LIVE from Radiance Apr. 21, 2023 - The Panama Canal - Canal au Niveau de la Mer

[twangster]

Heading up to deck 12 I was greeted with an amazing sight out the porthole style window.

 

 

It seems the Sun was following us out of port.

 

 

The other sun was thinking about setting.

 

 

With mountains in the distance it was very dramatic and hard to capture the beauty in mere photos.

 

 

 

 

A distant cloud layer had other plans and stole the sun from us.  

 

 

 

 

Edited May 2, 2023 by twangster

[twangster]

Samba Grill for dinner.   Seventeen of us present.  I think the early seating is more popular. 

[twangster]

Talking with different crew tonight it seems Huatulco was very popular with the crew.  Many who had time off went to beach.  It's close and convenient.   It sounds like they all enjoyed the day. 

[Sea Dog]

4 hours ago, twangster said:

White night tonight.

 

Nailed it.

 

 

Best picture of the whole thread !!!!! 😜

[Coralc]

We loved Huatulco when we visited on a canal cruise. Really nice beach/port/town, and very convenient to the pier. Great photos, as always! 

Edited May 2, 2023 by Coralc

[twangster]

In the theater... I'm Still Standing.  An Elton John Tribute.

 

 

 

 

 

[ONECRUISER]

9 hours ago, twangster said:

As promised, we had company at the pier. 

 

 

 

Nice! Was on Sun(and Sky) 22+ yrs ago. Before Royal had it was first Cruises took that had Freestyle(eat when you want) and 10 Restaurant Choices. Did like NCL had Pepsi Brand Vending Machines onboard with 16.90z bottles to purchase...

[ONECRUISER]

6 hours ago, twangster said:

White night tonight.

 

Nailed it.

 

Nice! Thought this white coat for wear on Formal Nites in Main Dinning... Always liked the thin Summer style Royal Robes over the older thick Winter type. Was 2 of each in my Suite before CV, funny thing is travel SOLO as always and don't wear them.

[twangster]

Day 12 - Sea Day

 

Progress report

 

 

 

[twangster]

Sea state report - very nice cruising day.

 

 

 

This morning's forward views are courtesy of the deck 13 forward public deck.

 

 

 

 

 

[twangster]

Starlink report

 

[twangster]

Last night I noticed an airfare drop so I tried to call Air2Sea.   The wifi calling experience was pretty bad.  I moved to the deck 7 Voom desk area and it was still bad.    It took an hour but I got it done but before the call was over the call dropped.   Fortunately they were far enough along where my airfare was repriced.  

 

Today is final payment for the airfare so a last minute price drop saved me $100 but it was an effort due to the poor internet performance.  

[BillB48]

Those sunrise shots look like a perfect way to start another rigorous day at sea.  Thought I would send this along before the Canal get too far astern of you.  The video was taken at Agua Clara Locks recently at just about the same vantage point of your pictures which is the Gatun Lake entrance (south end) of the Lock.  The incident could have resulted in significant damage, not only to the ship and tug but more importantly the lock gate.  The loud alternating sound is the signal that the gate is moving.

 

 

[twangster]

Just spent an hour on a wifi call fixing what the Air2Sea agent last night did to my booking.  🙃

 

This mornings wifi call quality was great.  

 

Starlink is very inconsistent.   Once they finish building the satellite constellation over the next two years it should get better. 

[twangster]

Just now, BillB48 said:

Those sunrise shots look like a perfect way to start another rigorous day at sea.  Thought I would send this along before the Canal get too far astern of you.  The video was taken at Agua Clara Locks recently at just about the same vantage point of your pictures which is the Gatun Lake entrance (south end) of the Lock.  The incident could have resulted in significant damage, not only to the ship and tug but more importantly the lock gate.  The loud alternating sound is the signal that the gate is moving.

 

 

 

Yikes.   It looks like the tug was able to slip over to the port side of the bulbous bow.   Hope they were okay other than needing to change their shorts.

 

The lock gate is another story.   Great example of why there are two gates.   I wonder if they closed that side for an inspection. 

[cruiser999]

What dining plans have been offered for this cruise. I am sailing on Radiance Panama Canal next April.

[twangster]

MDR dinner menu...  to Italy 🇮🇹

 

 

 

[twangster]

Just now, cruiser999 said:

What dining plans have been offered for this cruise. I am sailing on Radiance Panama Canal next April.

 

No UDP on long cruises like this.   Saw Chops plus one, 3 night, 5 night and 10 night. 

[twangster]

Descriptions of the theater shows offered on this cruise in no particular order:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[cruiser999]

7 minutes ago, twangster said:

 

No UDP on long cruises like this.   Saw Chops plus one, 3 night, 5 night and 10 night. 

Thanks, are the plans consecutive?, and is this only dinner and no speciality lunchs?

 

[h20skibum]

39 minutes ago, BillB48 said:

The incident could have resulted in significant damage, not only to the ship and tug but more importantly the lock gate.  The loud alternating sound is the signal that the gate is moving.

From that perspective, the gates don’t look nearly as tall as they are.  Here, they were waiting for installation. 
 

[twangster]

Just now, cruiser999 said:

Thanks, are the plans consecutive?, and is this only dinner and no speciality lunchs?

 

 

Not consecutive, pick your nights.  They didn't enforce a night one requirement on this cruise. 

 

Specialy lunches available on an individual basis.   You may be able to apply a dining plan visit towards a lunch, I've never tried.  

[twangster]

Pretty nice sea day.

 

 

 

 

If a cruiser sees his shadow, how many nights of specialty dining 'till the end of the cruise?

 

 

 

[twangster]

Not all Radiance class have stairs in the Centrum.  Only Radiance and...

 

[twangster]

Morning selfie.