Panama Canal Locks?

[Fyrefly]

I've been a bit disappointed that since we haven't had the means to do the Panama Canal before now, we're going to be going through the new locks. Not that we have a choice but I wanted to see and feel the history. For those who have been, is it less of an interesting experience now? More modern and shiny and with loads of room to spare on the ship? Just trying to ease my worries and/or be prepared for it not to be great.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I've been a bit disappointed that since we haven't had the means to do the Panama Canal before now, we're going to be going through the new locks. Not that we have a choice but I wanted to see and feel the history. For those who have been, is it less of an interesting experience now? More modern and shiny and with loads of room to spare on the ship? Just trying to ease my worries and/or be prepared for it not to be great.

I wouldn't say it's "more modern & shiny", but it's newer and different. In most places, you can still see the old locks (and they're still in use). There's often a retired Panama Canal pilot onboard doing lectures, so you'll still get the history.

 

[MelSpees]

Much of the traverse is the same--old or new locks. I haven't been through the new locks yet (that will be in Oct.) but from the pictures you get much of the same feel. You just aren't scraping up against the sides like in the old locks.

 

[Fyrefly]

I would have liked to see the dramatic tight fit but its good that most of the mechanisms will be the same.

I'm a Mechanical Engineer so I get I'm probably more invested in the lock operation than the average tourist!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I would have liked to see the dramatic tight fit but its good that most of the mechanisms will be the same.

I'm a Mechanical Engineer so I get I'm probably more invested in the lock operation than the average tourist!

Well, the gates operate differently. On the old locks they swing open from the middle. On the new locks the slide into a pocket to one side of the lock.

And how the water is drained/filled in the new locks is different, I believe.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Traveled through both, still exciting.

 

[Ralph&Pam]

We have only done the new locks, on the EBPC cruise last November. We’ll do the WBPC in February of 2019. The engineering is amazing. While entering the new locks on the Pacific side, we were able to see the ships approaching the old locks as well, including a submarine. It was quite a good experience, both on deck and on our stateroom verandah, particularly as the ship was lowered back down on the Atlantic end after crossing Lake Gatun. The environmental considerations in reducing the amount of fresh water required by the new locks demonstrates a clever application of hydraulic engineering and the operation of the new sliding gates should be really interesting to an engineer.

 

[Fyrefly]

All good points. You kind of want to be able to take part in that history for yourself but at least it's not gone and it's still visible.

 

[Disneypeach]

And don't miss Captain Puckett's lectures if he is on board! He's a retired PC pilot and gave wonderful lectures on the history and engineering of the canal...better than most of my college professors! I'll be on the WBPC in 2 weeks and am hoping to hear his stories again!

Also read David McCullough's award winning history of the Canal "The Path Between the Seas"...excellent book!

 

[phinz]

Well, the gates operate differently. On the old locks they swing open from the middle. On the new locks the slide into a pocket to one side of the lock.

And how the water is drained/filled in the new locks is different, I believe.

They also don't use the mules on the new locks. They use tugs instead.

 

[RysMomma]

We did the old locks years ago and it was amazing! I'm sure the new ones are going to be just as amazing! Have fun!

 

[Scraptographer]

Just curious, is there a particular side of the ship that it is better to have your cabin/verandah on depending if you are East bound or West bound? We are hoping to book for the Fall of 2019 when that sailing becomes available to book. TIA.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Just curious, is there a particular side of the ship that it is better to have your cabin/verandah on depending if you are East bound or West bound? We are hoping to book for the Fall of 2019 when that sailing becomes available to book. TIA.

Not really. It's best to be up on deck moving all around looking.

 

[Gilland18]

We chose port for eastbound because that is the side Central America is on. As PP stated, Canal day, we were topside moving around all the time. Our cabin was deck 2 and it was very fun to go look out the port hole while we were going down in the lock.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We chose port for eastbound because that is the side Central America is on. As PP stated, Canal day, we were topside moving around all the time. Our cabin was deck 2 and it was very fun to go look out the port hole while we were going down in the lock.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/dcl-picture-of-the-day-part-4.2651834/page-13#post-40231299

 

[coloradocutie]

Also read David McCullough's award winning history of the Canal "The Path Between the Seas"...excellent book!

Just bought on amazon! Thanks for the recommendation!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

 

[PrincessShmoo]

 

[JW9DVC]

And don't miss Captain Puckett's lectures if he is on board! He's a retired PC pilot and gave wonderful lectures on the history and engineering of the canal...better than most of my college professors! I'll be on the WBPC in 2 weeks and am hoping to hear his stories again!

Also read David McCullough's award winning history of the Canal "The Path Between the Seas"...excellent book!

Hey cruise buddy! Looking forward to meeting everyone. Are you on the FB pages?

 

[phinz]

Hey cruise buddy! Looking forward to meeting everyone. Are you on the FB pages?

Looks like all of y'all are also cruising with our friends that I'm dropping off at the rental car office beforehand and picking up at the airport on their return.