Panama canal shore excursions while "cruising"

[cruising camper]

We are sailing on the 14-day Celebrity Panama Canal cruise (January 3--Constellation). We are not stopping in port at the canal; the description says Panama Canal (cruising) but it still lists shore excursions. Can anyone explain this to me. If we sign up for the shore excursions will we miss the experience of passing through the locks?

[Freecall]

Passengers have the option to either get off the ship at Gutan Lake, complete a tour and then be picked up in the evening after the ship has left the canal or stay on board for the whole transit.

 

If it is your first time through the canal my advice would be to stay on board and enjoy the descent through the locks.

[lais]

I am on this same cruise and I don't see any excursions listed. I don't think we staop at all. Just cruise right through the canal.

[kitty9]

On two of our full transits, they offered tours into Panama City. They tendered the passengers off the ship and then once we did the full transit of the Canal, we picked up the passengers on Cristobal Pier. No one could get off the ship at Cristobal, it was just a quick stop to pick up the tour passengers.

[Nancyquilts]

On two of our full transits, they offered tours into Panama City. They tendered the passengers off the ship and then once we did the full transit of the Canal, we picked up the passengers on Cristobal Pier. No one could get off the ship at Cristobal, it was just a quick stop to pick up the tour passengers.

No pier shopping? That's really sad!

[hcat]

On our partial transit we enjoyed an excursion to Gamboa rain forest.. Had a nice bus ride, great views from Gamboa & then went to Cristobal pier to shop & back onto the ship...there was only 1 lock (Gatun) so we did not miss much as we went through on the way to Gatun lake..--

 

If you take an excursion on a full through transit, what will you miss if you take an excursion?