LIVE FROM THE "BRINGING THE MAGIC HOME" 8/20 REPO CRUISE

[icunurse_celeste]

Ok, so I'm back from work with a bit of information about tomorrow's transit.

Someone asked about the website... is www.pancanal.com where you should be able to easily find a link to the cameras.

This is *extremely* unofficial information, as transit times tend to change a bit based on passage of other vessels, but you can pretty much count on it to be right, give and take 30 minutes.

First, it looks like the MAGIC won't be docking tonight (she's scheduled to arrive in Balboa at 2130), but rather anchoring and taking fuel from a bunker barge... wish you luck with the swell...

Your schedule shows the following times:

Entering Miraflores Locks - 0820 (on the East side of the locks, close to the visitors' center and the cameras)... this also means that you might be entering the channel around 0600

Leaving Miraflores Locks - 0940

Entering Pedro Miguel Locks - 1000

Leaving Pedro Miguel Locks - 1100 (you will then navigate 6 miles in the Gaillar Cut, the narrowest part of the Canal)

10-15 minutes later the MAGIC should be going under the Centennial bridge.

Out of the Cut - 1210 (Gamboa, this is where the Chagres river - the one that supplies most of the water for the Canal - merges with the channel)

Now is up to the pilot to decide if you're going to anchor in Gatun anchorage or go straight to Gatun Locks. If he decides to anchor then you will travel 2 hours through Gatun Lake and then anchor. If he decides not to anchor then you'll proceed slower through the lake.

Arrival at Gatun Locks - 1450 (will probably have to wait 45 minutes to 1 hour before actually entering the locks)

Leavin Gatun Locks - 1800 (salt water again, only this time on the Atlantic side)

30-40 minutes later your pilots will disembark, and about 1 hour after leaving the locks you should be crossing the breakwater... and on to your next port.

I hope you enjoy your transit.... wish I could be there with you...

I hope someone hasn't already asked this--- are these times EST?? or what?? For those of us in other parts of the US and/or world?

We changed time zones so many times on the westbound that I don't remember which was which!

 

[AlvaroLuis]

I hope someone hasn't already asked this--- are these times EST?? or what?? For those of us in other parts of the US and/or world?

We changed time zones so many times on the westbound that I don't remember which was which!

Just checked... it would be EST.... right now it's 5:32pm in Panama

 

[Mickey&JoshNut]

Celeste....I'm pretty sure Panama is in the same time zone as you are so the times should be the same for you...

 

[icunurse_celeste]

Celeste....I'm pretty sure Panama is in the same time zone as you are so the times should be the same for you...

Thanks Elaine!!!
For those of you who don't know what time it is where I am....

It would be central standard time.


Thanks!

 

[icunurse_celeste]

Just checked... it would be EST.... right now it's 5:32pm in Panama

Thanks Alvaro! That is the same time here! I am in Chicago, so we are one hour behind the east coast.


Peter- that means you can sleep in!

 

[AlvaroLuis]

Thanks Alvaro for the information for tomorrow....now I know I can sleep in as now I know I don't have to be sitting at my computer at 4:45 am!!!!!!!

Are you going to the Miraflores Locks Visitor Centre tomorrow????

If you do go and you see Willie Friar...please say hi from the deck 6 Dis'ers with the banner from the May Repo!!!!!!!!! She'll know who we are!!!!!

So are the pilots for tomorrow as excited as you were????? Are they Disney nuts?????

Elaine, I plan on taking my kids to the visitor center tomorrow morning... and to take lots of pictures.

I'm sure Willie Friar will be there tomorrow... I bumped into her I'll give her your message.

I did not ask who are the pilots for tomorrow, but I'm sure they'll be Disney nuts as well I personally know 2 or 3 pilots who did not get to be the pilots in May just because I got to our boss first... ... I'm sure they did not make the same mistake twice...

 

[Mickey&JoshNut]

Thanks Elaine!!!
For those of you who don't know what time it is where I am....

It would be central standard time.


Thanks!

opps...forgot to add that...I just know that my Mom has to subtract an hour from our time when she calls her uncle that lives just outside Chicago!!!!!

 

[EpcotKilterFan]

Thanks Alvaro! That is the same time here! I am in Chicago, so we are one hour behind the east coast.


Peter- that means you can sleep in!

I am pretty happy about the sleeping in part

Cant wait to watch tomorrow!

Debbie

 

[AlvaroLuis]

Thanks Alvaro! That is the same time here! I am in Chicago, so we are one hour behind the east coast.


Peter- that means you can sleep in!

that's funny... I checked the computer's clock and it showed EST... What's really important is that YOU know what time it is....

 

[icunurse_celeste]

that's funny... I checked the computer's clock and it showed EST... What's really important is that YOU know what time it is....

Thanks for the information, I would hate to miss it.

 

[Mickey&JoshNut]

Elaine, I plan on taking my kids to the visitor center tomorrow morning... and to take lots of pictures.

​

That just about sums up (I couldn't find a jealous smilie...so this will have to do). I'm green with envy that you will be able to REALLY see the Magic going through the Miraflores Locks.

 

[AlvaroLuis]

​

That just about sums up (I couldn't find a jealous smilie...so this will have to do). I'm green with envy that you will be able to REALLY see the Magic going through the Miraflores Locks.

Sorry dear!
It will be a very emotional moment for me...... last time I saw the MAGIC I was sourrounded by so many friends...... and now I'll be watching from the visitor center..... ... not fair

 

[MariettaC]

Thank you Alvaro. Since I live in North Carolina I'll begin my watch for the Magic at 7:20am. I can't wait!

 

[AlvaroLuis]

Thank you Alvaro. Since I live in North Carolina I'll begin my watch for the Magic at 7:20am. I can't wait!

You're welcome Marietta! I'll be at the roof top of the visitor center... waiving at the camera... waiving at the passengers... waiving at Capt. Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, etc.....

BTW.... this is very much OFF TOPIC but I just found out one picture of me and my son after having a hair cut at the MK got posted at Deb Wills' website
http://allearsnet.com/tp/mk/hbarb18.jpg
Hope I'm not doing something wrong by providing the link...

 

[EpcotKilterFan]

Thank you Alvaro. Since I live in North Carolina I'll begin my watch for the Magic at 7:20am. I can't wait!

I think that will be 9:20 am

Am I right? It is 7:09 Eastern time - in Cleveland right now, and is 6:09 in Panama right now.

Gotta love time changes

Debbie

 

[starwood]

Tom McAlpin, president of DCL, just gave a wonderful talk on the history and future of the cruise line. Much of if was thinkgs that we already know. There were triva questions asked along the way, of which I managed to answer one correctly, the prize is being one of the first guest to experiecne the Sting Rays at Castaway...WOW! Winotracy was also at the talk and managed to answer correctly also. So... we will be among the first to enjoy!

So what was the trivia question?

 

[EpcotKilterFan]

They should be docking soon for fuel in Panama

This is what they may be seeing... or should be soon


Panama City

Have fun!
Debbie

 

[Vanvmom]

Okay... so I'm VERY bad at time changes... what time will those of us on Pacific Time be able start watching all the fun?!

 

[Hygiene99]

So what was the trivia question?

ok The Question I got Right on the May Repo, and the One Winotracy Got Correct on this repo Was.. What was the name of the Shipyard that Built the Disney Magic ?
Peter

 

[Hygiene99]

Okay... so I'm VERY bad at time changes... what time will those of us on Pacific Time be able start watching all the fun?!

About 6:20 am