Essiesmom

In his post he says it is his second cruise. EM

Or you could reveal and put the rest of us out of our misery…. EM

Did he have to pay cash? EM

The biggest problem for me is that some lines don’t want to book solos. Do a dummy booking for 2, all is fine. Decrease to one, and everything is sold out. Haven’t tried it on Princess, but had trouble on MSC, Carnival, Celebrity. EM

She will not need a passport but at 17 she will need a government issued photo ID. however, if you plan to take her on any excursions that enter Canada, such as from Skagway, she will need a passport. EM

@Ashlynkatthere are pictures of your transit on this thread in the Panama Canal forum start with post #26

Last in line today was Oceania's Vista Miraflores Locks Pedro Miguel

Second in line today was NCL Sun. Her bridgecam needed time to dry off or sober up... At Miraflores Locks Pretty much sober by Pedro Miguel Gatun Locks

Well, Encore started the transit much earlier than usual. I saw that she was spending the night in Balboa, I thought perhaps she had to get under Bridge of the Americas at low tide. But apparently they had an 0400 transit time and I missed her at Cocoli. She was beyond Centennial Bridge by 0700: If they hadn't made her wait outside Agua Clara she could have been through by lunchtime...

There is a railing, height and length varies by cruise line. EM

Ask on the Ports of Call boards here for Caribbean. EM

Here are some screen shots to illustrate my suggestions. The first is today’s orientation of the Cerro Luisa cam overlooking the Pedro Miguel locks. The ship in the picture is Serenade of the Seas who transited today. Background left are the Miraflores Locks. In the upper center you can see cargo cranes which you would pass before entering the Cocoli Locks. The next pics are from the Miraflores cam of Ruby (I think) on her Nov. 2 transit, and the Pedro Miguel cam as she passes those locks.

Here is my take on the transit, having done two eastbound full through the old locks, one partial Gatun old locks, and one full westbound using the new locks. There is not as much drama, interest when using the new locks as the original. No opportunity to view other ships in the neighboring locks, activity along the locks. The most exciting part will be entering the first lock, and passing into the second. The observation deck above the bridge will be crowded then. I would choose to be at the bow on the deck 8 promenade deck extension. After you clear the third of the Cocoli locks, chances are the deck over the bridge will start to clear out. I would then go up there and see what I can to starboard of activity in the Miraflores locks, and stay there for passing the Pedro Miguel locks, good chance of seeing something there. After you go under the Centennial bridge and pass through the Gaillard/Culebra cut (continental divide) it’s all jungle both sides. Time for lunch or a nap. When you get to the Agua Clara locks, they work just like the Cocoli, except the collecting basins are on the port side, instead of starboard. After you clear the third lock, there is nothing to see except the Atlantic bridge and the cargo cranes at Cristobal, and all the ships waiting their turn. EM

San Jose is not a port…you would have to be bused there, I assume from Puntarenas or Puerto Caldera. It’s been 22 years since I was there, so I can’t say what it is like. Cartagena is covered on the South America ports of call board. You might get some ideas about tours there. EM

Nov. 7 MS Europa of Hapag-Lloyd Gatun Pedro Miguel Miraflores at dusk Today (Nov 13) was Serenade of the Seas Westbound (WB) Gatun Pedro Miguel Miraflores Three ships tomorrow, all eastbound (EB) EM

There are so many questions about excursions and transportation from there over on the Panama Canal board under Ports of Call. But noone ever comes back to report of how things went. We really need feedback. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/54-panama-canal/ EM

Unless you like to dine really early, like 4pm, you will be through the locks before dinner. Well, maybe sometimes a little later. This was Ruby in the last locks on Nov. 2: time stamp on Agua Clara cam is 5:40pm. EM

I leave the cakes alone. I like cake, but cake…not all that gooey stuff between the layers. I used to drool over the cakes in the bakeries in NYC. But they just tasted like preservatives…Just making one from a box tasted better. EM

They are docked currently at Fuerte Amador. Terminal/port still a mess. You can see it on the bridgecam for Encore. EM

Cabo is a tender port so you would have to be able to manage the steps into and out of the tender. Puerto Quetzal has a lovely straw market at the port, otherwise it is a long bus ride to Antigua which is all cobblestones and narrow sidewalks without curb cuts. Colon is too dangerous to DIY unless you are a large group. San Jose? What San Jose? Cartagena might be doable on a private tour. EM

Finally, a ship with a bridgecam docks with bow toward port. NCL Encore, will transit tomorrow…still very much a construction zone.

I believe all Aurea cabins are on deck 9 other than whirlpool suites on other decks. EM

I had two forward Aurea cabins on Seaside and no noise problems. Doubt if there are any aft, either. EM

Have you ever sailed Princess? My Princess Captains Circle number and World Club number are identical. EM

That’s the lounge across from the sports bar. On Seashore it’s the Brooklyn Cafe. EM