Panama Canal Cruises 2019 - 2020

What better way to see the Panama Canal than by cruising through it? Sail in the wake of history as your ship navigates the locks which have been in service more than 100 years and are still functioning flawlessly today. Plagued by difficulties during construction, the final lock system was so effective, it has remained virtually unchanged throughout the years.

The entire Panama Canal crossing takes 8 to 10 hours.

• Get up early to secure your spot on the bow of the ship, where you'll have the best view of the locks as you pass through
• Capture a scenic photo of the Bridge of the Americas, the world's first non-swinging bridge to span the canal
• Learn about the exciting history of the canal, from ill-fated construction attempts in the 19th century to its most recent expansion in 2016

Located on the Pacific side of the Panama Canal, Colon is home to a gleaming, modern, tourist-friendly port. Passengers will find plenty of opportunities to shop and eat near the cruise terminals, or to take a shore excursion to see some more scenic parts of Panama.

Before the completion of the Panama Canal, the overland rail route played an important role in transporting goods between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Passengers today can still take a historic train ride on the Isthmian Railway from Colon to Panama City.

• Take a scenic train ride from Colon to Panama City
• Take an excursion into the rainforest to see sloths, harpy eagles, and other exotic wildlife
• Visit the nearby town of Portobelo and explore the Spanish forts colonial houses

An island located off the west coast of Panama, Fuerte Amador is the gateway to Panama City. Sitting close to the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal, it offers the perfect place to watch ships enter the locks as they begin to traverse the canal. In addition to holding numerous canal-related museums and attractions, Fuerte Amador offers easy access to Panama City, the metropolis-like capital city and heart of the nation.

• Check out the Miraflores Locks Visitor Center to learn more about the canal, its history and its engineering
• Explore Casco Viejo, Panama City's historic quarter and a UNESCO protected site
• Learn about the importance of gold in Panama's history and see golden treasures up close at the Old Panama Museum

Cristobal is one of two ports in Colon on the Atlantic side of the Panama Canal. Many ships stop in Cristobal before they enter the locks, or stop in Cristobal and then turn around on partial crossings. If your cruise belongs to the latter, consider booking an excursion to complete the crossing in a smaller boat to get the complete experience.

Directly next to the pier, cruise passengers will find a lively flea market with plenty of opportunities for shopping, souvenir hunting, and haggling over prices. Adventure-seekers and nature-lovers may wish to visit the beautiful Gatún Lake.

• Snag some deals while shopping at the local market
• Take a tour of the rainforest's canopy with the Gamboa Aerial Tram
• Visit a nearby indigenous village and learn about the local art of basket weaving

Balboa is one of two cruise ports on the Atlantic side of the Panama Canal, located in close proximity to Panama City. Head down to the Miraflores Locks to watch the ships as they enter and exit the locks, or take a taxi into the city for excellent shopping, sightseeing and dining opportunities. Another option is a shore excursion into the rainforest – the surrounding area is a nature and wildlife preserve.

• Take advantage of the duty-free shopping at Fuerte Amador Mall, or snag souvenirs at a local artisanal market
• Explore the Spanish and French colonial architecture in the Panama Viejo, the old part of the city
• Visit one of the city's many museums to learn about the history of the canal and the native wildlife to Panama

Panama City is the thriving, urban metropolis that is the heart and soul of Panama. The largest city in Central America, it is said to rival Miami as being the "Capital City of Latin America." Panama City can be accessed by ship at the nearby cruise ports, Fuerte Amadore and Balboa, or by a boat or train ride from Colon. Situated on the Pacific side of the Panama Canal, the city has benefited from a century of wealth generated by the canal.

• Capture a scenic photo of the Bridge of the Americas, the world's first non-swinging bridge to span the canal
• Stroll through the scenic city center, which was influenced by both Spanish and French colonial architecture
• Browse the numerous markets, malls and souvenir shops dotted throughout the city

Gatún Lake makes up a major component of the Panama Canal. Located near the Atlantic side of the canal, a series of lock separate it from the Caribbean Sea. The man-made lake was created during the construction of the canal by damming the Chagres River, and it plays an important role in restoring the water lost during boat transit from the canal.

• Drift through the narrow channels and scenic islands of Gatún Lake on a Panama Canal crossing
• Take a boat tour and look for exotic wildlife, such as monkeys, sloths, and toucans
• Rent a kayak and paddle around the lake on your own or with an expert guide