I cruised the PANAMA CANAL and it BLEW MY MIND!

#cruise #queenelizabeth #panamacanal
In this episode, I'm going to take you on a FULL TRANSIT of the Panama Canal - prepare to be absolutely amazed! I completed this transit as part of my 14-night cruise with Cunard onboard Queen Elizabeth, which took me from Long Beach (California) to Fort Lauderdale (Florida).
In this video, I'll talk to you about the history of the canal, show you first-hand what it's like to complete the transit on a huge passenger Panamax cruise ship, and also show you overall life onboard Queen Elizabeth for such a journey.
Video chapters:
The Panama Canal: an Overview: 00:33
Entering the canal, and Panama City: 05:56
Bridge of the Americas: 07:11
Miraflores Locks: 10:11
Miraflores Lake: 17:38
Pedro Miguel Locks: 18:56
Centennial Bridge: 22:16
Gatun Lake: 28:46
Gatun Locks: 32:56
Atlantic Bridge: 37:02
If you enjoy this video, why not check out EPISODE 1 of my Queen Elizabeth series? You can access this by clicking below:
I took a LUXURY cruise on this iconic BRITISH Cruise Ship! • I took a LUXURY cruise...
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#cunardline #cruiseship #cruisevlog #cruisevlogger #solocruise #panamacanalcruise #luxury #luxurycruise #bucketlist #cruisetips #cunard

[@FraserAtSea]

Thanks so much for watching my Panama Canal experience. To join me on more adventures, it would be amazing if you'd SUBSCRIBE to the channel. While you're there, why not give it a LIKE? If you'd like to support my journey, click JOIN to unlock exclusive 'members only' benefits. Thank you!

[@makiliv]

FRASER, you have absolutely outdone yourself on this one! The factual information and all of the running around you must've done to capture the multiple perspectives and views were amazing. Thank you so much for this first-hand look -- I hope to be able to experience this as well!👏👏👏

[@FraserAtSea]

Wow, thanks so much for the ‘super thanks’ - I appreciate this SO MUCH - thank you! I was exhausted after this day truth be told, but it was so worth it - a real ‘is this real?’ day, for sure! Thanks so much again!

[@FreedomtToReason]

This was the best camera work through the Panama Canal that I have seen. You must have been out in the heat for so long! You gave us a view of the technical parts of the locks as well as a variety of view perspectives. Thanks!

[@FraserAtSea]

Oh, what a massive compliment this message is - thanks so much - you’ve made me smile this morning! I was out there all day, but looking back now, I’m so glad I was - what a great memory to look back on this video has turned out to be. Thanks so much for watching, and taking the time to comment!

[@tinawebber8223]

Wow just wow, this has been the most emotional vlog I have watched, the filming and commentary have been amazing and made me feel like I was there with you!! Thanks for bringing us along with you on the one 😊

[@FraserAtSea]

Tina, thanks so much for this comment. I’m particularly proud of this video - I absolutely loved this day, and I’m so glad it seems to have been well received. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@lululovestoplan5401]

Superb video - one of your best I've seen to date! I didn't realize how much I had to see the Panama Canal until watching this video.

[@FraserAtSea]

Ah, I’m so glad you think so - thanks so much for watching! I am so proud of this video - I love having it as a souvenir to look back on. Thanks for watching!

[@sheri1972]

Fraser great video! I lived on a U.S. military base on the Atlantic side back in the 90’s. I would wait each day to cross over the canal and watch the ships go by. They didn’t have a bridge at that time to cross so waiting was part of daily life. The Bridge of the Americas was the only full-time cross over bridge on the other side. At that time, the highway wasn’t modernized and it took quite a while to get to the Pacific side where we did all our shopping.

[@FraserAtSea]

Wow - this is such an interesting comment! Hopefully my video has brought out some memories. I find the history of the canal absolutely incredible - it’s such a slick operation now, but it’s taken years to get it to where it is now. Thanks for your insights! 😊

[@roxymager8052]

Fantastic vlog! This looked so amazing 😊 Definitely one for my bucket list 😊

[@FraserAtSea]

Thanks so much for watching, and also for taking the time to comment!

