which side for panama canal, full transit?

[momphoto]

Is there a better side of the ship to be on for a full transit from FLL to the west coast? Looking at doing this in the fall and want a balcony, so wondering if one side is better view wise?

[kathyt939]

We had port side. Loved it through the Canal. From Chiapas to LA no land view but we weren't really close anyway. No bad choices here.

 

 

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[Colo Cruiser]

Is there a better side of the ship to be on for a full transit from FLL to the west coast? Looking at doing this in the fall and want a balcony, so wondering if one side is better view wise?

 

 

Best to move around the ship during the transit.

Does not really matter what side as the ship is directed to one side of the locks or the other as it approaches.

We love the Promenade deck on the Coral and Island as well as the forward viewing areas.

[JF - retired RRT]

We were in an aft balcony on the Pacific.

As noted above...move around. Don't just park on your balcony.

We traveled from our balcony to both sides of the ship and to the Pacific Lounge (forward), (great view and air conditioned:D).

Up and down, back and forth, all day long.

Amazing accomplishment for the skills & equipment they had so long ago.

[CruiserBruce]

Outside!

 

Otherwise totally agree with Colo Cruiser.

 

Best to move around the ship during the transit.

Does not really matter what side as the ship is directed to one side of the locks or the other as it approaches.

We love the Promenade deck on the Coral and Island as well as the forward viewing areas.

[skynight]

Outside decks, move around to all locations, Upper decks the best.

[f-mattox]

There is no way of knowing on which side you are going to go through the Canal; and coming North on the West Coast the ship is usually far enough out that you can't see land. So it really makes no difference on which side you are. As others say, move around--get different perspectives. The Canal transit is slow enough that you won't miss a thing by moving around the ship.

[BillB48]

I would pick which side on the basis on how you will use the balcony on the rest of the cruise. On Canal day you really don't need a balcony and the advice of the other posters to move around the ship and see it all is the best advice. However to directly answer your question regarding of which side at the Canal, I would choose the port side in the direction you are going. When you are on your balcony during the transit there are more specific sights that will be of interest that you can see, plus that is side to observe the opposing ship traffic while you cross Gatun Lake. A poster in another thread said it was like your own personal version of "Mighty Ships".

[wishfulone]

Agree with everyone else about transit day. It doesn't matter which side your cabin is because you'll be all over the ship all day from before sunup until after dark. Also most of us have probably been through the old locks which could change things a little these days with the new locks fully operational.

If you really want to choose ship side for your cruise take a good look at the other ports and whether you're sailing from the east or west. But, you'll enjoy this cruise wherever your cabin.

[Corfe Mixture]

Not disagreeing for one minute with the view that you should walk around, particularly in the locks, BUT having said that, it is quite a lengthy transit and you won't want to walk around all day and, when not in the locks, it is very nice to simply sit on your balcony and enjoy the views whilst taking tea or something stronger.

 

 

So, which is the best side to be on when you are not touring the ship?

 

The answer depends on whether or not you want the views or the shade.

 

If you want the best views, then IMHO, you should be on the South American side for the best views as you pass through the canalised section. Everything is on that side - the Panama railway, the little villages, the Chagris river entrance, the infrastructure port etc. Don't get me wrong, the views are fine on the other side, but it mostly jungle which is nice, and, after a while, it all looks rather the same.

 

Also, if you are travelling from PE to San Pedro, then, as you cross the lake section, ships going the other way will pass close by on your side.

 

If you are more interested in shade then you need to remember that the sun will be in the southern sky during the cruising season which might mean that you may wish to favour the North American side though, to be honest, this is more an issue on the non-canal days as the canal actually runs more north-south than east-west so there is probably not that much in it whilst in the canal.,

 

If you are travelling from San Pedro to PE, and particularly want the ships going the other way to pass on your side, then you will need to choose the North American side.

 

We always transit on the South American side as, IMHO, the only thing, of real interest you will not see from the South American side is the dam which creates Lake Gatun, the largest man made lake in the world, but as this is near to the locks at the Caribbean end of the canal, you will almost certainly be out and about around the ship at this time. YMMV.

 

CM

Edited May 1, 2017 by Corfe Mixture

[Cuizer2]

Is there a better side of the ship to be on for a full transit from FLL to the west coast? Looking at doing this in the fall and want a balcony, so wondering if one side is better view wise?

 

The best is a forward facing balcony ...

 

 

[momphoto]

thanks everyone for your answers!! Great info!

[Pickels]

Is there a better side of the ship to be on for a full transit from FLL to the west coast? Looking at doing this in the fall and want a balcony, so wondering if one side is better view wise?

We were on either an NCL or RCI cruise from Ft. Lauderdale to the Panama Canal. On this ship we were allowed to stand on the heliport at the front of the ship. Wow! What a view. Had to get up at 5 a.m. to get a spot, and we were not alone. Love seeing the darkness open up, as we got closer to the canal. Saw many ships coming out of the canal. Enjoy!

[AJs Grandpa]

Agree with most posters above--not really significant which side when transiting the canal.

 

However, we always choose the port side whenever leaving FLL. Yes, it's a bit hokey, but hearing the bells and seeing the lights/flags on the tall condo near the end of the channel is one little way we know we are on a cruise.:D

[cruisincdns]

Is there a better side of the ship to be on for a full transit from FLL to the west coast? Looking at doing this in the fall and want a balcony, so wondering if one side is better view wise?

 

We did the Grand Panama Canal itinerary from FLL to YVR. We were in a full suite on the Port side on the Coral Princess. I would recommend getting a balcony on the Caribe deck as they have the larger balcony (9' x 9') with a 5' partially covered roof in case it rains out. You can sit under the overhang and still take in the sites and sounds of the jungle if it is drizzling out, which happens through the canal. Amazing. Nice to hear the monkeys and birds talking to each other.

 

Have fun.

 

Paul

[Cuizer2]

Nice to hear the monkeys and birds talking to each other.

 

Have fun.

 

Paul

 

The Monkeys ...

 

 

and the Birds ...