Colon Pamana port protocol

[AZSaguaro]

Some cruise lines (Viking, specifically) when entering or departing the Panama Canal when also docking at Colon Panama... make a trip (usually during the night) out into the Caribbean and back to the Colon dock. That segment usually goes out about 10 or 15 miles and returns to Colon. Is this some government regulation that causes this?

[BillB48]

I suppose it is because of government regs... in most ports casinos and the ship's shops remain closed.  So head out to international waters and then the passengers can make some donations.  I am sure that beats paying higher fees for a longer time at the berth.

[njhorseman]

2 hours ago, BillB48 said:

I suppose it is because of government regs... in most ports casinos and the ship's shops remain closed.  So head out to international waters and then the passengers can make some donations.  I am sure that beats paying higher fees for a longer time at the berth.

Viking doesn't have casinos on its ships.

I suspect the reason is to release waste water and make fresh water.

[Essiesmom]

They don’t leave Colon and return to Colon.  They are usually entering the canal the next day so will have to exit the port and through the breakwater to then enter the larger breakwater into Limon Bay.  EM

[CruiserBruce]

2 hours ago, Essiesmom said:

They don’t leave Colon and return to Colon.  They are usually entering the canal the next day so will have to exit the port and through the breakwater to then enter the larger breakwater into Limon Bay.  EM

So they are doing the partial transit the next day? That would be a significant difference from what the OP is describing. 

[AZSaguaro]

This segment between the Panama Canal and Colon dock is what I'm referring to. This segment is made on every cruise to/from the Panama Canal from/to the dock at Colon.

 

[BillB48]

Made a back to back Canal cruise from Florida to LA and back to Florida a couple of years ago, on the trip to LA we called on Colon the day before the transit, spent the full day in Colon and sailed that afternoon.  Went sufficiently offshore to enable everything to open and the following morning entered the opening used for ships transiting the Canal.  On the return leg just the opposite, exited the Canal, spent the night at sea and called at Colon the next day.

[chengkp75]

I believe that is to exit the Canal's traffic separation scheme, go around the Canal anchorages, and then enter the Colon traffic separation scheme.

[AZSaguaro]

21 hours ago, chengkp75 said:

I believe that is to exit the Canal's traffic separation scheme, go around the Canal anchorages, and then enter the Colon traffic separation scheme.

Many thanks for your explanation! It's totally logical.