16-night PANAMA CANAL cruise
This was our 2nd time through the historical locks
- this time on the "Coral Princess"
# of Passengers: 2000
Crew: 895
Tonnage: 91,627
Length: 965 feet Height: 203 feet
 |
| On this map from the ship, water is white and land is grey...it's a little hard to follow, but you get the idea. This cruise has changed for future sailings, so I cannot get a map for it. We started the cruise from the port of Los Angeles on Oct. 28th and sailed to Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama and Aruba. We arrived in L.A. but didn't have much time to do anything. We had never been there before, but all we did was walk across the street from our hotel to have dinner at In-N-Out Burger. People had said it was good, but it was not. 😞  Oct. 28th - leaving L.A. - it's an enormous and very busy shipping port  Craig wasted no time getting in the hot tub & pool! On this trip though, we'd normally have a drink in hand by this point, but we decided not to drink on this cruise - our 1st ever "dry" cruise! Oct. 29th and 30th - at sea No pics Oct. 31st - Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (32℃)  In Mexico, they celebrate "Day of the Dead" on Nov. 1st and 2nd. It involves family and friends gathering to pay their respect to those who are no longer with us. We arrived in Puerto Vallarta on Halloween (Oct. 31st) and they were nearly finished decorating the malecón (beach walkway). It was stinkin' hot and downtown was further than we first thought - so we ended up taking a public bus and then just walked around a little and took a taxi back to the ship  Gorgeous decor for Day of the Dead celebrations in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico    ¡Olé!   This big gal was awesome, but her head hadn't yet been added to her body            The winner of the costume contest (there were a LOT of adults dressed up) was the woodland fairy on the left as well as Popeye and Olive Oil (not in picture). Nov. 1st - at sea no pics Nov. 2nd - Huatulco, Mexico (34℃)   The beach where we had a little swim...and Craig had a beer🍺(his only drink during this whole vacation)😲...  Chillin' with a beer on the beach before our swim  The beach was convenient - about a 5 minute walk from the ship!  It's difficult to tell, but this arrangement on the ground was made of flower pedals  After a dip in the sea, we walked around a little and then headed back to the ship for lunch...can't miss a meal on the ship! 🐷  It was a thriving little marina area and quite scenic sailing in and out of Huatulco   The juggler on board - he was quite good despite the rocking ship that night! That's a champagne bottle, a cup and a bowling ball on his head and he's juggling 3 knives! 🤹 Nov. 3rd - Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala (32℃)        We bought these two cuties! Love 'em and they're unique    Nov. 4th - at sea no pics Nov. 5th - Puntarenas, Costa Rica (32℃)    Nov. 6th - at sea Nov. 7th - Puerto Amador, Panama City (30℃)  A) It meant he had to go back out in the heat (I stayed on the ship) and walk back to the store on shore and B) He got a great price for the alcohol, but it wasn't free like it would have been on the ship (using on board credit). Not cool Princess! Grr...    Nov. 8th - transiting through the historical locks of the Panama Canal  Our schedule going through the Panama Canal locks  Although we have been through the canal before, it's still a very impressive experience and this time, we were shaded the whole time on deck 7 instead of cooking up top. Facts about the canal: (this is for you Sandra!) Some excerpts and photos from https://www.havefunwithhistory.com/facts-about-the-panama-canal/ The Panama Canal stands as a testament to human ingenuity and engineering prowess, providing a vital link between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Construction began in 1904 and finished in 1914. Since its completion, it has served as a crucial shortcut for maritime trade, revolutionizing global commerce by facilitating the passage of ships between major trading routes.It was one of the most significant engineering feats of its time, involving the excavation of millions of cubic yards of earth and the construction of massive concrete structures. By traversing the 50-mile (80-kilometer) waterway, ships can significantly reduce their travel time and fuel consumption. This strategic advantage has made the canal a vital artery for international shipping, facilitating the movement of goods between major trading regions and contributing to global economic integration. The operation of the Panama Canal relies on a system of locks to raise and lower ships as they pass through the varying elevations of the Isthmus of Panama. The canal features three sets of locks: Gatun Locks on the Atlantic side, Miraflores Locks near the Pacific entrance, and Pedro Miguel Locks between them. Each lock chamber functions as a water-filled elevator, utilizing gravity-fed mechanisms to lift ships from sea level to the elevation of Gatun Lake, which serves as the canal’s primary water reservoir. This ingenious engineering design allows vessels to transit through the canal efficiently, despite the dramatic difference in elevation between the two oceans. The expansion of the Panama Canal, completed in 2016, marked a significant milestone in its history. The expansion project aimed to address the growing demands of global trade by accommodating larger vessels known as “New Panamax” ships. These supersized cargo carriers, with dimensions far exceeding those previously able to transit the canal, required modifications to the existing