Maureen Harrop, founder of Stroke Recovery Solutions LLC, is an avid traveler and passionate advocate for empowering stroke survivors. As a stroke survivor herself since 2015, who rebuilt her life and passion for travel, she brings a uniquely inspiring perspective to this guest post. With her deep understanding of mobility challenges and adaptive travel needs, Maureen is the perfect author to guide readers toward the best Panama Canal cruise for seniors.
My partner Jane and I have had a bucket list for at least fifteen years. A visit to the Panama Canal was high on that long list! We crossed that trip off our list in early December of 2024!
For years, we had been fascinated with the history of its creation.
Why was the Panama Canal built?
The Panama Canal was constructed:
- To create a shortcut for ships traveling between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, significantly reducing travel time and distance, and boosting global trade.
- It was a monumental engineering feat that replaced the lengthy and hazardous route around Cape Horn in South America.
Additionally…
- The Panama Canal is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.
- An engineering marvel, its building took the US ten years (1904-1914). The French had attempted construction from 1881-1889 but failed. The total endeavor spanned more than 30 years due to:
- Extremely complicated topography.
- Lack of engineering expertise in the early 1900s. The lock system itself required highly knowledgeable engineers!
- Disease (malaria) causing worker deaths.
- Lack of funding.
- Inclement weather conditions, etc.
Accessibility on the Best Panama Canal Cruise for Seniors
We had delayed traveling to the canal due to my stroke that occurred in 2015. Once I was well enough to travel, we decided traveling on ships vs walking trips in Europe would work better for my continued disability. Accessibility is top-tier on the best Panama Canal cruise for seniors.
As I became healthier, the wish to experience the canal grew. Then, we watched a documentary about its complicated building process, we were hooked! We HAD to see it!
Why We Chose a Viking Panama Canal Cruise
We began searching for the perfect cruise line for our trip and we found it! VIKING! What an incredible experience! Our Viking Panama Canal cruise exceeded every expectation.
In the past, we’d utilized Viking’s smaller ships that travel on the European rivers but had never experienced their ocean ships. Boy, were we in for a treat! Allow me to share our amazing expedition with you!
Before I explain what Viking does offer and you get all excited, I need to explain what they don’t allow: children or casinos. It’s an adult-only cruise line and they don’t have casinos on board.
The Ship: The Viking Mars
The Viking Mars holds 930 passengers and was only two years old when we sailed her! She rarely felt crowded, because of four restaurants, seven floors with elevators rarely full, spacious, well-appointed rooms and TVs in every cabin with a channel at the level of the Captain’s Bridge so you could visualize the front of the ship. This is the channel I used to watch our entry into the Panama Canal, as the deck was too crowded. And much more, all of it being the highest quality!
They’ve certainly thought of everything!
FOOD
There were four restaurants: Italian, Chef’s Choice (menu changes daily), a cafeteria/buffet, and a 3-meal-per-day option. The food at all of them was great! If you’re hungry, you could always find a food outlet open!
BEVERAGES
You’ll receive two bottles of purified water in your room, refreshed daily; a mini-bar and ice in your room, refreshed daily; an alcoholic beverage “package” can be purchased for upgraded liquors/wines/beers, if you plan on doing a lot of drinking, or you can “pay as you go.” Beer and wine are free with meals.
Unparalleled Service on the Best Panama Canal Cruise for Seniors
CUSTOMER SERVICE
The highlight of our trip!!! Having been in corporate customer service and employee training during my careers (airlines and resorts), I can attest to the superior quality and sincerity of their employees’ service! This is just one example of why Viking offers the best Panama Canal cruise for seniors.
When I travel, I always ask the employees two questions:
- Do you like working for this company?
All exclaimed, “I love it!” (with enormous exuberance!)
- Where are you from?
“The Philippines, Scotland, Bangladesh, France, Puerto Rico, Argentina, Spain, Germany, etc.”
A variety of cultures always makes my travel experience fascinating! In my opinion, that’s one of the things I love about traveling – learning about other cultures!
BUTLERS
Every stateroom is assigned two “butlers.” This is just one example of why Viking offers the best Panama Canal cruise for seniors.
Viking charged these employees with making your stay as outstanding as possible! They’re entrusted with these daily tasks: Remaking your bed
- Vacuuming the room
- Cleaning your restroom/ restocking amenities
- Restocking the minibar water and ice buckets
- And anything else you wish!
Two young men from the Philippines were wonderful! Nothing was a problem! We were pampered beyond belief!
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My Favorite Customer Service Story
Here’s another example of why I think Viking offers the best Panama Canal cruise for seniors.
The first day we arrived, we were eating dinner in one of the restaurants and one of the managers welcomed us at our table, gave us her name (Michel), and said to ask for her if we needed anything. Having worked in resorts, I assumed she was a food and beverage manager.
We ran into the friendly Michel throughout our 11-day journey! Although everyone was friendly, she really stood out!
On our 10th day, it was time to go through Panama Customs. Jane was scheduled for the 8-hour Panama Canal tour, before our actual journey through the Canal. Because Jane would be off the ship, there was no way for me to disembark for Customs without assistance.
