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A trip is still worth it for the excellent 3D IMAX film narrated by Morgan Freeman, which does a great job explaining the trials, tribulations and perils of building this awe-inspiring feat. You can also stand on the ground-level terrace or grab a seat in the bleachers on the first level to watch ships pass through the final set of locks; sometimes, a staff member is on hand to provide commentary. If you are doing a full transit through to the Pacific Ocean side and you're staying in the area, you might want to carve out some time for the Miraflores Visitor Center. However, as of press time, the four exhibition halls that portray the canal's history, construction, biodiversity and importance are temporarily closed for renovations.
Best Time for Panama Canal Cruises
Sail from Los Angeles or San Francisco on five- to 11-day roundtrip cruises, and stay overnight in Cabo San Lucas on select voyages for a taste of vibrant nightlife. Many Panama Canal and Central America ports are relatively industrial, and some -- particularly Colon and Puerto Limon -- have a reputation for petty crime within the main city. 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. Visit the most popular islands – Maui, Oahu, Kauai and the Big Island – while only unpacking once.
Get to Know the Region
Found in the northern coast of the island of Jamaica, Ocho Rios — Spanish for "Eight Rivers" — is blessed with panoramic views of paradisaical beaches, rainforests, and rivers. Ocho Rios is also a window to the heart of Jamaican culture, and one of the best destinations aboard Panama Canal cruises. 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.
Protect yourself from the sun
Read about the origins of Panama City, Mayan and colonial heritage and naturally beautiful landmarks. Specifically designed to travel through the Panama Canal, the Island Princess is a great choice for those who want to experience a new culture in this region. This ship also has approximately 700 balconies and a majority of its staterooms give travelers a magnificent view of the ocean. Extend your cruise vacation, and simplify your travel plans with a hotel stay at the beginning or end of your cruise. With a Cruise Plus Hotel Package, a Princess representative meets you at the airport and pier, transporting you to and from your hotel.
THE 7 BEST Cruises from Vancouver to the Panama Canal & Central America (with Prices) on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic
THE 7 BEST Cruises from Vancouver to the Panama Canal & Central America (with Prices) on Cruise Critic.
Posted: Fri, 19 Apr 2024 09:18:21 GMT [source]
Plus, our experienced travel consultants have access to exclusive vacation deals to make sure you get the best value for your time and money. On a cruise from San Francisco you can experience all that the ‘City by the Bay’ has to offer, from its artistic, forward-looking culture to the beautiful coastline. With the abundance of lounges throughout the Coral Princess, you'll never run out of places to meet and greet with other travelers. Throughout the ship, there are also luxurious dining areas, bars and a casino for adults to enjoy, relax and unwind. Have a volcanic adventure during San Juan del Sur excursions from Princess Cruises. Nicaragua excursions show you dynamic landscapes and exotic wildlife.
Passengers often choose an Atlantic to Pacific or Pacific to Atlantic route, depending on where they live, although you'll gain hours if you choose the latter. If having the full "canal experience" is part of your bucket list -- or if you're an engineering geek and don't care too much about shore excursions within Panama itself -- this trip is for you. Most full Panama Canal cruises do call in the Western Caribbean, the Costa Rican ports of Limon (on the Atlantic side) and Puntarenas (on the Pacific), and Cartagena, Colombia. Relax on top-rated beaches, explore ancient ruins and get immersed in colorful cultures — the laidback Caribbean has lots to love for everyone. Discover the Eastern, Western or Southern Caribbean with a variety of unique itineraries and departure ports. For the first time, Princess is offering a season of 6- and 8-day Eastern and Western Caribbean voyages roundtrip from Port Canaveral on Caribbean Princess®.
(Can't choose? Combine them for a 14-day sailing!) Or sail aboard the new Sun Princess® from Fort Lauderdale on 5- to 14-day voyages to see both the Eastern and Western Caribbean. Sail round trip from beautiful Fort Lauderdale and reach the Panama Canal to explore the Gatun Locks. These locks take you to Gatun Lake, a marvelous body of water you can explore by signing up for different excursions. You'll see firsthand how the canal works, and then reach some pretty amazing destinations such as Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Chiapas, Punta Arenas, or Ocho Rios.
