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Panama Canal - Which side is best


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The back side.:) Aft, cause you will be able to see both sides at once from your room

 

but best to wander the decks for things that happen depending on which side of locks you go through etc.

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We're planning a Panama Canal cruise (east bound - San Diego to Miami). We'll select a veranda. Which side would provide the best view through the canal? We have not selected a cabin yet.

 

Port

Have fun

Mike

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The "right" side going west to east has better views than the "left" side. Sorry, don't know those sea terms :o

 

Eastbound - great choice! Wake up early to see the small lighted boats approaching the canal. If in doubt whether or not to take ship tours from lake Gatun - by the time you are in the lake, you've seen the best, take a tour if you wish.

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No matter which side or balcony cabinn you have, you may want to spend a little time on the promenade deck because, at the lower level, you will very up close and personal with the walls of the locks and the crew who is working your transit. The promenade deck had an almost festive atmosphere that day as passengers enjoyed the transit. Staff were present to answer questions and the ubiquitious ship's photographer snapped such a great photo of us in the canal that we couldn't resist taking it home!

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Don't chose a port or a starboard cabin based on what you think you will see as you go through the canal. There is no guarantee which lane you will end up in. And, as others have said, best views are out and about on deck unless you're lucky enough to score an aft. Even if you do, you will want to go out and see different vantage points, such as the helicopter pad.

 

We had 6143 on the canal transit, a fabulous cabin with an extra large balcony. Didn't watch any of the transit from the balcony.

 

Rather, make a choice between port and starboard based on when you would like the sun to be on your balcony.

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The "right" side going west to east has better views than the "left" side. Sorry, don't know those sea terms :o

 

Eastbound - great choice! Wake up early to see the small lighted boats approaching the canal. If in doubt whether or not to take ship tours from lake Gatun - by the time you are in the lake, you've seen the best, take a tour if you wish.

 

This is a trick answer. :D If you look at a map of the Panama Canal, you will see that if a ship is going west to east, it is actually sailing from the Atlantic to the Pacific. This is one of the many fascinating aspects of the canal. :)

 

It is one of the few places in the world where your large cruise ship will not be at sea level during it's transit, being 83 feet higher than the Pacific and Atlantic. Another is when sailing from Amsterdam's cruise terminal to the open waters of the North Sea. The ship will be lower than sea level during this transit.

 

panama-canal-map.jpg

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Others have provided good advice. We did the canal last December on Infinity. We had a Port side balcony cabin, which worked out great, since Infinity was assigned the right side lock (there are two sets of locks, side by side).

 

We did not spend the entire transit on our balcony, but did about half. We had breakfast and lunch at the buffet restaurant and ate at the outdoor deck 10 at the aft end of the ship.

 

Also, we spent a little time at the deck 11 observation deck.

 

If you happen to get a cabin where you can watch the transit, save some of your wine for that day (you can bring two bottles on board).

 

Further, if you stop at Colon, you can take an excursion to the Gatun Locks, which I recommend.

 

Going through the canal is a great experience. Make sure you read the book "The Path Between the Seas."

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Topside is really the best side to be on... or at least be on deck where you can take in what you would like to see. As mentioned earlier while you are at one of the Locks you will want to be on one of the outside main decks where you can really see how close you are to the lock wall. Even the coveted rear balcony cabins come up short for me, since the narrator will in his forward view of things point something out and by the time the aft balcony gets to that point you will be overcome by other events. Going the direction you are going, an aft balcony would be nice during the crossing of Gatun Lake from Gamboa (which is after you clear the Gaillard Cut) to Gatun Locks. This is a quiet time of the transit where you cross Gatun Lake and there is just the tree covered islands on the way. Not a lot of things to point out.... just tranquil scenery.

 

Select your cabin for how you will use it for the rest of your voyage, at the Canal you should be flexible as to where you will be.

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The back side.:) Aft, cause you will be able to see both sides at once from your room

 

but best to wander the decks for things that happen depending on which side of locks you go through etc.

 

Gotta agree with my old friend. Best views are aft. Not really necessary to have a cabin there, as there are usually many good vantage points on the open decks.

 

If you happen to be on the Century, there are great little areas in the rear corners on several decks that are just as good as having an aft cabin.

 

Happy Sails to You

 

OOOEEE :D:D Bob and Phyl

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Topside is really the best side to be on... or at least be on deck where you can take in what you would like to see. As mentioned earlier while you are at one of the Locks you will want to be on one of the outside main decks where you can really see how close you are to the lock wall. Even the coveted rear balcony cabins come up short for me, since the narrator will in his forward view of things point something out and by the time the aft balcony gets to that point you will be overcome by other events. Going the direction you are going, an aft balcony would be nice during the crossing of Gatun Lake from Gamboa (which is after you clear the Gaillard Cut) to Gatun Locks. This is a quiet time of the transit where you cross Gatun Lake and there is just the tree covered islands on the way. Not a lot of things to point out.... just tranquil scenery.

