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Panama Canal Cruises

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Discover the Marvels of the Panama Canal

Explore the engineering genius of the Panama Canal with Celebrity on a thrilling voyage that brings history and human achievement to life. On a Panama Canal cruise, experience the lush rainforests of Costa Rica, teeming with scarlet macaws and slow-moving sloths. Wander through the flower-filled streets of enchanting Cartagena, Colombia, bask on golden beaches along the Mexican Riviera, and swim in the aquamarine waters surrounding Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao as you discover this fascinating region with Celebrity.

Featured Cruise Itineraries

Panama canal & southern caribbean.

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. There’s no shortage of beach time on these 11-night cruises, with blissful, sun-soaked days on the dazzling white sands that fringe Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao, and a day to explore Grand Cayman’s glorious Seven Mile Beach.

One-Way Panama Canal Cruises

Our one-way cruises take you either east or westbound between Florida and California. See the intricate workings of the locks and the graceful Bridge of the Americas as you cross the narrow Panama isthmus. Discover the lush scenery around manmade Lake Gatun, listen to tales of pirates and conquistadors, and buy exquisite handicrafts made by Panama’s indigenous Emberá tribe. Other highlights include vibrant Cartagena, glamorous Puerto Vallarta, and thrilling Costa Rica.

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Why Cruise to the Panama Canal with Celebrity

Explore the Panama Canal with Celebrity and you’ll enjoy the best of all worlds, from cultural immersion and pristine natural landscapes to a haven of relaxation on our contemporary, design-led ships. Rejuvenate your spirit in The Spa, unwind by the pool as you cruise along emerald shorelines, and toast the end of another perfect day at the Sunset Bar in the balmy warmth of a tropical evening.

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. Experience The Magic Carpet, high above the ocean, with uninterrupted views. 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.

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.

From one-way voyages between the East and West Coasts, taking in the beaches of Mexico and the rainforests of Costa Rica, to shorter journeys that spend time in the sun-drenched ABC Islands, you’ll find the perfect Panama Canal cruise with Celebrity.

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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.

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Tropical, mountainous Costa Rica is known for many things. 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.

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This Central American destination is known the world over for its namesake canal—and, indeed, the 50-mile-long, century-old Panama Canal is an engineering marvel to behold.

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Top Panama Canal FAQs

When is the best time to cruise the Panama Canal?

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. During these months, the climate is less humid and there is less rainfall.

How long does it take for a cruise ship to pass through the canal?

Typically, the transit of the Panama Canal takes eight to ten hours, but this depends on how much traffic there is and whether there is any congestion at the massive locks. You’ll find the transit is packed with excitement, whether your ship is squeezing into the locks, making its way along the narrow channel, or crossing the serene expanse of Gatun Lake, where there’s a great chance of spotting wildlife including monkeys, iguanas, and toucans.

What are the departure ports?

Celebrity’s Panama Canal cruises depart from Los Angeles, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami.

Which side of the ship is best for cruising through the Panama Canal?

There is no “best” side for cruising the Panama Canal. You will most likely find you want to enjoy the experience from different areas on the ship. When you’re in a lock, it’s fascinating to watch the mechanisms of these engineering masterpieces, so find the best position on deck to observe this. 

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.

On Celebrity Summit, guests of The Retreat can view the locks from the Retreat Sundeck on deck 12 forward. Other options include the Sky Lounge, which has panoramic forward views and is climate-controlled, or the Rooftop Terrace, aft.

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. 

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. 

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.

How long do cruises last?

Celebrity’s Panama Canal cruises last either 11, 14, or 15 nights.

What's the difference between a full transit and a partial transit cruise of the Panama Canal?

A full transit of the Panama Canal takes you from the Pacific to the Caribbean, or vice versa. 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. You’ll still enjoy the experience of going through the massive locks. 

When your ship spends the day in Colon, you can see more of Panama on a range of shore excursions. 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.

What are the main ports of call on a Panama Canal cruise?

Celebrity offers a variety of Panama Canal cruises, with several different ports of call. You could sail from Fort Lauderdale to the ABC Islands (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao) and Cartagena in Colombia. A sailing from Miami to Los Angeles visits Cartagena, Puntarenas in Costa Rica, and Puerto Vallarta. Other cruises include stops in Huatulco, Mexico, and Grand Cayman.

What can I expect to see and experience during the canal transit?

During the 48-mile transit, you’ll see everything from intricate lock systems to the serene landscapes of the rainforest and Gatun Lake. Your ship will be raised up 85 feet through a system of three locks to the level of the freshwater Gatun Lake. Once you’ve crossed the lake, you will descend 85 feet back to sea level through another set of locks.

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.

On the stretches between the locks, you’ll be immersed in nature. 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.

There are other manmade wonders to look out for, too. On the Panama City side of the canal, you’ll sail under the graceful arch of the Bridge of the Americas, which forms part of the Pan-American Highway from Alaska to Patagonia. Just beyond the bridge, as you head toward the Pacific, look out for the Biomuseu, a striking jumble of brightly colored shapes designed by famous architect Frank Gehry, housing eight galleries showcasing Panama’s biodiversity.

What excursions are available?

If you choose a cruise that includes a partial transit of the canal, you can experience Panama’s beauty during a day in Colon. Excursions from here include eco-adventures on Gatun Lake, where you can see capuchin and howler monkeys, caimans, and three-toed sloths. You could visit the locks along the canal and tour the visitor centers, stopping to watch ships pass through the narrow channels. 

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.

What is there to do on the ship?

You’ll find no shortage of things to do on board your luxurious Celebrity ship. Sunbathe by the pool, relax in a bubbling hot tub, join a class in the Fitness Center, or indulge in a treatment in the spa. 

Enjoy exploring all the different dining options, from made-to-order burgers and salads by the pool to French classics and a delightful 3D cartoon animation in Le Petit Chef, and steaks and seafood in the elegant Tuscan Grille. Elevate your experience to The Retreat and you can enjoy fine dining in Luminae, as well as suite accommodation and access to an exclusive lounge.

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.

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Celebrity Cruises Panama Canal Cruises

Cruise to the Panama Canal with Celebrity Cruises for a unique experience you won’t soon forget. Sail across the sea and discover some truly incredible ports-of-call along the way, whetting your palate for the incredible and unbelievable destination ahead. As you enter the canal, you’ll rise 85 feet in one of the Gatun Locks and find a new world waiting for you on the other side. With jungle zip lines and encounters with the natives among some of the spectacular excursions—your Celebrity Cruises Panama Canal will deliver all that you expected and more.

Things to Do on a Panama Canal Cruise with Celebrity Cruises

The magnificent Panama Canal is a one-of-a-kind cruising experience. As you pass through the Canal with Celebrity Cruises, you can learn about its history and its future, but you can also discover the beautiful sites that surround it, from the coffee plantations in Costa Rica to the Panamanian jungle.

• Aquabus Amphibious City Tour (Colón, Panama) Discover Colón and its skyscrapers from the Cinta Costera, a highway that runs through Colón. You will visit the ruins of the first city, Panama Viejo, and then to second city, Casco Antiguo, which was built after the destruction of Panama Viejo. The last stop on this city tour will take you to an overlook with great views of the skyline, located at the entrance of the Panama Canal at the Amador Causeway.  

• Expansion of the Panama Canal - The Present And The Future (Colón, Panama) Learn about the expansion project of the Panama Canal with a tour of Gatun Locks and explanations of the engineering of the new locks. The Expansion Observatory Platform will show you firsthand how these locks will transit larger ships through the canal.  

• Monkey Watch (Colón, Panama) Travel Lake Gatun by speed boat for an exhilarating trip, all for encountering the capuchin and howler monkeys that inhibit the jungle. Also watch out for various species of birds, crocodiles and turtles in this protected area.  

• Colonial Panama and Miraflores Locks (Panama Canal (Cruising Canal)) Founded in 1673, the “Old French Quarter of Panama City” is home to French colonists involved in building the Canal and is a highlight of history with several old colonial churches and bridges that tourists will love. You will also observe ships passing through the locks from the top floor of the Miraflores Locks Observation Center.  

• Costa Rica Coffee Plantation Experience (Puntarenas, Costa Rica) Central America is known for its rich production of coffee, and the Espiritu Santo Coffee Plantation in Costa Rica is no exception. The coffee beans that are produced at this 670-acre farm are sold directly to Starbucks, and you have the chance to see this production firsthand, including a taste for yourself.  

• Tarcoles River An Eco Cruise Adventure (Puntarenas, Costa Rica) Tarcoles River is home to one of the world’s largest populations of crocodiles that can live up to 60 years old and measure twenty feet in length. The tour will be conducted on an air-conditioned motor coach and offers sightings of these crocodiles and other wildlife, like lizards and macaws.  

Top 10 Celebrity Cruises Panama Canal Cruises

• Celebrity Summit 15 NIGHT PANAMA CANAL EASTBOUND CRUISE Departing From Los Angeles, California (Sep 2024)
• Celebrity Beyond 11 NIGHT PANAMA CANAL & S CARIBBEAN Departing From Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida (Dec 2024)
• Celebrity Beyond 11 NIGHT CANAL & CARIBBEAN HOLIDAY Departing From Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida (Dec 2024)
• Celebrity Beyond 11 NIGHT PANAMA CANAL & S. CARIBBEAN Departing From Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida (Jan 2025 - Apr 2025)
• Celebrity Beyond 11 NIGHT CANAL & S. CARIBBEAN Departing From Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida (Feb 2025 - Mar 2025)
• Celebrity Summit 16 NIGHT PANAMA CANAL WESTWARD CRUISE Departing From Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida (Apr 2025)
• Celebrity Summit 16 NIGHT PANAMA CANAL EASTBOUND CRUISE Departing From Los Angeles, California (Sep 2025)
• Celebrity Ascent 11 NT PANAMA CANAL & PERFECT DAY HOLIDAY Departing From Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida (Dec 2025)
• Celebrity Ascent 11 NT PANAMA CANAL & SOUTHERN CARIBBEAN Departing From Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida (Feb 2026 - Mar 2026)

Celebrity Cruises Panama Canal Departure Ports

Learn more about each of the possible departure ports for a Panama Canal cruise with Celebrity Cruises. Your Celebrity Cruises Panama Canal cruise could embark from any of the following cities:

With incredible weather, delicious fare and some stupendous attractions, you will find that Fort Lauderdale’s Port Everglades is one of the most attractive ports in the entire US.

The possibilities are endless when cruising to or from the City of Angels. Let your inner rock star shine as you explore the many wonders of Los Angeles, California.

