Full canal cruise or up to the lake

[loveourcottage]

Hello,
Looking at doing a Panama Canal Cruise. Should we book one that cruises the canal(is it worth it) or should we just stick with the ones that go up to the lake area. Not sure if we should choose a line based on going thru the entire canal or not. Tell me why it is worth cruising the canal as opposed to cruising up the lake area. Thanks

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6/14 Horizon Bermuda Cruise
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[Host Caroline]

Why it's a good thing to go all the way through (esp. east to west IMHO -- you gain a little sleep AND the Bridge of America in the distance at sunset (when we went) was awesome and spectacular sight...
Okay, the real reason: becuase you fully appreciate the engineering marvel that it is, because you get a true perspective of how far up (and then down) these huge and tiny ships really go in the locks as they traverse from one end to the other, becuase the entire passage is very scenic and bec. it's one of those "do it once" cruises that costs more than the "turnaround in the lake" Canal cruise but you should do it if you can..
Cruise lines vary: but the experience is the same in many respects. Princess, HAL, and Crystal (that I'm familiar with) tend to have more onboard enrichment programs that will enhance your transit and that you will otherwise enjoy. The program on Princess that was immensely informative and entertaining!

Host Caroline
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Sept 04-Royal Hounds Mariner of the Seas
Feb 05-Partae Pirates Carnival Miracle

[cowtec]

Just back from a full Canal transit on the Dawn Princess. We would definitely do a full transit again rather than a partial turnaround. The ship picks up a pilot and commentator who gives you background about the Canal as you transit, and the passage under the Bridge of the Americas is fantastic. I don't know if the partial transit goes as far as Culebra, but there is so much history involved in the building of the Canal, I wouldn't want to miss the entire trip!

Sue

Dawn Princess - Panama Canal - April 2004

Trying for Island Princess - Alaska - August 2005

[MaryPoppinz]

You don't get to Culebra with the partial, but if you book the Ocean-to-Ocean excursion you can get go completely through the canal on a partial/roundtrip. You'll just do most of the trip in a smaller boat, and return to meet your ship at Colon by bus.

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[Guest]

I am glad someone asked that question. I have had the same idea whether to go partial or full specially since this will be my first Panama cruise. I have desided to go the full now. It sounds so much nicer. Either from Ft. Lauderdale to S.F. or San Diego.

5/6 Regal Princess/ San Francisco
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