Brilliance of the Sea’s. Day 5, Colón, Panama
The gangway was open at 9:30. Since we walked 5.1 miles yesterday, and did not have an excursion booked today therefore we took our time rising and getting breakfast.
We were told that there was shops at the port and not to go outside of the port unless on an Excursion. We left the ship and we were back onboard within 30 minutes. Most of the shops were like a building site, or closed as it is Good Friday. There was an ice cream shop that was open and ticking over but we had only recently had breakfast so even I refused ice cream!
The shops that were a disappointment are in the covered area on the right in the photos below. The fancy looking place is a Hotel.
We spent the rest of the day in the Solarium.
It was a photo opportunity to take a photo or to of the grand lady.
The port does have a well stocked duty free store that you have to visit going back to the ship. Prices do not seem to be too bad.
A comparison of documentation required when departing and boarding the ship. Yesterday, in Cartagena, Columbia to my surprised we we only told to take our sea-pass card ashore with us! However, we always take our passports as stuff happens and we can always get back to the USA. When getting back to the port you are dropped off at the Bird Avery but no one, no one checked our sea pass card until we goto the gangway to board!
Today at Colon, Panama we were told to take our passport when leaving the ship. OK, no problem. Again, to my surprise it was checked by security as exiting the ship! When boarding, we had the passport in hand with our sea-pass card, all security ashore wanted to see was the sea pass card. It was not scrutinized until the ship security on the gangway looked at it and the barcode was scanned onboard.
Passports
We have seen and heard of several medical emergencies including and air lift from CoCo Cay. I see lots of posts about, can I use my birth certificate and/or some government photo ID, yes is the answer, however, depending on the countries you are going to could be problematic if you need to get back to the US as stuff happens. Our recommendation is if you are planning to cruise/travel, take the time to get a passport and keep it up to day. BTW, you will soon be able to update your passport online. I renewed my passport on line as part of a trial. The US Department of State is rolling the program out to the general public soon.
NOTE: I did not have to mail anything when renewing. All I did was get a professional passport photo but you don’t have to do that, you can take it yourself!
Update: Medical Emergency
As I was typing this, someone fainted/collapsed in the solarium. The staff were quick to respond. The pool guard got on his radio and within seconds another pool guard appeared and administered first aid. The nurse is here now and is assessing the lady. Stuff happens. You better have your passport and insurance.