Photo Gallery for Celebrity Cruises Panama Canal Cruises

Browse our photo gallery of Panama Canal cruising photos from Celebrity Cruises. Keep in mind, this is just a sample of the sights waiting for you on a Celebrity Cruises Panama Canal cruise vacation.

Capuchin monkey Lake Gatun, Panama Canal

Fresh Costa Rica coffee beans

Miraflores Locks in the Panama Canal

Pool at the Gatun Locks on the Panama Canal

Statue of Christ in Colon Panama

Tarcoles River in Costa Rica

Celebrity ship sails through the Panama Canal

Celebrity Infinity cruises through Panama Canal

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12 best Panama Canal cruises for a bucket-list trip

A Panama Canal transit is a rite of passage for many cruise lovers. 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. 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.

Panama Canal itineraries are offered by almost every cruise line. Thanks to a 2016 canal expansion project, a third set of locks can now accommodate larger vessels. 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.

Some ships sail a full transit of the canal, from the Atlantic to the Pacific or vice versa. These one-way journeys between Miami or Fort Lauderdale and Los Angeles or San Diego visit ports in Central America, South America, Mexico and California.

Others sail only a partial transit, entering the locks from the Atlantic and cruising into Lake Gatun before turning around and exiting again. These itineraries, sailing round-trip from Florida ports, combine the canal experience with island hopping in the Caribbean.

For more cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

The array of options means that a Panama Canal cruise experience is possible even if you're short on time or have a limited budget — and chances are high that your favorite cruise line offers one or more itineraries. Most sailings attract couples, typically retirees, but if the timing is right, a Panama Canal cruise can also be a great multigenerational experience.

Here are a dozen of the best Panama Canal cruises to consider.

Holland America's 14- to 17-night Panama Canal cruises

Holland America offers a variety of Panama Canal cruises , but the most popular itineraries span 14 to 17 nights. They offer a full transit between Fort Lauderdale or Miami and San Diego, Seattle or Vancouver, British Columbia, or vice versa and are offered on multiple ships, including Koningsdam, Zuiderdam, Zaandam, Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam. These sailings call on Cartagena, Colombia; Puntarenas, Costa Rica; Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala; and Huatulco and Puerto Vallarta or Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Longer sailings also call on several Caribbean islands.

Who should go : Holland America ships sailing a full transit are popular with retired couples who appreciate the cruise line's consistency and good value. All four ships accommodate between 1,432 and 2,650 passengers and offer signature onboard experiences that include the Greenhouse Spa and the World Stage for evening production shows. The larger Eurodam, Koningsdam and Nieuw Amsterdam feature additional specialty dining options, such as Tamarind and Nami Sushi, as well as popular music venues B.B. King's Blues Club and Billboard Onboard.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises' 16-night Los Angeles-to-Miami cruise

Regent Seven Seas Cruises ' newest ship, Seven Seas Grandeur, debuted in November 2023 and will transit the Panama Canal on several occasions in the next few years. The 16-night Miami-to-Los Angeles (Dec. 13-29, 2024) and 16-night Los Angeles-to-Miami (Jan. 8-23, 2025) transits offer luxurious all-inclusive pampering, plus port calls in Ensenada, Cabo San Lucas and Acapulco, Mexico; Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala; Corinto, Nicaragua; Panama City; Cartagena, Colombia; and George Town, Grand Cayman.

Plan even further ahead for Grandeur's 22-night Miami-to-Los Angeles transit (Jan. 3-25, 2026) to enjoy additional Caribbean ports of call. From Jan. 25 to Feb. 9, 2026, the ship will sail a 16-night Panama Canal transit from Los Angeles to Miami with an itinerary similar to the 2024 and early 2025 cruises.

Who should go : This itinerary can be a wonderful splurge for a couple seeking to celebrate a milestone anniversary or birthday in a memorable way on a luxurious new ship. Prices start at a hefty $10,099 per person for a spacious balcony suite, but they also include airfare, transfers, gratuities, dining and beverages, Wi-Fi and shore excursions — meaning you'll hardly have any other vacation expenses.

Related: The 9 best luxury cruise lines for elegance and exclusivity

Celebrity Cruises' 11-night Panama Canal & Southern Caribbean cruise

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 still time to book the Dec. 2, 2024, cruise or the half-dozen almost identical sailings that follow through April 2025. All sailings are aboard the 3,260-passenger 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).

Who should go : Celebrity Beyond and its Edge-series sister ships appeal to millennials, Gen Xers and young-at-heart baby boomers who appreciate innovative design, entertainment and dining options. The ships are geared toward couples or groups of friends, but families with older teens might also enjoy the onboard vibe. There are no splash pools or waterslides for younger kids, although calls on three Caribbean islands offer aquatic fun.

Windstar Cruises' 7-night Costa Rica & Panama Canal cruise

To explore the Panama Canal region in a relaxed manner aboard an intimate motorized sailing yacht or small ship, check out Windstar Cruises' seven-night Costa Rica & Panama Canal itinerary. Bookable on more than a dozen dates from November 2024 through March 2026, the itinerary is offered aboard 148-passenger Wind Star or Wind Spirit (in 2024 and 2025) and 312-passenger Star Pride (in 2026). The ship will travel from Colon, Panama, to Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica (or vice versa), transiting the canal. Passengers can visit Panama City and Isla Parida in Panama, plus Golfo Dolce and Quepos (for Manuel Antonio National Park) in Costa Rica.

Who should go : Fans of small-ship cruising who enjoy a casual onboard ambience, are interested in nature and wildlife and wish to sample the regional flavors of Central America should consider a Windstar cruise . All accommodations on the sailing yachts are in snug yet well-designed staterooms with windows but no balconies. Wind Star and Wind Spirit are cozy and social four-deck ships, each featuring a pool and pool bar, a lounge and two restaurants. Star Pride is the better option for those who prefer a more spacious suitelike cabin with a balcony and a larger bathroom.

Related: Big vs. small cruise ships: Which will I like better?

Silversea's 18-night Fort Lauderdale-to-Los Angeles cruise

Silversea Cruises ' 18-night Fort Lauderdale-to-Los Angeles transit aboard 596-passenger Silver Moon offers a luxurious and leisurely way to experience the Panama Canal along with top ports in four countries and 10 sea days. The itinerary includes Cartagena, Colombia (where the ship overnights); Puntarenas, Costa Rica; Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala; and Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The sailing takes place from April 1 to 19, 2025.

Silver Moon is one of four Silversea ships to feature the S.A.L.T. (Sea and Land Taste) program, which combines regionally inspired dining in S.A.L.T. Kitchen, cooking classes and demonstrations in S.A.L.T. Lab with culinary-inspired shore excursions.

Who should go : Silversea's clientele is mostly mature couples with a luxury mindset and an appreciation for elevated dining with a strong regional focus. They also appreciate the cruise line's all-inclusive ease. An almost three-week itinerary such as this is likely to attract retirees seeking an extended warm-weather escape.

Related: The 10 best cruises for couples seeking romance and together time at sea

Carnival Cruise Line's 8-night Panama Canal cruise from Tampa

Experiencing the Panama Canal doesn't have to be time-consuming or budget-busting. Carnival Cruise Line 's eight-night Panama Canal from Tampa itinerary offers a round-trip, partial-transit sailing aboard the 2,124-passenger Carnival Legend and Carnival Miracle. The ships call in Limon, Costa Rica, and George Town, Grand Cayman. Itineraries are available on several dates in 2024 and 2025, and cruise fares begin at under $900 per person.

With multiple pools (including the adults-only aft Serenity Pool), a WaterWorks aqua park, the Camp Ocean kids club and a wide array of restaurants, these ships offer enough diversions for sea-day fun, even at half the size of Carnival's newest megaships.

Who should go : Carnival's action-packed ships and affordable cruise fares appeal to families, friends and couples of all ages who enjoy a lively onboard ambience and casual complimentary dining options (including a Guy Fieri burger venue).

Related: The best cruise lines for families

Seabourn's 34-night Caribbean Gems & Panama Canal cruise

For a one-way Panama Canal transit that visits 12 countries (St. Barts, Guadeloupe, Dominica, St. Kitts and Nevis, the British Virgin Islands, the Dominican Republic, Curacao, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Guatemala and Mexico) and offers 15 relaxing and luxurious days at sea, consider Seabourn 's 34-night Caribbean Gems & Panama Canal cruise. The 450-guest Seabourn Sojourn will sail from Miami to Los Angeles, departing in November 2025.

You'll enjoy beach time as you island hop in the Caribbean, while calls on Golfito and Puntarenas in Costa Rica offer access to eco-adventure. Visits to Puerto Quetzal in Guatemala and Puerto Chiapas and Huatulco in Mexico feature excursions focused on pre-Spanish-colonial culture, coffee cultivation and more, while a call on Cabo San Lucas offers whale watching, deep-sea fishing or tequila tasting opportunities.

Who should go : Work-from-anywhere entrepreneurs and retirees who enjoy the luxury and refinement of small-ship cruising will enjoy this monthlong Panama Canal transit. Seabourn Sojourn pampers its guests with attentive service, elevated cuisine and all-ocean-facing suites featuring walk-in closets and spacious marble bathrooms. Seabourn's all-inclusive cruise fares also cover gratuities and complimentary wines and spirits.

Princess Cruises' 12-night Panama Canal with Costa Rica & Caribbean cruise

While Princess Cruises does offer several longer ocean-to-ocean Panama Canal itineraries, its popular 12-night Panama Canal with Costa Rica & Caribbean cruises conveniently sail round trip from Fort Lauderdale on more than 20 dates in 2024, 2025 and 2026.

What's more, you can choose between two ships: the 3,140-guest Caribbean Princess or the 3,080-guest Emerald Princess. In addition to the partial transit, these sailings call on several Caribbean islands, including Aruba, Curacao, Jamaica and Grand Cayman, as well as Cartagena, Columbia; Limon, Costa Rica; and Colon, Panama.

Who should go : Couples who enjoy a ship with a more traditional vibe and families with kids who are content to participate in interactive learning activities and nature-based adventure (versus waterslides) will enjoy this cruise. Princess ships are known for their Movies Under the Stars screenings, multiple pools, specialty dining options, such as Sabatini's Italian Trattoria and The Salty Dog Gastropub, and Crooners piano bar.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Princess Cruises ship

Norwegian Cruise Line's 12-night South America: Peru, Colombia & Ecuador cruise

There's no "Panama Canal" in this itinerary's name, but Norwegian Cruise Line 's 12-night South America: Peru, Colombia & Ecuador cruise (Feb. 27-March 11, 2026) does a full canal transit as it sails from Miami to Lima, Peru. The 2,402-passenger Norwegian Jade will visit historic Santa Marta and Cartagena in Colombia; Panama City; Manta, Ecuador; and Trujillo and Lima in Peru.

