The CCCA “Cruise-a-Van” to the Panama Canal aboard the Coral Princess left Ft. Lauderdale February 25^th and returned March 6^th.  Participating Metro Region members John & BarbaraAnna Kefalonitis, Jeff Guss & Jeannie Quintin, Sal & JoAnn Saiya and Angelo & Mary Petrelli joined twelve other CCCA members enjoying the warmth of the Caribbean and the hospitality of the Princess Cruise lines. 

After spending two leisurely days at sea, we arrived at Aruba where we spent the day touring the island.  The guys were happy to report that they escaped Aruba without purchasing any jewelry.

The next port of call was Cartegena, Colombia which had been a popular colonial port in the 16^th and 17^th centuries.  While the group toured the old city and fort, Jeannie and I climbed a dormant volcano and took a hot mud bath in the crater.

After Cartegena, we anxiously sailed to the Panama Canal and our trip through the Atlantic locks into Gatun Lake.  After the obligatory breakfast (God forbid we should miss a meal), we watched the ship enter the locks and rise higher in each lock until we finally entered the lake.  The canal was considered the “moon shot” of its day and is truly amazing when you realize that the technology and construction of 1913 is virtually unchanged to this day.  The same locks have been opening all day every day, since 1913 without one day’s rest or repair.  It’s hard to think of any other mechanical structure created by man that has proven to be so durable and dependable, which certainly is a testament to American ingenuity and resolve. 

Our next stop after Panama was Costa Rica, home to one of our greatest adventures.  John and BarbaraAnna decided to spend the day onboard while the rest of us headed off to the rain forest and the infamous canopy tour.  It’s hard to describe the thrill and excitement of swinging on a cable from platform to platform, nine in all, on the canopy of the rain forest 150 feet in the air.  Most of us really enjoyed ourselves, but one or two said they would rather spend an afternoon touring in a Classic Car. 

Back on board we had another day to spend at sea leisurely enjoying the ship’s activities – eating, relaxing, and more eating.  We all discovered that cruising and dieting are not compatible even with Jeannie and Mary dragging all of us to the gym.

Our last port was Ocho Rios, Jamaica, where some of us rode camels and climbed Dunn’s Falls, while others toured plantations and great estates.  The last day of the cruise was another sea day when the entire CCCA group had a large lunch reminiscing our week’s experience, and of course, sharing more car stories.  Finally, we arrived back in Ft. Lauderdale where we made a quick visit to the Ft. Lauderdale Antique Car Museum before our flight home.