Panama Canal restricts the number of ships to 31 per day.

[KevintheIrishDJ]

Panama Canal reduces the maximum number of ships travelling the waterway to 31 per day (msn.com) 

[crusinbanjo]

On 10/1/2023 at 6:08 PM, KevintheIrishDJ said:

Panama Canal reduces the maximum number of ships travelling the waterway to 31 per day (msn.com) 

wow, I hope that doesn't disrupt the schedule for our January 5 sailing on Onward!

[uktog]

The canal authorities have always prioritised cruise ships. They were the only vessels given almost guaranteed dates and times of transit. Cargo ships have to hang around as you see at both ends of the canal. They will be the ones affected 

[KevintheIrishDJ]

On 10/3/2023 at 1:44 PM, uktog said:

The canal authorities have always prioritised cruise ships. They were the only vessels given almost guaranteed dates and times of transit. Cargo ships have to hang around as you see at both ends of the canal. They will be the ones affected 

It is my understanding that cruise ships pay a much higher fee than cargo ships.

[Mackdogmolly]

I’ll be going through the canal in less than 2 weeks on another line. I’m not worried.

[njguy_south]

Cargo ships cannot make reservations, because of their weight and their depth in the water. It is non-reserved ships that are limited to 31 per day. Reserved ships are still allowed to transit.

 

Cruise ships must make reservations, which are honored. Also, the depth of a cruise ship is much more shallow that a cargo ship.  One big line (as you know), RCC, cancelled Panama Canal cruises to save cash and to move their reservations to their other cruise line, Celebrity and Silversea.

Edited October 8, 2023 by njguy_south

[fruitmachine]

45 minutes ago, njguy_south said:

Also, the depth of a cruise ship is much more shallow that a cargo ship.  

Assuming that this is because the Displacement Tonnage is much higher for a cargo ship of similar length, the slightly awkward consequence is that the amount of water lost through a single transit of a lock will be much higher for a cruise ship than a cargo ship. 

If they are short of water, cruise ships make it worse quicker!

[njguy_south]

54 minutes ago, fruitmachine said:

Assuming that this is because the Displacement Tonnage is much higher for a cargo ship of similar length, the slightly awkward consequence is that the amount of water lost through a single transit of a lock will be much higher for a cruise ship than a cargo ship. 

If they are short of water, cruise ships make it worse quicker!

All of the talk has been about cargo ships, not cruise ships, because of the depth needed for the cargo ships, especially in the Lake.  Other than RCCL cancelling on their own (and the cancellation by Crystal, as they start up again) can anyone name a cruise ship that has had to cancel?  Any that have, it is because of the cost, not the availability to enter the locks and cross.

Edited October 8, 2023 by njguy_south