[@AnnLord-cu2ru]

I have loved watching your channel. I have done a transit of the Panama canal and your thoughts are exactly like mine. Wonderful! In the early eighties there was a ferry crossing from Scotland to Zeebrugge in Belgium We did this several times and sailing under the Forth road bridge and the iconic railway bridge was amazing.

[@FraserAtSea]

Ah, funny you say the Forth Rd Bridge - that’s on my bucket list to cruise under - doing the 3 bridges would be amazing! I’m so glad you’ve also experienced the canal and loved it the same - I was SO amazed all day!

[@sibyllecurcio6591]

FANTASTIC, WELL DONE ❤

[@FraserAtSea]

Thanks so much!!

[@lesleyhackett2185]

amazing video, have added to my list of places to hopefully go to. The bridge team must have had a really long day, imagine all their concentration!! Love seeing you get all this positive feedback, its so deserved.

[@FraserAtSea]

Thanks Lesley, I’m so glad you enjoyed watching the video - I absolutely loved putting this one together! I’m also blown away by all of the positive feedback - makes me smile every time I read back through these comments!

[@sowrongitsanne]

I’ve always wanted to do this. Wonderful job!!! Super informative and beautiful to see- thanks for sharing!!

[@FraserAtSea]

Thanks a lot for watching! I’d recommend it so much - one of my favourite days on a cruise yet!!

[@monikaliebold4225]

Thanks for the great video. It remembers me on my Panama Canal Cruise with Norwegian Gem. We did the old historic locks, which are shown in this video. It was amazing, as we had Deluxe Owner's Suite on the very top of the ship (15th deck). Never forget this journey of a lifetime. @all - information regarding booking Panama Canal Cruise to avoid disappointment: Only smaller cruise ships go through old historic locks = Panamax Class: maximum length 294,3 m maximum width 32,3 m All above ships are called Neo/New Panamax Class and go through new locks opened in June 2016. Greetings from Moorea in French-Polynesia 😎🏖🌴🇵🇫🇫🇷🇪🇺

[@FraserAtSea]

Oh, wow - this sounds amazing - what a cabin you chose for your transit! Good info about ship sizes - I didn’t realise so many ships won’t be the old locks until I took this transit - very important to know. Thanks for commenting!!

[@FunFoodie78]

Fraser, Awesome video! I felt like I was there with you. My mom would like to do this as well and I am going to do my best to make it happen for her. Thanks for sharing and taking one for the team in the heat to get this great footage for us❤.

[@FraserAtSea]

Oh, thanks so much - I’m so glad you enjoyed it! I really hope you get to experience it - it’s like nothing I’ve seen before. Thanks so much for watching!

[@cynthiaschaeffer650]

This was such a special experience…thank you for sharing it and for doing such a beautiful job of it! A full transit of the Panama Canal has been on my To Do list for sometime, but now I’m going to move forward and book it :-). I was actually in Panama City on a business trip on the day control of the canal was handed off from the US to Panama, but I’ve never been on the canal itself.

[@FraserAtSea]

Oh wow - that must've been an amazing time to be there - what a memory! You're so welcome for this one - thanks a lot to you for watching - your support is so appreciated, Cynthia! :)

[@kimber4350]

Wow! Such a great video. Your presentation of the facts about tha Canal were much appreciated and you can definitely hear you excitement. Was very impressed with the camera work. I am a new subscriber now for sure!

[@FraserAtSea]

Hey, thanks so much - this is such a lovely comment. I’m so thankful you’ve found me - welcome!

[@minnesotamiki]

Did a partial transit and enjoyed the journey… maybe a full transit next after watching your video! Also, I recommend reading the book “Silver People: Voices from the Panama Canal” for more about the people who built the canal.

[@FraserAtSea]

Ah, great recommendation - I’d find that really interesting actually - will take a look. I’d really recommend the full transit - I was SO impressed!

[@simonb7715]

What a fabulous video, very well presented and informative. It brought back so many memories of our crossing like you Pacific to Atlantic. We had the opportunity to have a full Panama Canal experience tour the day before which provided so much historical info of this Engineering marvel, however the lives lost in its build were tragic.

