2005 Panama Canal Cruise -- CruiseCritic Parties

Updated August 9, 2005

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We met many of our fellow cruisers for this Panama Canal cruise on the Internet. We regularly check www.cruisecritic.com discussion groups for information, and cruising ideas. Many cruisers use this website to discuss cruises, ask cruise questions, help with answers, and spread the enjoyment that cruising offers.

Nancy, from Livermore, California, took the lead on a lot of the "organization" of us CC'ers. After much internet discussion, we all settled on the name "Cruisin' Eagles", given that this was the first trip on the new Pride of America. She is a school teacher, and it turned out that many of our fellow cruisers were also teachers, including Sandi, of course.

NCL did throw an "official" party for us, but our indomitable cruisers were quicker than that, and we enjoyed a number of informal get-togethers throughout the cruise. John and Nancy were very generous with their beautiful Grand Suite, and we had several get-togethers there. In addition, we had a group for teppanyaki inside the East Meets West restaurant. Nancy was able to get us a group of tables together in the Liberty restaurant for a "farewell" dinner the last night on board. Thanks, Nancy, for all the great help! This page has many photos taken at our on-board activities, official and not.

These pictures were taken primarily with our (no longer) new Kodak DX6490, which we love. The 10x optical zoom is great, and the electronics do a fine job of automatic adjustment and flash operations.

Our first get-together of the Cruisin' Eagles: on John and Nancy's spacious balcony.	That's us, with the Miami cruise pier in the background.	The Pride of America sailed from this cruise pier. The photo was also taken from John and Nancy's balcony.	The balcony is located at level 10, the same level as the bridge. The pilot and officers are guiding the Pride out of Miami.	A small party for the Eagles, again at John and Nancy's place.
Same party, more CC'ers.	Signing the new guestbook. We put this CruiseCritic guestbook in the ship's library for all future CC'ers.	More of party...	Watching a DVD about the Panama Canal.	The Crusin' Eagles get acquainted.
Watching the DVD	More of the party.	Nancy, our charming hostess, is facing us, just left of center in this photo.	More...	Later in the cruise, on our Tortuguero Canal boat trip, who should we see but more Cruisin' Eagles, out on their own tour!
More CC'ers at the Captain's Reception	John and Nancy's son Michael and his lovely fiancee, Missy.	Cruisecritic folks are quick to provide feedback to the NLC staff.	Having fun with the Cruisin' Eagles.	Hobnobbin' with the Pride staff.
More deep conversations.	Gratuitous photo of us.	Our teppanyaki chef took good care of our small Cruisin' Eagles group.	Our group ready for dinner.	Another gratuitous photo of us.
Gosh, do we have to eat all of those scallops?	John watches as our dinner gets prepared.	Our Cruisin' Eagles are invited to the Captain's Farewell reception.	It's also a "formal" night, so everyone is dressed up nicely.	More CC'ers.
Things got a bit crowded around the champagne.	Who is that handsome gentleman?	We all crowd together for a group photo on the grand staircase.	Still getting it together...	Some of us are having a great time, and others, well...
The Cruisin' Eagles get together for a last-night's dinner.	More happy diners.	More...	And More...	Sorry, couldn't get everyone in the picture. Fire the camera-man!
Ah good, Nancy will take the photos from now on!

2005 Panama Canal Cruise -- CruiseCritic Parties

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