Panama Canal Cruise Vacations

Bridging the gap between North and South America, and between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, is the Panama Canal, a triumph of engineering that for more than 90 years has changed the face of sea travel in the Western Hemisphere. Cruises through the Panama Canal travel through beautiful areas: the Caribbean, Costa Rica, and Panama itself. The countryside here is remarkable: jungles, volcanoes, palm trees and craggy islands are everywhere, inhabited by monkeys, parrots, huge butterflies, and hundreds of other exotic creatures.

For those who have already taken Caribbean cruises, a Panama Canal cruise is both familiar yet different. Resort towns and touristy areas are less common here; since only smaller ships can pass through the canal, expect a more personal, intimate experience. Mingle with the locals at ports of call, not just other tourists. Get up close and personal with the wildlife, or visit a native village in the jungle and make friends while learning the local customs. At the same time, enjoy the temperate climate and beautiful vistas in this equatorial region.

Of course, the passing through the canal itself is often a highlight of a Panama Canal cruise. Even after nearly a century, the canal operation is still a marvel of precision and engineering. Your ship along with dozens of others will pass through a system of locks, literally lifting the ship up over the continental divide and down again on the other side. In a route mostly used by freighter ships, passing through the canal is a memorable experience.

Things To Do

There is no shortage of activities on a Panama Canal cruise. On the Caribbean side are the San Blas Islands, where natives pass on their traditional customs in a land of beautiful golden-sand beaches and turquoise waters. The Panamanian city of Portobelo, situated in a beautiful harbor, was the wealthiest port in the world half a millennium ago, and is rich in Spanish history. At the north entrance to the canal, Colón is the gateway to the Pacific Ocean.

Once you've passed through, enjoy the duty-free shops at the shopper's paradise of Panama City, before continuing on to explore the Pacific side, rich with attractions and scenery. The Darién Jungle is the crowd jewel of Panama's national parks, filled with rare wildlife from giant anteaters to howler monkeys. At Isla de Coiba, look for bottle-nosed dolphins, numerous whale species, and other marine animals. The Golfo Dulce is home to the spectacular Casa Orquideas, where you'll find tropical fruit trees, lavish plantings, and a myriad of hummingbirds and butterflies.

Of course, you may find that sunbathing on the deck of your cruise ship or watching the scenery go by from your balcony is recreation enough.

Ports of Call

Panama Canal cruises may be one of two types, full transit or partial transit. A full transit cruise passes all the way through the canal and visits ports of call on either side. Passing through the entire 51 mile canal takes a full day. Partial transit cruises travel only some of the way through the canal, stopping at Lake Gatún in the center of the crossing for shore excursions and then returning on the same side they entered. This is more common for cruises departing from and returning to the same port.

Cruises on the Caribbean side typically stop at destinations including the San Blas Islands, Portobelo, Colón, and destinations between the area and the departure port, which can be in the Caribbean, Bahamas, or in South America if approaching from that direction. On the Pacific side, ports of call may include destinations in Costa Rica, Panama, and stretching up through Mexico and the western United States. Full transit cruises may include stops on both sides.

Season / Trip Lengths / Departure Ports

Most Panama Canal cruises are 10 to 14 nights long and most are offered between November and April. Departures are usually from San Juan, Puerto Rico or Miami.