Who should go : Couples and friends interested in experiencing not just a Panama Canal transit but some of the top coastal experiences along the Pacific coast of South America should choose this itinerary. Norwegian Jade is an older, smaller vessel that was refurbished in 2022 and features a top deck more conducive to sunning than thrill rides. The ship also has a surprising number of restaurants for its size: two main dining rooms, a buffet restaurant, a pub-style bar and grill, an Asian restaurant and an outdoor grill on a complimentary basis, plus six specialty dining venues (including a steakhouse and venues showcasing French, Italian and Japanese cuisines) for an added fee.

Oceania's 16-night Miami-to-Los Angeles cruise

Oceania Cruises ' 1,200-passenger Vista — which debuted in May 2023 as the first new-build ship in Oceania's fleet in more than a decade — will offer back-to-back, 16-night Miami-to-Los Angeles (Jan. 8-24, 2025) and Los Angeles-to-Miami (Jan. 24-Feb. 9, 2025) itineraries. Both sailings visit six countries with port calls that include George Town, Grand Cayman; Cartagena, Colombia; Puntarenas, Costa Rica; Corinto, Nicaragua; Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala; and Acapulco, Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada, Mexico. (The second sailing visits San Diego instead of Ensenada.)

Who should go : Oceania's newest ship offers a great compromise between a small and medium-size vessel and is ideal for those seeking a premium cruise experience with casual sophistication. Older couples especially will appreciate the ship's elegant cabin decor in soft hues of wheat and seagrass, mix of grand and intimate spaces and wide array of dining options. (Two new and noteworthy venues on Vista include Ember for inventive American cuisine and Aquamar Kitchen for wellness-focused breakfast, lunch and dinner.) A more immersive mixology program features curated cocktail menus, indulgent pairing experiences and specialty beverage carts.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on an Oceania Cruises ship

Cunard's 26-night Southampton-to-San Francisco cruise

Cunard's brand-new 2,996-passenger ship Queen Anne, which debuts in May 2023, will make both its first transatlantic crossing and its first Panama Canal transit on this historic 26-night Southampton-to-San Francisco sailing (Jan. 9-Feb. 4, 2025). The ship will first cross the Atlantic and then overnight in New York before calling on Aruba, transiting the canal and visiting Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. It will conclude with an overnight in San Francisco.

The winter transatlantic crossing might not be right for everyone, but the second half of this voyage explores warm-weather destinations with plenty of relaxing sea days for sunning, reading, taking dance lessons and enjoying expert lectures.

Who should go : British cruise line Cunard appeals mainly to older travelers who savor the line's formal traditions. This cruise is for you if you enjoy afternoon tea, dressing up for dinner, gala evenings and dancing to big-band orchestras. This particular itinerary appeals to retirees who wish to visit several cruise regions in one sailing.

Viking's 180-day World Voyage

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.

If this longer voyage is sold out, consider the 138-day Viking World Cruise (departing Dec. 19, 2025), also on Viking Sky. This sailing, which travels from Fort Lauderdale to London (Greenwich), visits 28 countries and transits the Panama Canal on the eighth day.

Who should go : With cruise fares that start at $79,995 and $59,995 per person, respectively, these extended adventures at sea require a luxury budget. Viking 's base clientele is mostly retired or close-to-retirement-age professionals who enjoy the cruise line's focus on educational enrichment (via onboard lectures) and serene ambience (there's no casino, and the nighttime vibe is on the quiet side).

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• Top ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

• CruiseMapper
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• Hawaii - Mexico - Panama Canal Cruise Ports

Panama Canal

Cruise port schedule, live map, terminals, news.

Region Hawaii - Mexico - Panama Canal

Local Time 2024-07-01 08:53

Port Panama Canal cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Panama Canal. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link.

Linking the Atlantic to Pacific oceans, Panama Canal provides one of the most unforgettable ship cruising experiences. More than 10 years were needed to complete the Canal's 51 mi (82 km) in 1914, thus avoiding the lengthy and dangerous navigation around Cape Horn .

The transiting vessels (assisted at the locks by land-based locomotives) pass through artificial lakes and narrow channels blasted through rocks and dense jungle. This is a unique waterway and one of the modern civilization's most astonishing engineering and technological accomplishments.

Panama Canal is a culmination of a dream that began in 1513 with Spanish conquistador Vasco Nunez de Balboa (1475-1519) who was the first European to travel the 43 mi (70 km) wide isthmus. In 1881, the French Panama Canal Company started construction works (at the artificial valley Culebra Cut/aka Gaillard Cut) but due to financial and engineering problems in 1894 sold its rights to the new Compagnie Nouvelle du Canal de Panama, which project was based on locks. The new company also struggled and was forced to sell its rights to the USA (in 1902) for USD 40 million, with a loss of USD 240 million.

The USA officially started construction works in 1904, and the project was completed in 1914 (at a cost of USD 387 million). Currently, the USA still oversees the Canal's operations, though it signed a treaty (in 1979) to transfer the Canal back to Panama (on Dec 31, 1999).

Panamax-sized ships are the bigger vessels that can fit through the Canal's old locks, Such cruise vessels are limited to max LOA length 1050 ft (320 m) and max-width / beam 110 ft (33,5 m). Among the many cruise ship classes designed to allow Panama Canal transition are Millennium-class (Celebrity), Coral-class (Princess) and Signature-class (Holland America). However, all new cruise ships exceed the old locks' limits.

Although many cruise lines already feature Panama Canal transition itineraries ( Princess , Celebrity , Holland America , Disney among others), they are restricted to using their smaller ships. The expansion allowed for larger passenger liners to traverse the Canal's 49-mi (79-km) stretch. However, height restrictions remain because of the 1962-built "Bridge of the Americas" (clearance below 61,3 m / 201 ft at high tide) limiting vessels' size. Princess Cruises currently offers canal crossing itineraries on the Island Princess (2214-passenger) and Coral Princess (1970-passenger). The expansion allowed the company to deploy on the canal the larger Caribbean Princess (3080-passenger).

With the new locks now opened and functioning, will the world's largest cruise liners be able to fit through them? The short answer is - no. The new locks, which are in parallel with the old ones, measure 1400 x 180 ft (439x55 m) with draft 60 ft (18 m). However, the max allowed cruise ship dimensions are 1200 x 161 ft (366x49 m) and draft 50 ft (15 m). World's largest passenger ships ( RCI 's Oasis-class) are indeed within these new lock dimensions, but their height (236 ft / 72 m above waterline) doesn't clear the Bridge of the Americas (spanning over the Canal's Pacific entrance). So unless the bridge is either removed or replaced by a taller one, the Oasis-class ships can't pass through Panama Canal. Cunard 's liner RMS Queen Mary 2 (specifically designed to clear the 228 ft / 70 m height of NYC 's Verrazano-Narrows Bridge) also joins the list of large ships unable to transit the Canal. Luckily, NCL Norwegian 's Breakaway-class ships ( Breakaway , Getaway ) and the succeeding Breakaway Plus-class ( Bliss , Escape , Joy ) clear a full transit.

Panama Canal's cruising season runs from October through May. The Canal operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with 35-40 vessels passing through every day. Each transit takes about 8-10 hours.

During season 2016-2017, the number of cruise ship transits was 223.

For season 2017-2018, Panama Canal's schedule had listed a total of 248 passenger ships booked for passing through the Expanded Canal (new Panamax and Neopanamax Locks) with total number of "transiting" cruise tourists 312304. Among the most notable vessels were Caribbean Princess, Carnival Freedom, Carnival Splendor, Norwegian Bliss. The list of cruise lines with ships passing through the new locks included Princess, NCL-Norwegian, CCL-Carnival, Silversea, Viking, Lindblad.

On May 14, 2018, the Alaska-based Norwegian Bliss became the largest passenger ship ever passing through Panama Canal. The liner operated a 15-day transition cruise (itinerary May 10-25) from Miami to Los Angeles , visiting Cartagena, Puntarenas, Puerto Quetzal, Puerto Chiapas, Manzanillo, Puerto Vallarta.

For season 2018-2019 were booked 234 cruise ship transits.

Due to the Coronavirus crisis, for season 2019-2020 were booked just 29 cruise transits, mainly by larger-sized/Neopanamax vessels. Maiden transits were scheduled for Norwegian Dawn, Le Dumont D'urville (Ponant), Ventura (P&O UK), Carnival Glory, Seven Seas Splendor (RSSC-Regent), Scenic Eclipse, Flying Clipper, Hanseatic Inspiration and Hanseatic Nature (Hapag Lloyd), Greg Mortimer (Aurora Expedition).

For season 2022-2023 were booked 200+ transits, including 12 maiden/first-time by the ships Celebrity Edge, Seabourn Venture, Fridtjof Nansen (Hurtigruten), World Navigator (AOV-Atlas Ocean Voyages), World Voyager (Nicko), Evrima (Ritz-Carlton), Le Bellot (Ponant), Spirit of Adventure (Saga UK), Viking Cruises (Neptune, Octantis, Polaris), Sea Cloud Spirit.

Annually, the Panama Canal transit 0,9+ million cruise tourists. The main local attractions are the visitor centers at Miraflores Lock and Cocoli Lock, which both have exhibition halls and outdoor observation decks, and also provide guided tours.

Panama Canal alternatives for ship crossings between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans are the Strait of Magellan (between South America and Antarctica) and the Northwest Passage (in the Canadian Arctic territories).

On April 30, 2017, Disney Wonder became the world's first-ever cruise vessel that passed through Panama Canal's new set of locks.

DCL-Disney Cruise Line 's ship Wonder was on a 14-night relocation voyage (RepositionCruises.com) from Florida to California. From San Diego, the ship operated several Baja Mexico itineraries before its summer Alaskan season with departures from Vancouver BC Canada . The following table shows this unique itinerary as ports of call (dates, arrival/departure times) and ports sequence.

Cruise liners transiting Panama Canal via the old locks operate full transition voyages through all the 3 sets of old locks (Pedro Miguel, Miraflores, and Gatun/bordering Gatun Lake ). Some boats may offer an extra day in Port Fuerte Amador/Panama City .

The first Princess ship with partial transits through the new locks was Caribbean Princess - on 10-day roundtrips from Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades, Florida) . The boat's first-ever transit was on October 26, 2017. The itinerary's call ports were Princess Cays Bahamas , Cartagena Colombia , Panama Canal, Colon Panama , Puerto Limon Costa Rica , and George Town Grand Cayman .

