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You may be entering the lake, but I doubt it. Check with your TA or Celebrity. Usually, the X cruises that dock at Cristobal do NOT actually enter the canal at all, but dock right adjacent to the Caribbean entrance. You will see dozens of ships right there getting ready to enter the canal or just exiting it. You are literally less than a half mile from the canal entrance.

Cristobal pier has a small duty free shopping area, and there are almost always some additional craft vendors that set up shop there. The pier is located in an industrial area, and there isn't anything (safe) to do right there. There are good excursions to nearby Gatun Lake and the Gatun Locks, as well as longer excursions that go all the way to Panama City by rail, or through the locks by ferry. I particularly enjoyed an eco-excursion boat ride through the lake that also visited the locks to watch ships transit.

I definitely agree with the observation that this is not an area that lends itself to independent exploring.

Enjoy your cruise.

<blockquote data-quote="Ted_D" data-source="post: 1177650">You may be entering the lake, but I doubt it.&nbsp; Check with your TA or Celebrity.&nbsp; Usually, the X cruises that dock at Cristobal do NOT actually enter the canal at all, but dock right adjacent to the Caribbean entrance.&nbsp; You will see dozens of ships right there getting ready to enter the canal or just exiting it.&nbsp; You are literally less than a half mile from the canal entrance.Cristobal pier has a small duty free shopping area, and there are almost always some additional craft vendors that set up shop there.&nbsp; The pier is located in an industrial area, and there isn't anything (safe) to do right there.&nbsp; There are good excursions to nearby Gatun Lake and the Gatun Locks, as well as longer excursions that go all the way to Panama City by rail, or through the locks by ferry.&nbsp; I particularly enjoyed an eco-excursion boat ride through the lake that also visited the locks to watch ships transit.I definitely agree with the observation that this is not an area that lends itself to independent exploring.Enjoy your cruise.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Ted_D, post: 1177650"] You may be entering the lake, but I doubt it. Check with your TA or Celebrity. Usually, the X cruises that dock at Cristobal do NOT actually enter the canal at all, but dock right adjacent to the Caribbean entrance. You will see dozens of ships right there getting ready to enter the canal or just exiting it. You are literally less than a half mile from the canal entrance. Cristobal pier has a small duty free shopping area, and there are almost always some additional craft vendors that set up shop there. The pier is located in an industrial area, and there isn't anything (safe) to do right there. There are good excursions to nearby Gatun Lake and the Gatun Locks, as well as longer excursions that go all the way to Panama City by rail, or through the locks by ferry. I particularly enjoyed an eco-excursion boat ride through the lake that also visited the locks to watch ships transit. I definitely agree with the observation that this is not an area that lends itself to independent exploring. Enjoy your cruise. [/QUOTE]