Panama Canal, Small Ship Through the Canal?

I'm interested to see the results of your research on this.

Not because I want to do it myself but to see if it can be done. I'd initially have thought that a small ship would get swallowed up by all the container ship traffic and not be allowed to choose its speed and stops. I'd love to hear that it can and safely.

Nigel, I will keep you posted if I have good findings, either here, though PM, or personal research.

I will be interested in what you find out. It seems like a small ship doing this would get in the way of the larger ships.

I haven't done such a tour, but researched this thoroughly before eventually doing the canal by cruise ship, having thought seriously of doing exactly this.

I had originally been meant to transit on a break-bulker but the company went bust shortly before I was meant to sail.

I had no interest in doing it on one of the international cruise lines, but eventually, after about ten years or so, found a mid size ship with a scheduled day time passage on a UK cruise line, starting at first light at around 6am, passing into the Pacific at a bit after 5pm. That is the normal slow passage time for both cruise and freight ships with a rigid speed limit (no slower, no faster than set limits all the way through). Westbound we passed through in the convoy leaving at first light. I would have to say that we had the most wonderful narration from a live guide, coupled with both an enrichment talk beforehand (on our Transatlantic line passage from London Tilbury) and a movie of the story of the building on the cabin TV's for several days beforehand and afterwards. I can't speak for other lines, but felt I got everything I could possibly get out of the experience. Thus I don't believe a small boat could go any slower, nor do I think it would have given me personally anything more.

This is the only company I eventually came across- https://www.panamacanaltrips.com/

I assume the above tours are doing the Old Canal, as I did, as opposed to the new Panamax one.

I went in January 2020 and got a stunningly good day weather wise. Due to it's location in a rain forest rain is to be expected, as are apparently mosquitoes and other insects. I was heavily covered in bug cream, but the lack of rain (?) meant they never made an appearance that day.

We had the previous afternoon in Colon, with very strong security warnings. A city which has had a very tough time socially and is quite rough and ready. We had a heavy duty briefing on personal safety- and I would advise caution by day and be very careful indeed at night.

I can't tell you about Panama City as we were straight out of the canal for a 9 days Trans Pacific line voyage. The ship's tours ran well late due to the apparently very heavy (but normal) traffic in the city- or so I am told.

I did a Panama Canal Transit Cruise in December through the old locks on the Coral Princess. This is a "smaller" ship specifically designed for the old locks on the Panama Canal although it wouldn't fit the small ship category you are thinking of. We had about 1900 passengers. We transited the full canal in one day which took about 12 hours. Cruise ships always go through in daylight hours. The locks are the most interesting aspect of the transit with the Lake also interesting , but I didn't feel the need to be outside on deck for the entire time for it.

We sailed east to west and then spent 24 hours in Panama City (It will be listed as Fuerte Amador on a cruise itinerary) . The IMAX theater at the Visitor Center at the locks has an extremely interesting presentation, but if you have already gone through all 6 locks, it isn't that exciting to watch a ship go through. My tip is to simply take a taxi there. It will be cheaper and you will have more time than on a ship's excursion.

Princess had experts on board and we had several enrichment presentations about the history of the canal, etc in advance of the transit. There was expert commentary as we went through the locks explaining the different things that were happening and what we were seeing at different points.

When you are looking at cruises for Panama there are several items to pay attention to. Some will do a partial transit from the east where they go through the first 3 locks, turn around in Lake Gatun, and then go back out through the same three locks. Pay attention if you ship will fit through old locks or will be required to use the new locks.

I personally think that going through the old locks on a full transit is the best option. I was happy with my cruise in December. The only place where the heat was extreme was Panama City.

Just did a Panama Canal cruise on the Wind Star, one of Windstar's small ships with sails. The ship holds148 passengers, but there were only 105 of use on the ship. It was a wonderful cruise. It started in Colon, transited the canal, then made several stops in Costa Rica. They also do the cruise on the Pride, which is a larger ship, around 350 passengers. The cabins are all suites, if that is what you prefer.
The crew on Windstar is wonderful, and the food is delicious. They also had a Naturalist on board. I would recommend staying a few days in Panama City to visit Casco Viejo.

The canal transit takes about 12 hours as stated. There is no fast canal transit. If ship traffic is heavy the ship may have an extended stay in Gatún lake waiting its turn. Unless things have changed there are no stops between Colón and Panama City where passengers can go sightseeing. On either end one can visit a lock and take excursions.

Keep in mind the canal is primarily a commercial operation not a tourist attraction.

I’ve passed through the old locks a few times, both during the day and at night, and both were interesting. Because it is a slow transit, you’ll quickly realize you don’t need to be on deck the entire time.

It’s been years (1988) but when I drove over towards Colón I wouldn’t even enter the city due to the crime. I visited a military base and walked around a set of locks. I thoroughly enjoyed walking around Panama City.

I don't believe that a small ship can go through the canal slower than other ships.
We did the transit on a cruise ship and it was awesome.