Disney Cruise Line made history on April 29, 2017, as its newly reimagined Disney Wonder became the first passenger vessel to transit the new set of Panama Canal locks.
Adding to the previous two sets of Panamax-sized locks is the third Neopanamax-sized one that can accommodate even larger ships than before.
The Wonder was recently remodeled and lengthened to 984 feet, thereby exceeding the older lock dimensions, which it could previously fit. In order for the 2,713-guest ship to head back to Alaska from the Caribbean, it needed to utilize the new, larger facilities.
Besides the ship's added ducktail, new features onboard also include enhancements to Disney's Oceaneer Club, which is themed to the Marvel Universe and "Frozen," as well as a fresh "Princess and the Frog"-inspired restaurant and English pub with its own Disney cinema touches.
The Disney Wonder's canal passage is part of its current 14-night cruise from Port Canaveral, Florida to San Diego, California. From America's Finest City (and my personal homeport), the ship will embark on some cruises to Baja, Mexico prior to heading up the coast for its summer Alaskan season from Vancouver.
Other cruise lines expected to next transit the new Panama Canal locks are Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line and Princess Cruises.
Carnival is now prepping its terminal at Long Beach, California to handle increased passenger capacities. Once ready, the larger Carnival Splendor will replace the Carnival Miracle on weeklong sailings to the Mexican Riviera. The 3,006-guest Splendor will arrive by the new canal lane in 2018.
[READMORE]READ MORE: TravelPulse On Board: Disney Cruise Line's Disney Wonder Review[/READMORE]
Also in 2018, Norwegian Cruise Line's new Norwegian Bliss will make its debut in Alaska after first going through the new canal locks as well. At 168,800-tons and carrying 4,250-guests, it will clearly be the largest passenger vessel by then to ever transit the new set.
While not quite as big as either the Carnival Splendor or the Norwegian Bliss, it's Princess Cruises' own newly revitalized Caribbean Princess that will most regularly feature the new Panama Canal locks. It will begin utilizing only the northern half as soon as winter 2017 on thirteen 10-day round trips from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Of course, the Disney Wonder and Norwegian Bliss will both make their return passages from Alaska back to the Caribbean after their respective summer seasons there, and surely over time, even more cruise ships will take advantage of the larger locks.
Whether or not they open up more opportunities for bigger and newer ships on the West Coast is to be seen, but it is increasingly likely thanks to the new Panama Canal infrastructure.
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