November 8th The big day arrives early with passengers assembling at 5 am to prepare for our entering the first set of the 3 Gatuns Locks. As can be seen there are only inches to spare on the sides and a few feet in the rear. These locks raise the ship to its ultimate height of around 55 feet above sea level, the elevation of the artificial Lake Gatun. Approximately 40 ships a day take the 8 hour journey from the Atlantic to the Pacific. After crossing the lake the ship drops down first through the Pedro Miguel Lock and then the two Miraflores Locks. The cost for a ship of our size to go through is approximately $225,000.

It only rained lightly during our trip thru the Pedro Miguel Lock, so we had a great view from the third deck which allowed us a 360 view of the locks and surroundings.