How boring is the Panama Canal itinerary?

[Silvery Seas Cruiser]

We've done the partial transit of the Panama Canal cruise twice on Brilliance. I'd do it again every year if I had the time to cruise that much. It is a nice mix of sea days and port days. I have found the cruise very relaxing.

 

We also did the ferry ride on the canal. I had mixed emotions about it. I was glad we did the ferry ride and got "up close and personal" with the locks and shared a lock with a big cargo ship. That was cool. However, the bus ride back to the ship just seemed interminable. The whole thing was nearly eight hours...a long day of bus riding and ferry riding.

 

In 2005, we took the train ride beside the canal and really enjoyed it.

 

Maybe the doctor said the cruise was boring because he didn't wnat to sound as if he were bragging about his great, fun trip.

[Crosboro]

You've gotta be joking. You live in MickeyLand, one of the most over-hyped areas in the U.S. And someone thinks the Panama Canal is boring? What do they think is exciting?

We went in through the locks on the Caribbean side, took a small boat to the Pacific side, and it was spectacular.

Maybe if you were a working hand on one of the many transport ships it would be boring, but no way if you've never been there.

[benzygirl]

What months would be the best for this trip as far as calm seas, cooler weather, least rain? I know that is probably too much to ask for :)

[sdjsnewmexico]

This is a fabulous cruise! It was a college graduation cruise for our 23 yr. old son and his college buddy and we all had an incredible time! Nothing boring about it.:)

[petesweet]

Well, I've just decided what our next cruise will be (always MY decision, for some reason)--a full-transit Panama Canal. Thanks, everyone.:)

[Sue L]

What months would be the best for this trip as far as calm seas, cooler weather, least rain? I know that is probably too much to ask for :)

 

It is considered rainy season in the fall through Dec or so and then it gets drier. Cooler is really not an option it says about 88-92 degrees a good portion of the year but it does get more humid in the summer months. . We went the last week in March and the weather was wonderful. It was hot but the humidity was not as bad as I expected. the cruises there only run from late fall or so to spring.

[pierces]

We have taken two full transits and will probably go again with friends who haven't yet gone. It's an amazing trip.

 

When we went in 2000, we were about 30 years below the average age (we were celebrating out 25th anniversary!), but in 2005, the average had dropped considerably and there were a lot more families (135 children as opposed to 13 on our first one).

 

It's not a party cruise, but the ports were interesting and the Canal is still amazing after 100 years. Read up on it's history before you go.

 

Here are photos from the 2005 trip:

http://www.pbase.com/pierce324/panama2005

 

Dave

[kingsgirl]

I thought the partial canal cruise was the pits. We just went into the lake, turned around and went back into the Caribbean. We knew what we were missing...

BECAUSE

We had, previously, done the full transit cruise and loved it. Our best day on a cruise ship outside of Alaska. I think the very best, most interesting, part of the canal is on the "Pacific" side. This is beyond the "turn around." The full transit is much more interesting if you have read the book "The Path Between the Seas; the Building of the Panama Canal" by David McCullough. We are going, again, in April. It is a full transit, from Florida to California, we can hardly wait!! We already know how wonderful this cruise will be....

 

Thanks for sharing. I was really interested in cruising the Panama but wasn't sure if any of the cruises actually went all the way through. I'm glad that you and others have clarified what different cruises offered.

I would have been disappointed in not going all the way through!

[sea-cruise]

I experienced my first partial Panama Canal cruise.....from the east thru the Gatun Locks....with a day in the lake.

That was 1995, on the Pacific Princes, and the locks were very interesting.

 

Rick

Rick, We may have been shipmates...who knows? DH and I cruised the Canal on the Pacific Princess in 1995 too. :)

It's funny....One of the slot machines actually fell over onto the floor during a hurricane. I remember the casino being very narrow, and at the stern. :)

I also remember the jogging track...Everytime I walked on the starboard side, the metal would buckle and make a thud noise. :D

[Tropical Traveler]

Well, I've just decided what our next cruise will be (always MY decision, for some reason)--a full-transit Panama Canal. Thanks, everyone.:)

Our 30th anniversary is in the fall of 2009 and we're looking to do something special to celebrate it. As soon as RCCL opens the itineraries for booking, we'll be making reservations for a full transit on the Serenade or Radiance. Thanks to all for the enlightening comments and photos.

 

Jack

[abridalmaven]

We did the 14 day thru the canal on the Serenade, it was one of the best trips ever!. We had a hump cabin and it was great to just look down to see the rains pulling you through.

Maybe they were bored on sea days, but I loved the break from ports and we also traveled with 3 other couples, so we were NEVER bored.:D