It rides parallel to the Canal and offers a great view in luxuriously paneled railway cars. Another exciting alternative is to take a trek through the rain forest at Gamboa, or visit an authentic Embera Indian Village on the Chagres River (which often takes place by canoe). Life's too short, so take one of the many Panama Canal Cruises available and discover what many consider to be the best engineering achievement of the 20th century. If you have ever wondered what crossing the Panama Canal would be like, you might have also wondered what the difference is between a full transit and partial transit Panama Canal cruise. Browse our photo gallery of Panama Canal cruising photos from Princess Cruises. Keep in mind, this is just a sample of the sights waiting for you on a Princess Cruises Panama Canal cruise vacation.
So stretch out on a Caribbean beach, admire the pristine rainforests, stroll the cobbled streets of colonial towns and journey through the fabled Panama Canal with Princess. 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. It can take a cruise ship 10 hours or so to cover the 48 miles from the Caribbean to the Pacific. Those on "partial crossings" or simply docked at Colon might consider completing the crossing in a smaller boat. This popular shore excursion begins at Gamboa, one of the towns along the Canal. It takes passengers through the remaining two Canal locks, all the way to the Pacific Ocean.
After crossing, you have easy access to some of the most exotic places on earth. Beautiful cities and towns in the Caribbean and Central America will fill your schedule with cultural immersion tours and thrilling excursions. Visit the San Juan Del Sur, in Nicaragua, a gorgeous, brightly-colored beach community of a nation known for its lakes and volcanoes, and vast cultural treasures. And Cartagena, Colombia; a storied city with castles, history museums, and monasteries.
Similar to the Coral Princess, the Island Princess also has New Orleans-inspired cuisine and The Bayou Cafe and Steakhouse for those who want a taste of this unique culture. There are also several lounges, a Lotus Spa and a casino for those who want to kick back and relax. Traveling on the Island Princess can make this one of the most memorable Panama Canal cruise vacations of your lifetime. Add peace of mind and a sense of security to your vacation with a Cruise Plus® Hotel Package.
The shortest sailings are predominantly offered by small ships, and they begin and end in Central America. The shortest round-trip Fort Lauderdale partial transits are 11 nights; full transits that start on the U.S. East Coast and end on the West Coast (or vice versa) will be at least 14 days long. The partial Panama Canal experience isn't much shorter than a full crossing, but you'll experience the Caribbean-side locks twice and miss out on the Pacific side. On the flip side, the ship will often sail round-trip from Florida, allowing passengers to enjoy various Caribbean ports before and after the transit.
Walk in the footsteps of Mayan warriors in the ancient ruins of Iximche. See how Guatemalan coffee is cultivated, harvested, and processed from the seeding of the coffee bean to the preparation of the coffee beverage during a tour of Filadelfia Coffee Estate. Marvel at the surroundings of Lake Atitlan, tucked between impressive volcanoes. We have the answers so your first time will be nothing but smooth sailing. 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.
The package includes the cost of your hotel stay, transportation, luggage handling and the services of the representative. Since the crossing does take a while, especially sailing across Gatun Lake, you might find it fun to watch it from a different vantage point from time to time. You can enjoy views from a hot tub on one of the decks, from your table at lunch or even from a deck that's aft, so you can see the locks after you leave them instead of when you arrive. This port on the western coast of Guatemala provides access to the colonial city of Antigua, which has earned status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its architecture and ruins. The port provides a jumping-off point for tours of working coffee plantations, the Pacaya Volcano (one of the country's many active mountains) and Lake Atitlan. There are so many fabulous encounters with nature available from this port, you'll have a hard time deciding on a shore excursion.
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. 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.
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. While passing through Gatun Lake, you'll be amazed at how wide it is in spots. At 180 square miles, it was the world's largest artificial lake at the time it was constructed. Don't miss the Culebra Cut, an artificial valley through the Continental Divide made by cutting through the Culebra Mountains; it's recognizable by the staked, stepped cuts. Keep in mind that die-hard canal lovers will stand on deck the entire time, blocking the view from inside, so be prepared to move around.
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