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Suez vs. Panama Canal: Experience, Sights, etc.??


TLCOhio
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In addition to getting ready for a late January 2018, first visit to Southeast Asia, we are preparing for a late November, 2018, Athens to Dubai, 20-day cruise with Oceania. This would include our first visits to the Holy Lands, Egypt, Middle East, etc.

 

BUT, my key question here is about the experience, sights, differences, etc., for doing the Suez vs. Panama Canal?? Clearly I know that the Suez in a sea-level canal without any locks. The Suez Canal was completed in 1869 and had a much different type of history and engineering challenge. Nor, does the Suez have some of the unique mountain/wooded terrain as exists in Panama.

 

For sailing down the Suez Canal, how does this sailing compare with the history/sights/experience we super enjoyed in March 2017 when doing the Panama Canal? Appreciate any and all comments, insights, tips, secrets, etc., for these interesting and unique parts of the world.

 

As background above, our Jan-Feb. 2018 trip will feature Hong Kong, Bangkok, Vietnam and Cambodia, including a seven-day Mekong River cruise, Angkor Wat and Hue/Danang. We will be gone a little over one month for this latest “adventure”.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Panama Canal? Completed Feb. 28-Mar. 15, 2017, Fort Lauderdale to San Francisco adventure through the Panama Canal with our first stops in Colombia, Central America and Mexico, plus added time in the great Golden Gate City. Lots of fun, interesting pictures!! Those visuals start on the second page, post #26. See more at:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2465580

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The Suez Canal is interesting, but certainly not as spectacular as the Panama Canal Trip. There are no locks of course, which we found fascinating on our Panama Cruise. You do go past a couple of little towns, and you see houses and the occasional farm animals, and quite a lot of soldiers on guard duty who are usually happy to have someone to wave to! You certainly see a lot of sand. It’s also interesting to see the various movable bridges pulled up at the side of the canal.

The other thing that we found interesting was the security arrangements. We had 4 security guys onboard and they were happy to chat about their role and their lives. Their equipment was brought aboard by dinghy from a rough looking boat, rather than being put onboard in port!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

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Terry, Suez Canal is totally difference experience.

 

You wil want to spend time outside but you won't miss anything if you are not there at the first minute.

 

You will see desert for most of the time on one side and lush landscape for most of the time on the other side.

 

You will pas under one if not the highest suspension bridges.

 

Like the Panama Canal the key is to read all about its history and failed starts.

 

And you will see a lot more security along the way.

 

Keith

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The Suez Canal is interesting, but certainly not as spectacular as the Panama Canal Trip. The other thing that we found interesting was the security arrangements. We had 4 security guys onboard and they were happy to chat about their role and their lives. Their equipment was brought aboard by dinghy from a rough looking boat, rather than being put onboard in port!

 

Terry, Suez Canal is totally difference experience. You wil want to spend time outside but you won't miss anything if you are not there at the first minute. You will see desert for most of the time on one side and lush landscape for most of the time on the other side. You will pass under one if not the highest suspension bridges. Like the Panama Canal the key is to read all about its history and failed starts. And you will see a lot more security along the way. Keith.

 

Appreciate these great posts, pictures and details from Host Grandma Cruising and Keith. Very helpful and interesting!! Yes, it helps seeing the visuals. Have found on YouTube, a very enlightening video from National Geographic. It can seen at:

 

There is lots of unique history involved with the Suez and it stretches way, way back to the famous Pharaohs of ancient Egypt. Did not realize some of that much earlier background and how it involved the trade routes between the East and the West, etc., etc. World history can be very fascinating and so connected.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

AFRICA?!!?: Lots of interesting and dramatic pictures can be seen from this live/blog at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2310337

Now at 36,156 views for this visual sharing including Cape Town, along South Africa’s coast, Mozambique, Victoria Falls/Zambia and Botswana's famed Okavango Delta area.

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