Expansion of Panama Canal - The Present & The Future

[fitters]

Bill & Richard,

 

Love hearing all your recommendations and experiences in Panama. You two are a wealth of information! Thank you for all the time you spend on this board. ;) SO..I have a question for you both now. :D

 

We are looking at a tour thru Celebrity that goes over the Expansion Project. We will be traveling this November and was wondering if this would be a good tour to take. Details are below.

 

Experience an amazing journey to the "present and future" of one of the most incredible engineering marvels of the world, the Panama Canal. Your tour starts at Gatun Locks where you'll observe and learn about the Canal's current operation. Then, visit the Expansion Observatory Platform of the waterway to see and learn about the expansion advances that are made to the system of locks for transit of larger ships.

 

The other option we were looking at was just visiting Gatun Locks. But thought if this offered a better experience, we would go with this.

 

Your advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you!

 

Wendy

Edited August 1, 2014 by fitters

[BillB48]

You are welcome Wendy, I am always glad to share what I know about Panama and the Canal.

 

Will your cruise be transiting the Canal and make a port call at Colon or are you just making a port call at Colon? The only reason I ask is if you are transiting the Canal you will see Gatun Locks from the ship, so I'm not sure what your feelings are about going to Gatun Locks twice in a manner of speaking. IMO seeing the locks from a shore side vantage point gives another perspective as to the enormity of the locks, sometimes that enormousness is overwhelmed by your large ship when you are on board transiting the locks. There are also some equipment displays along with a narration of the operation. So, I would enjoy the two different views of the same place. The Expansion Observatory Platform, I visited it at the end of April and yes you are just looking at huge hole in the ground where a lot of construction is taking place, but it is quite a undertaking. I do think there is something significant in seeing it before it is complete, besides the new locks are so close to Gatun Locks it would a shame to pass them by. The Platform provides a great view of the new locks, plus there is a video presentation and an area to purchase refreshments.

 

Enjoy!

[fitters]

Thank you Bill. No we are just docking in Colon. I know everyone suggests taking the Panama Canal Tour on the ferry thru the locks, but we plan on taking a full transit cruise in the near future. So for this trip, we just thought of visiting the locks to see how they operate.

[Richard in Panama]

Fitters! Thanks! The more you know about Panama and the Canal before you visit, the better will be your trip. A whole day in Panama! Such a lot to choose from, but since your primary interest is the Canal, and you're planning on a transit cruise later, I personally would probably opt for the Canal Expansion Tour. I haven't been to the new visitor center, but I've heard good things from those who have. When the Canal was first being built people came from all over the world, at great expense and back when it was a huge commitment to travel to Panama, just to see the Canal under construction.

 

Here's a pict of what you see at Gatun Locks ... I don't think it's very impressive.

 

 

Regards, Richard

 

[fitters]

Thank you Richard. Between you and Bill, you guys should be running a tour company! ;)

[poinsettiaplate]

O great expert, when will the new canal(s) be finished? If ever. I would like to do another cruise but want to wait until I can see all the new stuff in its glory.

[Richard in Panama]

"Oh great expert ..." That would be Bill! But the current target date is January 2016. Truth is, for a whole lot of reasons, most cruise lines will continue if possible to use the original locks because of the history, the use of the locomotives, etc. If it's cruise ship that's too large for the original locks, they'll use the newer locks. If you've done some of the newer European Canals that use the rolling locks of the type that will be used in the new Panama locks, they're pretty ho-hum by comparison. There won't be a "whole lot to see" of the new locks from the old locks. While the new locks and the expansion project is huge, there are lots of huge projects in the world now, but when the Canal was built 100 years ago it was an awesome achievement. And the fact that those same locks are still operating today ... when we live in a throw-away society ... is amazing! You won't get that same history in the new locks. They will be efficient, but ... just my opinion. Bill, what say you?

 

Regards, Richard

[BillB48]

Being an expert can mean you know too much about too little! LOL! I certainly agree that the things that make the present locks unique, are the things that heighten the visual interest . Probably the most iconic item that will be missing the "mules" which won't be at the new locks. The rolling gates perhaps will function in a less dramatic manner... these things might lessen the visual interest somewhat, however you will still be treated to a marvel of engineering. While the locks are often viewed as the principal part of the Canal, if your transit takes you through the new locks, the majority of the Canal will be relatively unchanged to the eye, so you will still be able to enjoy much of the 100 year old marvel as well.

