Panama Canal/RT Ft. Lauderdale on Island Princess

[Misnco]

Hi All,

 

We are considering booking a cruise next year on the Island Princess, Panama Canal. If someone has done this cruise, what is your opinion? Any information would be greatly appreciated. Oh, balcony cabin recommendations would also be welcomed. Thanks All!

[captainron]

Hi,

The in and out to Gatun Lake is totally different than a transit.

Inasmuch as you generally enter Gatun Lakes around 0800-0815 in the morning and come out later in the afternoon, it really doesn't matter whether you're on the port or starboard side as you'll see the other side heading out. In addition, there is no guarantee you'll see a ship transitting the locks at the same time as it all depends which side the Canal Authority assigns the vessel for the locks.

Island, as her sister Coral, is a Panamax vessel that barely fits in the locks.

If you have a balcony cabin on the starboard side, it's too hot by 0845 to sit outside and enjoy a champagne breakfast for two. If you do so, schedule it for after 0900 after the transit of the Gatun Locks.

SECRET for the Island and Coral.....on Caribe and Baja decks forward, there are two doors that indicate "CREW ONLY". For the life of me, I don't know why they're labelled as such, but pax can go forward and use the fwd deckspace to view the transit. The other option is that there's lots of deck space aft by the pool to view the stern as she transits.

Hope this helps with your voyage, and...

 

Ciao for now!!!