IMPORTANT : Following the waterway's 5th expansion, since June 2021, Panama Canal's new (Neopanamax) locks accommodate vessels with max LOA length 370,33 m (887 ft) and max draft 15,24 m (50 ft). This allows ~96% of the world's containership fleet to be able to transit the waterway.

Panama Canal statistics

On August 22, 2017, the CMA CGM Theodore Roosevelt (2015-built, IMO 9780873) became the largest container vessel transiting the new locks. The boxship has TEU capacity 14855, LOA length 366 m (1200 ft), width 48 m (157 ft). The record was broken on May 15, 2019, by the 15313-TEU boxship Evergreen Triton (2016-built, IMO 9728916 / length 369 m, beam 51 m).

In FY17 (Fiscal Year 2017 / Oct 1, 2016, through Sept 30, 2017), Panama Canal broke all previous annual cargo tonnage records, reporting a traffic volume of 403,8 million tons. This was a 22,2% increase (over 2016) and directly attributed to the Expanded Canal's added capacity of Neopanamax ships. According to FY17 figures, the waterway was transited by a total of 13,548 vessels (+3,3% over FY16). The cargo volume projection for FY17 was 399 million tons. In 2017, the Canal served 29 major containership line services, including 15 Neopanamax shipping services on the trade routes between East Coast USA and Asia. The containership segment is the Canal's leading market (35,3% of all cargoes, or 143 million tons, of which 89,1 million tons were transited through the Expanded Canal). The 2nd segment are the tanker ships (including LPG and LNG carriers, with total 105 million tons. The 3rd and 4th segments are bulk carriers (79 million tons) and vehicle carriers (47 million tons).

In 2017, the main shipping routes through Panama Canal were AsiaEast Coast USA (34%), West Coast South America-East Coast USA (13%), West Coast South America-Europe (7%), West Coast Central America-East Coast USA (7%) and South America intercoastal (5%). In 2017, the Canal was used mainly by vessels leaving from USA (68,3% of the total tonnage), followed by China, Chile, Japan, Mexico and Colombia.

It was estimated, that the Canal's expansion will save around 160 million tons of CO2 emissions during its first 10-year operational period. In 2017, of all transiting vessels, 53% were boxships, 28% LPG tankers, 10% LNG carriers, and the remaining transits were made by bulk cargo and car carriers and cruise ships.

As future projects, the Canal has plans to concession a Ro-Ro terminal (for redistribution of vehicles, machinery and heavy equipment), as well as a huge logistics park (sized 1200 hectares / 12 km2) for the region's logistics services.

On April 28, 2018, the gas carrier LNG Sakura transited the canal with the first-ever LNG shipment from USA to Asia (Dominion Cove Point terminal to Japan). The vessel is owned by Kansai Electric Power (70%) and NYK Line (30%). It has LOA length 300 m and width 49 m. Currently, Panama Canal provides 7x LNG booking slots weekly (average 5,5 transits. For FY2018 was expected 50% increase in LNG shipping over FY2017 (163 to 244 transits).

On August 15, 2018, Panama Canal celebrated its 104 Anniversary (opened 1914). Currently, the artificial waterway connects 144 maritime routes and around 700 ports in 160 countries.

FY2018 was a record year with total tonnage (PCUMS) 442,1 million tons (+9,5% over FY2017's 403,8 million tons). The increase was driven by LPG and LNG carriers (130,3 million tons), boxships (159 million tons), bulk carriers (73,2 million tons), vehicle carriers (49,5 million tons). Most of the traffic was between USA, China, Japan, Mexico, Chile.

On May 14, 2019, the Q-Flex class LNG tanker Al Safliya (Qatargas-owned) became the first-ever large gas carrier to transit the waterway. The vessel has length 315 m, width 50 m and max LNG capacity 210,000 m3. Canal's previous max vessel width/beam was 49 m, now increased (since June 2018) to 51,25 m (168 ft). In 2018, Panama Canal served 340x LNG tanker transits (181 in 2017).

Next video is about the Canal's Post Panamax expansion (a program of projects).

FY2019 was another record year with total tonnage (PCUMS) 469 million tons (+6,2% over FY2018). The increase was again driven by LPG and LNG carriers (+6,9% and +37,6%, respectively), product tankers (+5,6%), vehicle carriers (+5,5%, 53,1 million tons), boxships (164,87 million tons, of which 126,2 million through Neopanamax Locks), bulk carriers (76,5 million tons), chemical tankers (44,3 million tons), LNG carriers (43 million tons), LPG carriers (37,8 million tons), crude product tankers (22,6 million tons), passenger ships (9,9 million tons). Most of the transit shipping traffic was between USA and Asia, Europe and South America, plus US intercoastal routes. The waterway's main customers were from USA, China, Japan, Chile, Mexico.

FY2021 (October 1, 2020 thru September 30, 2021) recorded 516,7 million PCUMS tons (+8,7% over FY20), with total 13342 ship transits. The stats included containerships (184,3M tons / +10,3% / 2602 transits), drybulk carriers (90M tons / +11,2% / 3043 transits), chemical carriers (65M tons / -6,1% / 2596 transits), LNG carriers (61M tons / +31,4% / 537 transits), LPG carriers (52,8M tons / +18,4% / 1523 transits), RoRo/vehicle carriers (47,5 tons / +15,6% / 782 transits). In 2021, the waterway transited a total of 13342 vessels.

Panama Canal cruise ship transition cost (fees)

Following the Panama Canal Authority Board's recommendations, on April 28, 2015, Panama officially approved the proposal to revise the Canal's toll structure.

• By the new structure, each transiting vessel's passage is segmented in different units of measurement:
• LNG carriers (liquefied natural gas) and LGP (gas) tankers' tolls are based on m3 (max capacity).
• Dry bulk carriers' tolls are based on DWT (deadweight tonnage).
• Tankers' tolls are on PC/UMS tons and metric cargo tons.
• Container (boxships) tolls are based on TEU capacity (max containers).
• Cruise vessels' tolls are based on passenger capacity. They are levied based on PC/UMS or pax berths.
• A new segment was created to toll local tour ships.

Cruise ships through Panamax Canal are charged USD 138 per berth. Cruise ships passing through the Canal's new locks (post-Panamax) pay USD 148 per berth. When this decision was made, the new canal locks were 85% complete. The new toll system was implemented on April 1, 2016.

• On May 7, 2008, the boxship MSC Fabienne paid a record highest Panamá Canal transit toll - USD 317,142. Currently, the Canal's average transit cost is USD 54,000 per vessel.

Due to historic low water levels, in January 2020 the waterway's transition fees were increased by adding an additional "Freshwater Charge" - fixed at USD 10,000 for vessels with LOA length 125+ ft (38+ m). Also new is the handling service fee - USD 5,000 (vessels with beam 91+ ft/27,7 m) and USD 1500 (vessels with LOA 125+ ft/38 m).

Panama Canal cruise terminal

A complete Panama Canal transit is comprised of navigation through 3 locksets. Gatun Locks are on the Caribbean side while Pedro Miguel and Miraflores Locks are on the Pacific side. Vessels transiting the Canal are being raised and lowered 26 m / 85 ft in this 3-lock system. Other special highlights of the Canal are the Culebra Cut and Gatun Lake . Gatun Lake is among the largest man-made lakes in the world covering 422 km2 / 163 mi2. Culebra Cut (fka Gaillard Cut) is 13 km / 8 mi long channel built through solid rock that was the most difficult excavation in the Canal's construction.

The new Panama Canal locks were officially inaugurated on June 26, 2016, following the completion of a 9-year (USD 5,25 billion) construction project. Originally scheduled for completion in October 2014, a hundred years after it first opened, the canal's expansion provided an additional lane of shipping traffic through construction of 2 new locks (each with 3 slots), this way doubling the capacity of this unique waterway.

During the new locks' opening, thousands of spectators gathered at Cocolí locks (outside Panama City) to watch the Chinese container ship "Cosco Shipping Panama" with its 9472 TEU containers becoming the ever first ship passing through the new locks.

During the canal's opening ceremony, there was a special guest section with around 3000 people, including delegations from different countries, business associates, heads of different authorities and organizations.

Following the new locks' opening, Egypt's Suez Canal (Panama’s main rival) lowered its transition tariffs to keep its shipping traffic.

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Panama Canal - user reviews and comments

Which Panama Canal Cruise To Go On The Old Or New?

The Panama Canal is a great cruise to go on but with now two canals to choose from which is the best Panama Canal cruise to go on the old or the new?

Once upon a time only smaller cruise ships could only transit through the Panama Canal and then they built a bigger canal.

Now bigger cruise ships can transit through the new Panamax Canal.

(We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases).

New Panama Canal

The new Panama Canal took 11 years to build and was built for larger container ships to transit. Helping the trade route get to the west coast of America quicker.

As the canal was made bigger, of course, they didn’t mind charging big cruise ships to transit too.

Old Panama Canal

Smaller cruise ships and container ships that can fit can still transit through the original canal.

Which gives you a choice of which Panama Canal cruise to go on the old or new canal.

Here I am going to tell you the difference between the two canal cruises.

Which Panama Canal Cruise to Go On Old or New?

There are a few factors you need to consider before you book a Panama Canal cruise.

• First what type of cruise ship do you like to travel on
• Have you ever been on a Panama Canal cruise
• Do you want to see the new Panama Canal
• Are you interested in the history of the canal and how the original canal was built
• Would you like to know how the new Panamax Canal was built
• Which cruise would you like to go on – transit through the whole canal – Fort Lauderdale to Los Angeles or vice versa
• Are you going on a ten-day cruise which does a half transit

Which Panama Canal to Cruise?

Now you know what to consider it should make it easier which cruise to pick.

New Panamax Canal

The new Panamax Canal is a modern Panama Canal experience and the practicalities of this canal is interesting and a lot quicker to get through.

If you have been through the old Panama Canal you are probably interested to see how the new one differs.

This is the schedule for transiting through the new Panama Canal from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean:

• Pilot boards in Balboa
• Enter Cocoli Locks
• Depart Cocoli Locks
• Enter Agua Clara Locks
• Depart Agua Clara Locks

The new Panama Canal does not have the old features and the ship is helped through the canal with tug boats and the chamber walls slide to close.

The water lever does go up and down, but not in the capacity that is does in the original canal.

Joining Two Oceans – The Panama Canal

The chambers and lock walls are interesting to see from a modern engineering perspective.

You can transit through the Panama Canal on a large cruise ship.

Original Panama Canal

In the original Panama Canal , you are going to see the original locks. The mules pull the ship through the locks, which is very interesting to see.

You will have the experience of the water level going up and down a lot, so on some decks, all you can see is the canal wall.

