DCL Panama Canal Florida-Los Angeles?

[Ralph&Pam]

Does DCL use the larger set of locks in Panama now? When we cruised the Canal, the Wonder was the largest ship to squeeze through the older locks, before PanaMax became available. IIRC the Magic is two inches shorter than the Wonder, so the Magic would be the 2nd-largest ship to go through the older locks. A Canal "pilot' was in charge of navigating the locks, while the ship captain stood by. Even with the pilot's expertise the Wonder scraped here and there (small chunk of concrete was found in a port hole), and the ship needed cosmetic repairs in the next port.

Also, each passenger was charged $500 to use the Canal (it was part of our cruise fare.) DCL paid a premium to use the Canal during the daylight hours instead of sailing overnight and missing the views. Anyway, does anyone know what the going rate is no?

Retired Panama Canal Pilot Captain Kenneth Puckett gave lectures on our first two PC cruises on the Wonder in 2017 and 2019. The fall 2017 eastbound was the second time the Wonder used the new locks. Cap. Puckett said the Wonder was the first cruise ship to go through them in April 2017, the westbound repositioning cruise that year. That was after the ducktail addition made the Wonder too long to use the original locks. He reported that the toll for the passage was in the neighborhood of $500,000, including an extra 10% for priority transit to sail through early in the morning. Since that was now eight years ago, i expect that the transit fee is much higher now.

 

[jdb in AZ]

Retired Panama Canal Pilot Captain Kenneth Puckett gave lectures on our first two PC cruises on the Wonder in 2017 and 2019. The fall 2017 eastbound was the second time the Wonder used the new locks. Cap. Puckett said the Wonder was the first cruise ship to go through them in April 2017, the westbound repositioning cruise that year. That was after the ducktail addition made the Wonder too long to use the original locks. He reported that the toll for the passage was in the neighborhood of $500,000, including an extra 10% for priority transit to sail through early in the morning. Since that was now eight years ago, i expect that the transit fee is much higher now.

Does the transit through the new locks take the same amount of time as the old ones?

 

[o&smom]

Does DCL use the larger set of locks in Panama now? When we cruised the Canal, the Wonder was the largest ship to squeeze through the older locks, before PanaMax became available. IIRC the Magic is two inches shorter than the Wonder, so the Magic would be the 2nd-largest ship to go through the older locks. A Canal "pilot' was in charge of navigating the locks, while the ship captain stood by. Even with the pilot's expertise the Wonder scraped here and there (small chunk of concrete was found in a port hole), and the ship needed cosmetic repairs in the next port.

Also, each passenger was charged $500 to use the Canal (it was part of our cruise fare.) DCL paid a premium to use the Canal during the daylight hours instead of sailing overnight and missing the views. Anyway, does anyone know what the going rate is now?

April, 2017 was the first year that Disney had to start using the new locks. We were on that crossing and actually were the first cruise ship to transit through the new locks. Big ceremony and everything.

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

April, 2017 was the first year that Disney had to start using the new locks. We were on that crossing and actually were the first cruise ship to transit through the new locks. Big ceremony and everything.

I was on there as well. It was an amazing experience. I also went in 2015 from Miami to San Diego

 

[Ralph&Pam]

Does the transit through the new locks take the same amount of time as the old ones?

We have no experience of the original locks, having first done a canal transit in fall 2017. The canal transit through the new locks is an all-day affair. Ships enter the locks at both Atlantic and Pacific ends of the canal during the morning hours and proceed across the isthmus and through Gatun Lake, passing ships going in the opposite direction that had entered the canal at the other end. They then pass through the second set of locks at the other end and sail back out to sea. It’s a fascinating experience. We’ve done it three times so far, with the April 2026 sailing booked as well.

 

[jimmymc]

They have in the past, but Panama Canal cruises are rare for Disney.

 

[jdb in AZ]

We have no experience of the original locks, having first done a canal transit in fall 2017. The canal transit through the new locks is an all-day affair. Ships enter the locks at both Atlantic and Pacific ends of the canal during the morning hours and proceed across the isthmus and through Gatun Lake, passing ships going in the opposite direction that had entered the canal at the other end. They then pass through the second set of locks at the other end and sail back out to sea. It’s a fascinating experience. We’ve done it three times so far, with the April 2026 sailing booked as well.

The old locks took all day as well. That's not a complaint. It was fascinating.

 

[ct7878]

In January of 2011 we went to WDW, boarded the Wonder at Port Canaveral, and cruised to Los Angeles and went to Disneyland. Fun way to get our Disney fix!

We were on the same sailing and also went to Disneyland- it was such a great trip and I wish it was offered again. We have been sticking with the transatlantic crossings to get our long cruise experience l.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I believe it is Galveston to San Diego, not Port Canaveral-SD. We have it booked. Departs from Galveston on Easter Sunday, 2026.

Ahh, this is probably why it sold out so fast. Many schools close Easter week so at least kids would only miss a week of school. When we sailed the WBPC in March 2022 and Oct 2023, there were very few kids onboard. Mostly retired or late 50s+. The adult pool would be jam packed every day but PLENTY of open seats at the empty Mickey pool. It was so odd.

 

[Cruising Girl]

I wal on th 2019 crossing and aagree it was the best cruise ever! I really enjoyed all of Captain Puckett's lectures. Does he still do them? Going on next year and would love to hear him again. Thanks!

 

[o&smom]

I wal on th 2019 crossing and aagree it was the best cruise ever! I really enjoyed all of Captain Puckett's lectures. Does he still do them? Going on next year and would love to hear him again. Thanks!

No, he retired after 2017. I had bought his book to have him sign on the 2020 cruise and learned he had retired. Not the same without him doing the lectures.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

No, he retired after 2017. I had bought his book to have him sign on the 2020 cruise and learned he had retired. Not the same without him doing the lectures.

The man giving the lectures in 2022 was very knowledgeable about the PC but he didn’t know why we didn’t/couldn’t sail thru the old locks. I stayed after to tell him that the Wonder is too long since the addition of the duck tail.

 

[Ralph&Pam]

No, he retired after 2017. I had bought his book to have him sign on the 2020 cruise and learned he had retired. Not the same without him doing the lectures.

Actually, Capt. Puckett did the PC lectures and a book signing on the WBPC on the Wonder in February/March of 2019. His book was published in 2018, and I have a copy he signed on that cruise. It was a different presenter for our WBPC in October of 2023 on the Magic.

 

[o&smom]

Actually, Capt. Puckett did the PC lectures and a book signing on the WBPC on the Wonder in February/March of 2019. His book was published in 2018, and I have a copy he signed on that cruise. It was a different presenter for our WBPC in October of 2023 on the Magic.

We didn’t go again until 2020. We really missed him.

 

[minniebeth]

The April, 2026 Panama Canal Cruise is showing some availability right now if anyone is interested~

 

[JAM9842]

I was on there as well. It was an amazing experience. I also went in 2015 from Miami to San Diego

We were on the May 2015 crossing also.

 

[AquaDame]

The April, 2026 Panama Canal Cruise is showing some availability right now if anyone is interested~

Aaaaand she is sold out again. Still waiting to see if there is an east bound next year. I'm really not loving the short port days.

 

[Disnsyncey]

Aaaaand she is sold out again. Still waiting to see if there is an east bound next year. I'm really not loving the short port days.

yeah, I went to check and when I got into the stateroom button it was gone

 

[holula]

Aaaaand she is sold out again. Still waiting to see if there is an east bound next year. I'm really not loving the short port days.

I’m with you. I ended up cancelling for Alaska and am hopefully waiting for an eastbound.