I hate to do this...

[outerspaceguy]

I agree. While the ship was in the lock, I kept moving around the ship. Once while standing on the promenade deck I was even with the workers on the lock. We were so close they could have jumped on or we could have jumped off.

 

Attached are some photos from my trip in December aboard Celebrity Constellation. You'll see what I mean by "Panamax"...

[RMLincoln]

PanaMAX is the maximum size they'll take. It is really cool to JUST fit in the lock. A small ship, less than Panamax, is cool too, but it has a different feel in the lock.

 

But for me I wouldn't let that be a deal breaker, especially if it's your first canal transit, because it's ALL way cool!!:)

 

Our second time in the canal we expanded our experience and observed and absorbed so much more than our first time through, so I would gladly do it again.

 

Bottom line: Factor it all together, pick YOUR most improtant criteria... size, price, room type, itinerary, ports etc, and go have a great cruise:D