Trip Bacon — The secret ingredient to the perfect getaway logo
Trip Bacon

Don't Go on a Panama Canal Cruise Before You Watch This

Life Well Cruised
Life Well Cruised
🏅Authority
👁️ 198K views📅 2 years ago⏱️ 20:33
What This Creator Said
Creator RecommendsTips & Advice🏅Authority Creator
Other · 12 nightsFrom Fort LauderdaleFirst-Time Cruiser

Source: Our analysis of the creator's lived experience, based on what they said in this video.

Creator's Key Takeaways

we recently came back from our very first Panama Canal cruise we did love it we had amazing weather for 12 days

there were definitely well there were a couple of things that I realized as we got closer to our cruise and even on our cruise that I regretted just a little bit

don't think that you're not going to wake up early you are going to be waking up early on the day that you cross through the Panama Canal

a Panama Canal cruise we came to find out is a much more relaxed and laidback type of experience than most of the Caribbean cruises that we have done

Creator's Tips & Advice

Wake up early on the day you cross the Panama Canal to secure a good viewing spot.
Watch the transit from your balcony in the early morning for a relaxed experience.
Visit the bow in the afternoon for less crowded views during a partial transit.
Bring bug spray, sunscreen, and aloe vera for hot and humid conditions.
Follow the cruise line's official updates instead of listening to rumors about cancellations.

🆕New to Cruising? This Creator Addresses:

Not knowing if the cruise goes through new or old locksResearch the locks; old locks are more historical, but new locks can still be enjoyable.
Choosing between partial or full transitConsider convenience of round-trip from Fort Lauderdale vs. the appeal of crossing the entire Canal.
Waking up early for canal crossingExpect an early start; people wait before 5 a.m. for the best bow spots.
Crowds at popular viewing spotsUse balcony viewing in the morning and visit the bow in the afternoon for fewer people.

Questions This Creator Answers

QWhat are common mistakes to avoid on a Panama Canal cruise?
QHow should I prepare for crossing the Panama Canal?
QWhat should I pack for a Panama Canal cruise?
QIs a partial or full transit of the Panama Canal better?
QHow does the atmosphere on a Panama Canal cruise differ from a Caribbean cruise?

Topics Covered

Service Crew3 Happy BaconItinerary Route2½ Happy BaconShip Condition4 Happy BaconCabin Balcony3½ Happy BaconDining Room Service3 Happy BaconCrowd Capacity1½ Sad BaconPort Destination2 Happy Bacon

Port Highlights

Cartagena1 Happy Bacon
Fort Lauderdale2½ Happy Bacon
Montego Bay4 Happy Bacon
Top: Montego Bay excursion
How to read the Trip Bacon Score
Happy Bacon — creators loved this aspect
Sad Bacon — creators took issue with this
Meh — no strong opinion either way

Scale: 0–5 strips in half-step increments. 0 = “meh”, 5 = “bacon bliss”. Aggregated from creator-review sentiment, weighted by channel expertise.

