I know of only two operators that do the full transit, and I think they are the only two that are authorized to do it:

Panama Marine Adventures:

www.pmatours.net

Canal & Bay Tours:

www.canalandbaytours.com

I know both charge $165 per person. The thing is, they do the full transits only once or twice a month. Your timing would have to be perfect. Look at the websites.

We did a full transit several years ago. Very long day. I don't remember the name of the company, only that the trip was only one Saturday a month.

There were several partial transits offered on a weekly basis. I have to confess I would have preferred a partial.

The full was long, and, frankly, other than the locks, it was somewhat boring. (I'll probably hear about that comment.)

I was looking forward to the bus ride back from Colon to Panama City. However, the transit took much longer than expected, and the entire trip was in the dark.

We foolishly assumed it wouldn't be a problem to grab a cab back to our hotel in downtown Panama City on our return. Wrong. One of the hotel shuttle operators took pity on us and let us ride back into the city with that group. He received a nice tip.....

I've done the partial transit, and that seemed enough. Jean is right: The locks are the interesting part of the journey.

Part of the problem with the full transit is that they can only say "approximately" eight or nine hours. The big ships will always get priority and will bump your smaller tour vessel from line at the locks. That can add greatly to the time and I bet that's what Jean experienced.

I have to be honest: Just going to the visitor center at the Miraflores Locks just outside the city and watching the ships pass through is a fascinating way to experience the canal. You don't get bragging rights to say "I traveled the Panama Canal," no, but it lets you see the canal in action.

thanks for the information. I thought that all vessels would line up and take their turn. This shines a different light on this subject.

We went to Miraflores Locks in Dec 2009 and were very impressed.

We will be in Panama City from a Friday mid day until Monday mid day. Any suggestions for day trips?

thanks again

Brenda