Panama Canal Cruises
A Panama Canal cruise is always exciting, connecting the Caribbean with the Pacific and offering port stops in both North and South America. A marvel of human engineering, you’re in for a real treat, whether you’re looking to explore Panama itself or for cruises completely through the Panama Canal.
Panama Canal Cruise Deals
Cruise lines Sailing to Panama Canal
With Panama Canal cruises offering an incredible variety of destinations – from Miami, Los Angeles, and San Francisco to Buenos Aires, the Falkland Islands, the Bahamas, and so much more – you’ll find a variety of cruise lines taking advantage of this ‘shortcut’ through Central America. So, no matter where in the world you want to visit on your adventure, or the onboard experience you want to enjoy, you’re certain to find something you’ll enjoy with a cruise through the Panama Canal.
Cruise ships sailing to Panama Canal
From elegant ocean liners and larger cruise ships overflowing with exciting entertainment to smaller luxury vessels offering an elevated onboard experience, a varied selection of ships cruise through the Panama Canal on itineraries in the Americas. With so many options available, there really is something for everyone to enjoy when it comes to a Panama Canal cruise.
Types of cruises to Panama Canal
Whether you’re looking for the latest Panama Canal cruises including flights, an all-inclusive package exploring destinations in both North and South America, or a last-minute adventure to one of the most impressive feats of engineering in the world, Panama Canal cruises are versatile; you’ll find plenty of options to consider when it comes to the upcoming itineraries available.
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The Panama Canal is a bucket list travel destination like no other; one of the most fascinating places to visit in the world, and boasting an abundance of stunning natural scenery, it’s really no wonder so many people are choosing itineraries that cruise through the Panama Canal. A 48-mile shipping canal that connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean through Central America, the Panama Canal is one of the most important routes in the world. With locks at each end, you’ll raise an impressive 85 feet as you make your way from one end to the other.
With both North American and South American destinations on itineraries sailing through the Panama Canal, there’s something for everyone to enjoy when it comes to cruises including this remarkable destination.
When to Cruise the Panama Canal
While the Panama Canal itself is open year-round, the Panama Canal cruise season typically runs from October to April; the best time to travel when it comes to cruising Panama specifically is after November, when the rainy season is over, however it’s worth checking the weather of the other destinations on your itinerary too when deciding on an itinerary.
What to do when Cruising the Panama Canal
The excitement and splendour of Panama cruises is unlike anything else, and a huge part of what makes this experience special is taking in the unique combination of stunning natural scenery and remarkable man-made engineering. Panama boasts an abundance of exotic rainforests, all of which you can marvel at as you pass through the canal itself.
When it comes to itineraries, cruisers tend to have two options. If you choose a sailing with a full crossing, you’ll sail all the way through the Panama Canal. However, there’s also often options to enjoy a partial crossing. During this, your ship will enter the canal and you’ll have the chance to disembark to explore Panama, but you won’t cross through to the other side.
Top Panama Canal Cruise Destinations and Shore Excursions
A cruise through the Panama Canal can be done either from the Atlantic to the Pacific or vice versa. Panama cruise crossings take in the best of the Mexican Riviera as well as taking you through the impressive canal itself. While cruising along the canal you can take in the Gatun Locks, the former pirate paradise of Portobelo or the canal-side jungle. The Mexican Riviera side of the cruise takes you to Acapulco, famous for its white sandy beaches and vibrant nightlife, and Huatulco, as well as Puntarenas in Costa Rica, home to some of the finest beaches and the Manuel Antonio Park.
Panama Canal cruise to Costa Rica
During your Panama canal cruise you'll get the opportunity to stop off in Costa Rica and see the incredible nature that thrives in this beautiful country. In Puntarenas you can expect shore excursions which take you to the Tabacon Hot Springs on an active volcano, a walk through the cloud forest or a hike through La Paz waterfall gardens. Puerto Limon is another port of call in Costa Rica and offers the opportunity to see the local wildlife, such as tortoises, crocodiles and monkeys, as well as a ride on an aerial tramway or a white-water raft ride if you're up for a thrill.
Panama Canal cruise to Guatemala
A Panama Canal cruise will take you to Puerto Quetzal in Guatemala. From here you can visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Antigua, famous for its architecture and ruins, as well as tours of coffee plantations, the Pacaya Volcano or Lake Atitlan.
Caribbean Cruise to Panama
Another option to take in a Panama Canal Cruise is to enjoy a Caribbean cruise with either a partial transit or a trip to Colon on the Atlantic coast of Panama. These cruises will often take you to a variety of Caribbean islands from the shopping haven of St. Maarten to the beautiful beaches of Aruba and St. Lucia. You could also take in Limon, Costa Rica and the Rainforest Aerial Tram ride through the nature reserve, adjacent to the national park, or a trip to the cobbled streets and balconies of Cartagena, Columbia.