About our Bacon Score methodology
YouTube Video Description

Before I booked my Panama Canal cruise, there were many things I just didn't know. I admit, this led me to make some Panama Canal cruise mistakes. If you're going on a Panama Canal cruise, this video is a must watch! In this video I share the Panama Canal cruise do's & don'ts every cruise traveler needs to know, before planning this cruise vacation. If this is your first Panama Canal cruise holiday, these cruise tips will help! I also share Panama Canal cruise packing tips as well other cruise advice you'll want to know. Our cruise was onboard Holland America Rotterdam. However, this travel information will be helpful whether you are on a Princess cruise, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, Carnival or any other cruise line. RESOURCES I RECOMMEND 🛳 THE ULTIMATE CRUISE PLANNER 🛳 Get the Life Well Cruised ULTIMATE CRUISE PLANNER ($10 off for a limited time). The printable planner includes 47 pages of checklists, packing lists, shore excursion forms & more! here: https://lifewellcruised.com/ultimate-... ______ The links in this description are affiliate links, meaning that I will make a commission on purchases you make through my links, at no extra cost to you. As Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. CRUISE ESSENTIALS LEVEL 8 Carry on luggage: https://amzn.to/47dDzhd Checked luggage 24": https://amzn.to/49vPjNw Passport wallet: https://amzn.to/3f6VqNW Packing cubes: https://amzn.to/3wF1syG Compression cubes: https://amzn.to/497vGeL Travel shoe bags: https://amzn.to/4940GMw Travel backpack carry-on: https://amzn.to/46FbHlX AirTags: https://amzn.to/3tIOttp Air tag holders (for Medallion too): https://amzn.to/3Q5fjqo Tile tracker: https://amzn.to/3FoMgcp Pop up hamper: https://amzn.to/408lBtL Bonine: https://amzn.to/3NE87zo Seabands: https://amzn.to/3LxvLvt Ginger candies: https://amzn.to/370LBzP Reef safe sunscreen: https://amzn.to/3QstR4C Lanyards: https://amzn.to/3uNZBFb Cruise card holder: https://amzn.to/3EWtRUL Night light: https://amzn.to/33eMEqP Beachy bag: https://amzn.to/47Hw2qW Collapsible bottle: https://amzn.to/3tXCtVw Water bottle: https://amzn.to/46FLN1q Over the door organizer: https://amzn.to/3Dx2m1N Toiletry containers: https://amzn.to/405h1MS Travel hairdryer: https://amzn.to/3xOxndy Travel cabin fan: https://amzn.to/3uMc24t Travel alarm clock: https://amzn.to/3iYuYXN Magnet hooks: https://amzn.to/3wZgj77 Magnet clips: https://amzn.to/37bNh9W Towel clips: https://amzn.to/3b4cj9V Towel band with clips: https://amzn.to/3XrB1aR Hanging toiletry bag: https://amzn.to/3Nb8fFY No surge power bar: https://amzn.to/3NCRu7d Universal adapter: https://amzn.to/494sSPg Nautical carry on bag: https://amzn.to/2TH7L3T Weekender carry-on bag: https://amzn.to/3ZYk8Gp Poo-Pourri: https://amzn.to/3vJCaM8 Waterproof phone cases on lanyards: https://amzn.to/3iXCuT6 Travel luggage scale: https://amzn.to/3tIbzAX Lightweight foldable backpack: https://amzn.to/49egVqp Luggage tag holder: *Royal Caribbean: https://amzn.to/3tvNzB5 *Celebrity: https://amzn.to/3JB36Fk *Norwegian: https://amzn.to/3JzGiFP *Princess: https://amzn.to/3wvgW8t *Carnival: https://amzn.to/3uhaUFM *HAL: https://amzn.to/3tz7tLs Level 8 Luggage (code LIFEWELLCRUISED for 10% off): https://www.jdoqocy.com/click-1009942... ULTIMATE CRUISE PLANNER: https://lifewellcruised.com/ultimate-... More Items we LOVE @ Life Well Cruised Amazon Store: https://amzn.to/3QaoV29 _______ FTC LEGAL DISCLOSURE - Some links found in the description box of my videos are affiliate links, meaning that I will make a commission on purchases you make through my links, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products and services that I personally like and trust. _______ *Business inquiries & media: please contact Ilana at lifewellcruised@gmail.com Please note that I am unable to give personal cruise and travel advice. If you leave a comment I try my best to answer. ABOUT ME Hi! I'm Ilana! I live in Montreal, Canada with my husband Frank. We can often be found dreaming about and planning future cruises, ideally to hot and sunny destinations! I believe in having fun, being kind and that you are never too old, or too young, to live the life of your dreams! Please note that I do not sell cruises on Life Well Cruised. This and all other videos are for entertainment purposes only. I share my own opinions, personal experiences and information with other cruise travellers, which I hope can be helpful. Please contact your travel agent or the cruise line directly for advice and any information specific to your booking. ______________________________________________________ Music Credit: Surf Time by Lux-InspiraMusicMusic Transcript Follow along using the transcript.