I was not quite sure what to expect today, and unlike a great many on board, I did not set my alarm for the early hours. I never do! Nevertheless, I was awake, and my curiosity aroused, knowing that by now (6.30am) the transit of the Panama Canal would just be underway. Channel 41 confirmed that I had a few minutes in which to shower and be ready for going under the Bridge of the Americas. I just made it! For interest and picturesque landscapes, transitting the Panama Canal is my first choice over The Suez Canal which, too, has much to offer.
I watched in amazement as Queen Elizabeth was guided through what is regarded as a Wonder of the Modern World. Lives were sacrificed in its construction. The scale, imagination, determination and “biblical” engineering will, forever, be beyond my comprehension. Like the Channel Tunnel, the notion to construct a route to negate the otherwise in this case, necessary circumnavigation of almost all of South America had been contemplated for some centuries, and it’s worth perhaps Googling some more facts. Our transit seemed to go to plan, although it was well after 4pm that eventually, we would be entering a slightly bumpy Caribbean Sea.
Therefore, it’s farewell to all that lovely cruising from South East Alaska, right down to Central America. And negotiating the series of locks was an event to behold. The commentary was detailed and informative. However, why Cunard insisted on staging a music quiz before we exited the Canal is beyond me. The quiz proceedings were interrupted constantly by electronic chimes heralding snippets of Panama Canal trivia. That the whole event was deafening, including the interruptions, I would categorise that part of the entertainment a “disaster!”
Of course, I am a little sad at bidding farewell to North America’s west coast, but as we enter the Caribbean Sea in the Atlantic Ocean, I see new excitements to look forward to, as well as the realisation of being homeward bound, albeit by rather a long way round. A brief sojourn in Aruba before heading north once again will make a further welcome port of call.
Below are a few images taken as we transitted The Panama Canal from Pacific to Atlantic. They appear to be in the order as taken, except for the second picture of exiting the Canal, which became out of sync.
A most memorable day, thankfully to occur again next year!
David. 
David's Cruise 