Table Of Content
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. 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. 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.
Night Panama Canal - MiamiDetails
As you enter the canal through the Pacific Ocean Entrance by way of the Gulf of Panama, the first set of locks you’ll encounter are the Miraflores Locks. This two-chambered lock system lifts ships a stunning 54 feet in two stages. From the deck of your Holland America Line cruise ship, you’ll witness the water level rise, lifting the ship with incredible smoothness. It’s an awe-inspiring sight, watching as the vast volumes of water are controlled with precision to guide the ship safely through the locks.
Dining & Onboard Activities
This spectacle, combined with the panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, makes the journey through the Miraflores Locks an unforgettable experience. Many cruisers consider a cruise through the Panama Canal a must-do, and for a long time, the itineraries drew mostly seniors, due to the length of a full-transit trip (which usually runs 14 days). Partial Panama Canal cruises -- where ships only go halfway through the locks before turning around -- not only cut the number of days, but increase day-trip options in the Central American cities near the canal. While several ships bring lecturers onboard to talk about the canal's history, this is one trip where a little extra reading might add to your enjoyment.
Princess Cruises' 10-day Panama Canal with Costa Rica & Caribbean cruise
On a transit from Panama City to Colon, the futuristic skyline of Panama City will be on your starboard (right) side. When you pass through the skinny Culebra Cut between Panama City and Gamboa, you’ll have the greenery of a national park on both sides, so this is a good time to look for monkeys and toucans in the trees. In the best places to visit in Central America, you’ll discover pristine beaches, dynamic cultures, and diverse scenery full of adventures. Stay current with special offers, news and destination-focused content. Gain a deeper understanding of the impressive engineering behind the 48-mile-long Panama Canal connecting the Atlantic and Pacific. Then continue your Viking journey to the heart of the Caribbean & Central America.
Panama Canal Cruises
A cruise to the Panama Canal is an incredible experience, worthy of any bucket list as you travel between oceans. The shipping channel—which took 33 years to complete and cost more than 25,000 workers their lives—is arguably the greatest engineering achievement of all time. As you cruise the canal, you will pass through the two-chambered Miraflores Locks, the one-chambered Pedro Miguel Lock, and three-chambered Gatun Locks. Along the way you’ll find Gatun Lake, once the largest manmade lake in the world, which has proved a boon for the species that thrive here, undisturbed by the passing ships. If you choose a cruise that includes a partial transit of the canal, you can experience Panama’s beauty during a day in Colon.
Understand the two main itinerary options before you book
These sailings call on Cartagena, Colombia; Puntarenas, Costa Rica; Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala; Huatulco and Puerto Vallarta or Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The ultimate journey between two continents and two mighty oceans, a Panama Canal cruise encompasses Spanish colonial architecture, verdant rainforest and an engineering marvel. And be sure to explore the complex and fascinating history of the Panama Canal. There are several Panama Canal cruise ship options to choose from, and every Princess cruise ship to this region is well-suited for couples and families with children alike. Regardless of whether you choose a Panama Canal shore excursion or a luxurious cruise that stops at some of the liveliest ports, you're bound to make memories and friendships that last a lifetime.
Exotic Views
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. 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. You'll get to see other ships as they cross, too, giving you a different vantage point and a new way of learning how the canal works. Cruise from Los Angeles or Miami and pick the trips that make your favorite stops.
You’ll still enjoy the experience of going through the massive locks. Pacific Coast (stopping in Victoria, Vancouver, San Francisco and Los Angeles) before heading to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico and Puntarenas, Costa Rica. The ship makes one Atlantic stop in Aruba before passengers disembark in Fort Lauderdale. Calls on Golfito and Puntarenas in Costa Rica offer access to eco-adventure.
THE 25 BEST Cruises from Miami to the Panama Canal & Central America (with Prices) on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic
THE 25 BEST Cruises from Miami to the Panama Canal & Central America (with Prices) on Cruise Critic.
Posted: Fri, 19 Apr 2024 14:04:23 GMT [source]
Booking a Panama Canal Cruise: Cruise Ships, Sights and Attractions
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. 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.
There's a cruise with stops in Manzanillo, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas. When it comes to packing for a Panama cruise, make sure you bring lightweight, breathable clothing to be comfortable in the country's hot and humid tropical climate. The guide will have downtime during certain parts of the day, so feel free to ask questions then.
Even better, Panama Canal cruises call at Central American ports along the canal like Limón and Cartagena… plus at Caribbean island hotspots along the way. You’ll get to explore the local beaches and culture while heading to or from one of the greatest man-made marvels in the world. The Panama Canal is one of the most astonishing human-made wonders, a sliver of ingenuity that allows ships to move from one ocean to another. Cruise from the Pacific to the Atlantic, or vice versa, and take in the scenery as you move through this engineering marvel built in 1914. A full transit of the Panama Canal involves passing through six sets of locks, crossing an entire lake and contending with other marine traffic waiting to go through the lock system one at a time.
The thrill is not over after you go through the canal locks, there's more to see as you travel through the canal, with tropical flora and fauna adorning the way. The canal never stops working and you will traverse along with other ships and boats and witness the swift movement of these vessels. Panama enjoys a gentle tropical weather almost every day of the year.
To experience for yourself, the very thing it was made for, is a truly special occasion. 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.
Sing along, test your music trivia skills or just sit back and enjoy as the hits fill the room each night. Sing along, test your music trivia knowledge, or sit back and enjoy as chart-topping hits fill the room each night. Cruising with Norwegian means more dining and entertainment options than ever. It takes between eight and ten hours to do a full transit of the Panama Canal. If you aren't interested in getting wet, there are plenty of other activities you can try to get your fill of all the Panama Canal has to offer.
You will likely be safer on a shore excursion, booked through the ship or independently, than if you decide to head on your own into town. If you're not a fan of tours, know that in Colon, city officials have regulated taxis and provided good shopping and cafe facilities at the two main cruise ship docking areas, Colon 2000 and nearby Cristobal Pier. From ships custom built to sail the massive locks to immersive onboard programs and onshore adventures that inspire, Princess is the number one way to explore this epic phenomenon. We've sailed the Panama Canal since 1967 and we have more itinerary choices and departures of any cruise line in the region. On a full-transit Panama Canal cruise, the ship enters the first set of locks (usually from the Atlantic Ocean side, as most cruises originate from there or the Caribbean). It then travels through Gatun Lake and the other sets of locks to exit the canal on the Pacific side.
No comments:
Post a Comment