Look Who's in the Canal Today (part 2)

[Essiesmom]

Let’s give thanks for ships that have good bridge cams.  Today NCL Bliss is westbound

 

[dmwnc1959]

2 hours ago, Essiesmom said:

Let’s give thanks for ships that have good bridge cams.  Today NCL Bliss is westbound…

 

Those bow shots are just fantastic! 😳

[Essiesmom]

Friday is Groundhog Day in the US and we have Beyond doing a partial, and little Star Pride going westbound, followed by Firebird

 

[BillB48]

Captain Kate has been doing a daily vlog over on YT, here is her vlog on the partial transit of the Beyond,

 

 

[Essiesmom]

Saturday and Ruby Princess does a partial

 

[dmwnc1959]

5 hours ago, BillB48 said:

Captain Kate has been doing a daily vlog over on YT, here is her vlog on the partial transit of the Beyond…

THAT was remarkable in every aspect. Thank you for posting the link!!!

[Essiesmom]

If it’s Tuesday it must be Clipper Stad Amsterdam.

 

[Essiesmom]

It’s Thursday 2/8 and Viking Mars is in and out for a burger, and Le Dumont D’Urville is passing through:

 

[Essiesmom]

It’s Lincoln’s birthday and Aurora did a quick in and out.  No need to dilly dally, she spent yesterday in Colon.  Doing an interesting 65 day cruise from Southampton.  Escaping winter, I guess.

[dmwnc1959]

51 minutes ago, Essiesmom said:

It’s Lincoln’s birthday and Aurora did a quick in and out.  No need to dilly dally, she spent yesterday in Colon.  Doing an interesting 65 day cruise from Southampton.  Escaping winter, I guess.

Great images!!! And that’s just crazy, can’t recall seeing this before even though I’m sure it’s happened a lot. Quite literally exited into Gatun Lake, immediately turned around, and hit the locks outbound. 🤯 And that’s a magnificent itinerary! 
 

 

Edited February 12 by dmwnc1959

[Essiesmom]

Agree, I was surprised to see that.  Even other ships that don’t offer excursions (Viking, Carnival) linger for an hour or two…. EM

[BillB48]

What may have occurred with the Aurora is due to the reduction of transits, currently 24/day, they could slot the ship immediately for a down lockage.  Previously they were running 10-12/day neos through the new locks and about 24/day through the original locks.  Now, with the reduction of transits 8 neos through the new locks and around 16 through the original.  With less ships in the schedule it was probably very easy to schedule an in and out since they did not want any time to tender passengers ashore.

[Essiesmom]

A two-fer today, Sea Cloud Spirit and Emerald Azzurra.  Small enough that they can fit in the same lock.  What a gift for us!  And just imagine the view from the cargo ship in the neighboring lock at Gatun.  What a view you would have from your port side balcony if it was a cruise ship.  And what you would be missing if you stayed on your starboard or aft facing balcony

…

[dmwnc1959]

38 minutes ago, Essiesmom said:

A two-fer today, Sea Cloud Spirit and Emerald Azzurra.  Small enough that they can fit in the same lock.  What a gift for us!  And just imagine the view from the cargo ship in the neighboring lock at Gatun.  What a view you would have from your port side balcony if it was a cruise ship.  And what you would be missing if you stayed on your starboard or aft facing balcony

…

What a truly remarkable image with the two of them at Miraflores, just magnificent! It must have truly been a sight. And you’re exactly right, it’s incredibly important to move all around and see things from as many viewpoints as possible when transiting the locks and canal. I can’t imagine being bored for a single second. 

[Essiesmom]

It’s not just about pretty pictures…it’s illustrating a point, or telling a story.  EM

[dmwnc1959]

2 hours ago, Essiesmom said:

It’s not just about pretty pictures…it’s illustrating a point, or telling a story.  EM

Well, I am VERY grateful for the 6 pages of pretty pictures on this thread! 

[Essiesmom]

Emerald Princess today.  Do wish they would upgrade that Agua Clara cam.

 

[BillB48]

Thanks, my good friend is still on the Emerald (it is his last trip) and I sent him a few of the pics.   He gives a very detailed presentation to the passengers.

[Essiesmom]

Wednesday 2/21 carnival Pride doing a partial transit

 

[Essiesmom]

Thursday was Le Dumont D’Urville passing through, and Viking Mars doing a quick partial.

 

 

[Essiesmom]

Friday we have Ruby Princess on a partial transit

 

[Essiesmom]

Sunday 2/25 we have Le Dumont d’Urville and Sirena passing through westbound.  Incidentally, Jules Sebastian Cesar Dumont d’Urville (1790-1842) was a French naval officer, explorer and botanist.

 

 

[Essiesmom]

Tuesday 2/27 and Sirena is heading back to the Caribbean.

 

[Essiesmom]

It looks like I neglected to post the NCL Gem’s partial on Saturday.  @BillB48in the pics of the third lock there is a structure that looks like bleachers…can someone identify what it is?

 

[BillB48]

Since the new Agua Clara Locks were opened the ACP discontinued the visitor's center on the east side upper level of Gatun.  Accessing that viewing area requires crossing the gates at Agua Clara or crossing the vehicle gates at Gatun Locks, something they are looking to avoid.  They are in the process of building a viewing area that would be accessible via the new Atlantic Bridge in the upper level on the west side.  Looks like it is complete or at least almost complete in that picture.  My contact is not in Panama at the moment so I can't confirm what the status of the facility is 

Edited February 28 by BillB48