 

Select your cabin for how you will use it for the rest of your voyage, at the Canal you should be flexible as to where you will be.

 

We had a balcony on deck 8 and we had front row seats watching how the ships are handled through the Miraflores locks. This was a much better location to watch the process than on the top deck. We had much appreciated shade, our own chairs, no jostling with others for the railing, a bathroom only feet away, and refreshments we had ordered from room service. Ahhhhh, the good life!!

 

However, the people on the other side of the ship missed out on the following views. It is a 50-50 chance your stateroom will be on the "interesting" side.

 

PS: the gentleman in the first photo shows why I personally am not interested in those popular angled hump staterooms. It wasn't easy for him to see forward. He has this view angle only because the ship is at about a 20 degree angle left of center as it maneuvered into the left lane. Straight on and he would have had to squeeze himself against the corner even more.

 

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Boogs,

thanks for the great photos. It is like you are on the balcony with these great pictures.

 

i got the check list. thanks everyone

 

Will have done Gatun locks/Portobelo tour the day before transit.

Be up on open deck , move around, be there at 6am.

Have wine on my SV balcony for the middle part through Gatun Lake.

Take lots of pictures

Once through the last lock and in the Pacific Ocean, get ready to celebrate Christmas Eve on the Century at dinner:D.

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We're planning a Panama Canal cruise (east bound - San Diego to Miami). We'll select a veranda. Which side would provide the best view through the canal? We have not selected a cabin yet.

 

 

Looking toward the front (bridge) of ship get a balcony on the right side.

I want to see the action as it happens so would not take an aft balcony.

 

Above all, get down close to the water as you go through the locks so you can see the locks fill with water to raise the ship, or the lock empty of water to lower the ship.

 

IMHO, plan to be on deck before sunrise and until sunset. It is a long day.

Drink lots of water. Take a bag with sunscreen, cover up, an umbrella, and a fan for the day.

 

Claire

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Also, on many transits the captain will open up the helipad for a closer look. The access to this area is from deck five. Enter the theater on the port (left) side and walk past all the seats. At the end of the seating area you will find a steel door that leads outside and to a set of stairs up to the helipad.

 

Hopefully it will be open on your cruise. The view is quite impressive.

 

The first two photos were taken through the main lounge panorama windows. You can see people enjoying the view as our ship approaches the first lock from the Pacific side. The third photo was taken after we figured out that anyone could have access to the helipad.

 

CIMG0884.JPG

 

Helipad-Panama%20Canal%201.JPG

 

Helipad-Panama%20Canal%202.JPG

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It is a 50-50 chance your stateroom will be on the "interesting" side.

 

Don't chose a port or a starboard cabin based on what you think you will see as you go through the canal.

 

Above all, get down close to the water as you go through the locks so you can see the locks fill with water to raise the ship, or the lock empty of water to lower the ship. Claire

 

Select your cabin for how you will use it for the rest of your voyage, at the Canal you should be flexible as to where you will be.

 

Best answers of the day.

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We're planning a Panama Canal cruise (east bound - San Diego to Miami). We'll select a veranda. Which side would provide the best view through the canal? We have not selected a cabin yet.

 

The side that faces the other parallel lock - whichever side that is.

 

DON

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The biggest problem about picking sides is the sights are 360 degrees and you just won't be able to pick the side of the ship where you will have a view of the parallel lock with any degree of certainty. Even though often times the view of the parallel lock provides you with some additional views of other ships, it doesn't mean the opposite side is a throwaway. Going in the direction you will be traveling on your Canal trip (CA-FL) if you were to pick a starboard side balcony, at the first lock, Miraflores you would have a view of the parallel lock only if your ship locked up the West lane (that would be the left lane in this direction). Your ship could just as easily take East lane (the right lane) and you would not have a view of the parallel lock (the West lane). Your ship may lock through the same lane at all three locks or it could wind up with any combination of lanes.

 

Now that I have said all of the above let me throw out a few things you can see traveling in the direction you will be going...

 

Starboard side:

 

-Starting your approach at the Pacific anchorage, (depending on the time you actually start), sunrise over the Pacific... a little after 6AM.

 

-Once the old Fortified Islands of Naos, Perico and Flamenco are no longer blocking your view, you will see the skyline of Panama City across from the causeway that connects the Islands with the mainland.

 

-After going under the Bridge of the Americas you will pass the inner harbor of the port of Balboa. Continuing on towards Miraflores Locks the former US Army's Fort Clayton, now called Ciudad de Saber.

 

-After clearing Miraflores, it is a short trip across Miraflores Lake to Pedro Miguel Locks.

