BillB48

At Gatun...

Think the hope for a December completion will turn out to be another completion date missed. With all the demonstrations that have going on lately I don't think there is any hope of completion next month.

I saw or heard something in my travels that the vessel will actually transit in ballast. Suppose they need the ship at some other port ASAP and not languishing off the coast of Panama.

You echo my feelings down to the T. I have sailed on all 4 remaining Vision class ships, all of the Radiance class ships, 3 of the Voyager class, all Freedom class and 3 cruises on various Oasis class. Without a doubt the only ships I have no desire in sailing again are the Urban Sprawl of the Seas class. In case there is any doubt, I am referring to the Oasis class 😉. I am not saying I won't sail on those ships, but it is not the ship that will attract me to the cruise. I guess if and when an Oasis class ship and I cruise again, it will be in spite of the ship!

Definitely a major CHA-CHING! 😀

Another record for payment to go to the head of the line has been reached for passage through the Panama Canal! Only $4 million!!!! Alright, you can say that is a little exaggeration... but it was $3.975 million. Ah, what is $25K among friends... a rounding error?? The unidentified ship will transit Nov. 15. https://gcaptain.com/lpg-tanker-pays-record-4-million-for-panama-canal-slot/?subscriber=true&goal=0_f50174ef03-ccba124568-169919501&mc_cid=ccba124568&mc_eid=58518afd65

As far as I am aware most of the cancellations of Canal transits have come from cruise lines that did not have these itineraries scheduled years in advance. Such is the case what Royal Caribbean did with their ship the Rhapsody, where they substituted Colon as a port call instead of a Canal transit. That particular itinerary had only been announced a few months earlier. Cruise ships can book transits up to two years out, I feel these long held reservations are secure. The cuts in transits next year will come first by not making new reservations. I suppose there is always some risk there could be a major itinerary change after final payment, however with such a major change as no transit, i believe significant allowances would be offered.

Not really, the Lake would have been lower sooner. Glass half full, not half empty!

By limiting the number of ships "should" balance out the amount of water lost from Gatun Lake as a result of transits with the amount of water that flow into the Lake, at least that is the plan (hope). If this balance is reached then the draft limits for vessels transiting will not have to be further reduced. Maximum draft for vessels using the new locks is 50', which has been reduced to 44' presently. The max draft for vessels transiting the original locks is 39.5'. Canal authorities are trying not to make further draft reductions, so maintaining Gatun Lake at or near its current level is necessary.

You have got the essentials EM!😀 The water saving basins for new locks are supposed to lower the amount of water spilled to sea to less than the water spilled to sea at the original locks. In other words the new locks will use less water even though they are bigger than the original locks. The original locks are trying to duplicate the use of the water saving basins by cross spilling into the adjacent chamber. Of course the position of the ship in adjacent lane impacts when you can cross spill, so it can't be used every time water needs to be spilled/filled.

That was my experience as well.

That looks like a pretty good pea souper. Guess they can't catch a break... fog has always been the down side of the Rainy Season, they are getting the fog, just not enough rain to go with it!

While I don't have "proof" a Radiance class ship can call on Baltimore, I don't think the bridges would be the stumbling block. The info I have is the air draft on those ships is 173'. The Radiance class clear the Sunshine Skyway in Tampa which has a clearance of 181. The Bay Bridge and the Key Bridge are 182' and 185' respectively.

I am unsure what the "Best of Amador" would entail other than a drive through Ft. Amador on your way to the Old City and Miraflores Locks. Primarily Ft. Amador is the causeway to the small group of islands where the cruise terminal is located (if they ever get it finished) various stores, restaurants and great views of Panama City and the Bridge of Americas. The Biodiversity Museum is also located in Ft. Amador. I don't believe the 1+ hour travel time is entirely accurate for the rain forest an Gatun Lake. I believe that part of the tour description was just copied from the description when the tour operated from the Atlantic side. To go directly to that area would only take 30-45 minutes under normal circumstances.

EM, I checked with my on the scene expert and he confirmed the flag was half staff for All Saints Day.

Most likely it is All Saints Day (Dia de Todos Los Santos) observed much in the same manner as Dia de Los Muertos is in Mexico. Actually it is observed over two days. This is also a big month for Holidays in Panama. Today is Independence Day from Colombia, tomorrow is Flag Day, then comes Colon Day, later in the month there Independence from Spain and I'm sure there are some I have not mentioned.

The cruise lines should be unaffected by any of the reductions in available reservations. Cruise lines are actually treated a little more favorably when making reservations as they have a window up to two years in which to make a reservation. On the other hand all other ships only can make reservations up to one year out.

Cruise ships have reservations for their transit as well as many cargo ships secure their transit with a reservation. Most of the reduction of available transits have come from the elimination of slots that are not reserved. I am sure there are a number of worried meteorologists and Canal officials looking at the upcoming Dry Season, things are not at a point where your Nov 25th transit is in jeopardy... enjoy!

Local issues, the government has inked a new and rather lucrative contract with a Canadian copper mining company. The company and the mine have been operating in a remote region on the Atlantic side for some time. The government has granted some privileges to the company that much of the public is against and this is what has caused the uproar. I honestly don't how much can be attributed to the various political factions jockeying for position for next years presidential (Panama) elections.

To late for an edit, I went looking for the Ruby on AIS and had a difficult time locating her. Finally found her anchored in the anchorage reserved for hazardous cargo which is near the island of Taboga where she has a bunker vessel along side. Think it is safe to assume shore excursions are a no go for today.

The only thing I can add is perhaps they are having concerns about sending a load of passengers ashore since many parts of the country have been beset with massive demonstrations and roadblocks on some of the major arteries. The Canal is operating normally for most the most part.

I have transited the Canal many times and have been on many, many partial transits and the thought of doing laundry during the transit, I can honestly say has never entered my mind!😁 Completely agree, the ferry excursion through the original locks is well worth it. Glad you enjoyed.

A little more in the little news department... My contact sent me a link to a report from a local news outlet. Basically the local tourist industry is unhappy with all the unfulfilled promises concerning the completion of the Amador Cruise Terminal. The Panama Marine Authority (AMP) who is overseeing the development of the Terminal had promised it would be ready by Sept. 23. It now looks like that has shifted to sometime in December. They are also complaining that the pier is being used to moor ships that are undergoing repairs which they assert may be adding to the delay in completing the terminal. Here's the link to the article, it is in Spanish, but Google does a good job. https://www.panamaamerica.com.pa/judicial/talleres-de-barcos-se-toman-el-puerto-de-cruceros-de-amador-1221599

A slightly different offering for Who's In The Canal... some pictures of a miter gate being removed and locked up to Miraflores Lake. The miter gate will be laid over where it will look like a barge and later transported in the repair facility at Mt. Hope on the Atlantic side. It will lock up at Pedro Miguel and down at Gatun to reach Mt. Hope where the miter and quoin seals will be renewed as well as a new pintle socket will be rehabbed. At a future date after the matching leaf has been removed the chamber will be dried at the reciprocal pieces in the locks will be renewed. Only the very top of gate is visible in the lower left. Gate was removed from the side wall Moving into the upper level

Would not have seen them without the hint. Looks like just enough rain to make the dining venues crowded!