The Panama Canal

 

Written on the back, "Gatun Locks Panama Canal" Construction of the canal started in 1904 and was finished ten years later in 1914, so if nothing else, we know this picture was taken after that.  The Gatun Locks are on the Atlantic side of the isthmus, near the city of Colon, and right off of Limon Bay.  This view is looking north towards Gatun Lake.  The men standing on the boat on the left side of the print are wearing hats worn by members of the U.S. Navy, though it's quite possible that sailors of other nations, as well as sailors of the merchant marine, might have also worn them.  

In the Navy

 

I'd be surprised if this wasn't taken during World War 2.  But where?  Family visiting San Diego before their son or brother went to sea, or a couple of women the sailor met in Hawaii?  When there's one man and two women, the photo is almost always taken by the boyfriend of one of the ladies, so girlfriends are probably the better of two explanations. 

The Dancing Sailor

 

No, not Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra or Jules Munshin.  On The Town, for those who don't get the reference. 

An Ordinary Seaman

Written on the back, "Is"  Israel, Isaac, some other name?  Around the World War 1 era would be my guess.

MSN

Sometimes, the internet is just no help whatsoever.  I was fairly certain that wasn't an American uniform seen in the top photo, so I blew it up as large as I could.  The insignia on the man's collar, an anchor and the letters MSN.  Needless to say, type MSN into a search engine and all you get is Microsoft.

So with the Asian hostesses, these were probably taken somewhere in the far east, so maybe Japan, the Philippines, or even Vietnam.

Gyys Drinking

Yes, gyys.  Written on the back, "Gyys off the ship watching the game and drinking beer."  There's even a date stamp, "2.10.71."  So, navy or merchant marine?  What grooming standards did the navy set for it's sailors?  Did they allow beards?  If they didn't we'd know these guys are civilian sailors.