Panama Canal Sun Exposure

[Bowler Lady]

I know Panama Canal is very hot and humid. I am deciding which balcony side I should book for an East to West cruise in October to avoid the afternoon sun on the balcony..

 

If anyone has any advice I would love it...

 

Thanks,

 

Bowler Lady

[CruiserBruce]

Well, the route is generally northwest to southeast, but it is not a straight line, and the ship's bow doesn't consistently keep a straight bearing in any one direction.

 

So, I would suggest an aft, port side balcony, but, realistically you are splitting hairs. It will likely be hot on your balcony, no matter what side you are on.

[Bowler Lady]

Thanks much for your input Cruiser Bruce!:):D

[cb at sea]

Sun or not, the balcony is going to be HOT and HUMID. It's ungodly hot there...and I enjoy heat....I thought I was going to pass out. The AC will be VERY welcome! Do not leave your balcony door open, as there are flying insects....you don't want them in your cabin!

 

As far as the canal passage goes, you do NOT want to sit on your balcony..you will miss 3/4 of the sights. Roam the ship, from promenade deck to upper decks. All sides of the ship...different views and perspectives everywhere!

Edited July 9, 2015 by cb at sea

[Keith1010]

I would go on the Port Side but it will be hot on both sides.

 

Keith

[BillB48]

Here is a two part answer... First on transit day... As mentioned earlier your trip through the Canal will be in a general north to south direction. However with all the twists and turns in the Canal you can expect the sun's position to shift a bit. By the time you pass through Gaillard Cut and reach Pedro Miguel Locks the afternoon sun will be more towards the starboard aft quarter.

 

Now part two... for the entire trip... The sail to Panama will be a little hard to predict not knowing the route your ship will be traveling and since this will be the shorter leg of the cruise if the sun is on the "wrong" side it won't impact you for that long. The longer leg of the cruise will be from the Canal to CA. On this part of the cruise the PM sun will generally be on the port side of the ship. So my choice would be starboard side balcony to avoid the PM sun. Weatherman's disclaimer... on port days, depending on the position your ship is docked, you could have some afternoon sun.

 

Which ever side you wind up with please don't stay on your balcony for the bulk of the transit. You don't want to come all this way and only see half of the Canal;)! There will be many things you will want to see on both sides. My favorite side of the ship on the transit is outside:)!