"New Locks & Former Panama Canal Zone" Princess Shore Excursion

[jbpcalifornia]

Can anyone explain how the Princess Cruise's "New Locks & Former Panama Canal Zone" shore excursion actually works with regard to the ship entering and leaving the Panama Canal?  We'd like to be on the ship while its actually in the canal.  Thanks!

Jeff

Edited October 11, 2019 by jbpcalifornia
misspelling

[Essiesmom]

As described on many threads here, your ship will enter the Gatun Locks and lock up through the three locks into Gatun Lake.  Those taking excursions will then tender in to the dock and board their buses to their excursion points.  The ship will linger for several hours, then lock back through the Gatun Locks and dock in Colon where she will pick up the excursion passengers.  EM

Edited October 11, 2019 by Essiesmom

[jbpcalifornia]

Thanks.  The description on the Princess web site needs lots of improvement.  Also, would you happen to know if the hundreds tendering on Gatun Lake takes a long time?  Seems like it would with so many leaving for excursions at the same time.  Also, you miss the return through the locks if you are on an excursion.  Again, thanks for the clarification.  Been on many cruises, but this is our first involving the Canal.  

[BillB48]

Yes, you will miss the exit back through Gatun Locks.  However it is a complete replay of the mornings up passage through the locks, just in reverse.  While the down lockage is certainly of interest it is not a horrible trade off to forego that portion in order to take in some more of Panama.

 

Tendering times are not really to lengthy as the ship gets very close to the Gatun Yacht Club (the landing) and the travel times to shore are short.

[Essiesmom]

Them only thing you will miss not being onboard for the return through the locks is the crowds at the railings.  Most are off on excursions, and many more have had enough and are off to the bars... or a nap.  EM

[angelNY]

On 10/11/2019 at 7:24 PM, BillB48 said:

Yes, you will miss the exit back through Gatun Locks.  However it is a complete replay of the mornings up passage through the locks, just in reverse.  While the down lockage is certainly of interest it is not a horrible trade off to forego that portion in order to take in some more of Panama.

 

Tendering times are not really to lengthy as the ship gets very close to the Gatun Yacht Club (the landing) and the travel times to shore are short.

Is the tender pier at Fuerte Amador Panama port near the Resort & Marina

or another area?

[BillB48]

Not sure exactly where the resort is but the tender landing would be out at the end of the causeway from the main land to the islands, there is a marina along with several small boat achorages.