 

As Richard said, everything is looking good for January 2016. The big question at this point is which cruise lines are going to schedule any of their post Panamax ships for a transit. That time frame is just outside the cruise lines published schedules for the time being. Guess we will just have to wait impatiently before we can try out the new works!

[2552phxcrzr]

We will be transiting the Panama Canal on Infinity in December. The day before the transit we are in Colon from 10-7. We did a full transit 12 years ago ... ironically, that was also on the Infinity. And a partial trip where we disembarked the ship for a Gatun Lake cruise and viewing of the locks from the land side. We find the Canal endlessly fascinating, and want to do an excursion from Colon that revolves around the Canal. I'm trying to decide between this one (knowing the Gatun Locks from landside would be a repeat) and the 8-hour ferry excursion through the canal. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

Also, is it possible to book the Present & the Future independently? Anyone with any experience doing so, your comments would be appreciated.

[BillB48]

The ferry transit will take you through the Pacific Locks and Gaillard Cut and in round numbers it will be four hours on the ferry plus an hour transportation to and from. The "down" side is you will be seeing this on your transit through the Canal on the Infinity. I really don't how big of thirst you have for the Canal, but I really would not look at it as being a negative, however I am probably not your typical Canal cruiser either. Gaillard Cut and the Pacific side have a great deal of the visual interest, experiencing the Cut and the Locks from a smaller vessel gives you a completely different feel for the Canal... particularly in the Locks. There is a lot to see and seeing some of it twice is not a bad thing, but I realize that many cruisers would probably opt for a different excursion to take in more of Panama.

 

You certainly could arrange an excursion similar to the Present and the Future on your own. If you don't include the present Gatun Locks along with visiting the construction site for the new Atlantic Locks (Agua Clara Locks) the tour won't take up very much time, so there would be ample time to include another place of interest. They have some nice video presentations an numerous items on display, plus a great view of the construction, but it still is just a construction site with not a lot to do after taking it all in. Again depending on your areas on interest, perhaps a trip to the ruins of Ft. San Lorenzo or Portobelo. There probably would be ample time to see some of modern Panama City if you wish. Panama City is much, much different the Colon and I mean different in a good way!

[2552phxcrzr]

The ferry transit will take you through the Pacific Locks and Gaillard Cut and in round numbers it will be four hours on the ferry plus an hour transportation to and from. The "down" side is you will be seeing this on your transit through the Canal on the Infinity. I really don't how big of thirst you have for the Canal, but I really would not look at it as being a negative, however I am probably not your typical Canal cruiser either. Gaillard Cut and the Pacific side have a great deal of the visual interest, experiencing the Cut and the Locks from a smaller vessel gives you a completely different feel for the Canal... particularly in the Locks. There is a lot to see and seeing some of it twice is not a bad thing, but I realize that many cruisers would probably opt for a different excursion to take in more of Panama.

 

You certainly could arrange an excursion similar to the Present and the Future on your own. If you don't include the present Gatun Locks along with visiting the construction site for the new Atlantic Locks (Agua Clara Locks) the tour won't take up very much time, so there would be ample time to include another place of interest. They have some nice video presentations an numerous items on display, plus a great view of the construction, but it still is just a construction site with not a lot to do after taking it all in. Again depending on your areas on interest, perhaps a trip to the ruins of Ft. San Lorenzo or Portobelo. There probably would be ample time to see some of modern Panama City if you wish. Panama City is much, much different the Colon and I mean different in a good way!

 

Thanks for your comment. Doing the Canal twice isn't a problem -- the perspective from the small ferry would be different, and worth duplicating the transit IMHO. We will ponder and make a decision.

[luv2travel3]

This is what we are considering booking - thoughts. We are on a partial transit and doubt we will be able to visit the Panama Canal again. It is about a 6 hr excursion and we get dropped off in colon at the next port.

 

Experience the full wonder of the Panama Canal with a crossing of the canal by tour boat on this daylong adventure. Travel by ship's tender to the Gatun Yacht Club, where you will board an air-conditioned transportation for the narrated drive through the isthmus to the small village of Gamboa. Located on the banks of the Chagres River and the Panama Canal, Gamboa lies in the heart of Panama's 55,000-acre Soberania National Park. Large tracts of lowland tropical rainforests that nourish thriving plants and harbor enchanting animal populations surround the village.

