April 2026 - 14-Night WB Panama Canal - Why so popular?

[Dive Bar Casanova]

Westbound because it drops us off in San Diego for a 5 minute walk to the train home.
Taking a train anywhere in the Southwest is a conversation anyone rarely has, but it works with DCL.

 

[aka Charles]

Fun Facts:

Size limits for passenger ships in the old locks are 965 feet long and 106 feet wide.
Before the duck tails, the Magic and Wonder were 964 feet long and 106 feet wide.
Only 1 foot shorter than max allowed length, and exactly the max allowed width.

The duck tails added approximately 20 feet to the length, so now they are 984 feet long.
That is 19 feet too long for the old locks.
The width was not changed by the duck tails.

The new locks allow a max length of 1200 feet and a max width of 168 feet.
Plenty of room to spare, lol.
.

 

[o&smom]

We sailed a WBPC on the Wonder in March 2022 and on the Magic in Oct 2023. Neither time did we sail through the old locks. Dh was disappointed but overall a great cruise.
Ever since the duck tails were added to classic ships, they no longer fit in the old locks.

Fun fact: The very first ship to cruise through the new locks was the Disney Wonder.

ETA: Ooops. Now that I continue reading, I see this was already discussed. We were told onboard that it was due to the ducktail. Maybe they just like the new locks better and use that excuse.

Our first PC cruise was that one! I had really wanted the experience of the old locks, but so exciting to be on the first cruise ship to pass through the new ones. My kids got to be part of history.

 

[o&smom]

Nope, they can no longer safely enter the old locks due to the duck tail. We were told that was why the Magic could no longer do the PC when we took our first PC cruise in 2015. The Aqua Duck also is an issue with the Magic since it sticks out past the side of the ship.

Magic went through with the Aqua Duck last September and December. We were afraid they were going to remove it. DD loves that thing!

 

[happycamper47]

Magic went through with the Aqua Duck last September and December. We were afraid they were going to remove it. DD loves that thing!

That was the new locks which are 70' wider than the original locks. When they went through the original locks the ship only had 2 ft on both sides.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

That was the new locks which are 70' wider than the original locks. When they went through the original locks the ship only had 2 ft on both sides.

Yeah, it was a little close

 

[happycamper47]

Yeah, it was a little close

And when a Battleship went through there was 3". Locks are 110' and the ship was 108'6"

 

[mmouse37]

I have done the PC both in August 2005 (with Hurricane Hilary nearby) and again in the Fall of 2015...both Eastbound boarding in Long Beach, CA in 2005 and San Diego in 2015. Booked for 2026 with my husband as he has never been on the PC cruise and I wanted him to experience it. I am Pearl and booked an ocean view cabin. I didn't book the first day Pearl could have as I was undecided if we should go. After thinking about it and seeing how fast it was booking up I booked 2 days later and got one of the remaining ocean views. I don't feel we needed a verandah. Had an ocean view on the other two PC's and it was fine.

I actually was just looking at my pics and found one of the bed when you could actually have them split into two twins (we had 3 friends sharing a cabin). Thought I'd share as many cruisers still wish that was an option!!




Another interesting thing about this cruise was that Roy Disney and his wife Patty were onboard. Got a pic of them while they were out on deck

.

MJ

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I have done the PC both in August 2005 (with Hurricane Hilary nearby) and again in the Fall of 2015...both Eastbound boarding in Long Beach, CA in 2005 and San Diego in 2015. Booked for 2026 with my husband as he has never been on the PC cruise and I wanted him to experience it. I am Pearl and booked an ocean view cabin. I didn't book the first day Pearl could have as I was undecided if we should go. After thinking about it and seeing how fast it was booking up I booked 2 days later and got one of the remaining ocean views. I don't feel we needed a verandah. Had an ocean view on the other two PC's and it was fine.

I actually was just looking at my pics and found one of the bed when you could actually have them split into two twins (we had 3 friends sharing a cabin). Thought I'd share as many cruisers still wish that was an option!!

View attachment 877254


Another interesting thing about this cruise was that Roy Disney and his wife Patty were onboard. Got a pic of them while they were out on deck

View attachment 877256.

MJ

MJ, may I add the picture of the beds to my "stash" of pictures?

Pretty cool getting the Roy/Patty picture.

 

[mmouse37]

MJ, may I add the picture of the beds to my "stash" of pictures?

Pretty cool getting the Roy/Patty picture.

Of course!!!! I also have pics from that cruise of the "catwalk" over the bridge before they reconfigured the bridge area. If you want those let me know and I'll post them.

MJ

 

[Flossbolna]

Of course!!!! I also have pics from that cruise of the "catwalk" over the bridge before they reconfigured the bridge area. If you want those let me know and I'll post them.

MJ

I would love to see them!

 

[mmouse37]

Here they are. We were on a tour and looking down at the Bridge. The CM host was down on the Bridge explaining all the things we were seeing. It was a very cool experience!!












MJ