Panama Canal

#1 (**permalink**) October 19th, 2002, 12:38 PM

We are booked on Celebrity Summit December 9, 2002. RT Ft. Lauderdale to Key West, Cozumel, Panama, Costa Rica, Aruba. I never thought to check if this ship actually goes through the Panama Canal and back again. It has lists of various excursions to see the locks from above. Does anyone know the answer?

Y2C · #2 (**permalink**) October 19th, 2002, 02:41 PM

Hi Priscilla,
Doing some research it looks like you do not transit the canal by ship. Everything offered concerning the canal is by shore excursions. Some cruise lines do a partial transit from Florida into Gatun Lake then return. Transiting the canal is a wonder in itself. It would be a shame to see it by land or from overhead.
You may wish to give your TA or Celebrity a call to verify. I hope I'm wrong.

pamda · #3 (**permalink**) October 19th, 2002, 03:12 PM

Hi, Priscilla ...

It looks like you are booked on the "Ultimate Western Caribbean" cruise which does not "do" the Panama Canal, as in going through the locks.

Even a one-way turn around where you only do the Gatun Locks should be a fabulous experience. I've been fortunate enough to do a complete transit (Miraflores Locks, Pedro Miguel Locks, and Gatun Locks) twice, I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

If the Canal experience is part of what you want to do, you might want to look at the sister ship, Infinity.

It's not too late to change your booking.

#4 (**permalink**) October 20th, 2002, 06:51 PM

I've done the complete transit twice and it is a fascinating experienc4. A friend of mine just completed the partil transit. Panama has restored an old railroad and he took that excursion and absolutely loved it.

Carole

PapaBill · #5 (**permalink**) October 21st, 2002, 08:40 AM

I will be doing the same trip next week and will report back on my experiences. You do not tranist or enter the canal, but their are excursions to take which will take you into the canal . Check out your excursion alternatives on celebritycruises.com.

#6 (**permalink**) October 21st, 2002, 09:43 PM

Thanks for that info. I will check out the excursions

#7 (**permalink**) October 26th, 2002, 06:34 PM

Transiting the Panama Canel is really an exciting thing to do on a small yacht. We did it on a Saturday in 1980. You can get a free ride by simply showing up in Panama City early in March and hang out at the Panama Canal yacht Club - People need folks to assist them in the transist. You can also grab a ride to the South Pacific or Europe that time of year. Go for it -