Since we’d only found out about the Customs disembarkation at 8:00 pm the night before, Jane asked Guest Services that night if someone could assist me with disembarkation and the short trip to Customs. They agreed, and she left early the next morning for the tour.
The next thing I knew was a knock on the door at 9:00 am, and Michel was standing there, saying, “I’m here to roll you over to Customs!” I told her I thought Guest Services was going to take me, and she said, “Nope! Just me!”
When we reached the disembarkation area, the staff looked very surprised when they saw her and immediately lifted me and my wheelchair down the ramp and deposited me safely onto the sidewalk below. Michel was right behind me! As we made our way to the Customs building, we passed a line of employees directing passengers, all of which had dropped jaws! I couldn’t understand why. (I found out later).
Of course, I had to ask her if “she liked working for Viking, and where she was from? “Scotland” and her response about the company was priceless, “I love working with Viking, because it’s a happy company! It’s a joy to come to work, and it starts at the top!” I’ve never heard this response before!
She not only wheeled me into the building, but she handled the entire transaction for me! Wow!
THEN, on our last day on board, we were reviewing the daily Viking newsletter, only to find Michel’s photo NEXT TO THE CAPTAIN’S photo on the front page!!!
She was the EXECUTIVE OFFICER of the ship!!!!
WOW again!
No wonder the employees were astounded when she was pushing my wheelchair into Customs!
If THAT doesn’t tell you all you need to know about Viking customer service standards, NOTHING WILL! Yet another example of why Viking offers the best Panama Canal cruise for seniors.
Disability Accommodations: Outstanding!
Disability Accommodation for Shore Excursions
Due to my disability, I was unable to take part in more than one excursion, but the one I did experience was very good! They do everything they can to assist you and strive to make you as comfortable as possible.
Viking Disability Accommodation Onboard
I was astounded how well-equipped the ship is for the disabled. It’s not only built into their customer service practices, but the company makes accommodations a priority:
- This was my very favorite! Separate restrooms throughout the ship! You literally roll your wheelchair up to the door, press a button, the door slides open, you roll into a beautiful, spotless one-toilet restroom, without having to wait for an available handicap stall as in America!
- Our cabin shower needed a grab bar, which was installed promptly!
- In restaurants, my partner would wheel me to the table and the nearest food server or manager would take my wheelchair and store it nearby and retrieve it when we were finished with our meal!
Educational Highlights of Our Viking Panama Canal Cruise
The Viking Panama Canal cruise includes lectures that enhance your appreciation of each port.
Various historians provided nightly lectures, explaining the history of the upcoming port we would be visiting the next day. Guests could hear them in a large theater on the ship; or, on your stateroom’s TV. Again, a thoughtful accommodation for the disabled, or for guests who simply didn’t wish to leave their stateroom! The in-theater lectures were quite crowded, so I usually watched them in our stateroom. The Viking Panama Canal cruise includes lectures that enhance your appreciation of each port.
Of course, the lecture on the Panama Canal was the best!
RELATED: 7 Reasons an Erie Canal Boat Trip Should be at the Top of Your Bucket List
Traveling soon? Don’t forget to pack these essential items
Here are 4 often-forgotten items you don’t want to leave home without:
- I would have been lost in Europe without this power bank: Anker Nano Power Bank, 10K, 45W, 8.1 oz. Just imagine your phone running out of battery while you’re exploring London.
- And speaking of power, you def don’t want to forget a plug adapter – this is the one I use – I love it because it has 3 USB-C ports!
- You can’t beat this Sea to Summit premium neck pillow in terms of minimum weight and packed size. Who doesn’t want to get some shuteye on those long flights?
- I’m hooked on longer rain jackets that look as good on Paris boulevards as protect you on the trail.
📌 Bonus: Here’s the carry-on I swear by! My travel-tough Samsonite bags have lasted decades.
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Why We Recommend the Best Panama Canal Cruise for Seniors
In conclusion, it was an amazing experience – far beyond my wildest dreams! And, if we take another cruise again, it will be on a Viking ship!
RELATED: What is the Exclusive ‘360 Experience’ Onboard Discovery Princess?
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Table of Contents
Hi, I’m Stacey
UNSTOPPABLE Stacey Travel is a travel blog focused on immersive travel that highlights food, wine and the spirituality of place. You can count on me for accurate reports and insightful analysis as your trusted travel writer since 2008.
As the author of several spiritual and walking guides, I occasionally write about life as a Camino de Santiago pilgrim. See my Amazon author page here. You may review my credentials as a professional travel writer on LinkedIn.
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As is common in the travel industry, UNSTOPPABLE Stacey was provided with accommodations, meals, and other compensation for the purpose of review. While it has not influenced this review, the author believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest.
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We’ve secured exclusive UNSTOPPABLE travel discounts on select vacations and cruises. Our partners at Dunhill Travel Deals update the list almost daily! So be sure to check out today’s top travel deals.
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1 thought on “The Best Panama Canal Cruise for Seniors | Our Cruise Experience”
Fantastic article!