[@FraserAtSea]

Thanks so much - I’m happy you think so! I really did love the full transit, and that experience tour you did sounds excellent - maybe I can add that to the list for ‘next time’. Yeah, I had no idea about the human toll of the canal until I went to one of the lectures on the ship talking about it - mind blowing! Thanks a lot for watching, and for taking the time to comment, Simon!

[@lynnfranklin5098]

Lion gate bridge in Vancouver cool. Too

[@FraserAtSea]

Just googled that - wow!

[@MrStoppingallstation]

A fantastic and informative trip of you transiting the Panama Canal.Definitely have to put this on my cruise list!

[@FraserAtSea]

Thanks so much - I’d recommend it massively!

[@Tom-pw2ni]

Thank you so much for this video Fraser! This convinced me to book a canal cruise on the Koningsdam for April 2026. I love your videos!

[@FrancoisD551]

Wonderful. I would think that the Koningsdam will transit through the new locks as the ship is New Panamax. It shall be a memorable experience.

[@FraserAtSea]

Amazing - there’s a few HAL transit bookers in these comments already! Thanks so much for watching, and I’m glad you’re here and enjoying!

[@sandraforrest8119]

Fantastic video enjoyed it very much. Definitely a bucket list journey. We went under the Lions Gate bridge sailing back into Vancouver B.C 3 times now but it is still such an experience going under a bridge. Thank you great video 😄🛳️

[@FraserAtSea]

Hey Sandra, thanks so much for watching and commenting! A few people have said about this bridge actually - sounds amazing! Panama is bucket list for sure!!

[@thom7529]

Another great video Fraser! Thank you. I did this trip 4 years ago (Ft Lauderdale to San Diego), on Holland America’s Eurodam. Another item off the bucket list!

[@FraserAtSea]

Hey, thanks so much! Glad you’ve also experienced it - I couldn’t believe my eyes for the entire day!

[@FrancoisD551]

Great presentation Fraser. What fascinates me is that one might think the transit is from west to east (or vice versa), though upon looking on map it actually Is from south east to north west (or again vice versa). One of the seven modern world wonders.

[@FraserAtSea]

You’re absolutely right - it’s more like ‘South to North’ doing the journey from the West coast of the USA - so interesting, and not what I expected! Thanks so much for commenting - lovely to see your name pop up!

[@joanfreestone1707]

Amazing video, Fraser. I'll never get there myself, so it was good to feel as though I was there.

[@FraserAtSea]

Hi Joan, thanks so much - I’m so glad I could take you with me!

[@zammich3649]

Last year, I took a ferry under Tokyo Rainbow Bridge and it was amazing. You could not only see the car traffic AND train traffic happening at the same time in the evening illumination (it was around 6pm), but the angles and proximity of the bridge are PERFECT for viewing the architecture and construction itself of such an engineering marvel.

[@FraserAtSea]

Oh wow - this sounds like one to give you chills. Thanks so much for commenting, and thanks for following along!

[@1981vrs]

Great video. Keep up the great work!

[@FraserAtSea]

Thanks so much, Jess!

[@SoloonaCruise]

Love the facts and views. It is still on my ' want to do' list. Great vid.

[@FraserAtSea]

Thanks so much for watching - I’d really recommend it sometime!

[@dl11950]

On the sailing under a bridge - New York's Verrazano Narrows bridge represented a constraint on the 'air draft' of the QM2 [and I understand the QE 2 before that]. Both ships ended up with a shorter than optimal funnel, with wind scoops to push the stack gasses away from the top decks. I think at a so called 'higher high tide' there is still almost 10 feet of clearance under the bridge [it only looks close enough to touch].

[@FraserAtSea]

Ah yea! I did that bridge a few times last year - it an amazing one to experience too! There’s another fun one leaving Lisbon, Portugal too!

