Which side is better: Panama Canal ?

[jocelysue]

Travelling from west (SD) to east (Miami) which side is the better to see sunsets from our deck? We are late risers so are never around for sunrise but love to side on our deck and Watch the sun go down.

 

Is the answer to this question similar to the one you would give us if we said: we like to see the seashore and samall towns along as we cruise instead of only the ocean, so which side is the better for that?

 

Of course the answer will differ as we move into the east but we're mostly interested in the beginning of the journey: going down the coast of Mexico,wtc. and into the Canal, not going out.

 

Thanks ever so much.

[Keith1010]

When you are at sea you will not see land.

 

The best area to view the Canal during your transit is from several public areas on deck. You want to go to the front of the ship, to the back of the ship, to each side and you also want to view the canal from different decks as the views will differ. There is so much to see and this is the best way to do it.

 

I would put more emphasis on what deck you want to be on and where on the deck but not what side of the ship you are on.

 

I've done this transit many times and will be doing it again in a couple of weeks.

 

Keith

[sparky-elpaso]

You might want to make the effort to be an "early riser" on the day you go through the canal. :)

 

You generally will start going through the first of the locks not too long after sunrise - depending on your ships schedule. Plus it's well worth it to be up early to find a good place to watch the approach (especially if your ship opens up the bow area) - lots of other ships, etc. I think the best advice I read was to move around the ship - lower deck while going through the locks / top deck going under the bridges / stern so you can see who's coming along behind you / check out both port and starboard sides while going through Gatun Lake, etc. If you were to stay on your balcony you would miss a lot.

[fishycomics]

26 plus minutes per canal of the water in/out. and the height is around 20 plus feet. Since it's not a personal charter through.

 

I cannot speak what is the best spot to view, but with the locks you go through, you'll have that op, a few times. not once.:)

 

Sunrise/sunset. no comment I can give as Mother nature controls the scenery. :)

[paul929207]

Generally, as you sail from SD to the Canal, the ship will be heading south. Since the sun sets to the west, sunset will be visible from the starboard side. From the canal to Aruba, the ship will be heading more easterly, so the sunset will be at the back of the boat. From Aruba to Miami it will be heading north so the sunset will be on the port side.

 

Other than right after sailaway and as the ship approaches a port, you will not see much land while at sea.

[NMLady]

Keep in mind that the Canal is actually a south/north transit for you, not west/east.

 

I would think a Starboard balcony would give you sunset views.

[2Fltravelers]

Travelling from west (SD) to east (Miami) which side is the better to see sunsets from our deck? We are late risers so are never around for sunrise but love to side on our deck and Watch the sun go down.

 

Is the answer to this question similar to the one you would give us if we said: we like to see the seashore and samall towns along as we cruise instead of only the ocean, so which side is the better for that?

 

Of course the answer will differ as we move into the east but we're mostly interested in the beginning of the journey: going down the coast of Mexico,wtc. and into the Canal, not going out.

 

Thanks ever so much.

 

Seems that Starboard along the Pacific coast will have the sunset views since Portside will be facing land. You will be out of the canal and heading into the Caribbean before sunset, probably in Colon, Panama at or around that time. Heading to Miami Portside will have the sunset view.

[fishycomics]

the ship I seen through the canal was out way before Sunset, a good 3:PM It is a good 6 Hr tour through the locks.

[Dayenu]

Going through the canal you better get up early or you'll miss the most interesting locks. We did West to East, and the "right" side on the canal day had nicer views during the day.

[cb at sea]

You do NOT want to plant yourself on your balcony for the canal transit! You will miss TOO MUCH!

Roam the ship...top deck to lower decks....side to side...bow to stern. There's alot to see, but you will miss most of it if you sit on your balcony.

[jocelysue]

Thanks for your answers. Very helpful.

[5326jan]

For what it's worth, if you haven't picked a cabin yet, try to get one with a covered balcony. We wanted to be in the shade going from FLL to LA. We picked the starboard side, so that side going west to east will have you in the afternoon sun for a good bit of your trip. Having the covered balcony kept our cabin cool, gave us protection from the sun and the rain.

 

We were lucky enough to have an excellent port lecturer and thoroughly enjoyed the cruise! Enjoy!:)