Panama Canal Pics

[Oakman58]

A few pics from our full transit of the canal on November 13th.

 

Before entering the canal a member of the Panama Canal Authority boarded our ship for the purpose of explaining the history of the canal and what we were seeing as the ship went through the locks and the canal. His play by play was piped over the ship’s P.A. system and the ship’s closed circuit television channel. We entered the canal very early in the morning and soon the Bridge of the Americas came into view.

 

 

 

 

 

The bow of deck 8, which is normally closed to passengers, was open for our trip through the canal.

 

 

 

 

A container ship was entering the left lane of the Mira Flores locks as we entered the right lane.

 

 

 

 

Tug boats were standing by in case the Star need maneuvering assistance entering the lock.

 

 

 

Construction on the new set of locks, planned for completion in 2016, was easily seen from our ship.

 

 

 

 

One of the massive gates for the new set of locks.

 

 

[Oakman58]

More Pics

 

Electric locomotives (mules) are used for braking and side to side control in the locks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leaving the locks and entering the canal.

 

 

 

For those who needed a break from the elements (it was hot), progress of the ship could be followed on the big screen in the Atrium or on the closed circuit TV channel in their rooms.

 

 

 

Not surprisingly there was quite a bit of large ship traffic in the canal.

 

[Ilovesailing]

Thanks for the pics.

Have a couple questions, what time did u start going through the locks and did u leave from LA or Miami? Thanks

[Oakman58]

More pics

 

Entering the Gatun Locks on the Atlantic side of the canal.

 

 

 

A view from the bow on deck 8.

 

 

 

Viewing space on the front of the ship was somewhat limited...well, except for the balconies of the front suites.

 

 

 

While deck 8 was open, refreshments and fresh fruit was available to passengers.

 

 

 

 

 

A view of the locks from the rear of the ship. Personally I thought this view was every bit as interesting and much less crowded.

 

 

 

As we departed the final lock our ship got tangled in the cable from the "mule" and stripped it from the locomotive and into the canal. A tug boat had to come by to retrieve the cable from the ship causing a slight delay.

 

[Oakman58]

Thanks for the pics.

Have a couple questions, what time did u start going through the locks and did u leave from LA or Miami? Thanks

 

Our cruise on the Star was from L.A. to Miami.

 

We passed Balboa around 5:30 AM and as I recall the bow of deck 8 was opened to passengers around 6:30 AM. We arrived at the MiraFlores lock around 8 AM. Our ship was delayed in the second lock as there was a medical evacuation from our ship.

[Ilovesailing]

Thanks.

[ORD1166]

Thanks for the pictures:rolleyes::cool:. We sail on Feb 16 from Miami to LA on the Star west bound thru the canal. It is a bucket list trip and looking forward to it.

 

Vic

[Cruisersjb]

Thanks for the lovely pics Oakman, brings back wonderful memories.

I think the bow area of Deck 8 must have opened about 5.30am. We got there about 5.50 and there were already lots of people there, 1/2 deep all around the rails.

[Johnny Bananas]

Great pictures. Thank you.

On my bucket list of cruises...

[bluesea777]

Loved loved loved THOSE pictures you took - they just make the Panama Canal cruising look interesting and fun. They were just a few pictures but each one was so interesting. Including the topless next door.

 

Panama Canal is on my Bucket List but somewhat not on my husband's. I cannot understand why.

 

I dragged my husband and got him to see the pics. He asked afterwards if I still want to do it. I said yes - it's on my bucket list after you die. He cracked up.

Edited December 2, 2014 by bluesea777

[Oakman58]

Including the topless next door.

 

 

 

LOL!! What happens on the balcony stays on the balcony.

[mugtech]

Thank you for the pics, hoping the Sun will be as much fun

[Oakman58]

The day we did our transit of the Panama Canal this certificate was pushed under our cabin door. I thought it was a cute and unexpected touch.

 

[CP Tech]

Great pics, the certificate is a great touch.

 

This is on my bucket list also but getting a maiden TA crossed off next fall before a Panama Canal trip. :)

 

Thanks for posting.

[LrgPizza]

Thank you for sharing these pictures. This is a MUST DO for me someday. Someday...

[MKsol]

Me and the Lovely wife were on the same cruise, loved the certificate as well. We were fortunate to have one of those forward facing suites which keep us out of the sun for most of the morning locks on pacific side.

 

If you are crossing through the canal and have the ability to do a forward facing it is really worth it to have a spectacular view without the crowd.

[ORD1166]

The day we did our transit of the Panama Canal this certificate was pushed under our cabin door. I thought it was a cute and unexpected touch.

 

 

Nice touch. This will look great framed and on the home office wall:cool:.

 

Vic

[hookah01]

wow = I love the pictures, thanks for posting the link.

[SailingRNC]

I was stationed in Panama (1985 - 1988) and I watched many a ship transit through the locks. I can't wait to transit them with NCL !!!

 

 

Sent from my iPad Air using Forums

[pdmartyn65]

Thank you for the great pics. Looking forward to our transit on the Sun in April!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[NMLady]

The day we did our transit of the Panama Canal this certificate was pushed under our cabin door. I thought it was a cute and unexpected touch.

 

 

You're fortunate to get a certificate. We did a Panama Canal transit on the Star in October 2013 and did not get a certificate.

 

We also did a transit of the canal on the Sun in 2006.. Because I'd had my photo taken during the transit by roving ship photographer I was able to purchase my photo listing the transit. No other souvenir was provided.

Edited December 3, 2014 by NMLady

[huggs]

Thank you so much for the great "preview"of what we can expect in April 2015

 

Nice touch with fruit and refreshments on the forward deck - we cruised Alaska with RCL and was so disappointed that they did not have a cart on deck serving hot beverages. These touches make such a difference,

 

I suspect we be some of the crowd sitting in Spinakkers or lounge with cold Margaritas in hand :D if the weather is too humid .

 

 

My DH is so excited - heading out to find a book/s about the Canal to put under the Christmas Tree !! ( Good thing he does not go on here..lol )

 

Cheers

Huggs

[PathfinderEss]

Awesome photo's, thanks for posting them.

[pambo]

Great photos...thank you so much for sharing them. We are looking forward to our cruise on the Star in January.

[Rhea98]

Thank you. If I hadn't already signed on for the Pearl repo/Panama Canal for September, this would have made me do so. Appreciate the time you gave to share.

 

 

Sent from my son's iPad using Tapatalk