Panama canal

planning to book a cruise thru the canal and was wondering does it matter which side of the ship is the best,port or starboard,thanks

There is a very informative area in the Ports Of Call section for the Panama Canal where you will probably get some answers to this question.

Here is a link http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=89

It sounds like a wonderful experience. Happy cruising!

Not really, because you should move around and go up & down to different decks to see what it looks like. You should also go out to the helipad, if one is available on your ship. There are lots of interesting views, but the canal will be on both sides. It just depends on which lane you are assigned. We've done it in an aft cabin, with the TV tuned to the bow cam. We had a port side balcony cabin booked on a westbound, and it was too hot, after a while. :)

Here is a link to about 200 photos of my trip through the Panama Canal. You can decide which side is best. However, I think each side is equal.

I was on a ship going from the Pacific to the Caribbean ...

http://s18.photobucket.com/user/ZefH/slideshow/Panama%20Canal%20-%202008

No, as the best spot is looking forward as you enter the first set of locks. After about an hour of watching the process (like watching paint dry) you will be looking for the nearest bar.

It was one of the most interesting cruises we have done. Probably, second only to Alaska. However, if I was to do it again I would only do a partial transit. I would do Caribbean into the lake and back out. We did a full transit and once you do a couple of locks and transit the lake it gets pretty routine.

Thanks for the feedback,we were thinking that either side would be great,now we wait for the bookings to open!!!

I think either side is equal but I'd book an aft if I could. I was in the Celebrity Penthouse which is at the aft and it was AWESOME to watch the locks open and close. And that way you can kind of see to both sides. Highly recommend that.

The best sides of the ship are outside and topside! Things happen slowly at the Canal so you can position yourself to see what interests you. For the Canal itself the cheapest, most inside cabin is just as good as the biggest balcony. Really both sides have their own little treats, don't tie your self down to just seeing half of what you came to see. Best advice is to pick your cabin/side based on how you would use it for the remainder of the cruise.

Another vote for forward view - clearly the best.

The best sides of the ship are outside and topside! Things happen slowly at the Canal so you can position yourself to see what interests you. For the Canal itself the cheapest, most inside cabin is just as good as the biggest balcony. Really both sides have their own little treats, don't tie your self down to just seeing half of what you came to see. Best advice is to pick your cabin/side based on how you would use it for the remainder of the cruise.

What Bill said...

We cruised on the Wind Spirit from Colon through the Panama Canal and up the Pacific coast of Panama and Costa Rica on 12/27/14. The Wind Spirit has 148 passengers and we spent the day all over the ship. We started in the front, moved to the back, checked out both sides of the ship and started over again. Being on a small ship made it very easy to see everything up close and personal. We loved it!!

You are in a canal...views everywhere. You WILL want to roam the ship....sitting on your balcony will only give 1/4 of the sights! Get out and about! High decks, lower decks...all sides of the ship!

You are in a canal...views everywhere. You WILL want to roam the ship....sitting on your balcony will only give 1/4 of the sights! Get out and about! High decks, lower decks...all sides of the ship!

Half of the sights. The view from the balcony is 180 degrees, unless you are in an aft wrap around balcony. Then you get 3/4 of the sights as the view is 270 degrees. :)

We had a great balcony on the starboard side of the Island Princess. We explored the ship find out how to get to the best viewing areas that I had read about here on Cruise Critic.

Then, when the big day arrived, we were on our balcony, but also moved around from side to side, forward and aft, taking in the views while my wife snapped pictures to her heart's content.

We were on a partial transit but it was a fantastic experience.

Happy cruising!