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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. 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. Fall in love with the romantic streets and flower-strewn balconies of Cartagena. Sail down the engineering marvel of the Panama Canal and visit a sprawling rainforest preserve in Colon.
Can passengers book excursions to visit national parks or UNESCO sites during a Panama Canal cruise?
On partial crossings, the cruise ships do not actually cross the entire Panama Canal. Instead, the ship will typically pass through one lock, and let passengers of in a town along the canal to explore. In addition to either a full or partial crossing of the Panama Canal, most cruises in this region include stops in popular ports throughout Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean. That means you can do anything from lounge on the beach to explore ancient ruins or enjoy some duty-free shopping.
Not Using the Cruise Ship’s Laundry Services
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. 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 are several excellent books about the construction and it’s worth reading up about the canal before you visit. 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. 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.
Perfectly Sized Ships For Panama Canal Cruises
Top Panama Canal cruise tips and tricks to get the most out of this unique crossing - The Points Guy
Top Panama Canal cruise tips and tricks to get the most out of this unique crossing.
Posted: Sat, 02 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Even if the canal transit is what you're cruising for, don't forget to check out the rest of the stops on the itinerary. You'll want to consider whether you're more interested in Caribbean islands or Central and South American destinations. Sailing through the Panama Canal makes for a cruise itinerary like none other. For one thing, passengers on board get to witness the mechanics and science of an engineering marvel that's been deemed one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. And by the end of the day, they'll have crossed from one ocean to another — truly an amazing feat. Take advantage of the final weeks of the dry season to book active outdoor adventure excursions like hiking, kayaking and zip lining.
A uniformed Princess representative meets you at the airport after you've retrieved your luggage and transports you directly to your ship or hotel without you having to worry about the logistics of navigating a new city. A cruise to the Panama Canal is a chance to land on amazing destinations during the same trip. Stopping at different cruise ports during a Panama Canal crossing makes it easy to savor the varied flavors of these countries, each with its own signature spice and tang. The thrill is not over after you go through the canal locks, there's more to see as you travel through the canal, with tropical flora and fauna adorning the way. Once you're crossing the canal, head to the front of the ship for the best view. Cruise from Los Angeles or Miami and pick the trips that make your favorite stops.
You could also spot howler and spider monkeys, kingfishers, fish eagles, and turtles. As you approach the Miraflores Locks, the last set of locks before reaching the Pacific Ocean, there is a live stream webcam by the Visitor Center. It's often slow, refreshing only every five or 10 seconds, but it can still be fun to text or call friends and family and have them look for you. The guide will have downtime during certain parts of the day, so feel free to ask questions then. Wear a hat and long-sleeved clothes if you can, apply sunscreen before heading out on deck — and reapply often — and drink plenty of water all day.
Extraordinary Panama Canal Cruise Tours
That being said, the top thing to do in Puntarenas on your Panama Canal cruise is heading over to the main beach– Playa Puntarenas. If you prefer to get out of the port area, take the Puntarenas ferry to either Paquera or Naranjo. These are the best spots to experience the local Costa Rican life on your adventure. Puntarenas is most popular as the biggest beach town near Costa Rica’s capital city. As a simple and laidback town, Puntarenas used to be to the largest fishing port in the country. The top attraction to explore during your time in Fuerte Amador is the Biomuseum.
On a Panama Canal cruise, experience the lush rainforests of Costa Rica, teeming with scarlet macaws and slow-moving sloths. Pacific Coast (stopping in Victoria, Vancouver, San Francisco and Los Angeles) before heading to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico and Puntarenas, Costa Rica. The ship makes one Atlantic stop in Aruba before passengers disembark in Fort Lauderdale. 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 multi-generational experience.
We've listed the pros and cons of travel by each month so that you can make the best of your Panama Canal cruise. This port on the western coast of Guatemala provides access to the colonial city of Antigua, which has earned status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its architecture and ruins. The port provides a jumping-off point for tours of working coffee plantations, the Pacaya Volcano (one of the country's many active mountains) and Lake Atitlan. Next was a visit to a factory where carvings and jewelry are made from the tagua nut – a cream-colored nut with a fine marbled grain structure that looks and feels like ivory.
To be updated with all the latest news, offers and special announcements. The couple added that it was fascinating to learn the history of how the Panama Canal was constructed and to actually experience how it works. Dubbed the “Crossroads of the World,” the Panama Canal is a 50-mile isthmus that connects North and South America. Find fascinating articles with Panama Canal cruise tips for experiencing unforgettable attractions, regional cuisine, and more on both sides of this epic man-made wonder.
Popular ports also include Limon on the Atlantic coast of Costa Rica and Puntarenas on the Pacific Coast. Passengers can visit Costa Rica's renowned rain forests and La Paz Waterfall Gardens. Puerto Quetzal, on the Western Coast of Guatemala, boasts excursions to UNESCO-listed Antigua, famous for its architecture and ruins, the active Pacaya Volcano and Lake Atitlan. The classic Panama Canal cruise experience features a 14-day itinerary from Florida to California or vice versa.
Experienced surfers can also check out the big swells on both coasts of the country. Passengers on their Panama Canal cruise with partial crossing will discover the town of Gamboa, taking in sights that they would not otherwise get to experience and see during the full crossing itineraries. From Gamboa, passengers can expect to enjoy a variety of shore excursions that they otherwise would not get a chance to experience. If you are planning to cruise the Panama Canal and the surrounding Caribbean countries, the optimal time is after the rainy season ends in November for the best weather, wildlife, and viewing experience.
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. 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.
We recommend that you contact us for up-to-date information on Panama Canal cruises on offer. Additionally, complete crossings of the Panama Canal are also a major feature of round-the-world-cruise itineraries. When talking with some fellow passengers, some people were surprised to find that a Panama Canal cruise had a quieter and more relaxed atmosphere than a typical 7 day Caribbean cruise.
This is truly when the temperatures are the most comfortable and enjoyable with sunnier days and breathtakingly scenic Panama Canal views. Many cruisers consider a cruise through the Panama Canal a must-do, and for a long time, the itineraries drew mostly seniors, due to the length of a full-transit trip (which usually runs 14 days). Partial Panama Canal cruises -- where ships only go halfway through the locks before turning around -- not only cut the number of days, but increase day-trip options in the Central American cities near the canal. While several ships bring lecturers onboard to talk about the canal's history, this is one trip where a little extra reading might add to your enjoyment.
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