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The actual time spent transiting the canal itself is usually a day or two, depending on whether it’s a partial or full transit. On the other hand, a full transit Panama Canal itinerary is a crossing from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean or vice versa. It encompasses the entire canal, offering a deeper exploration of the locks, channels, and the diverse landscapes encountered along the way.
The Ultimate Guide for a Perfect Panama Canal Cruise
Other great shore excursion options include taking the refurbished Panama Railway from the Pacific to the Atlantic. 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). Apart from length of sailing, the biggest decision you'll need to make on a Panama Canal cruise is whether to opt for a traditional trans-canal experience or take a partial crossing.
Sailing through the Panama Canal
The fall is one of the best times to see the rainforest and experience the river rapids for outdoor adventure seekers. Although you may experience more rainfall and higher humidity than in the dry season, you will likely enjoy fewer crowds, shorter wait times at attractions, and potentially more attractive fares. Just be prepared for some occasional rain and pack appropriate clothing to ensure a comfortable trip. 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.
Partial Panama Canal Crossing
You'll be enchanted by Spanish and Dutch cities dating back centuries, as well as diverse tropical rainforests, white-sand beaches, dramatic volcanoes and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. And Princess provides live narration from the bridge while transiting the locks, just one reason we were voted "Best Cruise Line for Enrichment" by Cruise International. 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. There is something for every type of explorer in this culturally diverse region. Choose from immersive excursions such as exploring the engineering mastery of the Canal, trekking through surrounding rainforests, visiting local villages and relaxing on the pristine beaches of the Caribbean.
With the warmer temperatures, March is an ideal month to head to the beaches on one of the San Blas Islands, an archipelago of about 365 islands and cays off the Caribbean coast of Eastern Panama. Some cruise lines that visit the archipelago are Windstar, Star Clippers, Hapag-Lloyd and Ponant. October is a rainy month, but it's also one of the coolest months of the year, with high temperatures in the low to mid-80s.
Repositioning Cruises 2024 - Cruise Critic
Repositioning Cruises 2024.
Posted: Wed, 22 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Carnival even offers partial Panama Canal cruises from less high-profile ports, such as Mobile, Alabama and Galveston, Texas. The most common full Panama Canal crossing itineraries are from Florida to California or vice versa—usually between places like Miami or Fort Lauderdale and Los Angeles. Some cruises also start or end elsewhere on both of the American coasts, in the ports of New York City, New Orleans, San Francisco, San Diego or Vancouver, for example, among other places. When it comes to shore excursion planning, be sure to research the ports of call. Be cautious about wandering off on your own and consider booking cruise line excursions or reputable tours.
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. Hit the gift shop on the way out for a hat, T-shirt or another souvenir to mark the day you traveled in 10 hours from one ocean to another. Originally known as the Thatcher Ferry Bridge, the Bridge of the Americas connects North and South America and serves as the gateway to the Pacific Ocean. After traveling through the Miraflores Locks, which allow the ship to finish the descent to sea level, you have 8 miles to find a spot on deck, grab a flute of Champagne and get your phone or camera ready. You'll undoubtedly learn many fascinating factoids about the construction of the Panama Canal and the steps needed to cross it. This starts with the fact that the captain of the ship has to relinquish control to a Panama Canal official who is in charge of navigating the vessel through the canal the entire day.
For longer, repositioning Panama Canal cruises, you should stick to the earlier or later months of this window when the cruise ships are finding a new home. The weather in this region tends to be hot and humid, so pack plenty of shorts and t-shirts. Since Panama Canal crossings tend to be longer sailings, be prepared that your cruise might have more than one formal night.
Most of the partial crossing Panama Canal cruises will depart from Florida, and therefore, you will also enjoy some of the other fabulous Caribbean ports during your adventure. These include islands in the Southern and Western Caribbean, and occasionally Cartagena, Colombia. A cruise on the Panama Canal through Central America can appeal to more than one type of passenger. The Panama Canal portion of the trip focuses on the transit itself,with onboard lectures as ships make their way through the locks.
East Coast and end on the West Coast (or vice versa) will be at least 14 days long. With drier weather and high temperatures hovering around 88 degrees, it's less humid in the region in December. However, it's the holiday season, so cruise fares and other costs, like hotels for pre- and post-cruise stays, will be more expensive if you travel this month. December is one of the peak tourism months in Panama, with Panamanians traveling for the holidays and visitors from North America and Europe escaping the cold weather at home. For outdoor adventure seekers, it's too wet for hiking in the rainforests, but other activities benefit from the rainy season, including whitewater rafting. In Quepos, Costa Rica, Windstar Cruises offers rafting trips to the town of Santo Domingo, where you can take a float trip on the Savegre River.
Feel your ship rise 85 feet as water fills the locks on the Panama Canal. Listen as a historian shares tales of this incredible engineering feat that divided two continents. Explore the intriguing landscapes, culture and people of this amazing region. From engineering marvels to exotic wildlife, there's so much to discover while on your Panama Canal cruise. Most common are Miami-to-Miami voyages (or from other Florida ports), but you can also find Los Angeles-to-Los Angeles cruises that enter the Panama Canal.
The best outdoor area to explore is the nearby Veragua Rainforest Park. Here you will find hundreds of frogs, butterflies, and reptiles, in addition to monkeys, sloths, and birds up above. Just a few miles from Puerto Limón is the breathtaking Playa Bonita, the perfect tropical beach offering crystal-clear waters and soft sand.
That said, you’ll also meet many lovely local people and be able to see and experience the natural beauty, as well as wildlife, of the destinations. While there’s no right or wrong answer, there are pros and cons of doing either the full or partial transit of the Panama Canal. We recently came back from our first Panama Canal cruise, and there were definitely some things that I wish I would have known before I sailed. While I did a lot of research before my cruise, there were still some things I would have done differently. 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 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.
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. 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. Calls on Golfito and Puntarenas in Costa Rica offer access to eco-adventure. 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. 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.
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