Which Cruise Line for Panama Canal

[Kgordon]

Does anyone have a recommendation for a Panama Canal Cruise? I've cruised on RCI, Celebrity and Princess in the past in Southern Caribbean, Western Caribbean. I was hoping to take this trip on a Celebrity ship, but am looking for advice from those who have taken this trip.

Thanks,

Karen

[ShipMaven]

Are you planning a full transit or a partial transit (in as far as Gatun Lake)? If you enjoy Celebrity, there is no reason why you shouldn't consider them for this cruise. Check out the itineraries of each cruise line that might be of interest.

[Kgordon]

We plan a full transit. I like the one way from San Diego to the East. But just looking for ideas.

[ShipMaven]

If you have the time, and it fits your schedule and budget, my recommendation is to look for one of the reposititioning cruises (mostly in April to early May) where the ships transition from the Caribbean to Alaska for Alaska's summer season. The cruises are a bit longer, usually more ports, and the per diems generally are a bit lower. These repositioning cruises generally are 14 days or longer. Weather generally is good as well. I never recommend the reverse (West Coast to Florida) in the Fall because of Hurricane Season. Even if you avoid storms, it will be oppressively hot and humid the farther south you sail.

[Kgordon]

Good idea, I'll check on those!

[ShipMaven]

Best wishes! Let us know if you find something to your liking.

[BSeabob]

One other thing about repo Panama cruises is to take into consideration the time changes. If you live in the West it may be easier to get on over here but you have the long flt. home at the end. Going East to West allows the time changes just to be absorbed during travel and a shorter get home after the completed cruise.

[Cruizer]

Why are you going to the Panama Canal? If you want to see it, then I recommend one of the NCL ships. Not because I am a fan of NCL (I am not) but because it has forward facing balcony cabins that are great for this kind of cruise. Unfortunately these are suites, which cost more, but the view is fantastic ...

I was on the Jade when I did a full transit ...



And I was in one of those forward facing balconies ...



Going up ...



Here is a link to about 200 pictures while on my forward facing balcony while going through the canal ...

NCL Jade going through the Panama Canal - Feb 2008 pictures from friends & fun photos on webshots

And here is one of those pictures ...



This officer, who is on the bridge, saw me getting ready to take his picture ...



And one of my favorite photos from that trip ...



That picture shows how big my balcony was. That is a family of five from Canada that I met on the cruise while on the beach in Acapulco. We were both hiding from the street vendors. Mom was sitting on a striped towel that I recognized as being from the ship. So I started talking to her. I invited the entire family (who had two inside rooms) to join me on the balcony during the transit, which they did.

[Jeanie]

Good luck on your choice, you will enjoy it

[ShipMaven]

LOVE your photos, Cruizer!