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It's best to keep your feet and ankles covered on the ground as you watch for howler monkeys, toucans and scarlet macaws in the trees. There are crocodiles, snakes and things you don't want to step on, especially wearing sandals in the forests and jungles. As you approach the Miraflores Locks, the last set of locks before reaching the Pacific Ocean, there is a live stream webcam by the Visitor Center. It's often slow, refreshing only every five or 10 seconds, but it can still be fun to text or call friends and family and have them look for you. You'll undoubtedly learn many fascinating factoids about the construction of the Panama Canal and the steps needed to cross it.
Panama Canal Cruises Special Offers
And Princess provides live narration from the bridge while transiting the locks, just one reason we were voted "Best Cruise Line for Enrichment" by Cruise International. For the ultimate cruise indulgence, Viking's 180-day World Voyage I includes a Panama Canal transit (on Christmas Day, no less) as 930-passenger Viking Sky cruises from Fort Lauderdale to New York City (Dec. 19, 2024–June 17, 2025). This round-the-world cruise will visit 37 countries as guests enjoy Viking Sky's modern Scandinavian interior decor, soothing LivNordic Spa, two pools (including one with a retractable roof) and six onboard restaurants. Pricing includes airfare, gratuities and complimentary wine and beer with lunch and dinner. Pacific Coast (stopping in Victoria, Vancouver, San Francisco and Los Angeles) before heading to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico and Puntarenas, Costa Rica.
Related Cruises
This is one situation where a balcony cabin offers a unique perspective, but it isn't really a necessity (unlike on an Alaska or Hawaii itinerary, where you're guaranteed gorgeous scenery on either side of your ship). Bigger ships can only squeak through the canal, with two feet (or less) on either side. While the railing of the balcony can give you a better appreciation for just how tight that squeeze is, being up on the bow is the best way to appreciate the full scope of the process. Despite the early start, you'll want to be prepared for the Panama sun, as it can get surprisingly hot while you're out there waiting.
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Princess Cruises' 10-day Panama Canal with Costa Rica & Caribbean cruise
Other options include the Sky Lounge, which has panoramic forward views and is climate-controlled, or the Rooftop Terrace, aft. Typically, the transit of the Panama Canal takes eight to ten hours, but this depends on how much traffic there is and whether there is any congestion at the massive locks. Fall in love with the romantic streets and flower-strewn balconies of Cartagena. Sail down the engineering marvel of the Panama Canal and visit a sprawling rainforest preserve in Colon.
Thanks to a 2016 canal expansion project, a third set of locks can now accommodate larger vessels. It's possible to cruise the Panama Canal on ships of all sizes (from 148 guests to more than 3,000) on itineraries that range from a week in the sun to a six-month world cruise. After your cruise ship completes the journey through the Panama Canal, you may dock at a port such as Colon, Panama for a pre-determined length of time. From there, you may opt to dive a little deeper into the history and mechanics of the Panama Canal on one of our many shore excursions.
Some ships will do their best to make passengers comfortable, offering chilled towels and water, juice and Panama rolls (Danish-like pastries with sweet fruit filling in the center) for a small breakfast alfresco. Tortuguero National Park offers close encounters with the green tortoise, crocodiles, monkeys and exotic birds, all seen at water level on the canals. There are so many fabulous encounters with nature available from this port, you'll have a hard time deciding on a shore excursion.
Featured Cruise Itineraries
Most of the major lines and some smaller ones offer at least a few Panama Canal sailings each season. With four pools (including an adults-only aft Serenity Pool), a WaterWorks aqua park, Camp Ocean kids club and seven restaurants, the ship offers enough diversions for sea-day fun, even at half the size of Carnival's newest megaships. Cruise Critic is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site.
We know the destinations you'll be visiting and what there is to see, do and experience. We offer you a variety of excursions to choose from, in every port you'll visit. For a one-way Panama Canal transit that visits six countries (Aruba, Curacao, Panama, Costa Rica, Guatemala and Mexico) and offers six relaxing and luxurious days at sea, consider Seabourn's 21-day Caribbean & Panama Canal Passage. The 450-guest Seabourn Sojourn will sail from Miami to Los Angeles in December.
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Journey to the mysterious Mayan ruins of Altun Ha or enjoy water sports, such as snorkeling. On the Panama City side of the canal, you’ll sail under the graceful arch of the Bridge of the Americas, which forms part of the Pan-American Highway from Alaska to Patagonia. Just beyond the bridge, as you head toward the Pacific, look out for the Biomuseu, a striking jumble of brightly colored shapes designed by famous architect Frank Gehry, housing eight galleries showcasing Panama’s biodiversity. Gain a deeper understanding of the impressive engineering behind the 48-mile-long Panama Canal connecting the Atlantic and Pacific.
Holland America offers a variety of Panama Canal cruises, but the most popular itineraries span 14 to 16 days. They offer a full transit between Fort Lauderdale and San Diego, or vice versa, and are offered on multiple ships, including Zaandam, Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam and Volendam. These sailings call on Cartagena, Colombia; Puntarenas, Costa Rica; Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala; Huatulco and Puerto Vallarta or Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. A trip is still worth it for the excellent 3D IMAX film narrated by Morgan Freeman, which does a great job explaining the trials, tribulations and perils of building this awe-inspiring feat. You can also stand on the ground-level terrace or grab a seat in the bleachers on the first level to watch ships pass through the final set of locks; sometimes, a staff member is on hand to provide commentary.
The shortest round-trip Fort Lauderdale partial transits are 11 nights; full transits that start on the U.S. East Coast and end on the West Coast (or vice versa) will be at least 14 days long. The ultimate journey between two continents and two mighty oceans, a Panama Canal cruise encompasses Spanish colonial architecture, verdant rainforest and an engineering marvel. And be sure to explore the complex and fascinating history of the Panama Canal.
Even if the canal transit is what you're cruising for, don't forget to check out the rest of the stops on the itinerary. You'll want to consider whether you're more interested in Caribbean islands or Central and South American destinations. On Edge-Series ships, the Magic Carpet, suspended over the side of the ship, gives you uninterrupted sea views and is the perfect place to sit with a coffee or cocktail, enjoying the sea air. Or spend part of your Panama Canal transit in the Sunset Bar, at the aft of the ship, for wonderful views of the ships following you. The most important thing to do is to head up on deck and absorb this spectacular experience. Every transit will have expert commentary that’s broadcast on the decks and in the lounges, so you’ll be able to gain a deeper insight into the workings of the canal and its history.
A short trip from the port at Puerto Quetzal, the city is home to museums like Casa de los Sueños, where the history of this town is depicted through art. Accessible only by water taxi, El Arco at Land's End in Cabo San Lucas is a natural rock arch that frames a powdery beach. It's the perfect backdroparagraphCopy for a jaw-dropping photograph — just watch out for the sea lions that like to photobomb while sunbathing on the rocks.
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