The ship gets very close to the canal wall, so much so that you hear the ship being squeezed through the canal.

This is what the original Panama Canal transit looked like from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean:

• Atlantic Ocean (Caribbean Sea)
• Transit Cristobel
• Enter Gatun Locks
• Depart Gatun Locks
• Passing Gamboa
• Passing Centenario Bridge
• Enter Pedro Miguel Locks
• Depart Pedro Miguel Locks
• Enter Miraflores Locks
• Depart Miraflores Locks
• Pass under the Bridge of Americas
• Passing Balboa Anchorages
• Enter the Pacific Ocean (Gulf of Panama)

Only small to medium-sized ships can transit through the original Panama Canal.

Which Panama Canal cruise will you book?

What to See in the Cruise Port of Panama City

Cruise Essentials

Here are some cruising products from Amazon you may find useful on your next cruise – have a look at my Amazon shop page and click here.

I hope this article has helped you weigh up which Panama Canal cruise to book.

If you enjoyed reading which Panama Canal cruise to go on old or new, please share on Facebook and Twitter or pin for later on Pinterest.

Happy cruising!

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Does celebrity cruise lines go through the Panama Canal?

Yes, Celebrity Cruises offers cruises that go through the Panama Canal. It provides a unique and unforgettable experience, allowing you to sail across the sea and explore incredible ports-of-call along the way.

Which cruise line goes through the Panama Canal?

Most major cruise lines, including Celebrity Cruises, offer Panama Canal sailings. Other cruise lines that feature Panama Canal itineraries include Princess and Holland America. Expedition lines like Tauck and Lindblad also offer options for a unique Panama Canal experience.

Do cruise ships go through the Panama Canal locks?

Yes, cruise ships go through the Panama Canal locks. As the ships enter each lock, it may seem like a tight fit, depending on the size of the ship. Many ships are designed to fit the lock dimensions, with only inches of clearance between the ship’s sides and the concrete walls of the locks.

What ports does celebrity sail from?

Celebrity Cruises departs from various ports for its Caribbean itineraries. Some of the departure ports include Cape Liberty, New Jersey; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Miami, Florida; Orlando (Port Canaveral), Florida; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Tampa, Florida.

What side of cruise ship is best for Panama Canal?

Either side of the cruise ship is fine for experiencing the Panama Canal journey. Many people prefer to have a cabin with a balcony at the rear of the ship to have a panoramic view. However, it’s important to note that being at the rear may result in more up-and-down motion when the ship is in open seas.

What month is best for a Panama Canal cruise?

The best time to visit the Panama Canal is from November through April. This period marks the end of the rainy season in Panama. However, the canal operates year-round, so you can enjoy a Panama Canal cruise any time of the year.

How long does it take to go through the Panama Canal on a cruise ship?

The journey through the Panama Canal takes approximately 10 hours for cruise ships. It involves traversing different locks and allows you to witness other vessels making the crossing as well, including cargo ships and small sailboats. Around 13,000 ships make the crossing through the canal each year.

Where does the Celebrity Cruise Line travel?

Celebrity Cruises travels to various destinations around the world. Its itineraries cover places such as Alaska, Asia, the Mediterranean, Mexico, Australia, and Tahiti. The duration of the trips varies, with options available for three-night trips to the Bahamas, nine nights around Australia, or even 18-night transpacific cruises to Tahiti.

Who goes on Celebrity Cruise?

Celebrity Cruises generally attracts moderately affluent and well-educated adults with an average age of 50+. The cruise line also caters to families, especially during school holidays. On European cruises, the passenger mix is more international. Most guests are experienced travelers seeking an above-average mainstream cruise line experience.

What is the newest celebrity ship in 2024?

The newest Celebrity cruise ship in 2024 is Celebrity Ascent. This ship is part of the Edge® Series and is designed to offer a closer connection to the sea and sun-soaked destinations in the Caribbean.

How many cruise ships pass through the Panama Canal?

Every year, over 14,000 vessels pass through the Panama Canal. This lock system allows ships to make the journey from the Caribbean Sea to the Pacific Ocean (or vice versa) in a matter of days, significantly reducing travel time compared to alternative routes.

How many cruise ships go through the Panama Canal?

Each cruise season, over 200 new and returning cruise ships are expected to make transits through the Panama Canal. Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Spirit is one of the first ships to kick off the 2022-2023 cruise season.

Do you need a balcony for Panama Canal cruise?

Having a balcony for a Panama Canal cruise is not a necessity, but it does enhance the experience. A balcony allows you to have a private space to enjoy the stunning views when entering or leaving the canal, or when approaching the locks. However, there are other public areas on the ship where you can also enjoy the sights.

What is the largest cruise ship to transit the Panama Canal?

The largest cruise ship to transit the Panama Canal thus far is Norwegian Bliss. This ship boasts a length of 1,000 feet and features an open-air race track, making it an impressive sight as it navigates through the canal.

What to do on a cruise to Panama Canal?

When on a cruise to the Panama Canal, there are several must-do activities and sights to explore. Some top recommendations include visiting the Miraflores Visitor Center to learn more about the canal’s history, experiencing the Gatun Locks and Gatun Lake, exploring the historic neighborhood of Casa Casco Viejo, and taking a ride on the Gamboa Aerial Tram to enjoy panoramic views.

Is Celebrity considered a good cruise line?

Yes, Celebrity Cruises is considered a good cruise line by both cruisers and experts. It is known for its upscale design, innovative cuisine, and overall exceptional experience. Celebrity Cruises departs from various U.S. cities, offering a range of itineraries and amenities to cater to different preferences.

Is Celebrity a high-end cruise?

Yes, Celebrity Cruises is considered a high-end cruise line. It offers a luxury cruise experience with upscale amenities, elegant design, and exceptional service. If you are accustomed to staying in luxury hotels and desire a similar level of luxury while cruising, Celebrity Cruises is an excellent choice.

What is Celebrity cruise line best known for?

Celebrity Cruises is best known for its upscale design and innovative cuisine. The cruise line offers a modern and sophisticated experience

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Panama Canal (Partial Transit)

The Panama Canal is an engineering masterpiece that connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Partial transits typically sail round-trip from Florida ports. The ship will enter the first set of locks, then turn around in Gatun Lake and exit the canal the way it entered. Partial transits give you a sampling of the workings of the Panama Canal, but in less time than a full canal transit.

Panama Canal Boosts Ship Depth, Crossings at Neopanamax Locks After Rains

FILE PHOTO: Cargo vessels transit through the Panama Canal heading the Atlantic Ocean near the Agua Clara locks, in Colon, on the outskirts of Panama City, Panama May 3, 2024. REUTERS/Daniel Becerril/File photo

(Reuters) - The Panama Canal authority said on Wednesday that recent rains boosted water levels, allowing heavier ships with larger cargo loads to transit the canal's Neopanamax locks.

The maximum ship depth for the key global waterway will be set at 47 feet (14.33 m) effective immediately, and on July 11, will deepen to 48 feet (14.63 m), the canal authority said in an advisory to clients.

The authority also opened up another transit slot for Neopanamax ships for booking dates after Aug. 5, bringing the total number of available slots in both Neopanamax and Panamax locks to 35 slots.

The latest changes should provide more flexibility for shippers, some of whom have turned to alternative routes to move goods as the canal has suffered a series of restrictions due to drought.

(Reporting by Kylie Madry; Editing by Anthony Esposito)

Copyright 2024 Thomson Reuters .

Tags: Panama , environment , international trade , water

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• Celebrity Cruises

Panama Canal Cruise - Beyond?

By Treacher1 , October 9, 2023 in Celebrity Cruises

Recommended Posts

We are booked for  March 2024 Panama Canal cruise on Beyond.  We sailed Beyond previously and had a wonderful experience and very much looking forward to this cruise.  I saw that Royal Caribbean cancelled Panama Canal cruises in February - supposedly because water levels are low and many ships are waiting to go through the canal.  I am NOT trying to start a rumor - just hoping that our Panama Canal cruise in March is still a GO!   It would be disappointing to not go through the canal, however, I would hope Celebrity would not totally cancel the cruise; instead add another island or 2 to visit.  Just crossing fingers that water levels get better till March.  I guess only time will tell.

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The water level issues are hardly rumor. It has been a problem for several months and will likely worsen in the next few months.   

https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/panama-canal-water-levels-historic-lows-restrictions-remain-2023-09-06/

cruizingOmi

we are on the March 11-22 cruise. I know its a while yet lets hope things improve or they decide sooner rather than later.For me it was more about the Islands, the Canal was a bonus, if they come up with great other stops thats fine as well.

We are on the same sailing - agree with your comments - canal a bonus - would be happy to visit yet another island or an overnight would be nice in ARUBA - love the beach there

We booked a Panama crusie in 2025.

If they cancel the partial canal transit  I hope we can cancel the cruise without any penalty.   We are paying a hefty premium for that cruise compared to other Caribbean cruises because of the canal.   

Happy cruising 🌊 🚢 🇺🇸 🌅  

We sailed on the Panama Canal East to West transit this past April/May on Millennium.  There was water issues on the Pacific side that were brought up on our cruise.  So this is not something new but the issue, was then and is now, continuing to slow things down as they have to regulate more closely the water usage in the locks. 

18 hours ago, Treacher1 said: We are on the same sailing - agree with your comments - canal a bonus - would be happy to visit yet another island or an overnight would be nice in ARUBA - love the beach there  

Also on this sailing and keeping fingers crossed nothing changes! 🤞

Cruise ships pay a lot of money (quite a bit more than freight), get priority and a daytime slot.  I think water levels have to get a lot worse before we see it affecting many cruises (and by that point, we will have much larger issues).  Since the one Royal Caribbean ship is the only one I've heard of cancelling, I suspect there was more to that particular cancellation than just water levels.

(Now your Amazon order options may be a different story.)

Hopefully, they'll engineer a water recapture solution within each lock to stave off the issue as a long term solution.

Until then, I'm on this cruise as well in early 2025. Eleven nights of R&R on a really nice ship.

Bunco Squad reporting for duty (and this cruise).

Cruise till you drop

We did the Panama Canal on the Edge in March and it was cool to see and go through it but now that it’s done, not sure I’d rush to do it again.  Really loved the ABC island stops on that cruise though.

As for water levels and going through the locks, there are 2 locks.  Smaller ships go through one set of smaller locks and larger ships like Edge and Beyond go through the larger locks, and I assume requires more water.

As for going through the locks on an E class ship, unless you’re in the Retreat area, you don’t really have a view looking forward from the ship so you’re mostly looking sideways and back.  Found that a big disappointing .

