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The 450-guest Seabourn Sojourn will sail from Miami to Los Angeles in December. For a Panama Canal experience that begins and ends in Fort Lauderdale, Celebrity Cruises' 11-night Panama Canal & Southern Caribbean itinerary is a great option. There's plenty of time to plan ahead for the Dec. 2, 2024 cruise or the half-dozen almost identical sailings that follow through March 2025. All sailings are aboard the new 3,260-guest Celebrity Beyond and visit Cartagena, Colombia; Colon, Panama; Oranjestad, Aruba; Kralendjik, Bonaire; and George Town, Grand Cayman (Willemstad, Curacao replaces Grand Cayman on some 2025 sailings). Some ships sail a full transit of the canal, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, or vice versa.
The Leader in the Panama Canal Cruise Ports
You too could experience this truly extraordinary transit, rising up – or down – 26 meters above sea level through six sets of locks, all against a backdrop of ever-changing scenery. Then, after you make the journey, a whole host of exciting experiences await in Central America itself. Being in the locks is a thrilling experience and gives you an insight into how extraordinary the canal is, all the more so given that it’s more than 100 years old. You’ll see everything from giant cargo ships to small yachts making the transit. Visitors in the viewing galleries at the locks will wave as you pass through. A full transit of the Panama Canal takes you from the Pacific to the Caribbean, or vice versa.
Today’s Featured Panama Canal Cruises
Whether you’ve always longed to experience the infamous mechanisms of the Panama Canal, or it’s something you’ve not given much thought to, a Panama Canal cruise unlocks a wealth of enticing destinations and experiences. Itinerary and shore excursions are subject to change and may vary by departure. 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.
Panama Cruises Trivia: 5 Facts You Should Know About The Panama Canal
See if you can catch a glimpse of an orange-chinned parakeet or a white-faced capuchin monkey. Panamanian food rewards foodies with a fascinating diversity of cooking traditions, a bonus of the nation’s position as an international crossroads and a land bridge linking North and South America. With the high temperatures and humidity — and the threat of rain — you might want to take tours where you can easily escape from the heat and the showers. If you're in Panama City, visit the vibrant neighborhood of Casco Antiguo in the city's historic district. For a rainy-day excursion, ride the Panama Canal Railway, one of the world's great train rides. If you're in Panama City, plan an indoor excursion with a visit to the world's first museum dedicated to biodiversity, the Frank Gehry-designed Biomuseo.
On a one-way voyage, combine the thrill of the canal with adrenaline-fueled adventure in Costa Rica and iced margaritas on Mexico’s golden beaches. Make the most of your time ashore with our range of imaginative excursions, from Destination Highlights to Small Group Discoveries and Private Journeys designed just for you. On Celebrity’s ships, you can enjoy a different restaurant at every meal, with menus designed by a Michelin-starred chef. Try anything from mouth-watering seafood to steak, flavor-packed Italian, and gourmet French cuisine. Elevate your cruise with a stay at The Retreat®, with suite accommodation, access to a tranquil lounge, and dining at the exclusive Luminae at The Retreat. Those on "partial crossings" or simply docked at Colon might consider completing the crossing in a smaller boat.
The best time to cruise the Panama Canal
When packing for a Panama Canal cruise, it’s a good idea to be prepared with light layers. You can depend on it being warm, so a few thin tops, shorts, skirts, or dresses are suitable, but you may want to bring a shirt, thin scarf, or cardigan to cover up in the evenings. To find the correct things to pack during specific months, follow our cruise guide here.
THE 25 BEST 2 Week Cruises to the Panama Canal & Central America (Prices & Itineraries) on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic
THE 25 BEST 2 Week Cruises to the Panama Canal & Central America (Prices & Itineraries) on Cruise Critic.
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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. Immerse yourself in nature and discover the colonial gems of Central America. Relax in serene tropical surroundings in Cozumel and discover the remnants of Belize’s ancient Mayan civilization. In Honduras, take a stroll along idyllic beaches, and explore the lush rainforests of Costa Rica.
Puerto Caldera (Puntarenas), Costa Rica
THE 25 BEST Cruises from Miami to the Panama Canal & Central America (with Prices) on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic
THE 25 BEST Cruises from Miami to the Panama Canal & Central America (with Prices) on Cruise Critic.
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A partial transit, on the other hand, gives you a taste of the Panama Canal on a shorter cruise from Colon, on the Caribbean side, to the Gatun Locks and back again. 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. March is also the last month for surfing enthusiasts to hit the big waves on the Caribbean and Pacific coasts. With the warmer temperatures, March is an ideal month to head to the beaches on one of the San Blas Islands, an archipelago of about 365 islands and cays off the Caribbean coast of Eastern Panama.
Featured Panama Canal Cruise Ports
A stop in Colón, Panama, lets you lay on the sand at serene Maria Chiquita beach or hike your way through Portobelo National Park to reach the 17th-century San Lorenzo Fort. And if you're in the mood for the city life, head to Panama City, the Caribbean's most urban cluster that's only an hour away by car. Taste your way through the diverse culinary culture of Panama on your Panama Canal cruise with Princess. Find fascinating articles with Panama Canal cruise tips for experiencing unforgettable attractions, regional cuisine, and more on both sides of this epic man-made wonder.
Zoom your map way out and Panama looks like a small sliver of land, so a trip through its famous canal is a quickie, right? Cruise the Panama Canal and enjoy a zoomed-in real-life look at perhaps last century’s greatest engineering achievement… along with its surrounding lush, verdant lands. This testament to human audacity joins the Pacific and Caribbean in the most direct way possible, and is worth making a leisurely part of your vacation. Even better, Panama Canal cruises call at Central American ports along the canal like Limón and Cartagena… plus at Caribbean island hotspots along the way.
The average year-round temperature in Panama is about 86 degrees, so it doesn't vary much during the year, but it's more humid in October with the wet weather. It's also possible to have hurricanes this time of year if you're cruising in the Caribbean. You'll get to see other ships as they cross, too, giving you a different vantage point and a new way of learning how the canal works. A cruise to the Panama Canal is filled with country-hopping adventures that take you to Mexico's Mayan ruins, white beaches in Cabo San Lucas or Colonial treasures in Colombia. Have a volcanic adventure during San Juan del Sur excursions from Princess Cruises.
Other highlights include vibrant Cartagena, glamorous Puerto Vallarta, and thrilling Costa Rica. Dating back to 1673, the UNESCO World Heritage Site features landmarks like the Panama National Theater and the Cathedral Basilica of St. Mary. You'll also find some of the city's best restaurants, beautiful squares and plazas and top-rated museums. If you've booked a pre- or post-cruise hotel in town, be sure to catch a sunset from one of the city's many rooftop bars.
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. Extend your cruise vacation, and simplify your travel plans with a hotel stay at the beginning or end of your cruise. With a Cruise Plus Hotel Package, a Princess representative meets you at the airport and pier, transporting you to and from your hotel. The package includes the cost of your hotel stay, transportation, luggage handling and the services of the representative. Obviously, a forward location on the ship will give you a clear vantage point as you head into the locks.
Passenger ships will usually invite a local guide on board to provide a running commentary of what's happening all day; usually, their narration is piped through the ship's intercom. Wear a hat and long-sleeved clothes if you can, apply sunscreen before heading out on deck — and reapply often — and drink plenty of water all day. Here are some Panama Canal cruise tips to help you plan and get the most out of this bucket list experience.
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