What to expect on Feb Panama Canal crossing

[azgrandmax3]

I am doing a Feb Panama Canal cruise FLL-LA. Which side of the ship will allow me the most sun exposure? This time of year is "too hot" an issue? My cabin is fully covered. Thanks in advance.

[chrysalis]

You want morning sun or afternoon sun?

 

Check out the map of the itinerary on the Princess website and you will see the direction that the ship will be facing....and the sun will always be to the south of you.

[jackieo]

We did the full transit this February. We went from LA to FLL. The run down from LA to just pass mexico saw loads of whale as well as Dolphins and turtles. We saw this from our balcony - it was amazing.

[AKman2495]

Panama is always hot. We were there in September and it was in the 90's in February, I would expect it to be much the same.

 

I can say that during the day it is much too harsh to sit on a balcony. the best times are in the afternoon or in the morning.

 

The canal itself should be experienced from amy parts of the ship. On the promenade you can close to the lock walls. Up top you can see the landscape and get the big picture from all sides. SO, the idea is to move around the ship.

[cb at sea]

It's only about 8 degrees off the equator....yes...it's HOT! And, the canal actually runs more north/south than east/west. You will want shade..did I mention it's HOT?

Edited December 9, 2014 by cb at sea

[BillB48]

In very broad terms, from FLL to the Canal the port side will "tend" to have the morning sun depending on the actual route taken. From the Canal to LA the sun will be generally on the port side in the PM.

 

I don't think you will need any Nanook of the North gear until after you get to LA:D

[cdnguy]

Yes it's hot but the biggest factor is always the tremendous humidity

[SeaMystique]

Cdnguy, tell me more about the humidity . We are on the Island 2/19, 2-day transit FLL to LA (maybe the OP is on that one?). I've lived in Los Angeles more than half my life, but I grew up on the East Coast and I know humidity... Would you say the levels of dampness are equivalent to, say, eastern Ontario in July? [emoji26]Or more like jungles of Guatemala? [emoji27]

Thanks,

Sylvia

[BillB48]

Would you say the levels of dampness are equivalent to, say, eastern Ontario in July? [emoji26]Or more like jungles of Guatemala? [emoji27]

Thanks,

Sylvia

 

I would go with the Jungles of Guatemala... no jungles in Ontario and Panama is a lot closer to Guatemala than Ontario:D! Don't despair, February is probably one of the better months to visit Panama humidity wise. However I'm sure anyone coming from a temperate climate will notice the humidity, but in February there is normally a pleasant breeze as the Dry Season is well established. Factor in that shade an air conditioning are usually not too far away depending on what tour you select for your stop in Panama. The transit itself should not be a problem.