Panama Canal Cruises: Your Best Panama Canal Cruise Deals from our Cruise Experts
The Panama Canal is one of the wonders of the world; and a Panama Canal cruise is an exciting experience as you travel between the Atlantic to the Pacific via the original 1,000-foot lock chambers, built a century ago, that lift ships 27 feet at a time using a gravity-fueled procedure.
Panama Canal Itinerary Choices
There are some itineraries that include a partial transit of the Canal, where the ship transits the locks on the eastern side from the Caribbean Sea, turns around in Gatun Lake, and exits back out to the Caribbean Sea. These itineraries can be as few as 7 days.
A full transit of the Canal would enter from either the Caribbean Sea and exit out to the Pacific Ocean, or vice versa. Dis/embarkation cities can vary. Standard itineraries are 10 or 11 days in length, with longer itineraries of 14 days or more between two US ports, as between San Diego/Los Angeles and Ft. Lauderdale/Miami.
All full transits of the Panama Canal require cruising from one port and disembarking in another. This means air transportation requires two one-way flights from your home gateway city. But don't let this dissuade you experiencing this marvelous adventure.
Ports of call can vary, and it's useful to compare itineraries and options. Popular times of year to take a Panama Canal cruise are in spring and fall, when ships are often being repositioned between the Caribbean and Alaska for the Alaska summer season. (If you can find a copy, we recommend reading the excellent historical book, "A Path Between the Seas"!)
To arrange your Panama Canal cruise experience, contact one of our cruise experts.
