General: Panama

Advantages: Very good cabin with balcony
Disadvantages: Poor food

...We joined the Arcadia at Barbados for a cruise taking in the Panama Canal ending up at Acapulco. It was to be the holiday of a lifetime. The cost was high and so were our expectations. Unfortunately P & O and Arcadia in our opinion didn't measure up to those expectations. On the plus side The cabin on the A deck with a balcony was very good Cabin steward excellent The bars generally were good Standard of bar service very good level of service in the Meridian restaurant was excellent Pool decks were nice as to the Spa The negative points Quality of food average to poor. The evening dinner in the Meridian would have some courses that were reasonable but generally P & O like frozen options and packet soups that was obvious. The Belvedere Court self service cafe was atrocious at lunchtime. One day the cold options included corned... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Very hot, youngsters resort
Disadvantages: Lacks something to make it a complete holiday venue

...Panama City Beach is famed for hosting Spring Break holidays of American students, and as I found from personal experience it is hot even at 9.30am! Sitting on the southside of the panhandle, Panama City Beach is actually so far west that it comes under the Central Time Zone instead of the Eastern Time Zone which most of Florida lies-in. The beach stretches for a good long while, with a string of small shops and eateries lining the road along the way. The sand looks welcoming, but for me I found it was stuck to and in everything, and it was also blindingly hot to attempt to walk on bare-footed. Panama City Beach’s attractions are obvious. It is a sun trap, but it is also very touristy, and as a result I left there feeling that there was something missing. Maybe it is a lack of history, a lack of famous attractions, or just... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Relaxing escape, stone's throw from Panama City
Disadvantages: No atmospheric beachside bar to enjoy a beer at sunset

...Isla Taboga is a lovely little island just half an hour from Panama City's Harbour. It's quite small, and not touristy. Just a little town, surrounded by water with a great view of the Panama City skyline! A great place to visit for a day if you're in the City and want an easy escape. Take a book and some snacks, or grab a bite at one of the local eateries, and just enjoy the white sand beach and calm warm waters. It's now $11 return by boat, which leaves from the Amador Causeway - pay no more than $5 by taxi from the City! The island itself is an array of small streets and hidden paths and steps, leading up and around the packed little houses of the town. It has a small church in the middle, which is supposedly the second oldest church in the Western Hemisphere. It also has an art centre / community project in construction at the site... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful