BillB48

For a large part of the transit I prefer a higher outside and forward looking deck, that way you will see what you are approaching on both sides. However while you are passing through the locks the lower wraparound deck EM mentioned is worth visiting. The lower wraparound deck is more dramatic on ships that are using the original locks. One of the most popular spots is on the bow of the ship as it approaches the first lock if your ship has access to that area. In short, no one perfect deck, just be where you can take in the sights. Transiting the Canal is at a relaxed pace, so there is usually time to get to where you need to be to see whatever is of interest.

There are two high tides and two low tides every 24 hrs. The range of the tides can reach over 20' during spring tides, most days of the month a 12'-14' swing is normal. Neap tides will provide about an 8' difference. Clarification... the above is for the Pacific side, meanwhile tides on the Atlantic side are less than 2'.

Of course 2023 itineraries don't always reflect what the 2024 itins will be, but it can give you an idea as to what might be offered. In '23 HAL has a number of full transits on a number of ships that would use the original locks throughout the winter season. On the other hand Celebrity only seemed to have full transits in and around the start and end of the Alaskan season

That is a great example of fog in the Cut and no more room at the inn! The most notable thing is, at this time of year that sight is not a very common occurrence. Heavy overnight fog in the Cut is common during the middle of the Rainy Season, however the Canal is about 2 weeks into the Dry Season.

From the contributions of posters, here is a little more complete list of Panamax ships. A Panamax ship is a ship, due to its dimensions able to use the original locks at the Panama Canal. Aida Aura Aaura Acara Mar Stella Bella Diva Mira Blu Luna Sol Azamara Journey Pursuit Quest Carnival Legend Luminosa Miracle Pride Spirit Elation Paradise Celebrity Xploration Flora Xpedition Summit Infinity Constellation Millenium Cunard Queen Elizabeth Queen Victoria Costa Deliziosa Mediterrania Disney Wonder Fred Olsen All ships in the fleet may use original locks. HAL Eurodam Zandam Noordam Volendam Zuiderdam Oosterdam Westerdam Nieuw Amsterdam MSC Armonia Magnifica Opera Orchestra Lirica Musica Poesia Sinfonia NCL Jade Gem Pearl Jewel Dawn Star Pride of America Sun Sky Spirit Oceania All ships in the fleet may use the original locks P&O Arcadia Aurora Princess Coral Island Regent Seven Seas All ships in the fleet may use the original locks. RCL Vision Grandeur Rhapsody Radiance Brilliance Serenade Jewel Seabourne Encore Quest Odysee Sojurn Ovation Silver Sea All ships in the fleet may use the original locks. Viking Ocean All ships in the fleet may use the original locks. Windstar All ships in the fleet may use the original locks.

Here you go... HAL Volendam in the background.

Try these...

Sounds like you are on a partial transit where the ship enters the new Atlantic Locks, Agua Clara and locks up to Gatun Lake. After reaching Gatun Lake the ship will disembark passengers who have booked ship's excursions. The ship will wait for a slot to lock back down the same locks where the ship will dock in either Cristobal or Colon where the passengers who are on tour will rejoin the ship. While I can't speak to the CP directly, usually most of the activity is centered around the ship's passage through the locks. While the return through the locks is interesting it is the reverse process of what you experienced earlier that morning. You will have traveled through about 8 miles of a 50 mile Canal, if at all possible I think this is a great time to see more of the Canal and or Panama. Whatever you decide... enjoy!

Here you go, this is a complete list of ships that fit in the Panamax Locks (original locks) and if it is not listed here, it just won't fit! All kidding aside, I only included ships that had a chance of being in the North American market and there are some of the smaller cruise lines that are not included. If anyone would like to add or correct something... feel free. I have no idea on how to get the moderators to perhaps pin this list. Let me add one wee disclaimer... A situation could arise a Panamax ship may have to use the new locks because of Canal convenience or operational necessity. Unlikely, but possible. Aida Aura Aaura Acara Mar Stella Bella Diva Mira Blu Luna Sol Azamara Journey Pursuit Quest Carnival Legend Luminosa Miracle Pride Spirit Elation Paradise Celebrity Xploration Flora Xpedition Summit Infinity Constellation Millenium Cunard Queen Elizabeth Queen Victoria Costa Deliziosa Mediterrania Disney Wonder HAL Eurodam Zandam Noordam Volendam Zuiderdam Oosterdam Westerdam MSC Armonia Magnifica Opera Orchestra Lirica Musica Poesia Sinfonia NCL Jade Gem Pearl Jewel Dawn Star Pride of America Sun Sky Spirit P&O Arcadia RCL Vision Grandeur Rhapsody Radiance Brilliance Serenade Jewel Seabourne Encore Quest Odysee Sojurn Ovation Princess Coral Island

