It was a long and hot day here transiting the Panama Canal. It is a verrrry slow process. We only did a partial transit of the Aqua Clara locks which consist of 3 channels and it took us the entire day. We traveled in, anchored in Gatun Lake, disembarked 1098 passengers by water taxi and then returned through the 3 channels again to Colon.
I was very surprised by how peaceful the transit was. Well, when there wasn’t the loud beeping sound with the opening of the channel barriers…but other than that…peaceful.
Interesting fact…the transit for our cruise ship today cost $483,000. If we were in a 50 foot yacht it’d be $800, but bump it up to a 100 foot yacht and you’re looking at 2 grand. So…for our canal toll today, spread amongst the 3080 passengers, cause you know we’re absorbing the entire cost of that, means $142 per passenger. Why do I think they factored a much higher cost than that into my cruise price?
We made our 1 stop in Panama in a little place called Colon. All too often, these cruise ports are a long way from anywhere. Colon is a prime example. There is a sizeable mall right beside the cruise terminal, but being Christmas Day, there was only a couple of stores open, none of which rated a visit.
I’m happy to report that my cold is starting to subside, and I returned to the land of the living. Tomorrow it’s Costa Rica.
2025-02-10