As for the stops in Colon and Cartagena, they were ok but not sure I’d rush back (just our opinion)

Hope it works out for you

shipshape sam

15 minutes ago, Cruise till you drop said: We did the Panama Canal on the Edge in March and it was cool to see and go through it but now that it’s done, not sure I’d rush to do it again.  Really loved the ABC island stops on that cruise though.   As for water levels and going through the locks, there are 2 locks.  Smaller ships go through one set of smaller locks and larger ships like Edge and Beyond go through the larger locks, and I assume requires more water.   As for going through the locks on an E class ship, unless you’re in the Retreat area, you don’t really have a view looking forward from the ship so you’re mostly looking sideways and back.  Found that a big disappointing .   As for the stops in Colon and Cartagena, they were ok but not sure I’d rush back (just our opinion)   Hope it works out for you

Bummer about not having a forward viewing area other than Retreat area.

2 hours ago, Cruise till you drop said: As for water levels and going through the locks, there are 2 locks.  Smaller ships go through one set of smaller locks and larger ships like Edge and Beyond go through the larger locks, and I assume requires more water.

The newer (larger) locks actually have retention ponds that are designed to recycle about 60% of the water so even though the new locks are larger, they actually use a little less water than the old locks.

3 hours ago, Cruise till you drop said: As for going through the locks on an E class ship, unless you’re in the Retreat area, you don’t really have a view looking forward from the ship so you’re mostly looking sideways and back.  Found that a big disappointing .

Did they not open the helipad.  They did that for the 3 full transits I have done

39 minutes ago, wrk2cruise said:   Did they not open the helipad.  They did that for the 3 full transits I have done

They didn’t on our cruise.  At least not for those of us in Schlub and Riff Raff classes

2 hours ago, wrk2cruise said:   Did they not open the helipad.  They did that for the 3 full transits I have done

There isn't much to the helipad on an Edge class ship, I can't imagine it would hold many people even if they did open it up.

On Edge Class, the spa has a deck outside in front and above the Iconic Suites. Probably good views from there, but no seats.

Of course, you may need a spa pass to get there. Then again, there's your advantage if traveling Aquaclass. Yay! Plus one for Celebrity Edge Class Panama Canal Aqua passenger perks!

I can see it in the advertising now...

Celebrity, if you're reading this thread, I'd like some split on pricing if you add this as an Aqua Man Class perk!

Bunco Squad, over and out.

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FinanceBuzz

Top 10 Cruise Lines for Those in Retirement (or Close to It)

Posted: January 30, 2024 | Last updated: January 30, 2024

One of the most popular goals for retirees is to travel more, and cruises can be great options to get away from home. However, most retirees would love to find a cruise that suits them. 

You may want to have a relaxing cruise with beaches and warm weather or you might be more into touring unique cities with exciting excursions. Regardless, finding the right cruise line is paramount.

Check out these 10 cruise lines, perfect for retirees wanting to relax, explore, or learn something new while traveling. Experiences with each might push you to find ways to travel more . 

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Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line offers freestyle cruising so you can enjoy it as you go without having to eat in a restaurant at a specific time with a particular dress code.

The cruise line offers retirees a variety of trips on six continents, so there are plenty of destinations to choose from.

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Viking Cruises

Viking has plenty of options if you want to cruise through Europe or travel oceans with stops in Iceland and Greenland or spots in the Caribbean.

Viking also offers unique expedition cruises that take guests to Antarctica and South America or through the Great Lakes in North America. 

You can even take Longitude cruises that start in Buenos Aires and end up in Milwaukee 69 days later.

You also have the option to try smaller ships or bigger cruise liners, depending on if you prefer a river cruise or an ocean cruise.

Oceania Cruises

Explore a variety of trips with Oceania Cruises through Europe, Africa, Asia, and more. Trips start around 10 days, so this may be a better option if you’re retired and have more time to travel.

The cruise line also includes special offers for guests like free excursions, complimentary wine and drinks on board, free unlimited Wi-Fi, or free airfare along with your trip. 

Check with Oceania Cruises to see which options could apply to your next trip.

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Royal Caribbean Cruises

Royal Caribbean has plenty of options for cruises depending on how long you want to be on vacation, including three- and four-day trips that are perfect for a short vacation if you’re still working and can’t get much time off. 

You can also choose longer options like a 15-day cruise covering Iceland and Ireland, which may be perfect when you retire.

Royal Caribbean offers reduced senior prices for travelers at least 55 years old, but some restrictions may exist. Check with Royal Caribbean when booking your next trip to see what deals you qualify for.

Holland America Line

Pick several options depending on where you want to go, including a trip through the Panama Canal or a transatlantic vacation with plenty of stops on either side of the Atlantic.

And if you’re an AARP member, you can receive up to $200 of onboard credit for select vacations, so check to see if your membership can get you benefits when you cruise.

Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Cruises doesn’t have specific senior discounts, but there are still plenty of things for retirees to do while traveling.

Explore Alaska or Scandinavia with luxury dinners aboard the cruise ship, or consider back-to-back cruises such as Canada to Hawaii and then taking a trip from Hawaii to Sydney. 

The cruises also have amenities like green outdoor spaces and a spa to help you relax between ports.

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Silversea Cruises

It can be frustrating to book airlines and transfers from the airport to the ship, but Silversea Cruises has you covered.

The cruise line includes a door-to-door all-inclusive option to ensure you enjoy your trip without stressing over the little details.

Silversea’s ships are also on the smaller side, with 51 to 364 suites per ship, which may be a benefit if you prefer a more intimate trip rather than being on a big ship with a large number of passengers. 

It also has a ship specifically designed for polar exploration if you want to travel to Antarctica.

Take a transatlantic trip with Cunard’s luxury cruise liners or longer vacations to Australia or Africa with some of the cruise line's queen-named ships like the Queen Elizabeth II or the Queen Victoria.

If you’re a retiree with some travel flexibility, you can save money with a Sailing Soon discount with trips that may set sail only a month or so from when you book them. 

It may be a good option if you don’t mind packing quickly or like the excitement of going somewhere on short notice.

Windstar Cruises

Try a unique and smaller way to travel with Windstar Cruises when planning your next trip as a retiree.

Windstar Cruises partially run on wind, as the ships have masts and sails that make them stand out compared to other cruise ships. 

The ships also only have around 150 to 350 guests, so you won’t have to deal with big crowds like on other ships.

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AmaWaterways Cruises

Another great option if you would prefer a smaller ship on a river cruise is AmaWaterways Cruises. The ships have the typical trips through rivers in Europe. 

Still, retirees can also explore more unusual cruise options like vacations on the Nile River in Egypt or the Mekong River through Vietnam and Cambodia.

Bottom line

Some cruise lines may not specifically offer senior discounts, but you can still save money if you want to travel when you’re retired.

Look for the  top travel credit cards  to earn additional perks and points for your next vacation to help you save money.

You should also consider sticking to a budget if you’re worried you could struggle financially to pay for a trip on a fixed income. A budget may be able to help you prioritize spending and save money.

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13 Tips for Visiting the Panama Canal

By Candyce H. Stapen

Last updated: November 9th, 2023

• Find a Cruise

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.

Make the most of your visit to the Panama Canal by understanding the canal’s history, mechanics, and importance to trade.

Learn about its setting and context, too; there are opportunities to experience the lush rainforest and serene lakes through which the waterway passes, explore historic forts, and learn about Panama’s exceptional biodiversity.

Here are 13 tips to enhance your visit to the Panama Canal.

Pick the Right Season

Panama Canal

The best time to visit the Panama Canal is from November through April. November marks the end of Panama’s rainy season. The canal does, of course, operate year-round, regardless.

The weather is typically sunny and dry from November through April, perfect conditions for visiting the Panama Canal, exploring the ancient forts on the Pacific and Caribbean sides, and seeing the rainforest in all its lush splendor.

Understand the Geography

Gatun Locks

Cutting through the Isthmus of Panama, the Panama Canal connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, creating an essential shortcut for ships. Prior to the canal’s opening in 1914, vessels transiting the two oceans had to circumnavigate South America.

By using the 50-mile-long man-made canal, ships traveling from the Atlantic to the Pacific or the reverse reduced their voyage by about 8,000 nautical miles.

To transit the canal, ships must be raised to cross the Continental Divide and to bridge the difference in height between the higher Pacific Ocean and the lower Atlantic.

In crossing from the Atlantic to the Pacific, the Gatun Locks raise the ships 85 feet  to the level of man-made Gatun Lake. Then, ships cruise the Culebra Cut, formerly known as the Gaillard Cut, which allows the vessels to cross the Continental Divide.

Miraflores Locks

Next, the Pedro Miguel Locks lower ships to the level of Miraflores Lake, after which the Miraflores Locks lower the ships to sea level. It takes about eight to ten hours for a ship to make the crossing.

Read: The Ultimate Guide To Panama Canal Cruises From California

Know Your Canal Jargon

Being able to fit through the Panama Canal is so important that engineers specifically design vessels, called Panamax ships, that can fit through the locks.

When the canal opened in 1914, ships transiting the canal could be no wider than 106 feet, no longer than 965 feet, with a maximum draft of 39.5 feet.

Vessels meeting those requirements can transit the original locks, which are 110 feet wide, 1,050 feet long, with a maximum draft of 41 feet.

As trade grew, so did the canal and the ships. In 2016, wider, longer, and deeper lanes were opened to accommodate larger passenger and cargo vessels, known as New Panamax or Neo Panamax ships. Engineers employed so much steel in the $5.2 billion expansion of the locks that they could have constructed 22 Eiffel Towers.

Vastly important, the canal accounts for six percent of world trade, with about 14,000 transits a year. But still, the very biggest container ships cannot access the canal and have to be used by shipping lines on different trade routes.

Immerse Yourself in Canal History

Learning the fascinating history of the Panama Canal enriches your visit. France began construction on a canal in Panama in 1881, then abandoned the endeavor in 1889.

Before the U.S. could take over the project, America had to encourage the Panamanians to declare their independence from Colombia.

Conditions in the late 19th and early 20th century were incredibly harsh. More than 25,000 workers died, many from malaria and yellow fever, during the construction of the Panama Canal.

There are several excellent books about the construction and it’s worth reading up about the canal before you visit.

Be Panama Ready

Remember that it’s warm in Panama. Be sure to pack a hat, refillable water bottle, long-sleeved, lightweight top, and pants that protect you from sunburn. And don’t forget to lather on sunscreen and insect repellent if you’re headed into the rainforest.

After your visit, cool off with a cold chicheme, a sweet Panamanian drink made from boiled corn, evaporated milk, cinnamon, and sugar, or a cold beer or iced tea.

