Panama Canal Cruise

[RetroRod]

We have a cruise booked on the Splendor for Dec 2022. It will be a full canal transit from the Caribbean to the Pacific. Does anyone know which canal Regent (Splendor) uses i.e. old 1914 canal or the wider 2016 one? We watched a documentary on the canal and it stated the 1914 canal was more interesting with more to see going through the locks. Also, any suggestions on the best ship viewing locations for the transit?

[mrlevin]

Best viewing location?  From Mariner or Voyager forward.  Never on Splendor or Explorer as there is no forward facing weather deck from which to take clear pictures.  I also hope your transit is not on New Year's Eve, made that mistake once; too long a day.

 

Marc

[briar14]

1914 canal, most recently in December on Mariner. 

 

[cwn]

In 2018 we went though old canal on the Navigator as the NCL Bliss was going though the new locks. Very interesting as the lock are very close together in some areas and we were just a little behind her. Bliss was new and on a shake down cruise….. not many passengers.

 

[GOARMY]

Four times doing this transit--twice 'Carib to Pacific; twice the other way.  Three on Regent, one on Princess.  Latest was 2018--probably with cwn on Navigator.

 

All transits were via the "old Canal".  The newer 'cut is utilized for larger cruise ships; and very-large commercial vessels carrying LNG and related highly potentially-dangerous petroleum products. 

 

Everything is weather-dependent as to external viewing sites.  This is about a 8 1/2 hour or so procedure, again depending on traffic and weather.  One cruise was experienced during a continual driving rain and windstorm.  Very-few souls ventured outside.  There was little point; hard to see anything.  Slow, but steady.  Our Suite's balcony offered a sheltered, if limited external perspective when taking pictures.  

 

One aspect is paramount. That is heat and humidity.  Stay hydrated, particularly when outside your Suite.  Wear head cover.  

 

Adverse exterior weather?  There is always the view from the Bridge camera--which points straight forward while presenting an ongoing panoramic portrait.  Just take a screen shot of same, as it is piped-into each Suite. A running narrative commentary offered by a local "expert" will be similarly provided both on-deck; and into each Suite via a designated audio/video Channel.  

 

Weather permitting:  External walk-about on Splendor's Deck 12 Jogging Track area.  However, that excursion will not allow passage to Bow.  Views from the exterior portion of Deck 5's Coffee Connection would work.  Your particular Suite balcony should not be forgotten.  

 

But, of course:  simple solution. Book Deck 14's Regent Suite.  Or, a bit-lower as to price in "named" Suites on Decks 7-9, both fore and aft; and Deck 12, forward. 

 

Just-looking at a brochure diagram while offering these alternatives. 

 

Bottom Line:  A great experience, even when the weather has not cooperated. 

 

GOARMY!

 

 

 

Edited March 28, 2022 by GOARMY
Context.

[Silver Sweethearts]

58 minutes ago, GOARMY said:

But, of course:  simple solution. Book Deck 14's Regent Suite.  Or, a bit-lower as to price in "named" Suites on Decks 7-9, both fore and aft; and Deck 12, forward. 

 

You are right.  We took Explorer Grand Suite 1201 in the bow and can attest the view was quite something.  The rest of the suite was quite something too (especially the master bath).

[DavidTheWonderer]

My transit on Mariner had Terry Breen on board.  She pointed out that the view from the stern is also really interesting, seeing where you've been and who is following you. I wouldn't have thought of it, but as usual she was right.

[RetroRod]

Thank you to all for the very good and informative responses to my questions. Looking forward to the cruise. 

[labonnevie]

Explorer in January used “old” canal. New is for ships larger than can use original canal, i.e. “Pana Max”. 
Observation Lounge gives good views and coffee, juices and rolls were served in morning. However, it is not outside and chairs were taken early with little movement for several hours. Outside deck on 12 gave excellent, though not bow, views. Not many people and easy to go back and forth side to side. Harder to hear the commentary when outside than say OL. Also great view from balcony especially when in a lock, get to see the workers and mules up close. 
Also, as referenced above, aft decks give good views especially while moving through the locks. 
P.S. where is Terry Breen? She was the best lecturer we ever encountered in 20 cruises. We were lucky to be with her for Alaska and Panama Canal cruises. 

[JC in CA]

16 hours ago, DavidTheWonderer said:

My transit on Mariner had Terry Breen on board.  She pointed out that the view from the stern is also really interesting, seeing where you've been and who is following you. I wouldn't have thought of it, but as usual she was right.

We loved the time we spent outside La Veranda on the Mariner going through the last lock!  Not very many people out there.  Was quite an experience to see the lock being closed right behind us.

 

We also enjoyed watching the ship in a lock from one of the lounges (can't remember which one - but had windows to the side of the ship) we could really sense how quickly we were vertically moving!

[mdunne48]

One of the best views for a canal transit on the Explorer class ships is the "infinity pool" on deck 5. Almost no one there during our transit.  Watch out for a sun burn!!!!!

[Mahogany]

On 3/28/2022 at 7:57 AM, DavidTheWonderer said:

My transit on Mariner had Terry Breen on board.  She pointed out that the view from the stern is also really interesting, seeing where you've been and who is following you. I wouldn't have thought of it, but as usual she was right.

 

[Mahogany]

I LOVE Terry Breen! How long ago was this? My memories of sailing with her are long ago. Such a delight - bright, personable, informative. I'd love to know what she's doing now.

[DavidTheWonderer]

10 hours ago, Mahogany said:

I LOVE Terry Breen! How long ago was this? ...

Our Panama Canal transit was Jan. 2017: Miami to Lima on Mariner. I've been on two other cruises with her: Rio to Miami on Voyager in 2010 and Alaska on Navigator in 2012.
I wish I could claim that I had planned to take cruises with her on board, which would make me very smart, but it was just dumb luck. She certainly is very very special.
After mentioning her in my post I too wondered where she is.  Professor Google hasn't helped me.  I know that in 2017 she mentioned that she had established her home base in Uruguay.
The only on-board lecturer/storyteller that could also be included in a discussion that includes Terry is Mark Eddowes on the Paul Gauguin in French Polynesia. But he is a specialist in Polynesia.  Terry knows about everything!

[2012_Alaska_bound]

Terry was onboard for our Alaska 2019 cruise on Mariner.....