December 22, 2024

PANAMA CANAL CROSSING - 12/16/24

We crossed from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean today, in roughly 11 hours, via the Panama Canal. We started at roughly 7:45 a.m. and many of us were on deck to witness. We had an expert narrator on board, the whole time, who was very informative, witty and entertaining! The canal is a 50-mile artificial waterway composed of a series of 3 locks on either side of lake Gatun. It is an engineer marvel with a fascinating history. The voyage ended with a gorgeous full moon bathing the canal and making Panama City sparkle.

  • First of 3 bridges we go under

    First of 3 bridges we cross under

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  • Water coming out of first lock from prior ship step up

    Water coming out of lock after ship ahead of us enters 2nd lock.

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  • Us watching - see me to the right of middle along rail

    Residents watching from top deck 9 - see me - just past middle on right!

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  • View of 3 ships in locks, 2 ahead of us and one coming the other direction in opposite lane

    View of 3 Ships in locks - 2 ahead of us and 1 coming other way in 2nd lane.

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  • Entering first Lock

    Us entering first lock at 830 a.m.

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  • leaving the last lock

    Us leaving last lock at roughly 9:30 p.m.

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  • Panama city in moonlight

    Gorgeous full moon with Panama City sparkling

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  • Full moon magic!

    Full Moon Magic!

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PAPEETE - NIGHT LIFE- BACHLORETTE PARTY

By Patricia Patrick • January 19, 2026
I threw together an impromptu Bachelorette party for Angie tonight! Angie and Gian are getting married for a third time in Hawaii next week.They will be alone this time and it turns out she never had a Shower or Bachelorette to celebrate her first 2 marriages on the Ship, last May! Our girl deserved a fun night to celebrate her! So we took over a section the outdoor seating at Les 3 Brassuers, and their great band had us all up dancing! It's amazing what you can do with a bunch of WhatsApp messages to fellow ladies, some tulle, sparkles and always handy flower lei's ! One of the ladies even went and bought her some lingerie! I love our supportive community!

PAPEETE, FRENCH POLYNESIA

By Patricia Patrick • January 19, 2026
I got to go Sailing Again! We were supposed to head to the COOK ISLANDS after the lovely Rangiroa and the Tuamotu Archipelago, but due to stormy weather there, with all unprotected tender ports, they made the decision to head us southwest, back to the protected port in Papeeta (Tahiti). We got lucky and Holly ( pictured below) found us a sailboat available for charter.

RANGIROA, FRENCH POLYNESIA - Drone Shots

By Patricia Patrick • January 14, 2026
Since Janette Emerich is generous enough to share her drone photos with all of us on board the Ship, I have to share them with you all. This beauty is why I said we felt like we were in a screen saver the whole day in Rangiroa! I love the height perspective in the photos it really captures so much more. Blue Lagoon below: