First time on the Zuiderdam and through the Canal.

[Chickadee910]

Our first cruise on the Zuiderdam and our first through the Panama Canal any tips?

[DaveOKC]

I know that this is a bit of a reach for most people, but if you could afford to snag one of the two deck 5 aftwrap Neptune cabins it would be a fantastic experience!  The closeup views of the locks operations are not to be missed.

 

[dchip]

We have always preferred transiting the canal from an open deck at the back of the ship. You can move from side to side and not miss anything. 
 

We will be sailing on the Zuiderdam  for the first time on 2/27/22. 
 

Enjoy, Denise

[0106]

I will be on the Zuiderdam on 2/13.  I found these threads to be very helpful:

BTimmer's Almost Live - Zuiderdam 1/2-30/22 -San Diego to Florida RT 

On the Zuiderdam, tested positive, booted off

Zuiderdam Quarantine 

 

[rajkr74]

Don't stay in one spot on the ship, move around the ship for different views.  The bow will be open for the transit thru the canal.  If coming from FLL, get up early for the first lock (Gatun).  It's a pretty site in the early morning light, especially viewing all the cargo ships anchored waiting to go thru the canal.  HAL serves "Panama Buns" on deck, do try them, they are very good. It usually takes the full day going thru the canal so you will see sights all day.  Wander the decks mid-day if you can stand the heat and humidity.

 

Early morning.

View from the stern.

 

Panama Buns

[Ray4Fun]

Yes, walk about the ship, totally agree be up front when first approaching them, then its walk time.

If you get the chance be level with the lock, being close to the wall is yet another experience.

 

If you have the opportunity to have a ships tour of the canal, try to take it. Being on a smaller ship in the canal was a great experience for us. 

[FlyingCruiser2]

If you have a balcony cabin, make friends with the people in the same cabin location on the other side of the ship.  We did this and on canal day we kept our doors ajar and both parties were free to see something "on the other side".

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

Have lunch in the dining room. on the transit day.

[Crew News]

Make friends with someone in an aft stateroom on fully-covered Deck 5.

 

[cruisinteach2]

Check out all the way forward on decks 5, 6, or 7. Doors to outside deck for viewing above the bow area. Great space for pictures and usually less crowded than the bow. Enjoy! 

[CruiserBruce]

4 hours ago, DaveOKC said:

I know that this is a bit of a reach for most people, but if you could afford to snag one of the two deck 5 aftwrap Neptune cabins it would be a fantastic experience!  The closeup views of the locks operations are not to be missed.

 

Isn't Deck 4 the huge balconies? All the aft Neptunes have the wrap around balconies, but IIRC, its Deck 4 that has the HUGE balconies.

[Chickadee910]

Thank you everyone…husband will be trying to see everything from 5 am on. I move a lot slower so my balcony will be my friend. The more I can share with him the better. Thank you all… only 11 more days…

[Turtles06]

If you haven't already done so, I strongly urge you to read David McCullough's "The Path Between the Seas."  You will appreciate the Canal even more.  (It's a long book.  Since you only have 11 days, start reading now!  😃)

 

As folks have said above, definitely don't be in one spot for the entire day  -- you want to see the locks in operation from fore, aft, low, high...  And when the ship is crossing Gatun Lake, you'll have a great view of oncoming traffic (big container ships, LNG carriers, you name it) from the port side.  It's also a good time to take a break from the heat and humidity, and have something to eat. 

 

Fun factoid: although folks generally refer to a Canal cruise as westbound or eastbound (which is the overall direction of travel for the cruise), the Canal itself runs approximately NW-SE.  If you are going from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific, you will exit the Canal about 20 miles further east than where you entered.

 

I compiled a Guide for the Canal Transit Day for our first transit in 2017, noting points of interest along the way, and updated it for our 2020 transit; you can find it here:

 

https://panamacanalnclgem2020.shutterfly.com/canaldayguide

 

Also, there is an entire forum here on CC devoted to the Canal:

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/54-panama-canal/

 

Enjoy your cruise!

Edited February 1, 2022 by Turtles06

[0106]

41 minutes ago, Turtles06 said:

Also, there is an entire forum here on CC devoted to the Canal:

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/54-panama-canal/

Thank you VERY much for this link, didn’t even realize it was available.

[Playin Pickleball]

Just finished a b2b on Zuiderdam thru the canal and it's simply amazing. My friends and I watched this video before the trip and it provided a great overview of the making of the canal. Definitely worth watching. 

 

 

[DaveOKC]

18 hours ago, CruiserBruce said:

Isn't Deck 4 the huge balconies? All the aft Neptunes have the wrap around balconies, but IIRC, its Deck 4 that has the HUGE balconies.

Not on the Zuiderdam - its deck 5 (100% certain of this as we have been in them twice).  Plus they are fully covered (great for getting out of the very hot sun!

Deck 4 balconies are much smaller and have far less shade.  One good thing though is that they are a bit closer to the far aft of the ship. so when the locks close behind the ship it almost seems that they are coming right up to your railing!

 

[lcand1923]

If you don’t have time to read “The Path Between The Seas”, get a copy of Anne Vipond’s “Panama Canal by Cruise Ship”.  She gives a good overview of the construction, sites during the transit and things to do in various ports.  Your appreciation of the Canal and what went into its construction makes the Cruise even more exciting.

 

[ottahand7]

Some views from our aft deck 4 NS on the Oosterdam.   3/4/18.   We snagged it on an upgrade and it gave us a view of almost being able to touch the walls.  The only ding on the suite was it had the window washing equipment attached at the corner of our massive deck.   Gatun and Miraflores locks.   Enjoy your cruise.  I look forward to doing a B2B from FL sometime soon.   

[KarefreeKaren]

6 hours ago, lcand1923 said:

If you don’t have time to read “The Path Between The Seas”, get a copy of Anne Vipond’s “Panama Canal by Cruise Ship”.  She gives a good overview of the construction, sites during the transit and things to do in various ports.  Your appreciation of the Canal and what went into its construction makes the Cruise even more exciting.

 

I’m really enjoying the Audible Path Between the Seas version….probably will be listening still as we transit the canal on the Zuiderdam Feb. 13th sailing. 

[leerathje]

On 2/1/2022 at 11:48 AM, CruiserBruce said:

Isn't Deck 4 the huge balconies? All the aft Neptunes have the wrap around balconies, but IIRC, its Deck 4 that has the HUGE balconies.

 

Pinnacle Class have the extended balconies.

 

The 2 photos with no one on them are the extended balconies on Deck 4 are on the Koningsdam.  We easily fit 6 people on our deck.

 

The photo of a woman is on Deck 4 on the Oosterdam.

 

L.

 

[Chickadee910]

Thank you once again for all the tips. Leaving snow on Sunday to catch our ship.