Panama Canal : Is a Balcony essential??

[anniegb]

So glad you decided to keep your aft balcony. You won't regret it. We sailed in an aft mini suite on the Sun for the full transit back in October. It was incredible! The views were magnificent! We did go out to other areas on the ship during the transit but ended up spending most of the time on our balcony. It was so nice to be away from the crowds and have everything you need close at hand in your cabin.

 

And of course the Panama Canal transit is only one day of your cruise. You have it for the entire cruise! We also really enjoyed it on at sea days. The colors in the water from the wake are mesmerizing. It is also a great location for stargazing at night.

 

My review is here if you are interested. There are plenty of canal photos so you can get an idea of how awesome the views were from the aft. Enjoy your cruise. It was a bucket list cruise for us and so glad we got to experience it!

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2420223

 

Thank you for your link.

 

I would not have considered switching lines but the recent azipod incidents on the Star gave me concern.

 

Annie

[sfaaa]

I think the Promenade Deck is the best place to be over the long term--lots of good company, but not too crowded. There are lots of other places you'll want to be during the day: the bow, up top.

If you normally don't like to pay for a balcony, this is not the cruise where I would make an exception. Your view from the balcony is too limited. That said, it IS a long day, and I did like being able to retreat to my balcony cabin to rest but still know what's going on outside.

 

Promenade Deck is under cover and away from blazing sun or rain. Bow has close up view and beverage/snack bar set up for your enjoyment. Both are good choices.

[Até]

Thanks - I'll hold onto my Aft Balcony.

 

Thanks everyone

 

Annie

 

Be careful with aft and aft facing balconies on decks eight and even nine as they are right above the Spinnaker lounge and noisy at night.

[terri910]

Well, I hope it isn't actually ESSENTIAL....seeing as how we are booked in an inside cabin for our Panama Canal transit in 2018....*L*

[BostonGal35]

annie, i think since you've already budgeted and planned for the aft balcony, you should keep it. and since we are apparently ont eh same sailing (i think) we can come visit you and you can visit us in our suite! lol

[anniegb]

annie, i think since you've already budgeted and planned for the aft balcony, you should keep it. and since we are apparently ont eh same sailing (i think) we can come visit you and you can visit us in our suite! lol

 

Are you on the roll call?? Very few are.

 

I am still mulling tbh - still have some concerns re the health of the Star.

 

Annie

[Georgie562]

I am booked interior next year on the Bliss canal cruise.

I am more than sure i will be able to enjoy the views and and locks just as much as people who have balconies.

no matter where i am on the ship.

I am a cheapskate so I cant justify forking over another $1200 per person for a balcony. To me i dont care what kind of room i am in just get me on the ship :rolleyes:

[EllieinNJ]

Just came back from a partial transit on the Pearl. Was in a starboard balcony and if you looked over the railing you could see the locks great, especially if you have binoculars. We were side by side with the Holland America Veendam and it was a hoot to see her lower portholes getting covered and uncovered.

 

We did go down and try to see something from the bow, but it was too crowded. But on the way back, hardly anyone was there and you could see everything.

[herdingdogmom]

I would not have considered switching lines but the recent azipod incidents on the Star gave me concern.Annie

 

We were on the Star when it became adrift at sea in Australia with its 3rd Azipod failure in 2 months. It was our 4th time on the Star. We were very surprised the cruise wasn't cancelled when the 2nd failure occurred. All turned out ok with our refunds and reimbursements and it does look like the ship is sailing normally since the Feb. repairs in Melbourne. But, I'll be honest, we won't be sailing on the Star again. We are booked on the Sun for the Panama Canal - it has the forward observation lounge, an outdoor viewing deck and the great outdoors.

[BillB48]

Well, I hope it isn't actually ESSENTIAL....seeing as how we are booked in an inside cabin for our Panama Canal transit in 2018....*L*

 

Balconies are essential when you only want to see half of a Canal;p! OK, kidding aside... at the Canal the cheapest inside cabin is just as good as the owner's suite. It is more rewarding to see the Canal from different areas of the ship. The time when the prime outside areas are crowded is for the first set of locks, after that crowds will thin and the "good" spots are available. The majority of the transits I have made have been in a balcony cabin and only returned to get a new battery for the camera or change the camera lens. Last Canal cruise was an inside.

