Unlocking the secrets of a Panama Canal Transit Cruise
November 10, 2009 at 4:57 pm Mary Thyme 3 comments
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 25th 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
Entry filed under: Destinations.
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1. toopmedge | December 10, 2009 at 6:24 pm
A lot of of people write about this matter but you wrote down some true words.
2. Pauline MacKenzie | December 16, 2009 at 12:58 pm
I know many people who have made this trip, but when asked , could not specify what was so magical about it. Thanks for your description – I finally know why I should put this cruise on my “to do” list.
3. Cora McKenzie | February 18, 2010 at 5:20 pm
It has been 10 years now since I did this cruise. To date it is still the best holiday experience I have ever had. This is just one of those things that you can’t truely appreciate until you actually see it in person and marvel at the mechanics of the canal! So amazing!