Is the Panama Canal International waters?

[Ontariovacationers]

I found one reference to canals such as Panama and Suez being classed as international waters. Does that mean that the shops and casinos are open as on a sea day? Our itinerary for a full transit just says cruising. DH may need to find other ways to keep himself amused.

[CruiserBruce]

On our Canal cruises the Canal was not open until after exiting the Canal.

 

Are you going to be sitting in the Casino instead of seeing the Canal? I suspect he would be very lonely there.

[kuldalai]

The Panama Canal was given by former US President Jimmy Carter to the country of Panama some years ago . The canal crosses the isthmus of Panama entirely within the country of Panama .

 

The US Canal zone ceased to exist when the canal was handed to Panama .

 

So the Panama canal would be within Panama and not in International waters.

So Casino is closed, but ships shops are open. Most people are up on deck observing the transit the Gatun Lake, and the working of the canal locks.

[Keith1010]

Yes it is part of Panama.

 

Keith

[Ontariovacationers]

That is what I expected - I think the international waters reference was to the right of ships to access the canal in international law.

[kuldalai]

Part of the deal whereby the USA passed the canal and canal zone to Panama has rights of access conditions in that agreement , especially to US vessels.