Panama Canal Cruise Pictures
Pictures of the Panama Canal from cruise through the Canal on the Seven Seas Navigator

Transiting the Canal Via Freighter

Panama Canal - Turkish Coal Freighter - I transited the Panama Canal on the Bulkizmir, a coal freighter sailing from New Orleans to Tokyo with a load of coal.

Panama Canal - Turkish Coal Freighter 2 - Close up photo of the Bulkizmir as it exits the Gatun locks.

Panama Canal - Boarding the Bulkizmir- Photo of Jacob's ladder used to transfer between the Panama Canal Pilot boat and the Turkish coal freighter that we transited the Canal on.

Panama Canal - View of Lake Gatun- Photo of Lake Gatun taken from the bridge of the Bulkizmir as we transited the Panama Canal.

Panama Canal - View of the Gaillard (Culebra) Cut- A view of the Canal from Contractor's Hill overlooking the narrowest part of the Canal.

Panama Canal - View of the Gaillard (Culebra) Cut- A cargo ship transiting the Canal.

Panama Canal - View of the Gaillard (Culebra) Cut- A closer view of the cargo ship carrying cars through the Canal.

Panama Canal - View from Contractor's Hill - A photo of the Panama Canal taken from Contractor's Hill overlooking the Canal.

Panama Canal - View of the Gaillard (Culebra) Cut- The Gaillard Cut is the narrowest part of the Panama Canal.

Panama Canal - View of the Gaillard (Culebra) Cut 2- Our ship required a tug boat to help navigate through this narrow part of the Canal.

Panama Canal - Gaillard Cut Widening Project - The authorities were widening the Canal at the time of our transit.

Panama Canal - Waterfall -Photo of waterfall flowing into the Panama Canal.

Panama Canal - Locks - Photo of locks at the Panama Canal

Panama Canal - Locks-More photos of ships transiting the locks of the Panama Canal.

Panama Canal - Locks- Our ship exits the lock.

Panama Canal - Mules- Train engines called "Mules" are used to help guide ships through the Canal.

Shore Excursion to Taboga

Panama - Isle of Taboga - This small island is a great place to escape from the hectic pace of nearby Panama City.

Panama - Panama City - Panama City is a major metropolitan area of Central America. The view from the bay is spectacular.

Panama - Isle of Taboga - It is easy to see why this island is nicknamed the Island of Flowers.

Panama - Isle of Taboga-This island of flowers is full of quaint sites like this cemetery.

Panama - Canal - Ships queue up to transit the Canal.

Panama - Taboga Beach Bar- This peaceful island of flowers is a great place to sit in a bar and watch the world go by.

Shore Excursion to the San Blas

Panama - San Blas - Dolphin Lodge- We stayed with a family who operated an ecotourism lodge on Dolphin Island in the San Blas.

Panama - San Blas - Our Hosts- This family was working hard to open their island to outsiders and share the beauty of the San Blas.

Panama - San Blas - Kuna (Cuna) Indian girl

Panama - San Blas - Kuna (Cuna) Indian woman. Note the beading she wears around her calves and forearms.

Panama - San Blas - Transportation Mode - You can't get to Dolphin Lodge via cruise ship. You'll need a small boat or a dugout canoe.

Panama - San Blas - Interisland Ferry - The Kuna Indians rely on boats to bring all the food and supplies that they can't grow on the mainland.

Panama - San Blas- Our host gave us a tour of the larger neighboring island. It included a large hut for meetings.

Panama - San Blas- I love pork, but I felt sorry for this poor pig. At least he had an "ocean front" view . . .

Panama - San Blas- The San Blas are certainly quaint and very quiet.

Article on Cruising the Panama Canal on a Freighter

Article on a Shore Excursion to the Island of Taboga - Panama

Article on a Shore Excursion to the San Blas

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