Panama Canal

[bozza]

Thinking of doing the Panama Canal cruise on Jewel of Seas, would like to try an aft or hump cabin - which would you choose - Deck 9.

Looking at January or November, anyone know which is the best month weather wise?

Thanks

[Sue L]

January is drier, and I LOVED the aft for going through the canal. We went to the helicopter pad for going into the canal and then worked our way back along deck 5 to we ended up on our aft balcony for breakfast and it was amazing watching the lock door close behind us. We had 9260 and it was perfect.

[cb at sea]

You do need to roam the ship to get the full impact of this engineering feat! An aft will give you the best view while you're on your balcony, but do view this from different deck levels--it makes all the difference! (and hopefully, another ship will be going through the locks at the same time your ship does--it's AWESOME having a big container ship next to you!!!!)

[Desert Cruizers]

In April of 2006 we did the 17 day Panama and the Canal was full of ships, we must have passed so close to one cargo ship I thought we would hit. We didn't spend anytime in our room, as were were top side on the bow, getting the full enjoyment of the Locks and marvelous engineering.

[LisaH]

Thinking of doing the Panama Canal cruise on Jewel of Seas, would like to try an aft or hump cabin - which would you choose - Deck 9.

Looking at January or November, anyone know which is the best month weather wise?

Thanks

 

We just booked 9576 for 2010! We had this cabin in February and absolutely loved it. Balcony was huge and even had a lounger. And it was a nice, quiet, central location.

[karen s]

Since there are two channels to go through the locks, it'll be a 50/50 chance that you'll be on the side of the ship overlooking the lock operations and the other channel. I was in a starboard room and was so happy we entered the left channel :) so I could see everything. A little tid bit of info - the narration of the process can be heard over the television (on Ch 40 I believe). Since the narration starts so early, it's not piped into the staterooms, just the hallways. There were many, many passengers who had their doors propped open to hear it because they didn't know about the tv broadcast - with live video from the helm.

 

Enjoy your cruise!

[tomko2]

We had D1 aft cabin 9256 on the Brilliance (sister ship to the Jewel) and have booked D1 aft 1604 on the Jewel for our next Panama cruise (want to see it all from Deck 10).

You will definitely want to go to front of the ship for the arrival at Gatum locks -- wonderful atmosphere as the ship gets ready to go into the locks. (Bring some thermos coffee mugs so you can enjoy your coffe while you wait). We stayed on our balcony for the return trip through Gatum Locks and really were amazed at how it all worked. Pictures in the link below.

Have a great cruise.

Kathy:)

[TEXASMUNK]

Woudl urge you to abandon your cabin/balcony wheh you get to the canal!

 

Staying on your balcony is like being sightless and grabbing an elephant by the tail...you have o idea what you are missing!!

 

Get up early. Get on deck!

 

Walk the ship as you traverse the locks!!

 

then maybe hit your balcony if you are in an aft balcony whe you enter the last lock.

[cruisingrightalong]

There are 2 seasons in Panama...rainy and rainier.....so have been both in November and January. November the water for swimming is a tad warmer. The January time period is great because it is after the busy holiday season. January leaving from Miami....say "long cotton slacks"..instead of shorts...but the next morning..shorts are out!....We will be on January 9,2009 Jewel of the Seas (great thread going) so come on board!

 

Aft is great!!!!

Lou