Princess Panama Canal question

[Goldenpaw]

We are considering a full transit cruise and looking for some info from those who have gone before us. We'll book a balcony or mini suite, but for a westbound transit, which side has more to see from our balcony, Starboard or Port?

 

 

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[kathyt939]

We stayed port side and loved it. There were views everywhere. Starboard had great views also. Through the canal there is something on each side. Have fun. No wrong choice.

 

 

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[Pam in CA]

Best way to view the Canal is from public decks such as Promenade. You won't see as much and you won't be able to hear the commentary on your balcony.

[RNGALNG]

Going through the canal is an all day adventure. We moved about through out the day to see things from different levels and ends of the ship.

 

But, you are saying you will be headed from Ft. Lauderdale to Los Angeles, correct?

 

If that is, then to see land along the trip, the best side to be on is starboard. The sea is always a nice view from the port side as well, very calm and peaceful. Remember too, when at sea, for the most part, the ship will sail to far from the coastline to see much but the oceans.

 

It's all great! Enjoy!

[CapeCodFlyer]

We were starboard on the Island Princess last December for the westbound crossing. We enjoyed the view from our mini-suite balcony during the cruises, but the sun was a little strong during the day. We kept the sheers closed all the time and sometimes pulled the drapes during the day. We utilized the run of the ship for the actual canal crossing. The public areas were lined pretty deep, so if you're inclined to take that route, stake out your space early to get near the rail. Commentary is broadcast all over the ship, including on the stateroom televisions, so you won't miss out if you decide to stay on your own balcony. For your eastbound crossing, maybe starboard would provide you with more shade. The canal zone and Columbia were both hot last December.

 

Enjoy your cruise. It's a fantastic trip.:)

[Dididi]

We were on the Pacific Princess for its eastbound Xmas crossing last December. Our balcony cabin was on the port side. Because the Panama Canal is on a north-south axis rather than easr-west, a port side cabin (starboard in your case as you are going in the other direction) shielded us from the intense heat of the sun during the morning and early afternoon. We saw the Pedro Miguel Locks from our balcony -- watched the rest from public areas.

 

Thus, I join the recommendation of a starboard cabin.

[golfb4cruzing]

We just got back from the partial on the Coral and had a port side balcony. We also went down on Deck 11 through the forward door onto the viewing area as we approached into the first chamber. Amazing. We then bounced around and then did the Gatun Lake - Canal Tour. The Lake portion was unimpressive (another boat ride) but the upclose Canal portion was one of a kind.

[CruzVinnieCruz]

We just got back from the partial on the Coral and had a port side balcony. We also went down on Deck 11 through the forward door onto the viewing area as we approached into the first chamber. Amazing. We then bounced around and then did the Gatun Lake - Canal Tour. The Lake portion was unimpressive (another boat ride) but the upclose Canal portion was one of a kind.

 

 

Those same deck doors are available on deck 10 and 9 on the Coral.

 

The advantage is you are looking directly over the front railing and not through the blue tinted glass that are on the other pubic decks.

 

Take care,

Vinnie

 

 

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[IECalCruiser]

For your westbound transit you will actually be sailing south, southeast through the Canal. After you have passed through the Gatun Locks and most of the way through Gatun Lake, the few interesting items to see are primarily on the east side of the Canal or portside on the ship. As others have said, you will also be shaded from the hot afternoon sun.

 

 

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[diane.in.ny]

Other than picking your cabin because of the sun (we had port side), there is no reason to pick one side or the other when going through the canal. You are doing yourself an injustice if all you do is view the canal from your balcony. There is so much so see and wandering around the public decks is the best way to do it. And on your balcony you probably won't hear the detailed information given over the PA system.

 

Try to be on the Promenade deck when the ship is low in a lock. Interesting experience. And if on the Island, check out the doors on the front of decks 10 and 11 and the rear balcony on deck 8.

[msw.delafield]

Pam's points sum up the canal experience.

You will want to be able to roam the open public deck spaces during the lock transits.

We went through one lock set on promenade deck which was only mere feet (almost reach out and touch) from the walls of the locks.

The second lock transit we watched from above, observing the busy activity below.

Both were accompanied by broadcast commentary on process and what to next expect.

Many cabins provide great points to view this process, but best is from the open deck spaces.

Enjoy!!

[cb at sea]

You do NOT want to plant yourself on your balcony...there is too much to see ALL around! You must ROAM about...all sides..different deck levels.....get out there!

[BillB48]

To answer the OP's question... port side at the Canal will provide a bit more interesting things to view. Having said that, it doesn't mean the starboard side is a waste land;)! A number of other posters have accurately summed it up well... for the most part the Canal is better viewed from various locations.

 

Briefly, here is just one scenario on how you would miss a great deal of the Canal. You are firmly entrenched on your port side balcony as your ship approaches Gatun Locks on the Atlantic side. In this day of instant communications there is a throwback to the way it used to be... a big red and green arrow at the north end of Gatun Locks points for the ship to travel up the east lane (left lane in your direction), you probably won't see that. Then as you progress through the Locks you will completely miss the operations of the ship/s passing through the west lane. Your ship can very easily lock through the east lane at all the locks and you would completely miss this rather neat thing to see. Don't come all this way and see half of a Canal!

 

Hope you have a great transit and cruise.

[Grego]

You can see that this has been fairly well documented here and it really gets down to being flexible. Roam around so you get the total picture about what is going on.

 

We choose the cabin based upon what the total voyage is about and the direction of the itinerary. For instance, in our upcoming FLL to Vancouver transit we chose the starboard side since that's where the land views will be going up the coast and into the ports. When we transit the canal we will use the "not so secret door" and get our views going into the locks and then move to the Promenade deck for in lock views and end up aft for that view.

 

Move around so you get the whole story.

 

Second advice is to read about the building of the canal before the cruise. Path Between the Seas by McCullough is my favorite and one that I will read through again.