Need help... go on Train or go thru more locks?

[PRPLE]

We just booked a partial with HAL in March 2020 and trying to decide shore excursions.  As we have some mobility issues I’m trying to decide between the following 

 

PANAMA RAILROAD DOME CAR, AGUA CLARA LOCKS & MOTORCOACH TO COLON

OR

THE CANAL EXPERIENCE FROM GATUN TO COLON

 

thoughts????? 
 

this will probably be our only trip to the area... if you pic train I assume do the domed car????

 

appreciate  everyone’s help and insights!

 

 

 

 

[Essiesmom]

Neither of those tour descriptions take you 'through' more locks.  There has to be more to the description.  The Agua Clara locks part would be a visit to the observation/visitors center above the new Agua Clara locks.  The 'Canal Experience'?  You will be in Gatun Lake, and Colon is on the same end of the Canal, so there has to be something in between...A ferry ride through Pedro Miguel or Miraflores with bus back?  Not enough information.  EM

[PRPLE]

Train excursion description

Experience the Panama Canal and its living history as you travel the isthmus railroad through beautiful flora and past lovely Gatún Lake. You are seated in a domed railcar. Depending on the canal scheduling, you may see the enormous vessels that transit the canal, and you'll pass through towns and villages named for the people who built this 'path between the seas'.

You will also visit the Agua Clara Locks -- part of the Panama Canal Expansion project. This is the largest project undertaken on the Canal since its original construction. The objective was to create a new lane of traffic through the Panama Canal, doubling the waterway's capacity. Be a witness to this major undertaking by visiting the New Locks, whose Observation Center is a park-style concept based on open platforms and roofed terraces, set in of area of about 10 acres. The platforms provide a view of the neo-Panamax class of vessels crossing the isthmus. You can also see the majestic Gatún Lake from here, where ships exit and continue their transit through the waterway.

Enjoy the beautiful rain forest scenery as you cross the Continental Divide from ocean to ocean in just an hour. You'll also pass the working locks and some of the old Canal Zone area that has now been returned to the people of Panama.

Notes:

The train portion of this tour is exactly the same as the 'Panama Railroad Standard Rail Car, Agua Clara Locks & Motorcoach to Colón' except that participants are seated in a domed rail car. Space is very limited so please book early. This excursion will depart from Gatún Lake and will end in Colón, where you will re-board the ship.

[PRPLE]

Canal experience 

Ride by coach to either the Gamboa Dredging Division Pier or the Cucaracha Pier inside the Panama Canal, and board a ferry that will transport you through the Panama Canal. You'll pass through the Gaillard Cut -- the most important and difficult part of the Panama Canal's construction and home of legendary Continental Divide.

Enter the Pedro Miguel Locks and Miraflores Lake. On the far side of the lake you will find the Miraflores Locks -- your passage to the Pacific Ocean.

Watch for the Centennial and Americas Bridges and you will end your adventure at the Pacific port at the entrance to the Panama Canal.

Transfer by coach to meet the ship inColón .

Notes:

This excursion departs from Gatún Lake and ends in Colón, where you will re-board the ship. Canal transits are scheduled and controlled by the Panama Canal Authority. Water levels in the locks are impacted by rain and the tour may be extended during drier seasons; therefore, the tour duration varies and your patience with any delays is appreciated. The panoramic drive from Panama City at Colón to the ship is approximately 1¼ hours on a new four-lane highway. Re-boarding your cruise ship in Colón requires waiting for the ship's arrival; this can be a little unpredictable as the ship's transit time through the canal can vary. Please be prepared for delays and again your patience is appreciated. There are no wheelchair accessible restrooms on the ferry.

[BillB48]

In so far as mobilty issues with either excursion,  I would think boarding the tender in Gatun Lake would be the one you need to give the most consideration.  If that isn't an issue then I would think either excursion would not produce any difficulties that would be a show stopper.

 

The excursion on the ferry would give you more of an opportunity to see a great deal more of the Canal.  It is also a different experience locking through the locks on a large passenger ship and then the "ferry", two completely different perspectives.

[PRPLE]

Boarding the tender isn’t a issue