Last spring I had the privilege of sailing on the Disney Wonder through the Panama Canal (trip report here). This voyage was special because we were the first passenger vessel to sail through the new locks. There was a special ceremony in the middle of the canal and some very important guests joined us onboard for the ceremony, including Karl Holz, president of Disney Cruise Line. There was a lot of media coverage about our voyage and it was a really neat thing to experience.
We were also very fortunate to have Captain Kenneth Puckett onboard who gave almost daily presentations about his 16 years as a Panama Canal pilot. For those of you who aren’t familiar with the way the canal works, every ship that goes through the canal has a pilot board the ship and navigate it through the canal. I attended almost every presentation and they were very entertaining because Captain Puckett is an incredible storyteller. The theater was always packed with people even standing in the back. His presentations were actually one of my favorite things about the cruise. Captain Puckett is on almost every Panama Canal sailing of the Disney Wonder and if you ever get the chance to hear him speak, I highly recommend it! Here are some photos of our crossing that were available from Shutters during our sailing:
I was so excited to hear that he has a new book available, “Captain Puckett: Sea Stories of a Former Panama Canal Pilot,” which tells the story of his life and adventures as a Panama Canal pilot. There is also a chapter devoted to our historic sailing through the canal on April 29, 2017. I haven’t had a chance to read it yet, but I can’t wait to!
The co-author of the book, William LaRue, was kind enough to contact me and offer a copy for a giveaway. The timing of this is perfect as the Wonder sets sail on Sunday for what I believe is its 14th voyage through he Panama Canal. Right now the book is available on Amazon (click here to purchase), but should be in stores soon. I’ve noticed that Amazon has had a hard time keeping it in stock, and the availability changes day by day, so if it’s not available when you look, keep checking often!
To enter the giveaway, use the Rafflecopter below. Each person can enter twice – once by visiting my Facebook page (and hopefully follow it if you aren’t already!) and once by leaving a blog comment (don’t worry if your comment doesn’t show up right away – due to the massive amount of spam comments I receive, I have to approve each comment manually). Entries will be accepted until midnight (EST) Sunday night, April 8, and the winner will be announced on Monday morning, April 9. Good luck!
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I want that book! seriously. I am on the EBPC soon. Can’t wait. It’s like Christmas when I was a kid… the time will never pass…. so slow.
We would love to do Panama Canal someday. Definitely a bucket list trip for sure!
I actually discovered your blog last year, not long before you left for the Panama Canal. Sailing through it isn’t something that I would have thought of doing before reading your trip reports, but it’s now number one on my bucket list! It looked amazing. Thank you for the giveaway!
We did the Disney Panama canal trip in September 2014 and loved every second! I’d do it again in a heartbeat. Next month we’re doing the transatlantic from Miami to Barcelona and CAN’T WAIT!!!
This trip sounds amazing! Would love to read all about it from his book!
A Panama Canal cruise is on our bucket list. Would love to take our kiddo!
We absolutely want to go someday. We did the westbound transatlantic last year and loved it!!!
I’d love to sail through the Canal someday- but it’ll be a long time before we’re able to. If I won this book., I’d probably give it to my mom, who has a much better chance of going through the Canal sometime soon!
I would love to read this before our EBPC in October. I am so excited for this cruise.
I am going on the EBPC in October 2018 and would love to have this book before that trip.
We sail on the EBPC this October and are so excited! Would love to read this book!
Sailing through the Panama Canal is definitely on my bucket list!
Captain Puckett kept us informed and entertained throughout our Panama Canal Cruise on the Wonder last fall.
My husband was just talking about going on a Panama Canal cruise this would be perfect for him.
This cruise is on our “must-do” list! I’d love to read it!
The Panama canal is the trip planned when my twin sister retires from teaching in two years. I’m already retired just waiting on her. I like to research every trip before we go so this book would be a good start. Love your give aways and blog, keep it up.