Unlocking the secrets of a Panama Canal Transit Cruise

Pat Matheson, Maritime Travel Counsellor

Jump aboard with me as we set sail for 14 wonderful days cruising along the Pacific Coast, stopping at wonderful ports to the canal transit and on to the Caribbean Sea.

On September 25^th we sailed from Los Angeles aboard the Norwegian Pearl, a beautiful ship with all the amenities one could ask for. The Pearl has a great casual atmosphere with excellent entertainment, great food and freestyle dining. No need for stuffy suits or designer dresses which leaves plenty of room in your luggage for all of the treasures you’ll find while shopping along the ports of call.

With stops in Cabos San Lucas, Acapulco, Huatulco, Guatemala and Costa Rica there were countless options for city tours, nature tours and cliff diving. My favorite ports were Guatemala and Costa Rica because of their natural beauty. And the handcraft market in Guatemala was to die for!  Our final stop was in Cartagena, Colombia where we toured the town’s beautiful architecture and history.                 

Panama Canal

Transiting the canal, everyone was up bright and early as we prepared to start our passage into this incredible 51-mile waterway.  Comprised of a complex system of locks that lift ships 85-ft. through the isthmus the Panama Canal is among the greatest endeavors of mankind. The construction of the Canal stands as an awe-inspiring achievement. Built over 10 years it had to overcome monumental engineering problems such as digging through the Continental Divide, constructing the largest earth dam ever built up, designing and building the most massive canal locks and constructing the largest gates ever swung in addition to solving environmental problems of enormous proportions.

As we begin our voyage a small row boat slides up to the bow and guide lines are secured to the ship and the trains that guide you through the locks one on each side. Then the ship is gently pulled and locked into position and the huge gates are closed. Water rushes in to fill the lock and raise the ship. As I look down I see the ship fits snuggly into the lock and there is no room to spare. Once the lock fills and the ship is raised the gates at the other end open and you are guided to the next lock.  As the ship goes through the series of locks, the first set raises the ship up to man made Gatun Lake and then the ship is lowered by the second set of locks to reach the Caribbean Sea.  As you pass through you can see ships in front, beside and behind you and you can watch as each passes through the series of stages along the Canal.

The scenery through the canal is very beautiful, green and lush with the rainforest all around you.  I wasn’t expecting to be so mesmerized by the beauty of this incredible land.  The Panama Canal Transit Cruise is a “must do” voyage at least once in your lifetime.

Interested in booking a Panama Canal Transit Cruise or another dream holiday?  Call me today!

Pat Matheson
Maritime Travel Counsellor
Highland Square Mall
New Glasgow, Nova Scotia
Phone:  (902) 752-2073
E-Mail:  pmatheson@maritimetravel.ca

Vietnam, Cambodia and the Riches of the Mekong River

In 2000, UNESCO recognized Ha Long Bay as the World Heritage Site for its geological and geomorphological values. Situated in the North East of Vietnam as a part of the Tonkin Gulf, Ha Long Bay covers a total area of 1,553 km2 with 1,969 islands of various sizes tectonically aged 250 to 280 million years. The site is strewn with stone islands and famous grottoes.  Ha Long Bay looks like a huge vivid painting that embraces stone islands and breath-taking caves. It boasts such typical eco-systems as mangroves, corals, lagoons and tropical forests, and thousands of various animals and plants, including species that are unique to Ha Long Bay.

Where the Old and New World Collide
Hanoi is the social, cultural, and economic center of Vietnam.  The city of  Hanoi still preserves many ancient architectural works including One Pillar Pagoda (built in 1042), the Temple of Literature (built in 1070) and over 600 pagodas. 

Ho Chi Minh City ( Saigon ) is the commercial and economic center of Vietnam. Stately pagodas stand beside gleaming skyscrapers, trendy sidewalk cafes and  centuries-old traditional market stalls. Once known as the “ Paris of the East’

If Cambodia is a treasure trove, its jewel box is Angkor.  UNESCO has designated a particularly rich concentration of temples near the city Siem Reap as the Angkor Archaeological Park.  This World Heritage Site is known for its spectacular temple remnants and rebuilt structures. The most legendary is  Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world.

Often referred to as the rice bowl of Vietnam, the fertile Mekong Delta is also famous for its tropical fruits and flowers.  Cruising along these canals and visiting the floating markets always proves to be a fascinating and rewarding experience for all visitors.

Our cruise ship is the brand-new 92 passenger MS La Marguerite. It was specifically built to provide the most luxurious and immersive experience on South East Asia’s  legendary Mekong River. With a design that combines colonial elegance with local artifacts and regional Mekong touches , MS La Marguerite is the perfect setting for an unforgettable river odyssey. 

Join us on this incredible holiday.  Contact Erika Gal,  Branch Manager, at egal@maritimetravel.ca .