Panama Canal

April 15^th, 2024

A man a plan a canal – Panama

I love palindromes, and this is one of the better ones.

We have been though the canal twice before, and each time we were very impressed by the marvel in engineering that allowed us to pass so easily from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean. The canal has made so much difference to so many peoples’ lives, and here we were transiting this amazing feat of planning and construction.

Previously we have been on ships that could safely navigate the original canal – the Maasdam and Queen Victoria. Today we are experiencing the new canal which opened in 2016. In 2012 on Queen Victoria we could see the earthworks involved in making the new canal, today we get to see the end result. Emerald Princess is too large for the original canal, so we are going through the new one.

In 2012 we loved watching the mules drag us through the locks, and all of the hustle and bustle that was going on beside our ship, I wondered how different will the new canal be?

We had been given a schedule of our passage through the canal, and we were due to pass under the Bridge of Americas at 5:45 AM. I had hoped to be awake for that, but alas I slept through it.

However when we woke up at 7:30 and looked over the balcony, we could still see the bridge and we were securely in the first of the Cocoli locks.

There was a large container ship ahead of us in the 3^rd lock.

While we were in the lock we were secured to the sides of the lock, and there was also a tug in front of us keeping us steady.

As our lock filled up with water the 2 gates slowly entered, and we were at the level of the 2^nd lock, and the tug maneuvered us into place in that lock.

In the distant haze we could see the buildings of Panama City.

Down below us we could see the front of our ship, and the rather nice, but small sun deck that the crew have. Not much shade, and it must get very windy when we are at sea.

We followed the container ship through the locks.

Finally we reached the 3rd lock, and once the water levels were equalized we were free to go into Gatun Lake.

Gatun Lake is a man made reservoir that holds all of the water that is needed to make the canal passage work. We had been a bit worried that due to the drought in this area we may not be able to go thought the canal. They need an immense amount of fresh water to make it work. Luckily enough we were able to do the transit. Some ships have not been able to in the past few months.

We could see ships in the old canal on our right, and were intrigued by the rather odd looking car carrier that was exiting the locks at the same time we were.

We were side beside with the old canal as we entered the lake.

Once into the lake you sail under the very beautiful Centennial Bridge.

We then noticed that not only did we have a tug at the front of the ship, there was also one at the back, keeping our slow progress very steady.

We were not the only ships in the lake. We watched a couple of small sail boats pass by us, as well as an interesting assortment of commercial vessels.

Sitting on our balcony enjoying the view, it was very similar to observing our passage up the Amazon on Queen Victoria in 2017. It was also very hot and humid, and we were treated to watching the lush tropical vegetation go by. It was a wonderful way to spend the afternoon.

Eventually we reached the Atlantic side of the lake, and we waited for the container ship in front of us to enter the first of the Agua Clara locks.

The car carrier we had seen go thought the old locks next to us was now on our left, the new locks were to the right of the old ones.

The container ship was billowing out black smoke, I hoped we would be far enough behind it that we would not be affected.

Gradually we edged up to the locks, and began our slow progression through to the Atlantic Ocean.

It was fascinating watching the locks fill up and open and close, and we were grateful that there is so much open deck space on the Emerald that we were able to get a really good view of our progress.

At 4:00 we emerged from the final lock and sailed alongside the channel from the old locks

Towards the Atlantic Bridge.

There was still plenty of jungle scenery to watch as we made our way to the Atlantic Ocean.

Finally we waved goodbye to our tugs that had made our passage thought the canal so smooth and uneventful.

And headed under the bridge out into the open sea.

It was 4:30 PM. We had made really good time. On previous occasions we hadn’t emerged from the canal until early evening, the new locks are certainly a time saver.

This evening we sat on our balcony and welcomed the Atlantic sunset.

After dinner we decided not to join the line dancing in the Piazza

But instead went to the Wheelhouse Bar to listen to Stephan. Unfortunately there were only a couple of other people there to enjoy his music, everyone else seemed to be busy partying around the ship.

We then joined the group up on deck 19 for our stargazing experience. The southern cross was apparently visible, but was obscured by the steam from our funnels (smoke stacks?).

Still it was a lovely warm tropical evening, and although we didn’t see too many stars or planets, just being at the back of the ship with the lights turned off was enough for me.

Penguins, llamas, Incas, an eclipse, and now the Panama Canal. It’s an amazing cruise.