Panama Canal Locks?

[PrincessTrisha]

The new locks are very different from the pictures posted above. You don't really come that close to the sides of the new ones. It's an interesting experience though.

 

[Disneypeach]

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

Hey there! No, I’m not on facesnap or gramchat. (I drive my kids crazy calling the social media sites by the wrong names). But am looking forward to seeing who all’s on board. Should be great fun!

 

[Scraptographer]

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

Many thanks for the info. Based on the comments and the advice, we may go with our usual inside cabin vice a verandah. I guess it will depend on what DH is leaning towards on the day we book. Does anyone recommend a verandah - I am not a fan of heat per se or of ‘sun bathing’ in general.

 

[MelSpees]

Many thanks for the info. Based on the comments and the advice, we may go with our usual inside cabin vice a verandah. I guess it will depend on what DH is leaning towards on the day we book. Does anyone recommend a verandah - I am not a fan of heat per se or of ‘sun bathing’ in general.

If you don't like heat I would forego a verandah. It is hot going through the canal and for much of the cruise. We had, and will have, an ocean view room and love it.

 

[Ralph&Pam]

Also, for those interested in pre-cruise reading, Captain Puckett’s new memoir is now available: https://www.amazon.com/Captain-Puck...e=UTF8&qid=1522458813&sr=8-2&keywords=Puckett. His lectures on the EBPC lat fall were a real treat.

 

[MelSpees]

Also, for those interested in pre-cruise reading, Captain Puckett’s new memoir is now available: https://www.amazon.com/Captain-Puck...e=UTF8&qid=1522458813&sr=8-2&keywords=Puckett. His lectures on the EBPC lat fall were a real treat.

Thanks! I didn't realize this was out. We enjoyed his talks and are hoping he is on board again this Oct.

 

[cyclenut]

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!

Just downloaded this to my Kindle. Heading out on the WBPC in a few DAYS!!!

Yes. I am on the FB group. The "second" group that is (wish there was only one).

 

[Simba One]

We are on this cruise. Hubby is on one FB page and I am on the other. Leaving Friday for pop century for two nights.

 

[ThatCOprep]

On the cruise too, leave Australia Wednesday. Gonna get that book for the flight over.

 

[JW9DVC]

Ok. Justin and Crystal here are on the WBPC.

Looking forward to meeting you all and having a great time! Doesn’t matter the groups we are in. It matters what ship we are on. Say hello to us on the ship and FB.

 

[Simba One]

Downloaded the book on my iPad as did hubby!

 

[Scraptographer]

If you don't like heat I would forego a verandah. It is hot going through the canal and for much of the cruise. We had, and will have, an ocean view room and love it.

Many thanks for the info.

 

[arlopop]

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.

It depends on what you want to see. There is a large center about midway through the pacific locks, on the South side. It has a large outdoor area, on the third floor I believe. When we went through the outdoor area was packed with people waving at the ship - locals who had brought their children to see the Disney ship (it didn’t hurt that Mickey was waving to them). It was sort of cool and a nice little unexpected moment. Since it’s on the South side you would want a port cabin if going eastbound (as we did) and starboard cabin going westbound.
That said, up on deck you can move from side to side and see plenty so the cabin is less an issue.
I don’t think it matters much for the rest of the canal though I think probably spent more time looking port when given a choice.

 

[MelSpees]

It depends on what you want to see. There is a large center about midway through the pacific locks, on the South side. It has a large outdoor area, on the third floor I believe. When we went through the outdoor area was packed with people waving at the ship - locals who had brought their children to see the Disney ship (it didn’t hurt that Mickey was waving to them). It was sort of cool and a nice little unexpected moment. Since it’s on the South side you would want a port cabin if going eastbound (as we did) and starboard cabin going westbound.
That said, up on deck you can move from side to side and see plenty so the cabin is less an issue.
I don’t think it matters much for the rest of the canal though I think probably spent more time looking port when given a choice.

If the area you are talking about is on the south side of the canal I think you have port and starboard mixed up for the two directions. Going east, south would be on the starboard (right) side. Going west, south is on the port (left) side.

 

[arlopop]

If the area you are talking about is on the south side of the canal I think you have port and starboard mixed up for the two directions. Going east, south would be on the starboard (right) side. Going west, south is on the port (left) side.

You are absolutely right - brainfart
Worst part? I sail. Just one of those days

 

[Ralph&Pam]

If the area you are talking about is on the south side of the canal I think you have port and starboard mixed up for the two directions. Going east, south would be on the starboard (right) side. Going west, south is on the port (left) side.

Not for the Panama Canal. Because of the isthmus orientation in the section where the canal is located, the canal goes along a diagonal in the southeasterly direction from Colon on the Atlantic side to Panama City on the Pacific side. If you are transiting the canal on the EBPC, the ship is sailing in a generally northwesternly direction so port faces southwest and starboard faces northeast. I think the poster had it essentially right, in that going east, that is going from the Pacific to the Atlantic, south is on the port (left) side of the ship.

You can put Panama Canal into Google Maps to get a picture of this orientation.