What time?

[ksc1984]

If the itinerary says 'enter Panama Canal -Cristobal at 5AM', does that mean I should be on deck ready to watch at 5AM? I don't want to miss the canal. :) Thanks

[CruiserBruce]

If you want to be at the bow, yes. Elsewhere, you probably have more flexibility.

[Kamloops50]

It takes almost three hours to get thru the first lock. Are you on a full or partially transit ?

Edited October 13, 2014 by Kamloops50

[cb at sea]

Yea...it takes a while! Even the partial transit takes almost all day! You do NOT want to stay in one place, tho...the canal is best viewed from all sides of the ship, and different deck levels! It looks completely different from the lower decks than from up high!!

[PathfinderEss]

If the itinerary says 'enter Panama Canal -Cristobal at 5AM', does that mean I should be on deck ready to watch at 5AM? I don't want to miss the canal. :) Thanks

 

Yes......

[Sharon in AZ]

We were on the Volendam for her first transit through the canal. We were at the entrance early in the morning with the humidity hanging in the air like a mist. (We lost a video camera because of the humidity) It took hours to reach the first gate. Make sure you are on deck for that! It took the entire day to go through the entire canal ending with the ultimate.....going under the Bridge of The Americas. Wonderful cruise.

[Euby]

Do you have a lower level outside cabin? If so, I suggest viewing the process of going through one of the locks from your cabin window. It's pretty neat to go from the view of a rock wall changing as the ship rises or lowers to the next level. Different perspective.

[Krazy Kruizers]

The ship does start to move through the anchored ships at about 5 AM to get in line for the first part of the locks.

The actual process starts about 6 - 6:30.

So if you want to see everything -- be up early.

[BillB48]

5AM is often the generic time given for the start of your transit, doubtful it would start significantly earlier, but it could be a little after that time. Entering the Canal actually occurs in the direction you are traveling at the Cristobal Breakwater where you will receive the first pilot. The distance from this point to Gatun Locks is a little over 7 miles and normally takes an hour to an hour and a half. Best advice is don't use this day to get those 40 extra winks! Even if you are up on deck a little early there are things to see such as passing through the anchored ships as mentioned previously. The prime viewing spots do tend to get populated early as almost everyone would like the money shot of the first set of gates opening for you at Gatun. I have been up on deck before 4AM and while it was not crowded at that time, I wasn't alone by any means!!

[noblepa]

We are sailing on the Zuiderdam on Oct. 27 for a partial transit of the canal. We will be in the canal on Nov. 3, the day after daylight saving time ends in the US.

 

Which timezone is Panama in, Eastern or Central?

 

Does the ship stay on Florida (Eastern) time or does it change to local time during the cruise?

 

I'm trying to figure out what time my body will think it is, if we enter the locks at 5 am, Panama time.

[CruiserBruce]

Panama is currently matched to the Eastern Time Zone. Panama doesn't follow Daylight Savings Time. Google Search is your friend.

 

The ship will match local time.

Edited October 14, 2014 by CruiserBruce

[take us away]

Been our experience that the ship will change to the 'local' time if changing time zones. Panama is on Standard Time or Eastern daylight time less 1 hour. It is 6:18 pm in FL right now and 5:18 pm in Panama City.

 

Here is a good place to look if you have any questions: http://www.worldtimeserver.com

[Typhoon1]

You and another 1,000 passengers.

[sail7seas]

Captain doesn't always know that far in advance exactly what time his ship will being the Canal process. They often learn exact time one or two days in advance, is my understanding.