Tour the Miraflores Visitor Center

Miraflores Visitor Center Photo by MusikAnimal on Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

The big draw at the Miraflores Visitor Center is watching a ship transit the mighty Miraflores Lock. From the center’s viewing platform, you can take in the wide-angle sight of an entire ship passing through the lock.

It’s best to arrive when the canal is busiest, often between 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. You also might enjoy the exhibits at the center’s museum and its IMAX film, which covers the history and construction of the canal.

There’s a café at the Visitor Center where you can sit down for lunch and watch the extraordinary sight of vessels transiting the lock, whether they’re giant container ships, passenger vessels, or tiny yachts.

Explore the Rainforest Canopy

Rainforest in Panama

Workers cut and dug through the country’s thick rainforest to build the Panama Canal. On your visit to the Panama Canal, complement your experience with an outing through the area’s amazing rainforest.

Howler monkey

In The Gamboa Rainforest Reserve, board an aerial tram that lifts you 77 feet up into the lush jungle canopy. You’re likely to spot howler monkeys, birds, and maybe even sloths in the canopy of balsa, fichus, oil palm, and other trees.

Ramps, not stairs, lead to the top of a 98-foot-high observation tower, from which you might see ships passing through the canal.

Boat & Kayak Gatun Lake

By cruising or kayaking past the huge container ships on Gatun Lake, you not only have fun but also gain a visceral sense of how small you are, how huge the vessels are, and how mighty the accomplishment was of engineering and digging the  Panama Canal.

The lake, an artificial body of water, acts as a reservoir so that the canal authority can regulate the amount of water in the channels.

Capuchin monkeys

A favorite spot for day trips by kayak or motorboat is Monkey Island, home to scores of white-faced capuchin monkeys. You could also spot howler and spider monkeys, kingfishers, fish eagles, and turtles.

Look out for the curious Jesus lizard, so named because it “runs” across the surface of the water.

Read: Best Things to Do in Panama

Discover the Early Forts in San Lorenzo and Portobelo

Forts in San Lorenzo and Portobelo

Centuries before the Panama Canal was built, the region served as an important trade area. To protect the gold and silver extracted from their territories in Central America, the Spanish built forts in Panama.

Fort San Lorenzo, constructed between 1587 and 1599, protected the entry to the Chagres River, the terminus of the Las Cruces Trail, a land route the Spanish used to carry their plunder.

Attacked by pirates and privateers over the decades, the fort was rebuilt in the 1680s and the 1760s. Perched atop a promontory, Fort San Lorenzo’s ruins offer a splendid view of the Chagres River.

Starting around 1597, the Spanish also used Portobelo’s harbor to transport their booty, constructing a series of forts to protect Portobelo Bay. The ruins attest to the long ago importance of Portobelo. Fort Santiago and San Jeronimo are the two most visited of the four forts. At both ruins, you can see cannons.

Touring the San Lorenzo and Portobelo forts, UNESCO World Heritage Sites known for their examples of Spanish colonial military architecture, adds perspective to the region’s importance.

Learn About Natural History at the Biomuseum

Biomuseum Photo by F Delventhal on Flickr, licensed under CC BY 2.0

While Panama’s Pacific coast may seem like a world away from the Caribbean, it’s actually very close. If you base yourself in Colon, on the Caribbean side, you can be in Panama City, on the Pacific coast, in under an hour by road.

On a drive of the Amador Causeway in Panama City, you can’t miss the Frank Gehry-designed Biomuseo, with its striking roof of angled red, green, blue, and yellow panels.

Exploring the Biomuseo broadens your visit to the Panama Canal by expanding your understanding of the region’s biodiversity.

At the museum, learn about the geological formation of the Isthmus of Panama and how it affected biodiversity by creating a bridge between North and South America, but dividing the oceans.

Other exhibits focus on the region’s human inhabitants and the differing sea life in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

Along with text, exhibits contain what exhibit designer Bruce Mau called “a device of wonder,” an element that uses art to convey scientific principles. In the Great Exchange, for example, scores of life-sized animal sculptures spiral through the gallery reinforcing the concept of animal migration between the continents.

In Panarama, ten screens surround you with a dazzling slideshow of Panama’s ecosystems.

Sample Panamanian Food

A tasty way to immerse yourself in local culture is by sampling Panamanian food and seeing how it was shaped by the mix of the many cultures that settled, worked, or passed through the region.

Ropa vieja, a thick stew of beef and leftovers, originated in Spain. For snacks, try patacones, chips made from toasted green plantains, or carimanolas, fried yuca balls mixed with meat.

Find such local dishes and others in El Trapiche, a reasonably priced eatery in Panama City’s San Francisco neighborhood.

Try a sandwich of ropa vieja served in puff pastry, tortillas, or bread, or the Panamanian party platter featuring ropa vieja, rice with chicken, fried yuca, carimanola, and patacones.

Mercado de Mariscos

Panama’s bounty of seafood is legendary. At Mercado de Mariscos, a seafood market near the entrance to Casco Vieja, the Old Quarter in Panama City, you walk past stalls of fresh-off-the-boat shrimp, tuna, wahoo, salmon, lobster, and more. At the facility’s seafood court, specialties include ceviche and seafood stew.

Shop for Local Crafts

Local crafts

Shopping for Panamanian crafts is one of the best things to do when you visit the Panama Canal. Look for the brilliantly colored molas made by the Guna (previously called Kuna) people of the San Blas Islands on the Caribbean side of Panama.

Women wear two molas, a front and a back, as a shirt.  To craft the designs of fish, birds, and intricate patterns, women sew layers of colored fabrics using an applique technique.

View some 200 authentic, hand-crafted versions at the Museum de la Mola (Mola Museum) in the Casco Viejo in Panama City. You can find molas and other handicrafts at Panama City’s Centro Nacional de Artesanías (National Crafts Center) near Casco Viejo.

Visit an Embera Village

Embera Village

One of Panama’s Indigenous people, the Embera, reside in the seemingly impenetrable Darien rainforest along the Pacific Coast, but some have established villages along the Chagres River and on Gatun Lake and are happy to share their culture.

You arrive at the village in a dugout canoe, a nice touch that gives you sweeping water views and sets the tone for experiencing the Embera’s traditional ways.

This includes greeting you with songs and dances, and taking you through their thatched-roof community. Questions are encouraged, and you can ask how they blend their traditional ways with the culture of modern Panama.

Crafts from the Embera Village

And of course, you can purchase their crafts, specifically exquisitely woven baskets, and figurines carved from cocobolo wood.

Buy your baskets direct from the tribe and you’ll get a much better deal than you would in a gallery in Panama City—and help them sustain their way of life.

Excited about experiencing the Panama Canal? Browse Celebrity’s Panama Canal cruises and plan your adventure.

Candyce H. Stapen

Candyce H. Stapen is an award-winning travel journalist, author, and family travel expert. As USA TODAY ’s travel editor/producer, Candyce launched the company’s digital travel sites. Her work appears in Frommers.com, the Washington Post , and is syndicated to millions of readers, Candyce lives in Washington, D.C., and travels with her family whenever she can.

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Sun princess: the best dining, amenities and more on princess cruises' newest ship.

Sun Princess features an updated layout, delicious new restaurants and plenty of spaces to be entertained.

Sun Princess Review

Courtesy of Princess Cruises

Key Takeaways

• Sun Princess' fresher, more modern design may appeal to a younger crowd than the line normally caters to.
• Incredible dining options abound, including The Catch by Rudi and the new Spellbound dinner and magic show.
• New Cabana Mini-Suites feature indoor-outdoor cabana areas and spacious balconies.

As a travel writer who cruises with all the major lines, I was excited to travel through the Mediterranean on the new Sun Princess cruise ship in May 2024. I traveled with my mother to celebrate her 76th birthday shortly after the new ship's February debut in Rome . The itinerary we sailed was a unique, one-way offering that departed from Athens, Greece , with visits to ports like Bar, Montenegro; Corfu, Greece; and Messina and Naples, Italy .

A true marvel of modern engineering and ship architecture, Sun Princess boasts a maximum guest capacity of 4,300 and room for 1,600 crew. The Sphere-Class vessel is 1,133 feet long and 200 feet high, with a breadth of 139 feet and 21 total decks. There are 2,157 staterooms, including 80 unique suites with extra space for guests.

Standout features include a three-floor main dining area, the Princess Arena with capacity for 990 guests and a 250-person entertainment space known as The Dome. Read on to learn everything there is to know about the Sun Princess cruise ship, including my own take on the dining and entertainment options available to cruisers.

Find your perfect cruise

Sun Princess itineraries for 2024 and 2025

Holly Johnson

While Sun Princess is scheduled to cruise the Mediterranean through September 2024, the ship will cross the Atlantic on its way to Fort Lauderdale, Florida , by October for the winter cruise season.

From this new homeport, Sun Princess will offer seven-day Caribbean cruises with the stops in Honduras, Belize , Mexico, the Bahamas , the Dominican Republic, and Turks & Caicos through March 2025.

Sun Princess will then embark on a 14-day Spanish Passage voyage in March 2025, which ends in Barcelona, Spain , and repositions the ship for its summer in the Mediterranean. At that point, cruisers can book a range of lengthy Mediterranean options over various dates, which include stops in Turkey, Greece, Montenegro, Italy, France, Spain and more.

Who should sail on Sun Princess?

While most people may think of Princess Cruises as a cruise line for baby boomers, Sun Princess aims to attract a younger, livelier crowd. This is immediately apparent when walking around the ship's common areas; Sun Princess boasts bold color schemes, endless windows, sparkling lights and a more modern central piazza than other Princess ships.

While my Mediterranean sailing largely consisted of adult travelers, Sun Princess will likely attract more families on its Caribbean itineraries. The ship's layout is ideal for parents with children of all ages, and amenities geared specifically toward kids abound. It all starts with the ship's Park19 family area, which features a huge climbing structure, a splash zone, a recreational court, a jogging court and more. Sun Princess also has three dedicated youth clubs: Firefly Park Kids Club (ages 3 to 7, with a separate play area for babies and toddlers 6 months and older), Neon Grove Tweens Club (ages 8 to 12) and The Underground Teen Lounge (ages 13 to 17).

What's interesting about Sun Princess is that it still has so much to offer more mature travelers, including couples who want to enjoy a romantic, upscale vacation. This is shown in the ship's elevated dining venues, expansive casino and luxurious spa. Sun Princess also offers the Sanctuary Collection of rooms and suites, which offer more amenities and spaces to relax on the ship.

