Panama Canal Choices: Tour vs. Partial Cruise Transit

[wesp]

I am considering options for travel to and through the Panama Canal.. Time and air travel are issues that remove the option of a repo cruise with full transit. So the next alternatives are partial transit on Galaxy or taking Summit to Colon and booking a ship sponsored boat ride tour on a smaller craft. What do you recommend?

 

Wesley

 

 

 

Galaxy April 2002

Norway August 2001

Independence April 1999

Delta Queen April 1996

[rebeljohn]

We toured the Canal in April, during a stop in Colon. We hired a cab driver to take us to the Gatun locks. It cost $40 for 4 people. We stayed as long as we wanted. During a partial transit, the driver said you don't get to see a lot of the workings of the canal while on the boat. The observation decks at the locks provided all the views we needed, and narration accompanied the ships as they passed. We also had plenty of time to shop and tour the city before heading back to the boat.

 

REBELJOHN

Constitution '89 Meridian '90

Norway '91 Celebration '93

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Century 11/02 Atlantica 03/03

Zaandam 11/03 Horizon 4/04

[PatC]

Hi Wesley,

 

We sailed Summit this March and did the domed train in Panama. We loved the trip and on the domed train the "conductor" tour guide was phenominal. It was well worth the extra money. We spoke to some who did the boat ride in the lake and didn't think it was that great. Of course, to each his own. Summit is the best ship so far. She's sleek, spotlessly clean and the crew was outstanding. Whichever ship you choose, Galaxy, Summit or whichever, you'll enjoy your trip, afte all, you're on a cruise

 

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[wvufan]

We also did the two ocean train trip a couple of years ago and loved it. We weren't in a domed car, but there open areas between cars with great visibility and all the cars have windows. The excursion included a visit to the Mira Flores locks where we got to see several ships go through.

 

Have fun,

 

 

OOOEEE Bob and Phyllis

[jezzdogg]

We just did thr partial transit on Princess, do not waste you time (we did an we are sorry, it was almost 12 hours) or money to take a boat all the way thru the locks, if you do a partial transit, ie Galaxy and get up early to see the ship go thru into Gatun locks into Gatsun lake that is all you need/

 

norm

[excitedofharpenden]

PatC, Bob and Phyllis, thanks for the info on the train trips. That is what we plan to do (on the domed one I think).

 

Am I right in saying that you tender off the ship on Gatun Lake once it has been through the first couple of locks, take the train to Panama City and back to Cristobal Pier to meet up with the ship after it has returned through the locks?

 

Thanks.

 

Phil

 

Mercury Western Caribbean November 2002

Galaxy Eastern Caribbean November 2003

 

<BR

 

Until Galaxy Panama Canal Out Of Galveston

13th November 2004

 

 

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[AUNTDEBBA]

Was on the Summit in April and stopped at Colon. Did the Panama Canal locks by ferry it is a little pricey but well worth it as you get to traverse three of the locks in the Ferry. I figured the best of both worlds. I was able to actually go through the locks but not go on a Panama Canal cruise

[lougee1043]

i remember seeing a web site about the canal that included an animation of how the ships rise and fall in the locks --does anyone have that site

 

lougee1043

 

 

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[excitedofharpenden]

Lou

 

I don't remember seeing that one, but I thought this site was worth reading, if you haven't seen it before:

 

http://www.sealetter.com/Mar-01/panamac.html

 

Phil

 

Mercury Western Caribbean November 2002

Galaxy Eastern Caribbean November 2003

 

<BR

 

Until Galaxy Panama Canal Out Of Galveston

13th November 2004

 

 

<center>

<a href="http://www.escati.com/counter98/free_time_codes.htm">

</center>

 

 

[wvufan]

Hi Phil,

 

Want to make sure I don't mislead you. The two rail trip we took did not involve our ship going into the canal. We docked at Colon and took the train from there to the Pacific. It was a great excursion and we highly recommend it, but we did not get to go through a lock on a ship.

 

Having said that, perhaps your cruise is a bit different and your excursion includes the arrangement you mentioned. I suggest you go to the Celebrity website and look under the excursion details.

 

You might also check the comments and reviews under Ports of Call on these boards.

 

Best wishes,

 

OOOEEE Bob and Phyllis