The Pacific Princess approached the Panama Canal at about 5:25 am and took on the canal pilot shortly thereafter. We arrived at the Northern (Eastern) locks (the Gatun Locks) at about 7:00 am and entered the first of three locks that would take us up 85 feet to the level of Gatun Lake. You will notice that the Pacific Princes is connected by steel cables to several electric “mules” as we pass through the locks. These “mules” are not pulling the Pacific Princess. The ship is moved by its own propulsion. The “mules” are attached to insure that the Pacific Princess stays in the center of the canal and to insure that the ship does not advance too far into a lock and damage the gate. However the mules do not usually act as brakes, again, that is left to the ship’s propulsion …
Note: Passengers were encouraged to make posters regarding the Panama Canal transit so that the ship’s photographers and videographer could identify who was in their pictures. Here is our poster …
After clearing the last of the Gatun Locks, we entered into Gatun Lake. It took us about 2 hours and 45 minutes to transit the Gatun Lake and reach the Centenario Bridge which marks the Continental Divide.
Fifteen minutes after passing the Centenario Bridge we arrive at the Pedro Miguel Lock, the first of the the Western Locks. It lowers us 35 feet to the level of the Gaillard Cut and the Miraflores Lake.
Twenty minutes after leaving the Pedro Miguel lock, we arrive at the first of the Miraflores Locks. Each of the two Miraflores Locks lowered us 25 feet for a total of 50 feet to place us at the level of the Pacific Ocean.
We then sail under the Bridge of the Americas, out into the Bay of Panama and into the Pacific Ocean!
