2016 Around the World Trip: Panama Canal Transit

Leaving the Pacific, we enter Balboa Harbor, passing under the Bridge of the Americas

We are headed into the Miraflores locks, following a container ship on the Atlantic-bound side; and watching another container ship exiting the Pacific-bound side.

The two independent lock sets raise or lower vessels 54 feet in two stages

Here’s our friend Julie Carter as we enter the second lock of the Atlantic-bound side. Julie is smiling because there are multiple cabin parties planned for this afternoon.

We are now on surface of Lake Miraflores, a one mile long artificial lake that was created by damming the Grande River. We are headed to the Pedro Miguel locks on the other side.

To our left we see the lock channel for the new third set of independent locks that just opened. The 12 year multi-billion project doubled canal capacity; increasing the size of Panamax ships from 965 to 1200 feet long, from 106 to 161 feet wide, and from 39.5 to 50 feet in draft.

Ahead we see the new Continental Bridge that carries the Pan American Highway over the canal at Panama City. The ten-year old structure cost $100 Million and relieved horrible traffic that had been choking the Bridge of the Americas.

Leaving the Pedro Miguel locks and heading into the Culebra Cut (Gaillard Cut), we can see digging and excavation that was done to expand the canal to handle bigger ships.

We leave the Cut, enter Gatun Lake, and wait our turn to go through the triple-stage locks that will lower the Insignia 85 feet down to the level of the Caribbean. Oceaniaville residents start the cabin parties even though it is only 2:30 PM. Joani is one of the instigators.

Most of the 180s who booked private suites have opened them up for “Around the World” parties. We have a perfect view of the Gatun Locks from the balcony of a private suite at the rear of the ship.