So, we thought we'd be very clever and order breakfast in our suite at 6am. It arrived and was very yummy, and then we hastened up to the Observation Lounge to watch the approach and entry into the locks, to find that they had croissants, smoked salmon on mini bagels and other yummy foods with champagne or mimosas! Of course! We should have known!! Eileen spotted me and kept playing me with champagne. I went out onto the deck area and a waiter came along "some food madam?" - I automatically said no, and he said "no madam, you must like some food" - I looked closer and realised it was Allan! He laughed and said he was following me (Tom had commented to him that he keeps popping up whoever we go). We took a local on board to do the commentary as we make our way through the canal. She pointed out that they only have skeleton staff today as it is a public holiday for Mothers Day (on a Thursday!!). She also pointed out a crocodile at the entrance to the canal. She said that it costs $136/berth to transit the canal + extra fees (e.g. If you want a particular day, if you want to go during the day rather than at night, he hints like that). It can be like $900,000 for the neo max ships. She also warned us that we were passing a webcam, and if we had any family at home they could watch us go through. We could wave. We were amazed to find that the cables from the mules (the little electric engines) are brought out to the ship by two men in a row boat! They've tried outboard motors and found them too unreliable. Two men in a boat always works. We stayed up on deck 10 for hours as we progressed through the locks. I only stayed for the complete transit of the first lock and our entrance into the second lock. After that I couldn't stand there any longer. I spent some time in the lounge area chatting to Cheryl, and then wandered down to see how busy the laundry was - it was empty, so I continued to our suite to gather our dirty clothes. Orly was in our suite servicing it, and the butler was clearing away the washing breakfast things. After the washing I watched our locks progress from our balcony for a while, then went downstairs to the shop to check out the Panama souvenirs they'd brought onboard. I bought a few things and went back upstairs to find Tom had returned, and we set off for lunch up at La Terrazza where we chose a table out on the terrace for lunch, as we motored across the lake. Roger, Allan's offsider, was working out there and was thrilled to see us. We also chatted to Noelene and Garry on our way back. We returned to our suite for a nap, only to find we were nearing the Gatun Locks already, so Tom went upstairs, and I stayed on our balcony watching our progress back down to sea level. When we finished with the locks Tom returned and we set off for the 5pm trivia in the bar where our team came second. After trivia we stayed in the bar for a pre-dinner martini and were joined by Diane and Ted. Then we went to dinner in the dining room where we were visited during the course of our meal by Gilbert (Jibear - French) the maitre d', Eileen the supervising head waiter and Nicholas, in charge of food and beverage. We really do feel special with all of the friendly attention we get from the staff. After dinner we went to the show in the lounge - it was compiled of various opera, operetta and show hall (Camelot) music - it was lovely.