I've Done Panama Canal 6 Times. Here's What NO-ONE Is Telling You! (Podcast #578)

I've transited the Panama Canal six times, and I am still completely obsessed with it. In this video, I take you with me on a full Panama Canal transit from the Pacific side across to the Caribbean / Atlantic side, showing what really happens across the day — the thrilling parts, the surprising parts, and the hot, sweaty, wearisome parts that many cruisers do not expect. I explain how the Panama Canal works, what happens inside the Locks, and how the newer 2016 locks changed the way ships transit the canal. Along the way, I show the reality of a full transit: the very early start, the long waiting, the crowds on deck, the "lock fatigue", the intense heat, the excitement of being inches from the lock walls and mules, the peaceful cruise through Gatun Lake and the Culebra Cut, and the huge variety of ships that pass through this incredible waterway. I also look at why water is so crucial to the Panama Canal, how drought can affect transits, why Gatun Lake matters so much, and why this remains one of the most astonishing cruise experiences in the world. If you are thinking of doing a Panama Canal cruise, or wondering whether a full transit is worth it, this will show you what the day is really like — and why, even after six transits, I still find it one of cruising's most remarkable experiences. Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: https://www.patreon.com/tipsfortravellers and get exclusive Patron-only content, downloads and livestreams Visit my Tips For Travellers YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/tipsfortravellers   Offers: Get 10% any order of The Cruise Maps who you visit the site using this link: https://www.TheCruiseMaps.com/TFT Get up to 30% off collectible tokens of place you've visited using the link: https://www.TheWanderClub.com/TFT