Coral Princess

[seamwoman]

We will soon be on a Panama Canal cruise. Any suggestions on the best places to view the passage? Is there a deck on the front of the ship?

[Kamloops50]

We will soon be on a Panama Canal cruise. Any suggestions on the best places to view the passage? Is there a deck on the front of the ship?

 

The best place is in the Horizon Court at the front. They have located the Horizon Court at the bow of the ship not the stern like the others except the Island. Otherwise you'll probably all over looking at the canal. The other places are Deck 14 and 15 forward.

[TW6cruiser]

We were on the partial transit on the Coral last November. I found this tip on cruise critic and it made our view the best. Go all the way to the front of the ship on deck 10 or 11. There will be doors with no sign that are closed. Open the door (trust me). Takes you out to front of ship area not very wide with open view. No glass to try to see through (like in the buffet area or on other decks). There are no seats so you have to stand. Get out there early to claim a spot by the railing. Fantastic view going forward. Once we got almost through the last lock we went up to maybe 14 or 15 to see views from the back of the ship and got some good photos from there also.

[Colo Cruiser]

There are viewing decks both forward and aft. I say go outside and experience the views and then move around the ship.

 

Sitting in the HC all day taking up tables while people are trying to eat is not cool. :(

 

[h20skibum]

We will soon be on a Panama Canal cruise. Any suggestions on the best places to view the passage? Is there a deck on the front of the ship?

 

If you plan to take any photos, don't view from the Horizon Court. The windows are too dark to get good photos. It is best to use one of the upper decks. There are openings between the glass panels that will allow unobstructed photos.

 

Move around the ship once you enter the first lock.

 

Enjoy your trip.

[Jasperdo]

Go all the way forward on either Baja or Caribe and you'll find the best place to view the Panama Canal:

 

 

 

 

But don't limit yourself to one location. The upper decks are great too, especially mid-ship, which is not blocked by the blue glass. Also, Promenade Deck is a must see when you're being lowered into the Canal chamber.

Edited March 21, 2015 by Jasperdo

[Lovetocruiseprincess]

If it's raining that day the best place in in the Horizon but as mentioned the windows are dark so the photo's won't turn out all that great. You'll have to stake out a seat by the windows early in the morning to get a good spot and once seated people don't leave.

[AKman2495]

It depends on which way you are going. If you are going Pacific to Atlantic it is better.

 

As for the best place, there is no "best place". As others have said, move around go up to to deck 14 when in the locks. GO soon to the emerald deck and check out the stern deck. Also the promenade has some great up close experiences with the lock walls.

 

If you go Pacific to Atlantic, after you go through the initial locks and the cut, you enter the Gatun Lake. It takes about 3 hours to traverse the lake. That is the time to hit the Horizon Court. You can relax and have a nice lunch in comfort for while.

 

Don't forget to check out the decks to watch the last locks before hitting the Caribbean sea. You can really see the difference in height when you're in the lowest lock and look back.

 

Obviously, if you are going the other way, check out the climb up and then go and have breakfast in the buffet while on the lake.

 

Then go out and check out the restive the canal from as many vantage points as you can get to.

[seamwoman]

Thanks so much for all your suggestions. I can't stand like I did 10 years ago for a partial transport so Horizon Court sounds perfect. I'll be happy to share my table if I get one! Karen