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Did Both......
We did do both a Full Transit of the Panama Canal on the QE2 a longtime ago and last year we did a Partial from Colon and a Bus Trip to the Pacific end with the Train Ride back to Colon.
The trip several years ago on the QE2 was a very long and interesting day.
We started on the west side at about 5:30AM and reached the first locks (west side) around 8AM and then reached the final lock (on the east side) around 1:30PM.
It was very hot to stay on deck to view the full canal experience. Lots of water had to drink and also sunscreen applied about every 15 minutes. Had to go inside each once in awhile to cool down. The ship staff was very nice to go around the open decks and pass out water so you did not have to miss anything.
There were some people that did not follow the guidelines suggested by the staff onboard several days before, and had to go to Medical Department for treatment for heat effects.
Enjoyed the experience very much.
The crusie last year on the QM2 was from Colon side. We started the tour around 8:30PM with the bus trip from the pierside and showed us many parts of Colon, Panama City westside.
We did go to one of the locks to view from the rooftop of the observation deck an actual transit.
By the beginning of the afternoon, we arrived at the westside and boarded the Panama Canal Train. What a wonderful experience and very comfortable. We arrived on the eastside around 4PM and was bused back to the pier in about 1/2 hour ride.
We did thnk the tour was well worth it and interesting.
It is worth seeing the Panama Canal with either option. What a experience.
Make sure you have plenty of film and video.
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