Travelers who book a room in the Sanctuary Collection get their pick of a nicer selection of rooms, a premium beverage package, access to a private restaurant and pool deck and a more personalized experience overall. Think of the Sanctuary Collection suites as an alternative to MSC Cruises Yacht Club cabins – the biggest difference being that the venues available to cruisers in these cabins are spread throughout the ship.

The stateroom

I stayed in one of the new Cabana Mini-Suites on the Sun Princess, which I would book again in a heartbeat. These rooms are a take on the classic balcony cabin most cruisers expect, but with a twist. In addition to an outdoor balcony, Cabana Mini-Suites have a separate indoor-outdoor cabana-like area with a flat-screen television.

This extra space means the new Cabana Mini-Suites are much longer from one end to the other than a traditional balcony stateroom. The additional space is nice to have whether you want more room for storage or a separate place to read or relax while your cabinmate naps. My mom sat in our cabana area and read several times while I showered and got ready for dinner, and she even took a nap out there while I worked on my computer in our stateroom.

Regardless of the stateroom you book, know that Sun Princess cabins feature soft, neutral tones and plenty of closet space. Power outlets are abundant, and there are all kinds of nooks and crannies for storage. Cabin types on Sun Princess include the following:

Interior Cabins (136 to 145 square feet)

Basic interior rooms offer a queen bed or two small twin beds, a flat-panel television, a refrigerator, and a private bathroom with a shower. These are the most affordable cabins on the ship, and they work best for guests who just want a place to relax and sleep.

Premium Oceanview (212 square feet)

Ocean-view cabins have slightly more space than interior rooms, but they still lack a balcony. These rooms feature a queen bed or two twin configurations, a large flat-screen television, a refrigerator, and more floor and storage space.

Deluxe Balcony (235 square feet, including balcony)

Balcony cabins offer more space than ocean-view rooms due to the addition of a spacious balcony with outdoor seating. Balcony cabins can also come in a queen bed or two twin configuration and have a large flat-screen television, a refrigerator, and more floor and storage space.

Mini-Suite (303 square feet, including balcony)

Mini-Suites are essentially large balcony cabins with more storage space, more closet space and more floor space. These rooms have all the amenities of other cabins but include two flat-screen televisions (one for the bedroom area and another for couch viewing).

Cabana Mini-Suite (329 square feet, including balcony and cabana)

These rooms add the indoor-outdoor space of the cabana adjacent to the outdoor balcony. The cabana area has seating for several people and its own flat-screen television (in addition to the in-room TV).

Signature Suites (304 to 636 square feet, including balcony)

Signature Suites range in size and include larger balconies with premium furniture, two flat-screen televisions, a more spacious bathroom with a separate tub and shower, and dedicated sleeping and living areas.

Signature Sky Suites (1,262 square feet, including balcony)

Princess Cruises Signature Sky Suites are the largest staterooms across all Princess vessels, and they have all the bells and whistles you can imagine. Standout features of Sky Suites include separate living and dining areas; huge, luxurious bathrooms; and Nespresso coffee machines.

(Note: Sanctuary Collection rooms are dotted throughout the ship and consist of balcony-, mini-suite- and suite-category accommodations.)

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Best amenities on Sun Princess

Since my itinerary on the Sun Princess cruise ship included multiple port stops, I didn't get to experience everything the ship had to offer. However, what I did experience was worth it – from the nonstop entertainment in the piazza to over-the-top dining features. Some of my standout experiences include:

Part dinner and part magic show, Spellbound by Magic Castle is bookable for an additional charge. The experience begins with a small group dinner with drink pairings, then moves to a hidden bar area of the ship, where the magic begins. The bar itself features magical artifacts and vintage curiosities, a "ghost" pianist, and an incredible drink menu designed to wow and delight guests. Some drinks were served in cages, golden owls and elaborate chests with dry ice.

Magic came in the form of intriguing card tricks and disappearing acts at the bar, plus a separate stage area where crowd participation helped facilitate the illusions. I don't want to give anything more than that away – you must simply experience it for yourself. Though I thought Spellbound was slightly cheesy at times, I thoroughly enjoyed the dinner and show and feel it was worth the added cost.

The Dome on the Sun Princess is part pool area and part stage. Guests can swim in a unique indoor-outdoor pool by day and watch entertainers dance in the evening, with alluring lighting effects and a cozy, intimate atmosphere.

I watched an acrobatics show in The Dome from the comfort of a padded lounge chair and thought the venue was the place to be.

Princess Arena 

The Princess Arena is a circular stage area that holds up to 990 guests. Shows on offer include multifaceted stage productions and acrobatic features with plenty of surprises.

Fitness center

The Sun Princess' fitness center was huge and featured a range of treadmills, stair climbers, weights and machines to choose from. I never had trouble securing a treadmill at any time, even though I've had to wait and fight crowds for machines on other cruise ships.

I also loved the expansive walking track on the ship, which was constantly in use by both serious exercisers and cruisers walking leisurely to enjoy the views. I used the walking track every morning for at least an hour; I found it much more spacious and usable than other ship walking tracks, which are often congested and never quite wide enough.

The ship also features a Fitness Studio with guided classes, but I did not use it during my trip.

Sun Princess features five large pools and nine hot tubs. There are two pools on the lido deck, plus an indoor-outdoor pool in The Dome, a Sanctuary pool (for Sanctuary Collection guests only) and a wake-view infinity pool.

Medallion services

Princess MedallionClass is one of the coolest and most convenient amenities at sea. In place of a traditional cruise card, Princess gives you a small wearable device to bring with you around the ship and on shore. The medallion tracks your physical location on the ship, which allows you to order services and deliveries on board no matter where you are. Medallion delivery options range from food and drinks to extra pillows or bottled water.

I ordered room service through my medallion multiple times and hot, fresh food arrived in my cabin in less than 20 minutes. Meanwhile, drinks were delivered to our cabin and elsewhere on the ship in less than five minutes.

MedallionNet

Princess' Wi-Fi at sea (MedallionNet) is the fastest internet service I have ever used on a cruise ship. The internet was fast and reliable enough for me to complete some work while on board, which is not the norm on cruise ships.

Best dining venues Sun Princess

Sun Princess features 30 dining and bar options, many of which are included in the base cruise fare. Complimentary dining venues on Sun Princess include three traditional dining rooms, The Eatery (a take on the classic buffet, but with staff service), a café for coffee and light bites, The Lido (serving up salads, pizza and more) and the Promenade Dining grill.

Specialty dining options for an extra charge range from O'Malley's Irish Pub to a sushi spot to steak, seafood and Italian restaurants. For an extra special experience, head to Love by Britto to indulge in fine dining, or opt for Umai hot pot or teppanyaki venues. Meanwhile, bars on Sun Princess include Bellini's Cocktail Bar, Sea View Bar, The MIX and more.

My personal favorite dining experiences included:

My Spellbound dinner was excellent, even though the menu is fairly brief. I enjoyed a delicious shrimp cocktail and seafood entree, followed by a vegan dessert (I'm allergic to dairy and the ship happily accommodated). What stood out for me with Spellbound, at least food-wise, was the eclectic selection of drink pairings offered with the meal. It started with a caprese salad cocktail that tasted like tomatoes and balsamic vinegar in a strange, delicious way, then moved on to the spooky concoctions offered in the Spellbound bar.

Crown Grill

Crown Grill, a specialty dining venue, is not unique to Sun Princess, but it is the cruise line's most popular steakhouse brand. My mom and I had a delicious meal here for her birthday that included a Mediterranean-style spiny lobster cake, Chilean sea bass and a huge (surprise) birthday cake delivered to our table.

The Catch by Rudi

The Catch by Rudi is the ship's specialty dining seafood restaurant. Here, I dined on a delicious shrimp cocktail and the catch of the day (a grilled dorado filet). Everything was fresh and the meal was exceptional from start to finish.

I loved The Eatery, the ship's buffet-style dining option. The main difference between this venue and more traditional cruise ship buffets is that you're served by staff instead of serving yourself, which I prefer. The Eatery featured a rotating selection of exceptional main courses (seafood, chicken, beef and ethnic options), salads, appetizers and delicious desserts. It even had a vegan section and an easy-to-find selection of gluten-free offerings.

Best excursions on Sun Princess

The best excursions on Sun Princess vary depending on where you're going on your cruise – the Caribbean or various Europe destinations. Here's an overview of some excellent excursions offered aboard Sun Princess, a few of which I did myself.

Corfu, Greece 

Catamaran Coastal Cruise & Swim: This easy excursion lets you see Corfu from the sea and get out into the water for some snorkeling and swimming. I picked this excursion so we could relax for one day and avoid a lot of walking, and it delivered. A delicious lunch with an open bar was served on board as we sailed around the island taking in some of Corfu's most beautiful sights.

Naples, Italy

Sorrento & Amalfi Coast Cruise: No trip to this region of Italy is complete without a stop in the Amalfi Coast . This excursion was a long one (eight to nine hours) with lots of walking and bus time, but the views of this dynamic coast and time spent in Amalfi and Sorrento made the travel time well worth it.

Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos

Island Vibes & Beach Swim: This relatively short excursion includes a narrated bus trip throughout the island of Grand Turk, highlighting some of the island's top sights. A beach break at picturesque Governor's Beach is included.

Princess Cays, Bahamas

Princess Cays Coastal Cruise: Princess Cruises' private island offers a range of bookable activities, from banana boat rides to snorkeling tours. This coastal cruise is another option that takes you along the shores of Eleuthera in a 40-foot Reef Princess boat.

Overall impressions of Sun Princess

If you're considering a cruise on Sun Princess, you should know that this isn't your traditional Princess ship. The look and feel of this vessel are younger and livelier compared to other Princess ships I have sailed on. Gone are the hallways filled with cruisers knitting and playing cards; in their place, you'll find dancing, entertainment, music and activities around the clock.

When it comes to Sun Princess dining, every meal I had on board was either very good or excellent. You don't even have to opt for an extra-cost specialty dining venue to get a good meal. The Eatery and the regular dining rooms feature fresh, seasonal foods that are more than enough for the average palate to enjoy.

Caribbean itineraries on offer later this year (and into 2025) start at around $660 per person for an interior cabin, and Princess features an endless roster of sales throughout the year. If you're looking for a new cruising experience and want to give Princess a try (or another chance), Sun Princess is more than worthy of your consideration.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Holly Johnson is a travel writer who covers all aspects of family travel, including all-inclusive resorts and cruises with both boutique and major cruise brands. Johnson has traveled to more than 50 countries around the world, and she has cruised in destinations throughout the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and the Arctic Circle, and the Middle East. Johnson works alongside her husband, Greg, who runs the travel agency Travel Blue Book .

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