October Panama Canal weather

Can anyone who has partook in the full transit in the last 2 Octobers advise what the temperatures were and how much rain they encountered?

Did you use the smaller locks?

thanks in advance

Bob

Can anyone who has partook in the full transit in the last 2 Octobers advise what the temperatures were and how much rain they encountered?

Did you use the smaller locks?

thanks in advance

Bob

Just off the Oosterdam last week. We had beautiful weather but it was hot and humid especially Cartagena. Cooler inland in Antigua & Leon. We had a Storm that hit us during the one night (broke our balcony divider) but pretty much slept through it and had some rain in Leon and a brief shower one other day while sailing. Seas from the time we left San Diego until FLL were calm (except those hours during the Storm).

We had a beautiful day transiting the Canal and we went through the "old" Canal. It was Partly Sunny the whole way. You can see the new Canal entering as well as exiting and saw a Tanker in it.

It was a great Cruise with a wonderful Staff and Crew! :)

A Google search will get you tons of info.

Was through on Eurodam on November first. Hot and humid in the morning. Some brief thunderstorms in the afternoon, with mostly cloudy conditions, made it more tolerable. We had some great lightning shows the day or two before the Canal, and early...Pre dawn...on Canal day.

From PV south was hot and humid...worst day was PV. It was oppressive.

If the ship fits in the smaller locks, expect they will use them. Only Koningsdam doesn't fit in the smaller locks.

It's summer year round there...hot and humid ALL the time.

Larger ships get the priority on the new part of the canal. It would be extremely rare that a cruise ship will use the new portion, there are many BIG ships that want/need the new locks.

Jim

It will be hot and humid.October is one of three months with the least chance of rain.

Keith

Thanks everyone.

Bob

It will be hot and humid.October is one of three months with the least chance of rain.

 

Keith

Keith...I think October, November, December is the wet season.

Keith...I think October, November, December is the wet season.

I believe you are correct. We just sailed on the Infinity October 24-November 8. We were very lucky with great weather, lower humidity, and very little rain.

To anyone coming from a temperate climate you will be sure to notice the humidity regardless of the time of year in Panama (surrounding areas as well). Temperatures very little through out the year, the highs are usually between the upper 80s to low 90s and the lows 74 to 78. The Rainy season runs from May to late December and the Dry season from late December through April. Although it can rain at anytime during the day, most of the showers occur in the afternoon. There is also a marked difference of the amount of rain between the Pacific and Atlantic sides of Panama, with the Atlantic side receiving close to twice the rain of the Pacific side... 120" vs 60".

It is rare for there to be an all day rain during your transit, mostly passing showers at worst. My last three full transits have been in the late October early November time frame and nothing more than a brief shower on one of the transits.

So far only three cruise ships have used the new locks, Disney Wonder (full transit), Caribbean Princess and Carnival Freedom both partial transits. As others have pointed out, if the ship can use the old locks, it more than likely will.

It's just hot and humid. If it rains, it doesn't last forever. You are in the tropics. Seems all the same to me no matter when I've sailed thru the canal. :)

Marianne

Keith...I think October, November, December is the wet season.

"My bad".

CruiserBruce you are correct.

I think I had a senior moment.

Keith

There are lots of really good weather and some climate sites on Google. WeatherSpark is one of the best. I suggest that you check them out.

DON

will do thanks Donaldsc

Passenger ships pay $138 per berth to use the original locks and $148 per berth for the new locks, so Vista ships would pay $19K more and Signature ships $21K more to use the new locks. Not likely to happen, even if a slot is available.

... Vista ships would pay $19K more and Signature ships $21K more ...

correction: I forgot to account for triple and quad cabins. Vistas would pay $25K more, and Signatures $27K more. Of course they could pass that on to passengers.

They can and do pass that directly on to the passengers. A 10 day cruise around the Caribbean (not a Canal cruise) is around $150 port fees, taxes etc. Meanwhile a 10/11 day partial transit cruise is $380 fees and taxes, so they have $230 per passenger berth to come up with the necessary dough.:D