Normally the cruise lines will offer an excursion that is a partial transit of the Canal going through the Pacific Locks and Gaillard Cut. It may or may not be available for booking before you embark. Even if you were able to book this excursion through another vendor, because of the possibilities of delays on the Canal causing a late return to Colon, I would only book through the cruise line.

While price is a great decision maker, the Canal experience could be a deciding point in your case. As mentioned earlier the transit is the star attraction, but there is a lot of cruising before and after the transit. In the past NCL has provided for someone to narrate the transit as well as give a little history of the Canal and Panama during the transit. The narrators that have been supplied by the Canal and have been decent in my experience. I would recommend you check with some of Cruise Critic's Roll Calls of recent NCL transits and see what their experience was. On the other hand I know Princess does provide enrichment speakers on various cruises. These speakers will generally provide more information on the Canal at other times than just the day of the transit. They will usually will also provide talks on other ports of call as well. I have collaborated closely with one of Princess's speakers and I don't think you could get a better overview of the Canal even if David McCullough was giving the talk. But, he is just one speaker and Princess uses others as well. My only point here is, Princess gives more emphasis to their enrichment programs.

Have been through the Canal before the new locks were built on the Brilliance of the Seas. I am not aware that she had any modifications that would cause her to have to use the new locks. The only ship I know that had to move over to the new locks because of modifications is the Disney Wonder. That doesn't mean something could not have been done and they slipped it by me!😀 The difference in the Canal transit would only be which locks you use, the majority of the transit is the same. I agree with you, I think the original locks are more interesting.

Not having direct knowledge on where the bus stops for cruise passengers, stop 10 would be a likely area. The cruise terminal which is not depicted on this map, but it is located almost precisely where you see "Isla Perico" noted However with all the construction going on it would not be out of the realm of possibility that they may have a pick up closer to stop 9. I feel you would be able to get info from someone shore side once you disembark. Below is a link to their website, once at their site click on "useful download" which will display the full route map. https://www.hop-on-hop-off-bus-tours.com/tour-panama-city-sightseeing-hop-on-hop-off-bus-tour

The Summit should use the original locks.

The link below will go to an article reporting on a less than smooth embarkation from the Amador Cruise terminal for a recent NCL Jewel sailing as well as purchasing fuel from a single source. https://menafn.com/1105288192/7-Hour-Passenger-Chaos-At-Amador-Condemned A recent photo of the cruise terminal at Ft. Amador from a Canal FB group. No indication as to how far from being completed.

Welcome to Cruise Critic🙂. There's a bit to explain as I don't really know what you know about how this cruise operates as it is a "partial transit cruise." In short a partial transit is when your ship will enter one set of locks, lock up to Gatun Lake and then after a brief period lock back down and proceed to Colon. When the ship reaches Gatun Lake after locking up the first set of Locks, passengers who have booked tours through the ship will tender off the ship and meet their tour. While you are on tour the ship will lock back through the same locks (in this case Gatun Locks) and sail the short distance to Colon. The stop in Colon is primarily to pick up the passengers who are on tour. The stop is usually only for about 3 hours and while there is a limited amount of time to visit the shopping mall at the pier there is not enough time for you to take any type of tour while docked in Colon. I looked at NCL's description of Grand Tour at the Canal/Gatun Lake stop and it is horribly lacking of any useful information. There is nothing about where the tour goes, any of the sights and the only items addressed were the tour lasted 7 hours with a snack. Normally when cruise lines have a "Grand Tour" in Panama it usually involves a trip to Panama City that may include the ruins of Old Panama and the Casco Antiguo which is where the City was built after Old Panama was destroyed by Henry Morgan. However, it is just not possible to tell if that is what this tour will be doing. The train trip is a great excursion, but I really think it is more for a train buff who particularly likes the history attached to the Panama Railroad being the first transcontinental railroad. Much of the trip is through undeveloped areas that skirt the Canal. Except for a few short periods you really don't see much of the Canal, just some of the back waters of Gatun Lake. In looking through the tours available for your sailing I noticed a tour called Shape of Panama. From what little description they provide, this may be more of what I described in my description of NCL's Grand Tour, but it too was bereft of any real information. One last mention about the ship docking in Colon. Other than visiting the mall that is connected to the pier, there is absolutely nothing in Colon for a cruiser to do on their own. You will be advised not to venture into Colon during your brief stop, it's sound advice. There is no inherent danger traveling through Colon to return to your ship, it's just not a DIY tourist area.

