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The Panama Canal is a wonder!!
You really need to be up early to watch as you enter the first set of 3 locks -- it is magnificent!! We are always up by 5 AM to watch the approach.
We love watching as the mules are attached and start to get the ship alligned for the locks. Watching the water levels is another big plus. Then watching as we go from one lock to the other -- super.
After you get through the first 3 locks - which
can take awhile -- then you see Gatun Lake and see all the freighters awaiting their turns -- some overnight there (we have done that a couple of times when we entered from the Pacific side). It is so interesting to pass other ships and freighters as you make your way to the Pacific.
You will also see the progress of the new locks and channel.
We have spent hours out on our verandah watching everything.
Not certain what time you pass under the Bridge of the Americas on the Pacific side -- we have passed under it as early as 5 PM and as late as 7 PM. Another great sight.
There will be narators on board discusing everything all day.
I always make it a point to get the MAP that is delivered to our cabin (every cabin gets one) stamped with the date for my scrapebook. This is done in the Crow's Nest.
Many people spend the better part of the day on the bow watching everything. There are a few chairs set up there.
On the port side you can watch the train going from the Caribbean side to the Paicific side or vise versa. It parallels the canal.
You will also want to be out on deck as you pass the Miraflores Locks -- that is where the camera will be. The approximate time for this will be listed in the daily program. Then you can wave to all your friends.
Since you never know when you may do a cruise like this again -- I would definitely make it a point to be up early and see it all!!
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Panama Canal April 17th FLL to SAN
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, Yes we know that will be an early morning. We are normally not overly early risers but this will be a must of getting up at least at 5 AM
We are planning now to make the rounds of all ther interesting places to view everything besides just the bow. We were told to go to the aft in the lower level and watch from there when the water fills up in the locks. What side of the ship should we be onfor the web cam? I am thinking Port Side. Since we do not have a verandah this time I am debating if we should be on the Lower Promenade Deck or up higher possibly up on the Sports Deck? 
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