Monday, April 1, 2024

Booking a Panama Canal Cruise: Cruise Ships, Sights and Attractions

cruise ship panama canal

The Gatun Locks are the original locks of the Panama Canal, and their impressive operation is a testament to the enduring quality of their early 20th-century construction. As your ship makes its descent, you’ll feel the sheer power and size of the locks, making the journey through the Gatun Locks a truly humbling experience. After the Miraflores Locks, your ship will sail into the Pedro Miguel Lock. As the only one-chambered lock in the Canal, it provides a one-of-a-kind experience.

Find Norwegian Encore Cruises to the Panama Canal & Central America (with Prices) - Cruise Critic

Find Norwegian Encore Cruises to the Panama Canal & Central America (with Prices).

Posted: Sun, 21 Apr 2024 06:18:28 GMT [source]

2024 Panama Canal Cruises

Named for New York’s famed five boroughs, our signature pizzas are made to order and topped with only the finest ingredients. Enjoy your pizza by day while overlooking the Lido pool, and into the night. This venue is New York Deli & Pizza on Koningsdam, Rotterdam and Nieuw Statendam, offering made-to-order deli sandwiches in addition to pizza.

Pickleball at Sea

It's possible to cruise the Panama Canal on ships of all sizes (from 148 guests to more than 3,000) on itineraries that range from a week in the sun to a six-month world cruise. Experiencing this marvel of early 20th-century engineering appeals to those with a wide array of interests, from history and politics to colonial architecture and wildlife spotting. Built by the U.S. government between 1903 and 1914, this 50-mile waterway linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans revolutionized shipping by creating an expedited route for the transit of cargo and, ultimately, cruise ship passengers. So stretch out on a Caribbean beach, admire the pristine rainforests, stroll the cobbled streets of colonial towns and journey through the fabled Panama Canal with Princess.

Puntarenas

Since they all line up in Limon Bay to wait their turn, you may be docked there the entire night and start the crossing early morning; you might even be lined up ready to go and still need to wait part of the day. A full transit allows you to experience the entire canal and all the locks. The panoramic view takes center stage in The Crow's Nest at the top of the ship, where you can relax just about any time of day and enjoy your favorite drink. While it’s true that the series of locks are a means to get from one side of Central America to the other, anyone who passes through cannot help but watch and take countless photos of the incredible engineering mechanisms. As well as the canal, admire the views on the deck of tropical forests that reach inland as far as the eye can see.

Panama Canal cruises

Whether you prefer slot machines or want to try your hand at blackjack or poker, our dealers and staff are available to provide complimentary instruction — and we offer many engaging tournament options. World Stage, the largest theater on board is home to a variety of performances day and night. Our exclusive EXC® Talk lecture series features captivating regional stories told by local experts and narrated by your Cruise & Travel Director. In the evenings, Step One Dance Company, vocal sensation CantarĂ©, BBC Earth in Concert and more take the stage. Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam and Rotterdam bring the World Stage experience to the next level by surrounding you in spectacular sight and sound with a two-story, panoramic LED screen. At New York Pizza, choose from a variety of scrumptious, 9-inch, thin-crust pies.

East Coast and end on the West Coast (or vice versa) will be at least 14 days long. The partial Panama Canal experience isn't much shorter than a full crossing, but you'll experience the Caribbean-side locks twice and miss out on the Pacific side. On the flip side, the ship will often sail round-trip from Florida, allowing passengers to enjoy various Caribbean ports before and after the transit. Passengers can purchase round-trip airfare or even drive to their departure port, which can be cheaper and logically easier than ending up on the opposite coast than you set out from. Holland America offers a variety of Panama Canal cruises, but the most popular itineraries span 14 to 16 days. They offer a full transit between Fort Lauderdale and San Diego, or vice versa, and are offered on multiple ships, including Zaandam, Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam and Volendam.

The Panama Canal Cruise Experience

Sail down the engineering marvel of the Panama Canal and visit a sprawling rainforest preserve in Colon. Take a swim in the warm, turquoise waters of Aruba, go snorkeling at Bonaire’s vibrant Bari Reef, and view magnificent stalactites and stalagmites inside Curacao’s Hato Caves. Regent Seven Seas Cruises' newest ship, Seven Seas Grandeur, debuts in November 2023 and its first two Panama Canal itineraries in early 2024 are already waitlisted. 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.

cruise ship panama canal

A trip is still worth it for the excellent 3D IMAX film narrated by Morgan Freeman, which does a great job explaining the trials, tribulations and perils of building this awe-inspiring feat. You can also stand on the ground-level terrace or grab a seat in the bleachers on the first level to watch ships pass through the final set of locks; sometimes, a staff member is on hand to provide commentary. Since the crossing does take a while, especially sailing across Gatun Lake, you might find it fun to watch it from a different vantage point from time to time. You can enjoy views from a hot tub on one of the decks, from your table at lunch or even from a deck that's aft, so you can see the locks after you leave them instead of when you arrive.

For a one-way Panama Canal transit that visits six countries (Aruba, Curacao, Panama, Costa Rica, Guatemala and Mexico) and offers six relaxing and luxurious days at sea, consider Seabourn's 21-day Caribbean & Panama Canal Passage. The 450-guest Seabourn Sojourn will sail from Miami to Los Angeles in December. On the day of the transit, prime viewing locations on the bow and near windows go quickly.

For one thing, passengers on board get to witness the mechanics and science of an engineering marvel that's been deemed one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. And by the end of the day, they'll have crossed from one ocean to another — truly an amazing feat. With floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a private verandah, these spacious suites are flooded with light. They feature a large sitting area and two lower beds convertible to one king-size bed—our signature Mariner's Dream™ bed with plush Euro-Top mattresses. The bathroom comes with a dual-sink vanity, full-size whirlpool bath and shower, plus additional shower stall. Amenities include use of the exclusive Neptune Lounge, a private concierge and an array of complimentary services.

It can take a cruise ship 10 hours or so to cover the 48 miles from the Caribbean to the Pacific. The final set of locks, the Gatun Locks, is a three-chambered system that lowers ships a staggering 85 feet to the level of the Atlantic Ocean. This descent is just as breathtaking as the ascent, providing a thrilling climax to your journey through the locks.

These locks are a testament to human ingenuity, serving as water elevators that lift and lower ships to enable them to traverse the 50-mile canal, which connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. For the ultimate cruise indulgence, Viking's 180-day World Voyage I includes a Panama Canal transit (on Christmas Day, no less) as 930-passenger Viking Sky cruises from Fort Lauderdale to New York City (Dec. 19, 2024–June 17, 2025). This round-the-world cruise will visit 37 countries as guests enjoy Viking Sky's modern Scandinavian interior decor, soothing LivNordic Spa, two pools (including one with a retractable roof) and six onboard restaurants. Pricing includes airfare, gratuities and complimentary wine and beer with lunch and dinner. 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.

Princess handles all the details – including transfers and baggage handling – with accommodations selected for their incredible locations and excellent service. A cruise to the Panama Canal is a chance to land on amazing destinations during the same trip. 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. Partake in a Costa Rica excursion for a Caribbean adventure with Princess Cruises.

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