Glad to see him back on the job! Maybe he had a little extra time off since it looked like he pulled a double.

By a very roundabout way, I think we have an ID on our friend Hawkeye! I sent my pic and a couple of the ones you posted to a friend who is currently on the Ruby Princess headed for the Canal. He is their Canal Lecturer for this trip. He thought it might have been an Harpy Eagle, he finally found a birder on the ship and the birder said it was an Osprey.

The short answer is I don't know what kind bird he is. I was looking at this website... https://www.wikiwand.com/en/List_of_birds_of_Panama#Hawks,_eagles,_and_kites There are some "could be", but nothing I can say with any certainty.

Some great screen grabs! Wonder if he is on the payroll??

Just happened to look at the cam at Agua Clara Locks this morning and was pleased to see I wasn't the only one watching the operation.

Probably the reason they don't have excursions listed is due to the fact you are in the middle of B2B cruise. Many of the B2B cruises I have been on have offered a limited number of excursions for passengers who are staying on board for the following sailing. However, many times those excursions wind up being cancelled because of insufficient interest. The more popular excursions that cruisers often take in Panama may have a focal point of seeing more of the Canal. This could involve a trip to Miraflores Locks Visitor's Center to see the original Canal Locks. There are also the new Agua Clara Locks over on the Atlantic side which would involve about an hour and a half bus/van ride. Sometimes these two excursions are combined. Another popular excursion is a tour of Panama Viejo which are the ruins of the original Panama City. Also this usually would include a visit to El Casco Antiguo which is where Panama City was rebuilt after Panama Viejo was sacked by Henry Morgan. A visit to one of the Embera villages is also very popular. The Emberas are part of Panama's indigenous peoples from the Darien region of Panama. The cruise ships have started docking at the presently under construction Amador Cruise Terminal located very near the entrance of the Canal. Depending on when your cruise is, the facility may be completed and in operation. The way things have been going with the construction it has been a work in progress and there has not been much progress! If you want to get an idea as its location with the Panama City area, try Google maps... Perico Island, Ft. Amador Panama, the pier and terminal will be on Perico Island. Since I would think there is a good chance you may have to arrange for whatever excursion you would like on your own, I would suggest finding the Roll Calls for the two sailings and you may be able to join some of your fellow cruisers in hammering out an excursion. Combining parts of the various excursions is certainly possible.

Here are couple of pictures of the Serenade going into Gatun Locks I took a few years ago. I was on her sister ship the Radiance transiting that same day. As you can see she fills the chamber nicely.

Thank you for the kind words. I really think that the cruise lines don't go into detail on the locks they will use is primarily to leave the description vague if for some reason they had to lock through using the new locks they could have some legal wiggle room not promising something that may be out of their control. Today's litigious society would no doubt scores of passengers who were irreversibly scared for life because some aspect of the cruise did not occur as the tour description indicated. I don't have any doubt that you will enjoy your transit using the original locks.

I think it is a very worthwhile excursion whether you are on a partial transit of the Atlantic Locks cruise or just a port call in Colon. The length of the bus ride to the "ferry" depends somewhat on what direction the excursion is operating. It can operate from Gamboa to the Pacific at Ft. Amador or the other way around. From the Atlantic side to Gamboa is about an hour and from Ft. Amador back to Colon is about an hour and a half. You normally sail into the Pacific where you will have a great view of Panama City. The buses I have been on in Panama were reasonably comfortable.