Crossing the Panama Canal

Aloha Everyone,

Panama transit is the highlight for this cruise. Completed in 1914, the Panama Canal was one of the greatest achievements of mankind. Diseases, problems with engineering and finance, the French Canal Company gave up the project after 9 years and heavy losses including 25,000 lives.

Panama declared independence from Columbia in 1903. Today, Panama is a sovereign nation. The canal saves 8,000 miles for a ship traveling around South America and 12,000 miles for a ship traveling from New York to San Francisco.

Due to shipping congestion, the captain dropped anchor for about two hours in the middle of Gaton Lake, the largest freshwater man-made lake.

Carol & Fred are from Detroit, Michigan. We were seated next to each other and enjoyed an interesting conversation.

Transit fee for our ship is $525,000 which was passed onto the passengers.

Aloha -- Cathi