[@andrewcubbage1007]

I was on the same Queen Elizabeth cruise as you, definitely of my two best experiences on a cruise, the other being on the same ship in Glacier Bay in Alaska. I missed the Bridge of the Americas, coming up on deck a few minutes after the ship went under. You summed up my feelings perfectly, it was an amazing experience. The speaker during the transit was excellent, I think they said he was the last American director of the canal. The one good thing about being caught in (warm) rain on a cruise ship is when you go inside the air conditioning cools you down and dries you. Wherever you are now, I hope you are still having, or had, a great year cruising

[@FraserAtSea]

Ahh, what a small world that you’ve found me and we’re also on the ship - did you spot yourself in any of my footage?! I found it to be the most amazing experience ever - I absolutely loved it. I’m so glad you thought I portrayed it well - thanks so much for commenting and watching!

[@andrewcubbage1007]

@@FraserAtSea I think I may have been in the Commodore Club when you were there, but I didn’t appear in your video from there. I have been following your videos since then, we were on the same table (with a few others) in the Britannia dining room one day, not sure if it was breakfast or the Solo traveler lunch

[@andysmith1530]

Me too, remember you from the morning coffee at the midships bar. Best regards!

[@mikeysteam]

Enthusiasm to the max! Very inspirational. Thank you Fraser

[@FraserAtSea]

Thanks so much - glad you enjoyed!

[@lynnfranklin5098]

I was lucky to be on one of the 1St ships to transit the new locks but everyone said I had to come back and do historic locks, 27 days and I am doing it so excited🎉

[@FraserAtSea]

Oh wow - that’s such a cool fact - which ship did you do it on? I did the new ones on Rotterdam in November - it’s a totally different experience - still amazing, but the old locks are much better!

[@tjtriesagain]

Excellent footage. I did the Panama Canal back in 1994 but I was like 9 years old, so I'll have to check it out again someday. This video deserves way more views and likes than it has.

[@FraserAtSea]

Oh, thanks so much! Hopefully the world will discover it - what a compliment - thank you!

[@VITRAVELINGTHEWORLD]

If you could redo this, would you pick a balcony cabin so you watch the crossing at different times during the day? Great video thank you

[@FraserAtSea]

Great question! If I’m honest, no. I’d have enjoyed the view, but you can maybe tell from my video that I loved running around getting all of the different angles! It’s also really humid here, so opening to door would really heat the room up - my inside was always so chilled!

[@MrStoppingallstation]

I’m laughing when you said you are getting old! 😂Nothing wrong with going back to your cabin for a little recharge!

[@FraserAtSea]

Ha, old before my time - I loved to nap during my time on this ship 😂 Thanks for watching!!

[@azrich2463]

Your camera work suggests you have a background in gaining that skill. So many YT cruisers lack that.

[@FraserAtSea]

Ah, thanks so much - what a compliment! Thanks so much for watching, and thanks for taking the time to comment!

[@cynthiaschaeffer650]

Forgot to mention in my earlier comment…Fraser, please buy yourself a hat! It would make a big difference in how you feel running around out there in the hot tropical sun. Actually a Panama Hat would be a perfect accessory for your travels :-).

[@FraserAtSea]

Yeah, don't worry - I did learn that, and actually did have a hat - I just hate wearing hats on camera as I never feel like I suit one, haha! Thanks for thinking of me though - that's really appreciated!

[@daphnefreke9829]

Living in Sydney, Australia we’ve passed under the Harbour Bridge a number of times from White Bay and you think it’s not going to make it but of course it does. There needs to be a low tide, however. Larger ships dock at Circular Quay.

[@FraserAtSea]

@@daphnefreke9829 oh, I LOVED cruising from Sydney - absolutely incredible!

[@AxelQC]

Ironically, I've sailed under the FS Key Bridge.

[@FraserAtSea]

Oh wow - I’m sure the last few days have been tricky for you. Thanks for commenting!

[@jonparkus7307]

Verrazano Bridge between Bronx NYC, and Staten Island NY, out of Bayonne NJ

[@FraserAtSea]

Ahh, I’d imagine that would be a great one!

[@JohnSmith-cu1jo]

We did East to West in 2019 on the old Sea Princess. We hope to do West to East in 2026 on P & O Arcadia.

[@FraserAtSea]

Ahh, nice choice of ships! Arcadia would be fun as she’s so small - I’m jealous of your plans for that one! I’d absolutely love to do this again! Thanks for commenting and watching.

