Best cabin to view Panama Canal

[dabearsfan]

Signed up for the Panama Canal Zuiderdam cruise on October 27. Which cabin would give a better view of the canal--aft balcony or side balcony? Unfortunately, can't get the aft-wrap ones.

[summer slope]

We had a mid ship balcony, starboard side. When we entered the Canal we went to the front of the ship. They opened the viewing deck so we could go out. After we entered the canal we went to our balcony and sat and watched the land from there.

[navybankerteacher]

Signed up for the Panama Canal Zuiderdam cruise on October 27. Which cabin would give a better view of the canal--aft balcony or side balcony? Unfortunately, can't get the aft-wrap ones.

 

Of course an aft balcony would give a better view, being able to see the whole canal - both sides - ax you passed through it. Going forward , to watch from an upper deck as you pass through the locks is a good idea.

[SilvertoGold]

Don't know about balconies, but I have found on 4 transits that being out and about the ship is best.

 

High, low, forward and aft. Different perspectives of the same views are truly amazing.

For example, when the ship is at the low point in a lock, being on the walkaround deck will get you up-close-and-personal with the lock wall itself, while high up gives the overall perspective.

 

Have a great cruise!

[Crew News]

Signed up for the Panama Canal Zuiderdam cruise on October 27. Which cabin would give a better view of the canal--aft balcony or side balcony? Unfortunately, can't get the aft-wrap ones.

 

All of the action takes place in the center of two lanes of traffic. At times, the canal can be one way for both lanes, so choosing port or starboard for best viewing depends on one-way or two-way passing.

 

An aft balcony can see where you have been and a great view of the ships following you. IMHO head for the aft Lido and move from side to side to see everything.

[DaveOKC]

Signed up for the Panama Canal Zuiderdam cruise on October 27. Which cabin would give a better view of the canal--aft balcony or side balcony? Unfortunately, can't get the aft-wrap ones.

 

Be sure to join our roll call here on Cruise Critic!

 

DaveOKC

[Krazy Kruizers]

On the partial, you may want to be on the side so that you can actually see the mules working close up.

If this is your first time -- you really want to be out on the bow to watch as you go through the looks.

This begins quite early. The ship starts to work its way through the many freighters anchored outside the locks -- usually around 5:30 AM. By 6:30 you should be approaching the locks. Being out on the bow you will see the lit up direction arrow indicating which lock the ship go through.

 

 

Be certain that you try the Panama Buns -- they will be everywhere that morning only.

[g&gtravel]

I vote for side balcony. However, just as important is being somewhere to hear the audio that describes the events. They can be heard on outside decks (deck 3), bow (deck 4 forward) and exploration (deck 10). Also, on your room tv, which also has forward (or rear) live video (Channel 34?). Knowing what to watch for makes all the difference in the world. Another great vantage point is deck 9 forward (in front of the fitness center), but no clear audio there (you can faintly hear audio from deck 3).

 

There is plenty of time to change locations, because it moves slowly (3+ hours). You can watch/hear from one location, and have time to adjust when operations begin.

 

In the mornings, traffic from the gulf side is one way south (toward Pacific) and from Pacific, one way north (toward Gulf of Mexico). In the afternoon, this reverses. However, my observations are that normally the cruise ships are in the right canal, which puts the best observations on the port side of the ship. The "mules" that manage the movements are the same on both sides (three on each side), so can see from either.

 

So, somewhere looking forward to watch the car/truck traffic before you start in and watching how the water is dumped from each step and then first movement into first lock is good to see, and then the side view is where to be.

[dabearsfan]

Thanks for the information. It is not the first time for me but it will be for my husband. We had the wrap balcony last time so saw both the back and sides and wasn't sure which would be better if we could only have one. I may change our cabin to a side one but think I still have time to consider.

 

No panama buns last trip because we weren't even sure we would get into the canal. It was closed the day before, which almost never happens I heard, and we were very late in entering the canal. All shore excursions were cancelled, so looking forward to seeing a bit more this tirp.

[BillB48]

Since you are on a partial transit please don't tie yourself down to a particular side of the ship. The best place to view your passage through Gatun Locks is forward, on the bow if you get there early enough or forward on any of the upper decks. Also if you have the chance go down to the lowest open deck and watch the vessel rise (or fall) on the water and seeing just how close you are to the locks walls. If you are going to take an excursion when you reach Gatun Lake, that means you have to squeeze everything in as you are locking up at Gatun Locks. As an example, if you pick the "wrong" side you will miss seeing the massive new locks gates that are awaiting installation in the expansion locks.

 

The scenery is 360 degrees... don't just see half of it:)!

[Krazy Kruizers]

You must have hit the canal when they had all the floods -- which rarely happens.

Hope you have better luck this time.

[mamaofami]

Personally, I think the best viewing is on the bow. IMHO.:)