 

As long as you don't mind an inside cabin on any other cruise, a balcony is not really essential for the Canal.

[phoenix1181]

It's all about choices. We've done full transits twice & enjoyed both. The first time we were in an OV, the second time, a balcony.

 

It's a long day & you will want to see things from different locations but after awhile, jockeying for position & dealing with the crowds can be tiring. Being able to go to our balcony & continue to have a view of what's going on made the second trip much more comfortable for us.

 

Either way, have a great cruise!

[anniegb]

Balconies are essential when you only want to see half of a Canal;p! OK, kidding aside... at the Canal the cheapest inside cabin is just as good as the owner's suite. It is more rewarding to see the Canal from different areas of the ship. The time when the prime outside areas are crowded is for the first set of locks, after that crowds will thin and the "good" spots are available. The majority of the transits I have made have been in a balcony cabin and only returned to get a new battery for the camera or change the camera lens. Last Canal cruise was an inside.

 

As long as you don't mind an inside cabin on any other cruise, a balcony is not really essential for the Canal.

 

Thanks for your post.

 

Booking an inside today under the new UK pricing model is more expensive than my aft balcony which came with UBP and OBC.

 

Annie

[anniegb]

We were on the Star when it became adrift at sea in Australia with its 3rd Azipod failure in 2 months. It was our 4th time on the Star. We were very surprised the cruise wasn't cancelled when the 2nd failure occurred. All turned out ok with our refunds and reimbursements and it does look like the ship is sailing normally since the Feb. repairs in Melbourne. But, I'll be honest, we won't be sailing on the Star again. We are booked on the Sun for the Panama Canal - it has the forward observation lounge, an outdoor viewing deck and the great outdoors.

 

Thanks for your post.

 

Annie

[Oakman58]

I'm booked on the Star for a December transit of the Canal and I'm not worried. Things can happen on any ship.

 

I loved having a balcony on our previous transit of the canal. I wouldn't do it any other way. I have to wonder if those who advocate an inside cabin have thought about what they would do on a rainy day, sit in the atrium and watch the transit on a TV screen? Nope, a balcony is the way to go.

 

I posted a few pics of our Panama Canal transit. Here's the link to that post. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2133347

[mugtech]

I'm booked on the Star for a December transit of the Canal and I'm not worried. Things can happen on any ship.

 

I loved having a balcony on our previous transit of the canal. I wouldn't do it any other way. I have to wonder if those who advocate an inside cabin have thought about what they would do on a rainy day, sit in the atrium and watch the transit on a TV screen? Nope, a balcony is the way to go.

 

I posted a few pics of our Panama Canal transit. Here's the link to that post. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2133347

Rain in Panama is refreshing, would always take an inside on the Sun, for the difference in price one can take another cruise.

[anniegb]

Rain in Panama is refreshing, would always take an inside on the Sun, for the difference in price one can take another cruise.

 

Thanks for you reply.

 

I have just checked and switching to an inside on the Sun would cost me an additional $800.

 

Annie

[Kingofcool1947]

A balcony for Panama Canal would be a waste. As already stated you need to be out on deck (forward or aft is best) to really experience the canal. We were up at 5 am and got out on the bow of the crew deck (they open it for viewing ). Unbelievable, and did the reverse from the great outdoors- aft view. A balcony would miss the total concept of the wonders of the canal.

Safe sailing

 

I beg to respectfully disagree. It is not a waste for DW and I. We are booked for a full transit 15 day "Ocean to Ocean" Panama Canal cruise ithis October. Ft. Lauderdale to San Francisco. The transit though the locks is only one day, if I read the itinerary correctly.

For the ship's transit through the locks, DW and I will definitely be moving around topside on upper and lower decks to appreciate the engineering aspects of the Panama Canal.

We choose a balcony on the Coral Princess, Caribe deck, mid ship, because we enjoy sitting on the balcony on occasion, and taking quiet breaks, when we're not topside or enjoying the ship's public areas. That's just us, YMMV.

 

Whatever cabin you choose, enjoy your cruise. And, if God wills, grant you continued good health, to live and not die before your cruise.

