Port or Starboard Balcony 10 Day Panama Canal

[NorCal123]

We are booking a balcony on a 10 day Panama Canal Caribbean Princess Dec. 9, 2018 cruise. I assume the view is the 'same' on the port or starboard, but we are going to Falmouth, Jamaica, Cartagena, Colombia, Colon, Panama , Limon, Costa Rica , and Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands. Does anyone have a preferred chouce of view for those ports, when sitting on the balcony? Thanks to all.

[nukesubsailor]

We have done the Panama Canal twice and we found that the starboard side was best for balcony views. Just remember that the captain of your ship decides which side he wants next to the dock. Different ships---Different captains---different sides to the dock.

[NorCal123]

We have done the Panama Canal twice and we found that the starboard side was best for balcony views. Just remember that the captain of your ship decides which side he wants next to the dock. Different ships---Different captains---different sides to the dock.

 

Thank you for such a quick reply.

[CruiserBruce]

We have done the Canal 4 times, most recently Nov 1. Not sure how one side can be better than the other. There are many views, big picture views, views all over, that are NOT dependent on being in one special spot. Rather, if you look at the Canal board, and elsewhere, you will see comments about being on the bow for at least a lock or two, being on the open side decks for a lock or too...in other words, all over the place.

 

And, if some says a given side is "the best", they need to quantify is that going east to west, or west to east.

 

But it really doesn't matter.

[Essiesmom]

Grand Cayman is a tender port, and you will not be close in. Limon is a cargo port, no view to speak of. Colon is a commercial port, not much view there, either. Same with Cartagena. Best views of Cartagena will be on deck as you sail in. EM

[NorCal123]

We have done the Canal 4 times, most recently Nov 1. Not sure how one side can be better than the other. There are many views, big picture views, views all over, that are NOT dependent on being in one special spot. Rather, if you look at the Canal board, and elsewhere, you will see comments about being on the bow for at least a lock or two, being on the open side decks for a lock or too...in other words, all over the place.

 

And, if some says a given side is "the best", they need to quantify is that going east to west, or west to east.

 

But it really doesn't matter.

 

Thanks for your thoughts Bruce.

[NorCal123]

Grand Cayman is a tender port, and you will not be close in. Limon is a cargo port, no view to speak of. Colon is a commercial port, not much view there, either. Same with Cartagena. Best views of Cartagena will be on deck as you sail in. EM

 

Thanks for the reply. Not cruising that area before, I didn't want to miss out on a nice view. You knew exactly what I was asking for. Thanks again.

[Essiesmom]

This was Cartagena in 2013, which was essentially the same as it looked in 2009

 

 

 

Apparently Limon was so forgettable that I didn't take any pictures last year in Feb. This was Falmouth in 2012. May have improved some since then.

 

 

[NorCal123]

Thank you so much for the pics. I guess since we are cruising in a clockwise fashion, being on the port side will mostly face the land as we go around.

[CruiserBruce]

While you are sailing, and not in the Canal, you will rarely be in sight of land, and if so, land will be pretty distant.

[Essiesmom]

Some thoughts about the transit of the Agua Clara locks into Gatun Lake. And back out, if you choose not to do an excursion. Although you may find time to be on your balcony, the views when transitting the new locks is very different port and starboard. I would start out on the Promenade deck, or maybe go forward and up the stairs to Emerald deck and the bow of the ship. This is your ship on her first transit:

 

On your way to the canal, you pass between the supports for the new bridge that is under construction. Perhaps by Dec. it will be nearly finished. You can see the channels diverge, and you will be going to port:

 

 

This is what you would be seeing if you were the bridgecam:

 

 

Things start pretty early - subtract 5 hours from the time on the cam.

Caribbean Princess will be transiting tomorrow, so if you are up early, you can catch her view on her bridgecam (if it is working...):

 

https://www.princess.com/bridgecams/?shipCode=ru

webcam defaults to Ruby, so just click on Caribbean. EM

[NorCal123]

Thanks again Bruce.