What an awesome experience, and a first for Stardust! We were lucky enough to have a one day crossing, and despite the 3am wake up call I’ll take that over spending the night on Gatún Lake.
Having an experienced and professional advisor makes all the difference; I did a practice run a few weeks ago and an overstepping and overcompensating advisor (who did nothing but yell at people because he wasn’t able to communicate what was needed) just about ruined the experience. Renaldo was all around awesome!
A 5:30am crossing of the Gatún locks was beautiful, as the weather was cool with just enough light to comfortably see. Unfortunately, once across the lake, torrential rain made for an interesting time, having to be out line tending in the lightning and thunder as we descended the Pedro Miguel and Miraflores locks.
The cherry on top: getting to cross the locks with a bona-fide flotilla! It’s more normal for one raft of 2-3 boats to go along with a ship, instead of 6 rafts all in the lock.
And the best news of all? It’s the captain’s birthday, so chocolate cake to celebrate!
Having an experienced and professional advisor makes all the difference; I did a practice run a few weeks ago and an overstepping and overcompensating advisor (who did nothing but yell at people because he wasn’t able to communicate what was needed) just about ruined the experience. Renaldo was all around awesome!
A 5:30am crossing of the Gatún locks was beautiful, as the weather was cool with just enough light to comfortably see. Unfortunately, once across the lake, torrential rain made for an interesting time, having to be out line tending in the lightning and thunder as we descended the Pedro Miguel and Miraflores locks.
The cherry on top: getting to cross the locks with a bona-fide flotilla! It’s more normal for one raft of 2-3 boats to go along with a ship, instead of 6 rafts all in the lock.
And the best news of all? It’s the captain’s birthday, so chocolate cake to celebrate!
Exploring the remains of Fort Sherman, just a few minute walk from the boat in Shelter Bay Marina
Our Panama Canal advisor prepares to board Stardust from the pilot boat
Colon shine bright in the night
Despite a 3am wake-up call, the Gatun Lock lighting shines bright like a sunrise, with the Puente Atlantico in front
Day breaks as Stardust enters the first of three locks, going up to the level of Gatun Lake
The canal runs 24/7 to keep up with demand, and we had barely finished with the first lock when another ship pulled up behind us waiting for their turn
Stardust, accompanied by Hallberg-Rassey 42 'Summertime' on port (left) and Lagoon 380 'Curiosity' on Starboard (right)
The tight channel across Gatun Lake meant we had many close encounters with ships. Zim Ling Mount Denali, in the background, weighs as much as 12,700 Stardusts.
A casual wish of crossing the canal with a flotilla of boats was granted on the Pacific side, as 13 boats stacked up in the locks
