THE 25 BEST Cruises from the East Coast to the Panama Canal & Central America with Prices on Cruise Critic
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The final stop is Las Bóvedas in Casco Viejo, the sea wall on the Spanish fort, where you'll stroll along the top for a view of Panama City across the bay. With the largest fleet at sea Carnival offers sailings perfect for the whole family. 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. The Panama Canal is open to ships year-round, but the most pleasant time to cruise is in the winter season, from November to May.
Kayaking in the Agua Clara LocksPrice: $
Instead, these cruise ships dock at Colon, Panama (the entrance to the canal), and spend a day on the Caribbean side in port. From here, passengers can see the canal however their heart desires, whether stopping for a few minutes on a city tour, or booking a longer shore excursion through a private boat tour crossing the Panama Canal. 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. While the actual crossing is the true highlight of any Panama Canal cruise, cruisers should not forget about the fascinating things to see and do in Colon and Panama City. These Panamanian ports might be stops on your itinerary or embarkation/debarkation ports, depending on the length of your sailing and which direction your ship travels through the canal. No matter which you visit, either will give you access to active, cultural and outdoor pursuits.
Night South America CruiseDetails
Descend on some of the most exciting travel destinations in Central America during a Panama Canal cruise. Stops in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; Puntarenas, Costa Rica; and Colón, Panama, means appreciating countless natural landscapes on top of traversing through the famous shortcut itself. The narrow Culebra Cut, an artificial channel near Panama City, is lined with greenery, while the expanse of the Gatun Lake is dotted with rainforested islands and is a great place to look for wildlife. 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. 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.
Costa Rica Excursions: Something for Everyone
Despite the monumental achievement of engineering that the Panama Canal represents, the drive from Colon to Panama City is just under an hour, so there are plenty of options. Celebrity will take you seamlessly from one adventure to the next as you explore jewel-like Caribbean islands and historic Cartagena. 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. 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.
Active travelers may be looking for expedition-style voyages or cruises on a smaller ship to enjoy more time exploring the Panama Canal. If you have been dreaming about cruising the Panama Canal for a while, this cruise itinerary is definitely for you! Plus, you will more than likely receive an in-depth history of Panama and the lock system involved with the Canal.
Viking River Cruises
Then continue your Viking journey to the heart of the Caribbean & Central America. 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. 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. Cruise from Los Angeles or Miami and pick the trips that make your favorite stops. There's a cruise with stops in Manzanillo, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas.
THE 7 BEST Cruises from Vancouver to the Panama Canal & Central America (with Prices) on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic
THE 7 BEST Cruises from Vancouver to the Panama Canal & Central America (with Prices) on Cruise Critic.
Posted: Fri, 19 Apr 2024 09:18:21 GMT [source]
Destinations & Ports
Or take a trip to Panama City itself, a dramatic contrast between glassy skyscrapers and the narrow alleys and colorful facades of the atmospheric Casco Viejo, or old town, dating back to the 17th century. There are excursions to an Embera village, too, where you can learn about the traditional lifestyle of this rainforest tribe. On Celebrity Beyond, guests of The Retreat can take in the view from The Retreat Sundeck. Other vantage points include the Magic Carpet, cantilevered over the side of the ship, as well as the Rooftop Terrace and the Sunset Bar. Visiting the Panama Canal for the first time is an extraordinary experience, made all the more special if you take some time to learn about this incredible feat of engineering.
Celebrity Cruises
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. With that being said, all Panama Canal cruises can be categorized into three categories– Trans-Canal Crossing, Partial Crossing, and Faux Crossing. When I went on my Panama Canal cruise, there were plenty of clouds in the sky, however, it did not rain.
From the East Coast Roundtrip Ft. Lauderdale
This port on the western coast of Guatemala provides access to the colonial city of Antigua, which has earned status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its architecture and ruins. The port provides a jumping-off point for tours of working coffee plantations, the Pacaya Volcano (one of the country's many active mountains) and Lake Atitlan. There are so many fabulous encounters with nature available from this port, you'll have a hard time deciding on a shore excursion. A visit to the Tabacon Resort Hot Springs takes you to the slopes of the active Arenal volcano. The Poas volcano features the amazing sight of a huge crater filled with iridescent blue water. Walk through a cloud forest at Villa Blanca, where you're surrounded by mist and water droplets clinging to the vegetation.
THE 8 BEST Cruises from Tampa to the Panama Canal & Central America (with Prices) on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic
THE 8 BEST Cruises from Tampa to the Panama Canal & Central America (with Prices) on Cruise Critic.
Posted: Tue, 24 Oct 2023 03:05:07 GMT [source]
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. While passing through Gatun Lake, you'll be amazed at how wide it is in spots. At 180 square miles, it was the world's largest artificial lake at the time it was constructed. Don't miss the Culebra Cut, an artificial valley through the Continental Divide made by cutting through the Culebra Mountains; it's recognizable by the staked, stepped cuts. Have a volcanic adventure during San Juan del Sur excursions from Princess Cruises.
There are way more Panama Canal cruises than you probably thought possible! With that, you may be wondering what the best itinerary is for your specific cruising goals. From repositioning cruises to Mexican Riviera adventures, there are positives and negatives to every itinerary option in the cruising realm in regards to Panama Canal cruises.
Often cruise lines offer special rates that cannot be displayed to the general public. By registering with Cruise.com you will be able to view these special rates and offers. All offers are based on select sailings and categories and are subject to availability at time of booking. Before leaving, pick up all kinds of souvenirs, from hats to shirts and books, at the on-site gift shop. The first stop is a bay on the back side of the island, where you can swim or lounge on the boat's nets.
A sailing from Miami to Los Angeles visits Cartagena, Puntarenas in Costa Rica, and Puerto Vallarta. Enjoy the best of the Panama Canal with a day to explore the locks, kayak the forested fringes of serene Gatun Lake, or admire the fine Spanish colonial architecture of Panama City’s historic Casco Viejo. 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. From ships custom built to sail the massive locks to immersive onboard programs and onshore adventures that inspire, Princess is the number one way to explore this epic phenomenon. We've sailed the Panama Canal since 1967 and we have more itinerary choices and departures of any cruise line in the region.
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