 

 

 

 

 

"I cruise to eat healthy and to eat a slice of apple pie every day before I die."

Edited April 16, 2017 by Kingofcool1947

[crayola1932]

I have to rethink my original opinion about this. It's true that a balcony is not at all essential for the day you transit the canal. However, I think a balcony is very important for sailing up (or down) the west coast of Central America and Mexico on the way to (or from) California. The bird life is incredible. I love to sit on my balcony watching the boobies swooping around and then diving at 100 miles per hour for fish. There are also cormorants and other birds that follow the ship. I believe we saw the giant Frigate birds (which are just amazing) on that cruise too.

 

In fact, I've been thinking about taking the Panama Canal cruise again, not for the canal itself but for the pleasure of seeing all those birds from my balcony.

 

For some reason, the birds are not as prolific on the east coast.

[Turtles06]

I have to rethink my original opinion about this. It's true that a balcony is not at all essential for the day you transit the canal. However, I think a balcony is very important for sailing up (or down) the west coast of Central America and Mexico on the way to (or from) California. The bird life is incredible. I love to sit on my balcony watching the boobies swooping around and then diving at 100 miles per hour for fish. There are also cormorants and other birds that follow the ship. I believe we saw the giant Frigate birds (which are just amazing) on that cruise too.

 

In fact, I've been thinking about taking the Panama Canal cruise again, not for the canal itself but for the pleasure of seeing all those birds from my balcony.

 

For some reason, the birds are not as prolific on the east coast.

 

You've brought back a very fond and not yet distant memory of the fabulous sea day we had this past January right after our westbound transit of the Canal on the Jewel, as we made our way up the Pacific coast of Central America to Costa Rica. We were fortunate to have a forward-facing SE penthouse, and I spent much of that day on the balcony watching a couple of dozen brown booby birds playing around the ship's bow. Some would land on the ship, some would try to push another bird out of prime spot, a couple flew into the ship and hit the deck, others would periodically dive for fish. It was simply mesmerizing, and I think I probably spent hours out there watching the birds. I posted photos in the full review of our Panama Canal cruise, which is at this link:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2456255

 

But I'll also share some here:

 

 

 

 

(photos by turtles06)

[Donray]

Had a balcony for both full transits and would never go without. Enjoyed the Princess breakfast on the balcony, I could not believe the amount of food. Just eating breakfast and watching things from out baloney with my love. .

[crayola1932]

Thank you so much to Turtles06 for the booby story and the pictures! They are wonderful pictures and your write-up was so vivid that I can just picture the scene.

[Oakman58]

Great pictures Turtles06, thanks for sharing.

 

Although I’ve never seen a Frigate bird land on a ship, similar to boobies they do like to follow along flying above the ship. Following a cruise ship is a smart idea for both the boobies and the frigate birds because the ship will very often cause the flying fish to come out of the water. The birds then dive down to catch a meal. It’s very interesting to watch.

 

Also on the west coast of Mexico in December thru February you have a good chance of seeing whales in the area around Cabo San Lucas. I wouldn’t be without a balcony cabin on a Panama Canal transit. Every morning of a cruise you will find me sipping coffee on my balcony enjoying the ocean.

[Onagh]

I just cruised through the Panama Canal on the island princess over the Christmas holiday 2016 and I had a balcony. While everyone is posting the open decks forward and aft for best viewing there are some benefits to having your own balcony.

Public viewing areas get extremely crowded all over the ship for the entire Canal Crossing.

From your balcony and especially if you are crossing through on a week day you will have more interaction with the Canal work crews.

Some if not most cruise lines send a photo team down to the locks to take photos on both sides of the ship and that includes you on your balcony.

(Princess offered private balcony photo shoots during the Canal Crossing and they had a photo & video team on the locks filming the ship and the passengers as they went through)

 

There is one area on the ship that is a must see during the Canal Crossing. Depending on the ship the best viewing for this is either in the casino or somewhere on the lobby deck. For the entire Crossing you can see the ship going up and down in the locks from the interior windows.

 

By the time you get to the third lock the crowds tend to die down a little bit and you can get some good photos but otherwise it's very very crowded.

 

My advice is to keep the balcony because you will be happy with your cruise what you can see and your experience.

 

 

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