Carnival Excursion - Panama Canal

[Sisters of the Sea]

Can anyone shed some light on this tour through Carnival? Below is the description from Carnival. I'm looking for how long you're on a bus? How long are you on the ferry? How do you get back to the ship? 7 hours seems like a long time. Do you get bored?

 

Arrive at the Colon 2000 terminal and board a bus to the Balboa Pier at the Pacific Coast.

 

Board a large ferry that will transport you through the Panama Canal.

 

View this great accomplishment from open areas on board the ferry.

 

Go through the Miraflores Locks and Lake.

 

Pass through the Pedro Miguel locks and onto Gaylord Cut.

 

Cross the Continental Divide.

 

Enjoy the ecological wonders of the area.

 

Travel to the city of Gamboa and the dredging division of the Canal.

 

See the largest floating crane.

[Nitemare]

Check this board for threads discussing "Ocean to Ocean" or "2 Ocean" boat or ferry trips. There's been tons of discussions about this excursion, I can't recall a single complaint other than weather (there is an inside area, but you can't see as well, so be prepared for heat or rain).

 

They bus you back to the ship after the cruise.

[Host Caroline]

If you are not doing a full transit of the canal by cruise ship this is IMHO the next best thing... you really don't get an appreciation for the canal and you miss what I think is some lovely scenery by just staying in Gatun Lake.