early-morning fog hovers over the Atlantic waters of the Panama Canal as The Millennium arrives at the mouth. It’s 5:45 a.m. Three Panamanian pilots — three are required because of the size of the ship — are on board at the breakwaters. The humidity of the Panamanian jungle is oppressive, even at this early… Continue reading Entering the Panama Canal
Category: Stories
The Panama Canal
It was to be, and ultimately became, the engineering marvel of its time. The Panama Canal was started by the French in the late 19th century, and abandoned in shame after millions of dollars, 22,000 deaths (mostly from malaria and yellow fever) and 200 uncoordinated engineering companies. The Canal was about one-third complete when the… Continue reading The Panama Canal
Passport Problems Possible
AT SEA ON BOARD THE CELEBRITY MILLENNIUM — You don’t have to be a cruising neophyte to get in passport trouble. Anyone who’s ever cruised knows that unless you’re going from New York to Puerto Rico and back, you need a passport. A new country means if you don’t have one, you don’t go. Alas,… Continue reading Passport Problems Possible
Cartagena the New Face of Colombia
CARTAGENA, Colombia — When we first realized the cruise we were booking was going to Colombia, the first thought both of us had was: “Oh-oh, Colombia.” Drug cartels, guns, high crime, etc. We thought a shore excursion might ease the fea…er, uncertainty, so we booked one that was not too exotic and not too extensive.… Continue reading Cartagena the New Face of Colombia
Little League to Cruising Big League
At sea on the Celebrity Millennium — While the Disney people like to take ownership of what a small world it is, once again there is proof they can’t! In reading the literature on staff aboard the Millennium, we recognized the name of the Guest Relations Manager, Jeff Potts. Could this be the same Jeff… Continue reading Little League to Cruising Big League