[@patriciamorash2763]

Thank you so much for this wonderful video. We have a full transit sailing booked at the end of September with HAL from Vancouver to Fort Lauderdale. Your video really heightened my enthusiasm .

[@FraserAtSea]

Oh, amazing - great ship choice! Just be aware that this ship you’re doing will probably go through the new lock system - a different experience, but still very impressive. I’ll have a video out in a few months to compare both experiences, as I did the partial transit of the new locks with HAL recently too!

[@patriciamorash2763]

It is on the Nieuw Amsterdam, a signature class ship, so might be through the old locks.

[@patriciamorash2763]

Liked and subscribed

[@FraserAtSea]

@@patriciamorash2763 thanks so much - welcome onboard!!

[@monikaliebold4225]

The Nieuw Amsterdam is Panamax Class - will go through old historic locks.

[@SuiteNatured]

Fantastic Video Fraser. We've been so keen to watch this since we knew you were going on there last year. Blows our minds that they still tie the ropes to the ships 😂 Linzi and Mark

[@FraserAtSea]

Thanks so much for watching guys! This was in my bucket list for a while, and I’d SO strongly recommend to anyone thinking about it - it’s incredible! Excited to see which ship you guys go for…!!

[@wendingourway]

There's a bucket list journey for sure!! Hopefully things get settled down so that the Suez opens again too. Wow, I did not know either about all that traffic!! Incredible!! Quite the amazing experience...made all the better with free ice cream! lol A very special day indeed!!

[@FraserAtSea]

Thanks so much for watching - so glad you enjoyed! Yes, the free ice cream really did blow my mind, hahaha!

[@jamiem.8341]

Nicely done! It was fantastic to follow your adventure aboard the QE. I look forward to the upcoming ones! Btw, have you considered a transatlantic crossing on QM2? I did it last summer as a solo traveller, with mixed feelings, and it turned out to be pure magic. I highly recommend it and there’s a bridge to pass when approaching NYC ☑️

[@FraserAtSea]

Hey, thanks so much! I have actually done the TA on QM2 since leaving QE - content to follow in due course. Thanks so much for watching, Jamie - glad you’re enjoying!

[@jamiem.8341]

@@FraserAtSea Ah! I found your QM2 video - thank you for capturing it so vividly 😃

[@karladavies1773]

Cruised under Sydney Harbour bridge aboard P & O’s Aria in 2016

[@FraserAtSea]

Ahh, I loved it - such a bucket list experience!

[@62orbetter4]

One week from today, I will be on this cruise! With Holland America. Would you mind telling us a little bit about the other ports that you visited? Gina? Puerto Vallarta? Cartagena

[@FraserAtSea]

Oh, amazing! Of course - if you search for Puerto Vallarta on my channel, you’ll find my video from that day - a great port! Cartagena I liked, but lots of sales people - I’d recommend an excursion for sure! My video for there will be coming in a few months 😊

[@tammy_oh_nevermind]

Really enjoyed this, thanks! It was bitter sweet for me. This was on my bucket list and a couple years ago had to cancel because of a surgery. It's doubtful I will ever get to go now, but never say never! It's an amazing place! Glad you went! My best bridge experience was Lions Gate Bridge heading to Alaska out of Vancouver, BC. Been under it 3 times and it's amazing every time! Especially liked it at night.

[@FraserAtSea]

Never day never, Tammy - I’ll keep everything crossed for you! I absolutely loved the experience - it’s such an amazing place! Please keep it on your list!

[@davidb604]

That was a great watch, all the more exciting because we fly to LA a week today to join Emerald Princess for our own cruise through the Panama Canal. You've made me more excited than I already was!

[@FraserAtSea]

Oh, that’s going to be such a fantastic trip! Please stop back and let me know how it is - that’ll be amazing!

[@davidb604]

@@FraserAtSea It's also got a total solar eclipse so it should be a real humdinger!

[@cherifurr3935]

Really nice video! Enjoyed all the facts.

[@FraserAtSea]

Thanks a lot, Cheri!

[@IanJNewell]

Well done Fraser. A great video. 💚

[@FraserAtSea]

Thanks so much for watching, Steve!

