This will be our 50th Wedding Anniversary gift to ourselves. Looking at the November 2023 time frame.

Was it worth the money/time?

Did you enjoy the experience?

Our second choice is the New York to Quebec Fall Cruise, October time frame.

I went through the canal on a private boat. It was quite interesting. Typically there are private boats that need help. Every boat is required to have four line handlers, plus the captain. Someone at the yacht club on the Atlantic side hooked us up as line handlers. It was free.

We did one years ago (15 or so) and liked it, although things may have changed since then. Ours started in Miami and the first stop was to the cruise line owned island (Bahamas?). Then the trip to Aruba followed by a trip to the canal zone.

Wasn't a big fan of the stop at Colon, the city on the Atlantic side. When got off the ship and went down the escalator, we immediately saw the heavily armed security at the far side of the terminal to keep out locals and keep in tourists. There was a small tourist shopping area there with the usual trinkets. We did a U-turn at that point and waited on the ship for the departure through the canal.
The canal part was interesting and ours went to the lake then back out to the Atlantic side. Other trips have the option of going straight through and up the Pacific on the west side.

Each night on the way down they had speakers and video presentations about the history of building the canal. That was interesting and it was amazing how many people died due to Malaria and conditions there. There were many attempts to get it done before it was completed.

I have not but my folks have, 2X and they said best overall cruise they have ever been on (and they've done numerous cruises)

Have not, but just got a text from a friend two days ago. “Beginning 9 hr transit through Panama Canal. Most expensive charge 1.2 million for cargo ship with 16,000 containers, least was for Richard Halliburton 36 CENTS who swam through. Fascinating engineering feat!!!”

I dunno that I’d be up for swimming it, but I’d guess that a paddle board or kayak would be pretty cool if one could pull it off…

My sister went. If you are into engineering feats and a history buff do the Canal. I would prefer the outher option.

We did about 5 years ago, it was a fun adventure. Other than going through the canal though, it was a typical Carribean cruise.

Sort of. I've sailed through it several times, both ways, on oil tankers. It's a fascinating trip and I never got tired of it. Add to that, my grandfather working on it during construction and my father was born in the canal zone which makes it extra special for me.

No, but it is on my list.

Two different ways of doing it.

First one is leaving from Florida and going into the Canal and turning around and heading back home. Usually a 7 day.

The other (my choice) is to sail from Florida through the Canal and then up to Los Angeles. Or you can go the reverse direction. These cruises are usually 14 days or so.

Did Fl to Ca in 2016 and Ca to Fl in 2021. Two of the most interesting cruises I have done. The canal is an engineering marvel. There are no pumps required to raise or lower the ships in the locks, it's all done by gravity. Gatun Lake supplies the water needed. The 2021 cruise was especially enjoyable as there were only 825 guests on a ship designed for 3080. Covid kept most people away.

Friends did a year ago Fla to Ca. They did the island hopping going S & the Baja jumping going N.
They enjoyed the canal for a very different environment than their urban life style.

Their enthusiasm did not result in me booking a trip, although they tried.

I have not

Oh man, this is now on my list.

Did it courtesy of the US Navy back in 1995. No cost.

My grandparents did and loved it, but it was a long time ago. Main reason I remember is I was about 20 and told Grandmother “I want to go!” She told me when I had worked as long and hard as they had, that I could go too

We did an East to West in 2017 aboard a Princess ship. We hit some interesting ports but the all-day transit through the Canal was the highlight.




Absolutely an incredible engineering feat. I highly recommend.
Mike

I did on a smaller cruise ship back in late 90’s.

Enjoyed it immensely, total awe over the construction feat involved at the time.

I went from north to south (yes, it runs N-S not E-W), than up the pacific coast to Acapulco.

Unbelievable the number of stars off the coast of Costa Rico on a moonless night with no light pollution. I had a hard time find the Big Dipper there were so many other stars you never see.

Try to take your cruise before the Iranians get there.

Iran Wants to Station Ships in Panama Canal

quote:

Originally posted by Blackmore:
Try to take your cruise before the Iranians get there.

Iran Wants to Station Ships in Panama Canal

Don't count on that happening, it's too important to the US and much of the world.

In any case, that is yet another hangover from the J Carter administration.
We had to give it back (according to Carter) to the natives but they have since been trying to sell off various rights to the highest bidder.

quote:

Originally posted by 220-9er:

quote:

Originally posted by Blackmore:
Try to take your cruise before the Iranians get there.

Iran Wants to Station Ships in Panama Canal

Don't count on that happening, it's too important to the US and much of the world.

In any case, that is yet another hangover from the J Carter administration.
We had to give it back (according to Carter) to the natives but they have since been trying to sell off various rights to the highest bidder.

I don't. Sarcasm intended.