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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. The canal never stops working and you will traverse along with other ships and boats and witness the swift movement of these vessels. Panama enjoys a gentle tropical weather almost every day of the year.
History of Panama Canal cruises
Hit the gift shop on the way out for a hat, T-shirt or another souvenir to mark the day you traveled in 10 hours from one ocean to another. 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.
CROSS-CANAL CULTURE
This spectacle, combined with the panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, makes the journey through the Miraflores Locks an unforgettable experience. Many cruisers consider a cruise through the Panama Canal a must-do, and for a long time, the itineraries drew mostly seniors, due to the length of a full-transit trip (which usually runs 14 days). Partial Panama Canal cruises -- where ships only go halfway through the locks before turning around -- not only cut the number of days, but increase day-trip options in the Central American cities near the canal. While several ships bring lecturers onboard to talk about the canal's history, this is one trip where a little extra reading might add to your enjoyment.
Panama Canal Cruise Itinieraries
You’ll still enjoy the experience of going through the massive locks. Pacific Coast (stopping in Victoria, Vancouver, San Francisco and Los Angeles) before heading to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico and Puntarenas, Costa Rica. The ship makes one Atlantic stop in Aruba before passengers disembark in Fort Lauderdale. Calls on Golfito and Puntarenas in Costa Rica offer access to eco-adventure.
Be prepared for the crossing to take the entire day
As you enter the canal through the Pacific Ocean Entrance by way of the Gulf of Panama, the first set of locks you’ll encounter are the Miraflores Locks. This two-chambered lock system lifts ships a stunning 54 feet in two stages. From the deck of your Holland America Line cruise ship, you’ll witness the water level rise, lifting the ship with incredible smoothness. It’s an awe-inspiring sight, watching as the vast volumes of water are controlled with precision to guide the ship safely through the locks.
If you are doing a full transit through to the Pacific Ocean side and you're staying in the area, you might want to carve out some time for the Miraflores Visitor Center. However, as of press time, the four exhibition halls that portray the canal's history, construction, biodiversity and importance are temporarily closed for renovations. While it's enthralling to stand on the deck, watch the locks fill with water and the ship imperceptibly rise, remember that sun reflects off the water. You might have a false sense of security that just because you're wearing street clothes instead of sitting by the pool in a bathing suit, your exposure is minimal.
Two lower beds convertible to one queen-size bed—our signature Mariner's Dream™ bed with plush Euro-Top mattresses, premium massage shower heads and a host of amenities are featured in these comfortable staterooms. Learn about the latest ships and destinations by browsing hundreds of questions (and the answers to those questions) posted by real cruisers. If you happen not to find what you’re looking for, you can even post a question of your own.
Delays, Cancellations and Costs Mount as Panama Canal Reduces Transits - The Maritime Executive
Delays, Cancellations and Costs Mount as Panama Canal Reduces Transits.
Posted: Tue, 08 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
On a transit from Panama City to Colon, the futuristic skyline of Panama City will be on your starboard (right) side. When you pass through the skinny Culebra Cut between Panama City and Gamboa, you’ll have the greenery of a national park on both sides, so this is a good time to look for monkeys and toucans in the trees. In the best places to visit in Central America, you’ll discover pristine beaches, dynamic cultures, and diverse scenery full of adventures. Stay current with special offers, news and destination-focused content. Gain a deeper understanding of the impressive engineering behind the 48-mile-long Panama Canal connecting the Atlantic and Pacific. Then continue your Viking journey to the heart of the Caribbean & Central America.
Dining & Onboard Activities
Sing along, test your music trivia skills or just sit back and enjoy as the hits fill the room each night. Sing along, test your music trivia knowledge, or sit back and enjoy as chart-topping hits fill the room each night. Cruising with Norwegian means more dining and entertainment options than ever. It takes between eight and ten hours to do a full transit of the Panama Canal. If you aren't interested in getting wet, there are plenty of other activities you can try to get your fill of all the Panama Canal has to offer.
This translates into the easy planning of a crossing anytime is convenient for you. Options are plentiful for cruise lines that sail to Panama, including popular ones like Carnival, Royal Caribbean Princess, Holland America Line (HAL), Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), Celebrity, Oceania and Viking. You'll first see the skyscrapers of Balboa on the port side, then eventually the Bridge of the Americas will come into view. Take some photos and video as you go underneath it; if it's too crowded with passengers jockeying for position, head aft on the ship and snap some after you pass under it. As you approach the Miraflores Locks, the last set of locks before reaching the Pacific Ocean, there is a live stream webcam by the Visitor Center. It's often slow, refreshing only every five or 10 seconds, but it can still be fun to text or call friends and family and have them look for you.
There's a cruise with stops in Manzanillo, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas. When it comes to packing for a Panama cruise, make sure you bring lightweight, breathable clothing to be comfortable in the country's hot and humid tropical climate. The guide will have downtime during certain parts of the day, so feel free to ask questions then.
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. You’ll get to explore the local beaches and culture while heading to or from one of the greatest man-made marvels in the world. The Panama Canal is one of the most astonishing human-made wonders, a sliver of ingenuity that allows ships to move from one ocean to another. Cruise from the Pacific to the Atlantic, or vice versa, and take in the scenery as you move through this engineering marvel built in 1914. A full transit of the Panama Canal involves passing through six sets of locks, crossing an entire lake and contending with other marine traffic waiting to go through the lock system one at a time.
Play the fastest-growing sport in the U.S. with Holland America Line, the exclusive cruise line partner of the Professional Pickleball Association. All our cruise ships feature pickleball courts with amazing top-deck views. The equipment and courts are available for a match anytime, so long as the weather allows. Join a pickleball tournament at sea and put your dink shot to the test. Learn the basics at complimentary beginner’s lessons, starting in spring 2023.
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. Or spend part of your Panama Canal transit in the Sunset Bar, at the aft of the ship, for wonderful views of the ships following you. 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.
These sailings call on Cartagena, Colombia; Puntarenas, Costa Rica; Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala; Huatulco and Puerto Vallarta or Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The ultimate journey between two continents and two mighty oceans, a Panama Canal cruise encompasses Spanish colonial architecture, verdant rainforest and an engineering marvel. And be sure to explore the complex and fascinating history of the Panama Canal. There are several Panama Canal cruise ship options to choose from, and every Princess cruise ship to this region is well-suited for couples and families with children alike. Regardless of whether you choose a Panama Canal shore excursion or a luxurious cruise that stops at some of the liveliest ports, you're bound to make memories and friendships that last a lifetime.
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