Panama canal
- Thread starter susan bbb
- Start date
I have been through the Panama Canal multiple times both the old and new locks. The larger ships must use the newer locks the smaller ships go through the older locks. For me personally I prefer the older locks. I find them more interesting than the new locks. Saying that I have enjoyed going through the older locks on Holland America they do an excellent job.
You have three basic Choices. #1Atlantic to Pacific. #2 Pacific to Atlantic. These you will generally find on main stream lines to get ships to and from the Pacific coast in the Early spring and returning in the Fall. #3. Then there are cruises from The Atlantic side that go into the canal and return out into the Caribbean through the same set of locks. The later are shorter and can be cheaper . My choice has always been from the Atlantic to the Pacific as it returns me gently into my own time zone. You may benefit on airfare pricing .Into and out of North America. Coming over to the West Coast first or last. I'm not sure but you should check on that. A turn around partial canal transit might affect your air pricing also. My preference will always be a full transit. But mind your budget.
My favorite cruise... actually have done it a few times. I likely will do it again if all goes well. Nice mix of Ports and sea days on those that reposition from one coast to the other. All my trips have been through the older locks and although I've only seen the new ones as they were being build and placed I think I would stay with them. There a couple of spots where you can see the new locks as you go through on the older ones. Most ships will use A Columbian Port but some use Aruba to satisfy the distant foreign port requirement I prefer Aruba. So choose your cruiseline with that in mind also.
So do your home work and get back to us if you have more questrions.
My favorite cruise... actually have done it a few times. I likely will do it again if all goes well. Nice mix of Ports and sea days on those that reposition from one coast to the other. All my trips have been through the older locks and although I've only seen the new ones as they were being build and placed I think I would stay with them. There a couple of spots where you can see the new locks as you go through on the older ones. Most ships will use A Columbian Port but some use Aruba to satisfy the distant foreign port requirement I prefer Aruba. So choose your cruiseline with that in mind also.
So do your home work and get back to us if you have more questrions.