@cactusroseWe’ve been through the canal a couple of times, so this is a repeat with friends. As your friends are doing, they are staying in the cabin next door, so we can open up the balcony divider. Slow going through the locks will enable us to use the side balcony, which is covered. Our cruise is in January, so hopefully it won’t be too hot. I don’t mind people being able to look down on us if we’re sitting aft. As @HaveDogWillTravelmentioned, if it gets too hot, the wet towel on the shoulders sounds like a good idea. Unfortunately when we booked, full suites were limited, so this was our best option. It’s part of a world cruise.