Panama Canal part 2

Apologies for starting a second thread with a similar title, but I didn't want it to get lost.

Now looking at perhaps doing a partial transit rather than a full one. What, if anything, would I miss?

Reason for this question is that I've found a cruise which starts and finishes in Southampton which would be perfect (unless you tell me I would be missing something spectacular if I didn't do the full transit:p)

Sorry if you think I'm pestering you, but I need to get it right.

I think you get a good overview from the partial...you go thru 3 sets of locks, hang out in Lake Gatun for a while while excursions leave, so if you stay on the ship, when you go back OUT of those locks, there are no crowds! We wanted to see the canal, but I had no interest in doing a cross-country flight....so the partial was great!

There is a navigator onboard that will give running commentary and facts about the canal and it's operation while you are entering Lake Gatun.

Unless you are an avid "canal" fan, you will be fine with a partial!