Welcome to Cruise Talk the Internet's most popular discussion forum dedicated to cruising. Stop by Cruise Talk anytime to post a message or find out what your fellow passengers and industry insiders are saying about a particular ship, cruise line or destination.
>>> Reader Reviews >>> CruisePage.com Photo Gallery >>> Join Our Cruise Club.
Latest News...The happy place of vacationers has officially arrived. Celebrity Xcel has arrived in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, introducing seven brand-new experiences designed to offer guests endless possibilities on their dream vacation. The fifth ship in Celebrity Cruises’ groundbreaking Edge Series, Celebrity Xcel was created with the help of vacationers globally through the Xcel Dream Makers program,...
Latest News...Regent Seven Seas Cruises celebrated a momentous milestone in Seven Seas Prestige’s construction journey as the ship floated from dry dock on November 27, 2025. As the first new ship class for Regent in 10 years, Seven Seas Prestige will usher in a new legacy for ultra-luxury cruising.“Seven Seas Prestige touching water for the first time marks an extraordinary moment for Regent ...
Latest News...It’s the season for island-hopping as Royal Caribbean has unveiled the newest lineup of ways to explore the Caribbean in 2027-28. Starting April 2027, families and vacationers can kick back or go all out on adventure across 13 Royal Caribbean ships, from the bold new Legend of the Seas and amplified Allure of the Seas to more action-packed getaways from Fort Lauderdale, Miami,...
Or do more ships use it but just don't mention the fact? I have not found any reviews which actually mention it, or photos. Is the canal not the time saver it looks or not very interesting; but seems as if it should be. Anyone here sailed through? and are there any lines which do use it as a matter of course?
Pam
[ 06-24-2007: Message edited by: PamM ]
We ussed the canal a number of years ago on a Canada cruise on NCL's Leeward. I thought it might be a size issue but the web site says the canal can take ships up to 825 feelt long and 135 feet high.
Another issue might be the change in current. The swift running Canal current changes direction every six hours and can reach a maximum velocity of 5.2 miles per hour, during the ebb (westerly) tide. Maybe the larger ships don't want to deal with that.
I also remember that there wasn't much to see after a few miles. There are houses and a bike bath along one side but not much else. I will try to find some of my photos.
Joe at TravelPage.com
Rich
quote:Originally posted by PamM:Looking through some itineraries I note that there are ships which sail through the Cape Cod Canal, but not many that I can see. Why not? Is there some limitiation on size? Although the official website is somewhat sparse on information this does not really seem to be the case.Or do more ships use it but just don't mention the fact? I have not found any reviews which actually mention it, or photos. Is the canal not the time saver it looks or not very interesting; but seems as if it should be. Anyone here sailed through? and are there any lines which do use it as a matter of course?Pam[ 06-24-2007: Message edited by: PamM ]
Pam,The canal was built in the late 1910's. It was primarily used as part of the Intercostal Waterway. That is used not by large cruise ships but by barges Tug's and small boats that might not make it through the rough waters off of Cape Cod and Nantucket Shoals. THe big ships from bermuda, pass fight by cabe cod and go right around it. As stated before the canal has an amazingly strong current. This is from their not being any locks and the strong tides of Cape Cod Bay. Their are also 3 bridges that a ship must sail underneath. Cruise ship wise alot of the smaller ship lines use it. Cruise West, American Cruises, and ACCL use it. I hope this Helps,-Greg
Often the cry “there’s the New York Boat” would be followed by a summons from my Dad for a dash to our 1928 “Whippet,” and later our 1931 “Essex” for a run to the Canal. If we were fortunate we crossed the Bourne Bridge before it was majestically lifted to allow the ship to pass. We parked on the grounds of “the Lobster Pound,” swatting myriads of mosquitoes, and watched the ship, lighted at twilight, and sounding its whistle in response to a cacophony of automobile horns. The ships departed Boston at 5:00 PM daily and were in New York just after breakfast was served. What a way to travel. And a memorable sight.
So where is one most likely to be able to view passing cruiseships around the Cape Cod area?Are they visible from Martha's Vineyard or Nantucket, or is a better view to be had from futher round the east coast?
I note some ships do call at Martha's Vineyard and Cape Cod. Mainly the smaller ACCL ships, but also Norwegian Spirit is calling weekly at MV from end Aug to end Oct.
But.. whoever is interested, in next month's Ships Monthly [Oct '07] is an article on the Canal.
Cape Cod Canal A detailed look at this important North American waterway. John Galluzzo
Ultimate Bulletin BoardTM 6.1.0.3
More Vacation & Cruise Specials...