Small Boat Panama Excursion

[unccruzer]

Do the boats for the Panama canal excursion have air conditioning?

[BillB48]

Are you speaking about the Canal and Locks Transit by Boat (PC1-615)? There is air conditioning available as long as the tours uses the Pacific Queen for the PC1-605 tour. There is a portion of this boat that has A/C. Sometimes another vessel can be used and I do not have direct knowledge about that one. I have no idea on how you could check and see which boat would be used.

 

There are a couple of other tours that use smaller boats and they do not have A/C.

Edited September 3, 2016 by BillB48

[Pam in CA]

Do the boats for the Panama canal excursion have air conditioning?

When I took this tour, the lower cabin was enclosed and pretty cool. Don't know if it was air-conditioned but I don't think so. The upper deck was open and hot. Even if a boat (or ship) is air-conditioned, people coming and going, opening doors, etc. compromise the A/C. That's true on the ship as well. If some idiot in a cabin near yours leaves their balcony door open, you'll have little A/C because the system will try to compensate for the opened door. Edited September 3, 2016 by Pam in CA

[Potstech]

Would not count on it. Also the humidity can get quite high in that part of the country.

[geniesue]

Do the boats for the Panama canal excursion have air conditioning?

 

As Pam said lower cabin was cool. Outside hot, humid and wet, due to several downpours.

 

That said it was a fascinating trip. One of my all time favorites! You are able to see close up the locks operations. If you get a chance to read Path Between the Seas before your trip it tells the history of the Canals construction. Very interesting and informative.

 

It is an all day excursion, we were late returning, and actually had a police escort back to the ship. Lights, sirens, tour guide said cruise ships are very

Important to Panama. Ended up at least an hour late to ship, which did wait for

us.

[spookyfudge]

Do the boats for the Panama canal excursion have air conditioning?

 

The boat has a small area on the lower level that is air-conditioned, you have a bench against the wall looking at the starboard side!

[azbirdmom]

We've done this tour twice, most recently at the end of February. The boats used for the tour were completely different each trip. The last one had some inside seating that was taken quickly on the middle deck. The other areas were open air, but most of the seating was covered.

[DiRonT]

We have also done this tour twice and each boat was a little different. Each had an interior space that was air conditioned but viewing from that area I found to be very restricted. However with the shad on the open deck and the movement of the boat we did not find it too uncomfortable. Love this tour and would not hesit ate to do it again.

[unccruzer]

Thanks. We will probably do it. Lots of sunscreen and a big hat.

[indexcards]

Would it be considered rude to use an umbrella for shade if necessary?

[Loonbeam]

You shouldn't have a problem finding shade (as opposed to A/C - as noted not all boats have AC but most have significant coverage). That said, as long as you can find a location where you are not blocking anyone's view, either from the same or upper decks (including the pilot!), should be ok.

Would it be considered rude to use an umbrella for shade if necessary?

[indexcards]

thank you, will abandon the umbrella. don't mind the heat but don't want sunburn.

[Loonbeam]

This is why part of my travel gear is the rollup big floppy hat. Looks goofy, covers much..

 

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/117364?feat=hat-SR0&page=exofficio-bugsaway-adventure-hat

 

Even repels bugs..

 

Mix in some bamboo clothing (naturally UV resistant) and it does a pretty good job of coverage with some spot sunscreen.

 

 

 

thank you, will abandon the umbrella. don't mind the heat but don't want sunburn.

[jdeanski]

Try to touch the wall of the lock. It is supposed to bring you good luck!

[Loonbeam]

Since I am quite literally repacking it right now for our cruise this year, my excursion gokit for anything south of Georgia contains:

 

Repel 100 percent deet (do not spray on skin!)

Sunblock, whatever SPF 30 is on sale

The aforementioned floppy hat

One bandana, also UV protected

One small first aid kit

Two large binder clips (acts as towel clips or with aforementioned bandana as impromptu shade

One dollar store poncho

 

All of that fits in either a small backpack with room to spare for camera gear OR a plastic mailing tube I cut down (keeps sand off on beaches, etc)

 

 

This is why part of my travel gear is the rollup big floppy hat. Looks goofy, covers much..

 

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/117364?feat=hat-SR0&page=exofficio-bugsaway-adventure-hat

 

Even repels bugs..

 

Mix in some bamboo clothing (naturally UV resistant) and it does a pretty good job of coverage with some spot sunscreen.

[indexcards]

Think I have that exact hat from the Old Orchard Beach Maine days with the grandkids. Just need to hit it with the permethrin and I am now good to go!

[taxatty]

Great advice I got here on CC was to try to be on the first bus leaving for this excursion. If you don't mind the heat and humidity, it will get you seats close to the front of the canal excursion boat with the best overall view of the canal trip while still being in the shade and sometimes with a breeze.

[Loonbeam]

Depends on which boat you get as well as they have different seating. We didn't worry about it and did quite fine, most people moved about.

 

Then again, about 1/2 way through the trip our captain randomly invited about 15 of us up to the wheel deck where we spent the rest of the trip. 2 of us got to 'drive' the boat into position for tie up (I was not one of them), so if you want a REALLY great viewpoint :) We had to go down once we exited the last lock.

 

Great advice I got here on CC was to try to be on the first bus leaving for this excursion. If you don't mind the heat and humidity, it will get you seats close to the front of the canal excursion boat with the best overall view of the canal trip while still being in the shade and sometimes with a breeze.