Did you actually ENJOY the Panama Canal? - Page 4 - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Forum, Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

sk8erguy1978 · 05-29-2009, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeneK

I have this one booked, got a balcony

10-DAY PANAMA CANAL SUNFARER
Ship: ms Zuiderdam
Ports of Call: Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Half Moon Cay, Bahamas; Oranjestad, Aruba; Willemstad, Curacao; Enter Panama Canal Cristobal; Gatun Lake, Panama; Exit Panama Canal Cristobal; Cristobal, Panama; Puerto Limon, Costa Rica
Departure Port: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Departure Dates: Oct 14, 2009 Verandah $1,299.00 per person

That trip sounds awesome!

Char · 05-29-2009, 09:21 AM

We will be doing the Canal again at the end of September---from Seattle to Ft. Lauderdale. Aft balcony, of course.

This will be our 2nd full transit ..... have also done several partial transits as far as Gatun Lake.

sk8erguy1978 · 05-29-2009, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Char

We will be doing the Canal again at the end of September---from Seattle to Ft. Lauderdale. Aft balcony, of course.

This will be our 2nd full transit ..... have also done several partial transits as far as Gatun Lake.

I was looking at a full that went from CA or area to Ft. Lauderdale, as it is very cheap for us to get home from Ft. Lauderdale.

As of right now my mom is in CA - so, could say hello to her as well...

patsea · 05-29-2009, 03:56 PM

char - i have an aft balcony on jan 14 2011 (yes i know it's a million years away) and it's only thru the first lock or whatever to the lake. is it worth it even tho it's only to the lake?

Char · 05-30-2009, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patsea

char - i have an aft balcony on jan 14 2011 (yes i know it's a million years away) and it's only thru the first lock or whatever to the lake. is it worth it even tho it's only to the lake?

Oh yes! You will go through the biggest rise of the series of locks! It's amazing to watch the whole operation as the water rises and then you go into the next set of locks and the water rises again.....and the mules that keep the ships from hitting the sides of the lock! Be sure to take pictures.

patsea · 05-30-2009, 08:57 PM

mules? why do you people get me so excited? i think i will need blood pressure pills soon.

jemingway · 05-30-2009, 09:58 PM

I loved it! I could do it 100 times. I was totally fascinated.

Char · 05-30-2009, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patsea

mules? why do you people get me so excited? i think i will need blood pressure pills soon.

They are not the kind with long ears!

They are the locomotives on the tracks beside the canal that keep the ship centered in the canal so it doesn't hit the walls.

patsea · 05-30-2009, 11:37 PM

YouTube - Crossing the Panama Canal on Royal Caribbean's Jewel of the Seas

a friend found this - gets your blood pumping for the cruise and it's the ship i'll be on.

Char · 05-30-2009, 11:49 PM

Good video! Gives you an idea of what you will be seeing up close & personal on YOUR voyage!