best excursions to experience Panama Canal
#2
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,737
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It all depends if you are on a full transit or round trip. Either way, you took an excursion and go on shore, you will miss the ship sailing through the canal zone where sections of the view are extraordinary.
#3
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,974
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I agree, we did the round trip and were glad we decided not to take a tour. We really enjoyed watching the ship exit the canal during the early afternoon when the weather was sunny and mild and the ship was 3/4 empty.
We entered early in the morning and the weather was damp and chilly so we watched it from the interior at the front of the ship. We had a great seat, but had to get there at 6 AM.
We entered early in the morning and the weather was damp and chilly so we watched it from the interior at the front of the ship. We had a great seat, but had to get there at 6 AM.
#5
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,737
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Best view is at teh bow of the ship when it enters teh canal. We had a semi-private area at the front of the ship just below the ship's bridge. We took cahirs from our cabin and put it out there so we ahev a palce to sit. They usually will enter the canal very early in the morning. If you want to see the whole approach, you have to be there at 5 am.
Once the ship is at the lock. Best view is on the side at Promenade deck. You will be amazed how tight the squeeze and how little room is left. It takes time to fill the lock so you will have time to get down there and get back up again.
Best view is on the ship. You can see other ships (in front of you) going through the locks.
Once the ship is at the lock. Best view is on the side at Promenade deck. You will be amazed how tight the squeeze and how little room is left. It takes time to fill the lock so you will have time to get down there and get back up again.
Best view is on the ship. You can see other ships (in front of you) going through the locks.
#6
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,967
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You really don't want to be in a small boat when viewing the transit through the looks. Why? As the water level in the lock drop so will your boat and all you'll end up seeing is the interior walls of the locks and several there small boats that are in the lock as the same time with you.
Best to be on a larger ship - that way you can stroll around the upper decks and get various views. If you are luckily there will be a panamax ship (the largest ships that can fit in the locks) in the lock just in front of you - then you will get fantastic view of how little room there is between the ship's hull and the walls of the locks.
Best to be on a larger ship - that way you can stroll around the upper decks and get various views. If you are luckily there will be a panamax ship (the largest ships that can fit in the locks) in the lock just in front of you - then you will get fantastic view of how little room there is between the ship's hull and the walls of the locks.