[@user-lc2iv1we7t]

Excellent video Fraser. Well done to you.

[@FraserAtSea]

Thanks so much! ❤️

[@julienewlun6420]

Watching right now... did you always have a pilot boat with the QE as you sailed through the canal? I am so in awe of those pilots--what a huge job they have! Love your video... we are headed to the canal in February 2025!

[@FraserAtSea]

Hey! We sure did - pilots all the way! I think we did Gatun Lake on our own, but we’re picked up as soon as we entered the next lock system. Remember - although there wasn’t a boat with us, we had pilots onboard the ship, so they were onboard all day - what an exhausting job that must be for them!

[@FraserAtSea]

Thanks for watching!!

[@juliewoodward960]

Fantastic video thank you, also a bucket list cruise for me! If you picked one area for best view where would it be? Ie higher or lower deck. Thanks

[@FraserAtSea]

Hey Julie, thanks for watching and commenting! I genuinely think it’s best to move around to take it on from all angles - down on the promenade to watch the mules in action, but the top deck to appreciate the sheer scale of the operation!

[@terrysilver8463]

This is the best vid u done so far .... Wen u said go away the 🔆☀️ I laughed out loud lol😅😅😅 typical British sayin

[@FraserAtSea]

Ha, looking back, I forgot how hot it was! Thanks so much Terry - really kind of you to say!

[@62orbetter4]

We are probably going to do most of our eating and drinking on board ship. Free food and a drink package! But in Costa Rica and Guatemala and Mexico… Did you see any native dishes of foods that we should try? Something really good that I could never get back home in California?

[@FraserAtSea]

Oh my goodness - the food in Mexico generally - yes, yes yes! It’ll all mostly be so tasty!

[@joyturnbull-eb8hh]

Fraser this is the best vlog I’ve seen about the Panama Canal, truly well done 👍 A few years ago I did a Marella Caribbean cruise and we stopped at Colon at the start of the canal. We went on a tour to Gatun locks and watched many, many cargo ships going through the locks, no cruise ships that day 🙄. We then had a train ride along side the canal to Panama City. It was a really memorable day which I’ll never forget. Your film shows the experience of travelling along it, so thanks very much 😀 What are you doing now? Recovering from your marathon trips and back to work I suppose 🥲

[@FraserAtSea]

Hey, thanks so much - huge compliment - glad you enjoyed! I’m so proud of how this video has turned out, so it’s great to see that it’s been so well received! I’m currently at home in the U.K. working my way through a huge amount of content, while planning what ships to try this year - watch this space! Your trip sounds fantastic - you must try the full transit one day!

[@lynnfranklin5098]

Question you were going LAX to FLL was it starboard or port that you watched the “Mules” pull the ship? Thank you

[@monikaliebold4225]

Going from FLL to LAX you see locomotives on starboard side. Going from LAX to FLL on port side.

[@FraserAtSea]

Going from LAX to FLL, they were on the Port side. I’m wondering if they were maybe on both sides at points, but they were 100% on the port side!

[@joanneyoung8571]

What an experience! Your video captured it so well and your excitement was infectious. It’s on my bucket list too

[@FraserAtSea]

Oh, Joanne - you MUST promise me you’ll do it - it was amazing!

[@lynnfranklin5098]

Your final comment reminded me of a comment In another group. I could not believe some dope said “ it was so boring I felt like asking for my money back.” Sad zero appreciation

[@FraserAtSea]

Imagine asking for your money back after seeing something so amazing - that’s absolutely ridiculous, haha!

[@cruisecrazy7066]

Great video, but I notice that you don't have the letter "T" in your vocabulary. Bri.ish. LOL

[@FraserAtSea]

Oh dear - sorry - the downside to my regional Scottish accent, hahah!

[@cruisecrazy7066]

​@@FraserAtSea Oooopppss.... My grandmother was born in Glasgow..

[@johnkean6852]

Panama canal - definitely will do and the Suez Canal when the Biden war is over.

[@FraserAtSea]

Yeah, I’d recommend both so much - they’re incredible feats of engineering, but both SO different!