infrastructure. The expansion involved the construction of new locks, called the “Panama Canal Expansion Locks,” alongside the existing ones. These new locks are wider, longer, and deeper, allowing for the passage of ships with a much greater cargo capacity. The completion of the expansion project has further solidified the canal’s position as a vital artery of international commerce, enhancing its capacity to handle the evolving demands of the maritime industry. The ownership and management of the Panama Canal underwent a significant transition with the signing of the Torrijos–Carter Treaties in 1977. These treaties stipulated the gradual transfer of control over the canal from the United States to Panama, culminating in full Panamanian ownership and sovereignty over the waterway in 1999. The Panama Canal Authority (ACP), a government agency of the Republic of Panama, assumed responsibility for the operation, maintenance, and administration of the canal. This historic transfer of ownership represented a milestone in Panama’s history, symbolizing the nation’s sovereignty and control over its most important strategic asset. The construction and operation of the Panama Canal have had significant environmental impacts, both positive and negative. One of the most notable environmental consequences of the canal’s construction is the creation of Gatun Lake, one of the largest artificial lakes in the world. This massive body of water serves as a vital component of the canal’s lock system, providing the necessary hydraulic pressure to operate the locks. However, the formation of Gatun Lake also resulted in the flooding of vast areas of tropical rainforest, displacing numerous species of plants and animals and altering the region’s ecological balance. Efforts to mitigate these environmental impacts have included reforestation projects, wildlife conservation efforts, and initiatives to minimize pollution and sedimentation in the canal’s waters. Despite these challenges, the canal continues to be an essential lifeline for global trade while striving to balance economic development with environmental stewardship.  The Panama Canal plays a pivotal role in facilitating global trade and commerce, serving as a vital conduit for the transportation of goods between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Its strategic location offers a significant advantage to shipping companies, allowing them to save time, fuel, and operating costs by avoiding lengthy detours around the southern tip of South America. As a result, the canal has become an indispensable artery of international trade, connecting major markets and facilitating the exchange of goods between regions. The canal’s economic impact extends beyond Panama, influencing global supply chains, shaping trade patterns, and driving economic growth and development in the countries it serves. Its continued relevance underscores its significance as a linchpin of the global economy, contributing to prosperity and connectivity on a worldwide scale. The average transit time for a vessel passing through the Panama Canal is approximately 8 to 10 hours, although this can vary depending on various factors such as vessel size, traffic congestion, and weather conditions. The transit process involves navigating through a series of locks that raise or lower the ship to match the water level on the other side of the canal. Despite the complex logistics involved, the canal’s efficient operation and well-coordinated traffic management systems ensure that vessels can transit through the waterway in a timely manner. However, fluctuations in traffic volumes, maintenance activities, and unforeseen circumstances such as mechanical breakdowns or adverse weather events can occasionally cause delays in transit times. Nevertheless, the Panama Canal remains one of the most expeditious and reliable routes for maritime transportation, providing a critical link between the world’s major oceans and facilitating global trade and commerce. In addition to its economic significance, the Panama Canal is also a popular tourist attraction, drawing visitors from around the world who come to marvel at its engineering marvels and learn about its rich history and cultural heritage.Various tour operators offer guided excursions that allow tourists to experience the canal up close, from boat tours that traverse the locks to visits to the canal’s visitor centers and museums. These tours provide insights into the canal’s construction, operation, and impact on global trade, as well as opportunities to observe the diverse wildlife and natural landscapes that surround the waterway. The Panama Canal has thus become not only a vital artery of international commerce but also a symbol of human ingenuity and perseverance, attracting visitors who come to witness firsthand one of the world’s greatest engineering achievements.                    Nov. 10th - Oranjestad, Aruba (Kingdom of the Netherlands) (31℃)     Nov. 11th & 12th - at sea The ship put on a really nice Remembrance Day service - kudos to Princess for doing such a great job of it. They had a US Veteran's event afterwards where old war vets told their stories, but we did not attend that Nov. 13th - arrive at Port Everglades, Florida (USA) (22℃) and fly home to the snow and -1℃ ❅⛄❆  Our ship is down there - I think it's the one at the end of that cone-shaped object on the wing - the one closest Another wonderful cruise together! This retirement gig is awesome! We leave again in 10 days to get back on the exact same ship with Francine, Alain and her sister Jaki and husband Brian! Whoohoo! |
