Caribbean Princess Panama Canal cruise question

[marcyjane]

This question is for those of you who have done the partial Panama Canal cruise.  What is there to do if you stay on the ship. Any activities etc. 

We are debating a tour but have not totally decided yet.  Would like your opinions please and thank you. We are sailing March 2023. 

[skynight]

I have stayed on the ship at least three times. It is very quiet and relaxing. It is also very hot with strong sun. The P.C. is 9 degrees above the equator. Lots of space around the pools. I remember some trivia sessions. There may have been some silly games in the Piazza. All is open as it is on any other port day. It is easier to view the exit through the locks from Gatun Lake. Not as many people crowding the best viewing locations. When docked after the lock exit you can get off the ship and walk around the dock area. There were some vendors there the times we did this. At first it isn't crowded as many of the excursions have not returned. Ship excursions return passengers to the dock. Passengers on excursions do not get to view the lock exit.  

[marcyjane]

Thank you 

 

[nini]

We did a full transit in January 2018 on the Coral. We moved around the ship and also hung out in our cabin; mainly because we had A/C and we wanted to touch the walls of the locks. Our itinerary did not have any stops during the canal transit which was fine. Our commentator was FANTASTIC during the 10 hour transit!!!

[skynight]

6 hours ago, nini said:

We did a full transit in January 2018 on the Coral. We moved around the ship and also hung out in our cabin; mainly because we had A/C and we wanted to touch the walls of the locks. Our itinerary did not have any stops during the canal transit which was fine. Our commentator was FANTASTIC during the 10 hour transit!!!

For the OP, so as not to be confused. A partial transit is different than a full transit. More than 50% of passengers exit the ship in  Gatun Lake for excursions and re-board at the dock in Colon/Cristobal. Also, the Caribbean Princess partial transit is through the Agua Clara (new) locks which are large. Tugs are used to keep the ship centered in the locks. There is lots of space on each side as well as forward and aft. There will be narration during the morning entrance. The exit is not narrated.

The Coral Princess is an old Panamax ship which just fits through the original locks.   

[nini]

4 hours ago, skynight said:

For the OP, so as not to be confused. A partial transit is different than a full transit. More than 50% of passengers exit the ship in  Gatun Lake for excursions and re-board at the dock in Colon/Cristobal. Also, the Caribbean Princess partial transit is through the Agua Clara (new) locks which are large. Tugs are used to keep the ship centered in the locks. There is lots of space on each side as well as forward and aft. There will be narration during the morning entrance. The exit is not narrated.

The Coral Princess is an old Panamax ship which just fits through the original locks.   

Thank you, @skynight.