Two Week Cruise - Oct. 27 to Nov. 11, 2018
Climb topside on Monday, November 5th to witness much shipping awaiting their turn to pass through the Panama Canal
We pass the Panamanian city of Colón on our way to the canal zone
Some ships have been waiting longer than others to continue their journey
Prepare to pass under the Puente Atlántico (Atlantic Bridge) which will be completed next year, replacing a worn out bridge built in 1942
It's a double-pylon, double-plane, concrete girder, cable-stayed bridge
We take the left prong of the "Y" as the right looks too crowded
We'll pass through three locks to lift the ship up to the level of Gatun Lake
The lock gate closes and water is pumped in to raise the ship
We are utilizing the new Agua Clara locks that became operational in 2016
The old locks allowed 33.5m wide ships through, these allow 49m in width
The Tower says Canal de Panama - Agua Clara 2016
We have time to enjoy a glass a wine while the ship rises another 30ft
The three Agua Clara locks lift a ship 85ft or 26m, to the level of Gatun Lake
We enter the final lock, as the tower stands between the 2nd & 3rd
A paid excursion could have you visit the Visitor Center on the hill
But we stay on board to do a u-turn and go back through the locks again
The Panama Canal partial transit lets travelers experience the rising and lifting of the locks but allows you to return to your place of departure