 

From Gamboa, embark on your ferry tour boat for a partial transit of the canal. Cruise through the Gaillard Cut along your journey. The Gaillard Cut is an artificial valley that cuts through the continental divide in Panama. The cut forms part of the Panama Canal, linking Gatun Lake, and thereby the Atlantic Ocean, to the Gulf of Panama and the Pacific Ocean. Construction of the cut was one of the great engineering feats of its time; the immense effort required to complete it was justified by the great significance of the canal to shipping, and in particular the strategic interests of the United States of America.

 

After crossing the Gaillard Cut, enter the Pedro Miguel Locks, which lower your vessel 28 feet on its way to the Pacific. Your boat will settle on Miraflores Lake. Sail across Miraflores Lake to the Miraflores Locks. A light lunch is available during your scenic cruise of the lake and locks. The Miraflores Locks are part of the engineering marvel that makes up the Panama Canal. The locks will lower your tour boat the final 56 feet, matching the level of the Pacific Ocean.

 

The lock gates at Miraflores are the tallest of the three due to the extreme tidal variation that takes place in the Pacific Ocean; the tidal variation on the Atlantic coast is by far less. Miraflores Locks are slightly over one mile long, from beginning to end. Depending on the size of each vessel, one can see anywhere from 1 to 3 vessels make the transit simultaneously. From the minute the vessels enters the locks, it takes approximately 10 minutes for the process to be completed. The water enters and leaving the locks by means of gravity only, as there are no pumps or other man made devices that assist in this process.

 

Your cruise ends at La Playita in Panama City, where you board your air-conditioned ground transportation for the return trip to the ship.

[Richard in Panama]

Great chance to experience the Canal up close and personal and see significant areas, like Culebra/Gaillard Cut and Miraflores Locks, that you wouldn't otherwise see on a partial transit.

 

Boarding the Ferry ...

 

 

Reach out and touch the Canal ...

 

 

Regards, Richard

[luv2travel3]

Great chance to experience the Canal up close and personal and see significant areas, like Culebra/Gaillard Cut and Miraflores Locks, that you wouldn't otherwise see on a partial transit.

 

Boarding the Ferry ...

 

 

Reach out and touch the Canal ...

 

 

Regards, Richard

After reading your article on the Embera Indians I am trying to decide which excursion to do? Any advice.

[Richard in Panama]

After reading your article on the Embera Indians I am trying to decide which excursion to do? Any advice.

 

I think they are both great tours. If you only have a day in Panama, the case with Panama Canal cruises that actually stop in Panama, you have to decide what interests you the most ... culture, history, nature, or the Canal itself.

 

If your interest is cultural ... the Authentic Embera Village Tour is best. Nature ... one of the boat tours around Gatun Lake, rain forest hikes, "monkey island" and the like. History ... Old Panama, Casco Viejo [Colonial Panama], one of the forts. The Canal itself ... probably the Canal Ferry tour is best unless you are already doing a complete transit on the ship. If you're a railroad buff ... the train.

 

Some tours try to incorporate a little of this and a little of that, but those tours is my my opinion aren't that well designed, just skim the surface and come off as being "touristy." You need an entire day, i.e. longer tour, to see most of the really interesting things if you're port is Colon. If you're stopping on the Pacific side [Amador/Fuerte Amador] and are the independent sort you can see a whole lot on the Hop On Hop Off bus. If you want the Authentic Embera Indian Village experience it is an entire day excursion for either side.

 

Regards, Richard

[luv2travel3]

I think they are both great tours. If you only have a day in Panama, the case with Panama Canal cruises that actually stop in Panama, you have to decide what interests you the most ... culture, history, nature, or the Canal itself.

 

If your interest is cultural ... the Authentic Embera Village Tour is best. Nature ... one of the boat tours around Gatun Lake, rain forest hikes, "monkey island" and the like. History ... Old Panama, Casco Viejo [Colonial Panama], one of the forts. The Canal itself ... probably the Canal Ferry tour is best unless you are already doing a complete transit on the ship. If you're a railroad buff ... the train.

 

Some tours try to incorporate a little of this and a little of that, but those tours is my my opinion aren't that well designed, just skim the surface and come off as being "touristy." You need an entire day, i.e. longer tour, to see most of the really interesting things if you're port is Colon. If you're stopping on the Pacific side [Amador/Fuerte Amador] and are the independent sort you can see a whole lot on the Hop On Hop Off bus. If you want the Authentic Embera Indian Village experience it is an entire day excursion for either side.

 

Regards, Richard

Thanks