Thread: List your tips for cruising the Panama Canal here!

Since many ask from time to time tips on cruising the Panama Canal, let's all please list ours on this thread.

IF POSSIBLE BOOK EARLY(18+ months out) that my tip...aft cabins are the best for this voyage.. in my humble opinion

my other tip would be choose December or January when the temperatures in that region are the most agreeable.

Originally Posted by JoeyandDavid

my other tip would be choose December or January when the temperatures in that region are the most agreeable.

Bearing in mind that the temps in the Canal Zone are always HOT! Just not quite so hot in Dec/Jan.

Good suggestions Char and Joey!

Would like to add ... thur mid March is also fine! December - Mid-March.

As mentioned, it's always HOT ... but better and not their rainy season those times of year!

Many of the complete transits are when ships are moving between Alaska and the Caribbean, and this means April/May and October. It will be hotter, and it will be muggy! And in October, expect rain, so bring some kind of rain gear - Ponchos and Rain hats are great. You can get some on board, but you can find some that fold up very small in a dollar store before you go.

Some people like aft balconies, but I like having a side balcony - you can see how little clearance there is between the ship and sides of the canal, you can watch the ship lower and the people get closer, and we were able to wave at the people in locks buildings. You also get a great view of the mules, the trains that pull the ships through the locks. On the aft, you get a great view of the gates of the locks opening and closing. S

There is an excursion to take you from one ocean to the other on the train, but it goes through the jungle, so you don't get to see much of the canal. If you hadn't seen the canal before, I don't recommend it.

If you are coming from the Pacific Ocean, it's worthwhile to wake up early to see the ship entering the canal, and the PanAmerican Bridge. Some ships have a day in Panama City before the transit, and I've heard good things about excursions there.

On the Atlantic side, there is only a small area around the dock where you are allowed to go. There are a few stores in an indoor area - more like a hanger, and they some times have locals dancing there. You can't go to the city of Colon normally, and due to the very high crime rate, it's not recommended. Usually the stop there is long enough to get people who have excursions on or off the ship, and for others to do a little shopping and not much more. Don't expect much.

Do plan on listening to the lectures before you get to the canal! If you can't make it to the theater, they will probably replay them on your tv, and it's worth it to tune in. They give you some of the fascinating history, and let you know what to expect when you go through the canal.

Expect to be photographed when you look your worst.
The Orange raincoat came in a 4"x 4" package.

Just adding to Mindy's good post, our thoughts on cabins ....

Very much suggest a balcony on the lowest deck possible.

On our first full transit and on our other two part-transits we had balconies on high decks. On our last which was a full transit both ways, we booked a balcony on a lowest deck with a balcony and were so glad ... so much easier to see at eye level rather than from way above.

You may think you will be spending most of your time on the deck. Keep in mind that it's a very loooooooooog day. Having your own balcony is welcomed.

Excellent, Lulu, escpecially since that's what we did! In fact, there were people with oceanview cabins who stayed in their cabins for one of the locks, because you could see the inside wall from their window. I thought that was interesting. We were on the lowest balcony on Serenade, Deck 7, and we never saw the walls of the locks, but I've heard stories of people on balconies on some ships who could touch the wall (Urban legend?).

You reminded me of something I forgot when you said it was a long day. The Canal is a series of locks with a lake in the middle. Some people go fishing in the lake (on an excursion, not from the decks!) and there are other excurisons in the lake as well. But if it is raining, you may not want to go! For partial transits, you go as far as the lake, and wait until it's the ship's turn in line, and then you go back. Lots of ships go through the canal every day, so you could wait a while.

Bring bug spray! You are in a swamp!

Mindy, that picture of you in your orange raincoat has to be a classic!

Our cabin was on a level about the same as yours -- loved the location! Perfect for viewing the canal!