 

-Clearing Pedro Miguel you are entering Gaillard Cut which is an arm of Gatun Lake, passing the towns of Pedro Miguel and Paraiso. Just after going under the new Centennial Bridge there will be Gold Hill which is the area of the Continental Divide and where some of deepest excavations took place.

 

-Just before exiting the Cut you will pass the Gamboa Penitentiary which now includes Manuel Noriega as one of its' "guests."

 

-As you exit the Cut is where the Chagres River flows into the Canal. The channel you will be sailing in to Gatun is follows basically the route of the Chagres River. Here you will also see the town of Gamboa where the Canal's dredging fleet is headquartered. Usually some interesting vessels can be seen here.

 

-From this point until Gatun Locks the crossing of Gatun Lake will take you back and let you see how things were when the Canal was completed. The area is heavily forested and undisturbed.

 

Port Side:

 

I know it is going to seem like all the "action" is on the starboard side, but there are some kernels you may wish to see here as well.

 

-On your way up to the Bridge of Americas some of the Islands in the Bay of Panama are visable. The bigger Islands you will be able to see are Taboga Taboguilla and Urava.

 

-Passing under the Bridge of the Americas you will see the former US Navy base of Rodman. As you pass Rodman you be able to see the construction of the new locks for the Canal Expansion.

 

-After Miraflores Locks on the port side you will be able to see the huge excavation project that will link Gaillard Cut with the new locks.

 

-Entering the Cut after Pedro Miguel Locks one of the more prominent sights is Contractor's Hill. That hill was particularly troublesome going all the way back to the French construction era. While this side of the Cut may not have items of specific interest, you can just sit back and marvel that when the Canal was first completed, the Cut was only 300' wide. Continual widening took the Cut to first 500' and now over 750' in most places over these last 100 years.

 

As I mentioned before, the starboard side maybe a little busier in the things to point out, but you don't want to come all this way and only see half of a Canal;):). Things don't happen at the Canal on fast forward, there is usually plenty of time to take in everything. Besides after the first lock a lot of passengers are ready to plunder the buffet, so there are less people to step over!!

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Thank you BillB48 & boogs for the splendid, helpful posts & pix on the Panama Canal.

 

One of the sources we used in trying to determine the side of the ship we wanted to be on, is http://maps.google.com/maps?q=panama+canal&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&sa=N&tab=wl One can obtain a sea gulls' view and swoop up & down to explore.

 

Google & Wiki search "Panama Canal" and find enough information to make your eyeballs glaze over.

 

As mentioned earlier, reading A Path Between the Seas, will steep one in the history of the Canal. We found ourselves itching just reading it :eek:, and I'm sure I'll be packing insect repellant. (Because our earlier Kindle, does not show photos, we elected to buy the book, to see maps & visuals). From reading the book, we chose the time to travel, direction and which side, because we realized that any enlargement of the locks would be on the side they are doing it on, given the geography.

 

It's the book that inspired the cruise choice this coming fall. :)

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Now that I have said all of the above let me throw out a few things you can see traveling in the direction you will be going...

 

Thanks BillB48 for the interesting pointers. One more interesting view on the port side are the passing ships going in the opposite direction, which you will see while in the Gatun Lake section where there are separate shipping lanes for each direction.

 

The canal sees approximately 40 large ships transiting each day. To manage that quantity of traffic through the narrow Gaillard Cut, which can only handle ships going in one direction at a time, the ships are 'fleeted' through the canal. The majority of the ships transiting that day will depart from each end early in the morning. If there are 15 ships heading west from the Atlantic, all 15 will be started through the Gatun Locks early in the morning as a group, or 'fleet'. For the ships heading east from the Pacific, all of them will also be started in the morning, entering the Miraflores and then the Pedro Miguel locks as a group. In the first photo in post #13 there are five ships in view, including the Infinity, which is the one I am on, using both lanes of the Gatun Locks.

 

Normally, no ships will be going through in the opposite direction during those times to expedite these ships through the choke points. The ships will meet and pass each other in Gatun Lake. Then, all the westbound ships will enter the Pacific locks as a group, and all eastbound ships will enter the Atlantic locks as a group. This maximizes the number of ships through the Gaillard Cut by avoiding ships in opposite directions having to wait for one going in the opposite to clear.

 

 

 

Ship%20passing.JPG

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I would heartily endorse the recommendations to read this wonderful book prior to your Panama Canal transit. It's very readable and will give you a sense of appreciation for what they accomplished there. One of the amazing things to me was that their 100 year old lock gates still work! We just don't build things to last like that any more.

 

And yes, the ships pass very close to one another in the lake. We passed a Princess ship going in the other direction and we could practically reach out and shake hands with them. Lots of waving and cheering was going on.

 

The whole thing is really an amazing experience.

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