Best place to view Canal locks on RCI -Jewel

[chasescott]

Can anyone suggest the best place to watch the Jewel of the Seas transit the canal locks? Deck and location?

 

Thanks

[Steamboatin]

If you are going from Carribean to the Pacific the port (left) side has the best views.

 

If you are going from the Pacific to the Carribean the other side (right side) of the ship is the best view.

 

Best view of the locks working depends on which of the two adjacent locks your vessel is using. You will know that upon approaching the lock and can accordingly react to the best side to view the "mules" pulling the ship into the lock.

[Gonzo70]

There is no "best" spot. You want to try and see as many different perspectives as you can as it is a very different experience from different vantage points. Check out views in the front, back, both sides, and high and low decks. As the ship enters the locks for the first time, it seems like most people head to the helicopter pad in the front - so we did the reverse to avoid the crowds. We began aft and later in the day went to the helicopter pad when it was far less crowded.

[2112]

I think the best spot is the front through the first lock so you can watch the approach, but after that, move around. It was really interesting being on deck 5 going through a lock because you start out at lock level (you could reach out and touch the lock) and then get to see the ship rise. It is a really interesting.

[Jeff in Torrance]

If you are doing a complete transit, the process will take all day. You will see if from every location possible.

[cruiseapril]

For the partial transit, how long is the Jewel in the Canal?

[BillB48]

The short answer is most of the day. The ship will enter the breakwater at Cristobal, (which is the beginning of the Canal) around 6am. The ship will continue up the channel to Gatun Locks, about 5 miles. Normally the ship will arrive at the Locks around sunrise, (depending on scheduling it could be later however) locking through the Locks and arriving the Gatun Lake anchorage sometime after 9am. The ship will go to anchor at which time passengers will be tendered off the ship for their tours. If you stay on the ship for the down lockage, it will be easy to get the "prime" viewing spots.

 

When traffic conditions permit the Jewel will lock back down Gatun and proceed to the Cristobal pier where the passengers who are on tour will rejoin the ship. The ship will dock at Cristobal around 4pm.

 

Even though the Jewel technically will be in the Canal most of the day, the majority of your time in the Canal will be spent in Gatun Locks, Gatun Lake anchorage and the Cristobal pier. There is a lot of the Canal you won't see, but this is really a great cruise and you can get a good feel what the Canal is all about.

[carbon]

Booked he Jewel for next April 2010. We were told it no longer cruises the canel but will be docking.

[itsanita]

Booked he Jewel for next April 2010. We were told it no longer cruises the canel but will be docking.

 

We have tried to book a Panama Cruise for the spring of 2010, but they don't seem to be out yet. I just went onto the RC web site and April 2010 is not yet listed. How did you book?

[Loucat]

We were on the 4/13 sailing of JOS and loved going through the canal. We got up at 5 AM. They opened the gates to the helicopter landing area at 5:30 and had spots right on the bow. It was fascinating to be so close. On the passage back, we went to all decks to see the locks from a different perspective. We were told that in 2010, you would board a ferry boat to transverse the locks. The cost for transiting the locks is pretty high.:eek: I am glad we were onboard to see it:)

[unklez]

We were on the 4/13 sailing of JOS and loved going through the canal. We got up at 5 AM. They opened the gates to the helicopter landing area at 5:30 and had spots right on the bow. It was fascinating to be so close. On the passage back, we went to all decks to see the locks from a different perspective. ............

 

Ya, best way to see the locks is to move around and see it from different levels from open areas - front, back, sides - and from your cabin. Each of the 3 chambers in Gatun locks takes about 10-25 minutes to cross so you will get sufficient time to view. If you do not do a ship-arranged tour, you will get even better viewing opportunities on the return journey thru' the locks when the ship is 1/2 empty.

 

Have fun!!!

[12B@C]

Best view of the locks working depends on which of the two adjacent locks your vessel is using. You will know that upon approaching the lock and can accordingly react to the best side to view the "mules" pulling the ship into the lock.

 

Actually the mules are on both sides, so that is not an issue.

I found it more interesting to be on the side where you can see the other locks. That then gives you a chance to see the operation of your ship as well as another one next to you.

 

Watch how they pass the tie lines! Little row boats with two men are still used after many tries with harpoons and other dangerous systems to get the line to your ship. But all of that is besides the point.

[unklez]

Actually the mules are on both sides, so that is not an issue.

I found it more interesting to be on the side where you can see the other locks. That then gives you a chance to see the operation of your ship as well as another one next to you.

 

Watch how they pass the tie lines! Little row boats with two men are still used after many tries with harpoons and other dangerous systems to get the line to your ship. But all of that is besides the point.

 

We missed the passing the tie lines. Will have to go again I guess :)