Programme of Shore Arrangements

Arrival at Cristóbal

The RMS Caronia will enter Limon Bay on the Caribbean side of the Isthmus of Panama early on Wednesday morning and will arrive at the port of Cristóbal at 7am.

Lectures on the Canal

Two lecturers will board the CARONIA at Cristóbal to travel through the Panama Canal aboard the CARONIA. They will point out all interesting features of the Canal and answer questions from passengers.

Passing Through the Panama Canal

Leaving Cristóbal at 10am, the CARONIA will then proceed through the Panama Canal. At 11 o'clock she will enter the Gatun Locks and during lunchtime will sail across Gatun Lake, arriving at the Gaillard Cut, where the spine of the Isthmus is crossed, at approximately 4pm.

A Gay Evening in Panama City

Balboa, Panama Canal Wed. 10 Jan

PANAMA CITY is one of the liveliest places after dark in Latin America. This excursion is arranged for CARONIA passengers who would like to enjoy a sample of this night life.

A transfer service will convey members of this Special Party at 8 o'clock from the dock alongside the ship to the “El Rancho”, the night club on the city's “main stem” - Central Avenue. Dinner will be served in the open-air garden, and a Panamanian-style floor show will be performed from 10.15pm until 10.45pm. Automobiles will be available at “El Rancho” for the return to your cruise ship up to 12.30am.

Programme of Shore Arrangements at Balboa

Thursday 11 January 1951
Tour S-2 Morning Drive to Old Panama

Automobiles will leave at 8.30am from the dock alongside the CARONIA. This morning excursion is planned to include the most interesting things in Panama City and vicinity, leave a short time for shopping, and to return to the ship in good time before sailing.

The route lies through the Canal Zone town of Balboa, with its comfortable homes and beautiful palm-lined drives, then across the line into the Republic of Panama. Stop at the top of La Cresta hill for an excellent panorama of Panama City and the islands lying offshore in the Pacific. From here continue out to the ruins of Old Panama.

Balboa, Panama Canal Thu. 11 January
Tour No. 8-2 Panama City and Old Panama

A morning automobile drive passes through the Balboa residential district to the city of Panama. Visit the Church of the Golden Altar, the historical Flat Arch in the ruins of the Old Church of Santo Domingo, statues of Simon Bolivar and Balboa, Panama public market, then to the famous ruins of the Old City of Panama destroyed by the buccaneer, Henry Morgan. There will be time for shopping at the conclusion of the tour.

Old Panama

The one-time Spanish city where gold from Peru was landed and dispatched across the Isthmus to galleons bound for Spain. The city was sacked in 1671 by the pirate Henry Morgan, and only its cathedral and a few ruins remain.

Panama City

Returning into the modern city, drive through the attractive residential section of Bella Vista, pass the Santo Tomas hospital and the statue of Balboa, discoverer of the Pacific Ocean.

In Panama City the automobiles will drive to the Market Place, the French Plaza, the “Flat Arch”, and the church with the Golden Altar. You are now in the shopping section, and the automobiles are at your disposal while you shop until time comes for sailing. Every automobile must return to the dock by 11.30am.

Shopping Hints

Panama City has many Oriental bazaars and native handicraft shops along Central Avenue. Most useful items to shop for are tropical clothing, sports accessories, shopping baskets, silks and perfumes.