A cruise ship holiday might seem like the ultimate relaxing ‘get away from it all’ experience, but there are still a number of mistakes you can make that can ruin your holiday – including a few that even seasoned travellers have fallen foul to.

Expert Gary Bembridge says on his Tips for Travellers podcast that, in particular, trips along the Panama Canal can be a minefield. He explains: “There is not just one Panama Canal to transit but two quite different routes.”

Which route your ship takes will depend on its size. This is a “huge issue,” Gary says, as one of the journeys is far more enjoyable than the other.

Modern mega-cruise ships such Cunard’s Queen Mary II, Celebrity Edge Class ships, Norwegian Bliss and Prima class, or the Sun Princess will travel through the new, wider Panama Canal, Gary says.

However, it’s the original canal that offers the most impressive views. “In my view,” Gary says, “the original 1914 canal is the canal to go through…it’s the most dramatic, visually interesting and has an incredible history and story to discover.”

He adds that if doing the Panama Canal is one of your bucket list dream trips, you should research the vessel you’re travelling on to make sure you’ll be getting the full experience.

Even the cruise line won’t always confirm which branch of the canal they’ll be using, he says, so you should check the size of the ship you’re booking yourself.

If it is Panamax size or smaller, he says, it’s very likely to use the original, narrower canal, which will give you the breathtaking experience of sailing just a few feet away from dry land.

He lists the Regent, Crystal, Silversea, Seabourn, Viking, Oceania, Azamara and Windstar lines as particularly reliable choices.

Sometimes, the Facebook groups used by former passengers can provide useful information about which canal each ship will be passing through.

They can also provide valuable insights on which ships offer the best views and photo opportunities as you pass through the historic waterway.

Gary admits that, even as a seasoned cruise traveller, he missed out on the most thrilling views during his recent canal transit: “You want to go on a ship which has the best places to do viewings – especially those forward facing and in open air, so not behind by glass.

“My recent Regent Grandeur was not one, and even I messed up by not checking on this.”

Not all Panama Canal transits are created equal, Gary adds, and for the full experience you need to make sure you’re booking a full 14-day cruise: "They tend to take place at the start and end of the Alaska season as ships move to and from the Caribbean, as part of World or Grand Voyages,” he says.

He says there are also shorter, “partial” canal transit voyages: “If you want to get a taste of the Panama Canal but mostly want a Southern and West Caribbean cruise, you can do partial transit cruise out of Florida… these have a mix of Caribbean ports and head up the Gatun Locks, turn around in the Gatun Lake and come back down.”

There are also shorter, mini cruises that offer a flavour of the historic canal, but focus more on the western Caribbean.

Getting the most out of any Panama Canal trip would involve a little reading about the history of the canal before you embark, Gary advises, but there’ also some practical preparation you can do: “There are some key things to pack.

“You're going to be outside for a long time. It's hot, it's sticky, and you can get very sunburnt. So take a hat, ideally with a brim all the way around, sunglasses, sunscreen, and clothes suitable for a hot humid day with comfy shoes.”

Don’t skimp on the sunscreen, Gary says, as he did on a recent trip and ended up coming home with a terrible sunburn.

Also, it’s a trip with a lot of photo opportunities – if you’re using your phone to take pictures, clear some space on it beforehand. Pack an external battery pack so your phone isn’t still charging in the cabin as you take in some of the most remarkable sights.

If you’re a more serious photographer, and taking a dedicated camera, don’t forget to take a spare memory card or two.

Finally, Gary says there are three key things to remember. There’s likely to be a talk every morning exploring the day’s itinerary – this is vital, he says, for planning when to take your meals and when to stake out the best viewing areas before the rush.

But also, he adds, don’t just stick to one spot. At different stages through the passage, different areas will afford the best views of the great lock gates opening and closing.

And finally, knowing what you can afford to miss is an important part of having a great holiday: “When you go through the Gatun Lake and Culebra Cut, don't really worry about being out all the time,” Gary advises.

"It's interesting, but less to see and so good for downtime, resting and eating.”