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This wonder of engineering, first conceived and built over 100 years ago, has changed the shipping and tourism industries. It has brought us all closer and made the world simpler to navigate by allowing an easier flow of goods and people. Entering Gatun Lake, it’s fun to be forward on deck as you can see the procession of ships coming towards you. You could also be aft, at the back of the ship, with a pair of binoculars to spot other ships. Dazzling biodiversity in its treasure trove of animals, birds, fish, and plant species, for one; this is where you’ll see glossy toucans perched in the trees and graceful macaws, scarlet against the bottle green of the rainforest.
Abundant adventures ashore
Holland America Line Opens West Coast-Based Hawaii and Panama Canal Cruises for 2025-26 - TravelAge West
Holland America Line Opens West Coast-Based Hawaii and Panama Canal Cruises for 2025-26.
Posted: Thu, 07 Mar 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Like mainstream Caribbean cruise ports, these ports cater to the tropical cruise market. If you are looking for more than touristy attractions and activities, make sure to get out of the main port area and explore. Most of the partial crossing Panama Canal cruises will depart from Florida, and therefore, you will also enjoy some of the other fabulous Caribbean ports during your adventure.
Ocean to Ocean
Have a volcanic adventure during San Juan del Sur excursions from Princess Cruises. 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. If you prefer to explore Puerto Vallarta’s vast natural beauty, check out Islas Marietas, one of the area’s protected state parks offering exotic marine wildlife and lush scenery.
Panama Canal Cruise Itinieraries
However, with the opening of a new set of locks in 2016, larger New-Panamax-sized ships can transit, as well. That means you take a Panama Canal cruise on a small-masted Windstar ship or luxury Silversea cruise or can sail on a megaship as large as the 1,094-foot-long and 136-foot-wide Norwegian Bliss. In addition to visiting Panama, many itineraries include ports of call in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Colombia or Mexico, which can be the highlight of the trip, especially for outdoor enthusiasts. The 40-mile Panama Canal is a common route for cruise ships due to its lush scenery and gentle waters. The canal cuts through a part of protected rainforest—Soberania National Park—that would otherwise be tough for tourists to see. Along the route, you're likely to get a glimpse of the resident monkeys, crocodiles, manatees, and more.
Walk through a cloud forest at Villa Blanca, where you're surrounded by mist and water droplets clinging to the vegetation. See one of Costa Rica's renowned rain forests at Pura Vida Gardens, or climb a set of wooden steps up to the La Paz Waterfall Gardens. Carnival Cruises has a range of Panama Canal cruises leaving from different ports in the US, including Tampa, New Orleans and Galveston. Most of the major lines and some smaller ones offer at least a few Panama Canal sailings each season. Here you will find hundreds of frogs, butterflies, and reptiles, in addition to monkeys, sloths, and birds up above. Just a few miles from Puerto Limón is the breathtaking Playa Bonita, the perfect tropical beach offering crystal-clear waters and soft sand.
As well as the canal, admire the views on the deck of tropical forests that reach inland as far as the eye can see. San Diego is blessed with a year-round Mediterranean climate, which only adds to the attraction of its 70 miles of beaches and outdoor activities. Before embarking on a cruise from San Diego, make sure to allow extra time to explore—from paragliding and kayaking to Legoland and the San Diego Zoo. Head over to Liberty Public Market to sample a variety of foods like empanadas, Thai, and freshly baked pastries. Fort Lauderdale has white sandy beaches, endless shopping on Las Olas Boulevard, and the Atlantic Ocean that welcomes you to swim year-round. For nature lovers, head to Hugh Taylor Birch State Park for trails and biking or travel inland to Everglades National Park for an airboat tour, complete with alligator and egret sightings.
Add peace of mind and a sense of security to your vacation with a Cruise Plus® Hotel Package. Give yourself a few days to relax either before or after your Panama Canal cruise and take in the sights of a sensational city. Princess handles all the details – including transfers and baggage handling – with accommodations selected for their incredible locations and excellent service. This translates into the easy planning of a crossing anytime is convenient for you.
If you would like to explore some of the traditional Mexican culture, head over to San Jose del Cabo. This area is the official “Old Town” of Cabo San Lucas, offering plenty of tasty local eateries and artisanal shops. Later, tour the Church of Saint Luke, one of Cabo San Lucas’ top historical landmarks.
Panama Canal Cruises
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. 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.
The thrill is not over after you go through the canal locks, there's more to see as you travel through the canal, with tropical flora and fauna adorning the way. Let Princess pick you up from the airport and take you directly to your ship or hotel when you arrive, even if you didn't book your airfare through us. A uniformed Princess representative meets you at the airport after you've retrieved your luggage and transports you directly to your ship or hotel without you having to worry about the logistics of navigating a new city. Remove the hassle from air travel and give yourself the gift of flexibility, time and a thicker wallet with Princess EZair flights. We negotiate lower rates with the airlines, allow you to modify your flight up to 45 days prior with no penalty and protect you if your flight is late or canceled.
In fact, hiking to the Jesus statue sitting atop a hill overlooking San Juan del Sur is the top thing to do when in this fabulous city. If you are looking for the best beaches during your Panama Canal cruise, you may want to venture a little out of town to the beautiful beaches Playa Maderas and Playa Hermosa. One of the most special things to do in this city is horseback riding on the beach, so make sure to ask your cruise line if there are any shore excursions like this on your Panama Canal cruise.
Before you head back to your Panama Canal cruise, make sure to grab some fruit from the local palenqueras— groups of women balancing bowls of fruit on their heads dressed in vibrant colors. If you get the opportunity to stop part-way through the Panama Canal, you are more than likely going to stop at the Gamboa cruise port on your Panama Canal cruise. If you prefer to learn more about the locks you will see on your Panama Canal cruise, check out the Miraflores Locks Museum and Visitor Center.
Most partial crossing itineraries will stop in Colon and Gamboa, perfect towns to get a taste of Panamanian culture. If having the best weather is your top priority, January, February and early March offer the best weather during the dry season with low humidity — but it's also the most expensive time to travel to the region. Full transits are also available as part of longer voyages like world cruises, circumnavigations of South America, or other extended-length journeys. They offer longer itineraries than partial cruises for those who have the time (and money) to spare. Panama Canal cruises also highlight the marvel of the manmade canal, itself. This big ditch was made in the early 20th century and has fascinated travelers for decades.
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. 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.
If you are planning to cruise the Panama Canal and the surrounding Caribbean countries, the optimal time is after the rainy season ends in November for the best weather, wildlife, and viewing experience. This is truly when the temperatures are the most comfortable and enjoyable with sunnier days and breathtakingly scenic Panama Canal views. During your visit, be sure to look for monkeys, sloths, iguanas, blue-footed boobies, capybaras, crocodiles and even manatees on a jungle boat tour along the canal and into Gatun Lake. Silversea Cruises' indulgent 31-day New York to Lima sailing aboard its newest ship, 728-guest Silver Nova features a Panama Canal transit in the middle of the trip.
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. If you choose a cruise that includes a partial transit of the canal, you can experience Panama’s beauty during a day in Colon.
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