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The tour stops at Iglesia de San Felipe, a Roman Catholic church that's also known as the Black Christ Church. Here, Christo Negro is on display, a life-size wooden statue of Black Christ that was found on the shores of the harbor and is celebrated with a festival every October. You'll also see the ruins of Fort San Jeronimo and Santiago Battery, two of the five Spanish ports in the area. You'll also notice the Royal Customs House of Portobelo, which was used in the 16th century to stash Peruvian gold and other loot that was seized in Latin America. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Portobelo boasts sea views and ruins from its former life as a Spanish colonial town.
HEAD IN THE CLOUDS
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. Cruise Critic is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site. When you book with one of our partners, please be sure to check their site for a full disclosure of all applicable fees as required by the U.S.
2025 Panama Canal Cruises
After a 1 1/2-hour ride from Colon, you'll embark on a guided walk around town, dotted with houses in brightly painted colors, workshops and galleries housing Congo art installations. Congo dancers performing in the streets and restaurants serving Afro-Caribbean cuisine. The tour continues to the Agua Clara Visitor Center to see ships passing through the canal and learn more about the canal's construction, expansion and operations through interactive displays and a rainforest trail.
PANAMA CANAL CRUISES
You'll want to consider whether you're more interested in Caribbean islands or Central and South American destinations. Partial transits often originate in Florida or the Caribbean, enter the canal at Limon Bay and travel 7 miles to the Gatun Locks. They then turn around at Gatun Lake, heading back to Colon and continuing on the itinerary. But since a Panama Canal cruise is unique, you'll encounter some logistical considerations that you won't on other itineraries — including the fact that your debarkation and embarkation ports might be different.
Sailing through the artificial lake formed by the dam lasts around four hours. This is a good time to grab lunch, take a dip in the pool or just relax for a bit. Sailing through the Panama Canal makes for a cruise itinerary like none other.
The tour departs from the Panama City cruise terminal, where you'll board a large catamaran equipped with everything you'll need for the day. Getting here requires an hour-long drive from Colon or a half-hour drive from the Panama City cruise port. When you arrive, you can explore the Old Panama Cathedral and other ruins on foot, climb up the bell tower for a view of the skyline and shop at the artisan market. In Miami, you’ll enjoy a small taste of the tropical weather many of you will experience during your cruise, and you’ll see why Miami is one of the most popular places to live in America. This incredible 48-mile passageway is an engineering marvel that took several attempts to complete.
THE BEST Cruises from San Francisco to the Panama Canal & Central America (with Prices) on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic
THE BEST Cruises from San Francisco to the Panama Canal & Central America (with Prices) on Cruise Critic.
Posted: Fri, 19 Apr 2024 00:15:10 GMT [source]
However, it is worth noting that the route and itinerary are quite packed with back-to-back activities. Hence, this cruise trip might feel a bit overwhelming or tiring for someone who would prefer to have a more restful vacation. Regent Seven Seas Cruises' newest ship, Seven Seas Grandeur, debuts in November 2023 and its first two Panama Canal itineraries in early 2024 are already waitlisted. A six-hour catamaran tour lets you experience some of what Taboga Island has to offer.
Panama Cruises
This Puerto Vallarta attraction dates all the way back to 1605 as one of Mexico’s most well-preserved towns. Other historic towns include Talpa and Mascota, both colonial mining villages. Most travelers will travel to this area for its breathtaking views– strategically located right where Playa del Amor and Playa del Divorcio join. If you would like to explore some of the traditional Mexican culture, head over to San Jose del Cabo.
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. And even though the crossing is fascinating, let's be honest — it can also be tedious.
Head ashore for interaction with the Embera Indian Villages, or possibly a heart-racing zip line through the jungle, where you can view rare species and breathtaking forestry. Being in the locks is a thrilling experience and gives you an insight into how extraordinary the canal is, all the more so given that it’s more than 100 years old. You’ll see everything from giant cargo ships to small yachts making the transit. Visitors in the viewing galleries at the locks will wave as you pass through. During the 48-mile transit, you’ll see everything from intricate lock systems to the serene landscapes of the rainforest and Gatun Lake. Your ship will be raised up 85 feet through a system of three locks to the level of the freshwater Gatun Lake.
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. This is truly when the temperatures are the most comfortable and enjoyable with sunnier days and breathtakingly scenic Panama Canal views. The 450-guest Seabourn Sojourn will sail from Miami to Los Angeles in December. Some ships sail a full transit of the canal, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, or vice versa. These one-way journeys between Miami or Fort Lauderdale and Los Angeles or San Diego, visits ports in Central America, South America, Mexico and California.
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. 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. "The Path Between the Seas," by historian David McCullough, is highly recommended.
The Holland America Line’s Nieuw Amsterdam is undoubtedly a moving piece of art with its robust art collection worth over $3 million. This round-the-world cruise will visit 37 countries as guests enjoy Viking Sky's modern Scandinavian interior decor, soothing LivNordic Spa, two pools (including one with a retractable roof) and six onboard restaurants. Pricing includes airfare, gratuities and complimentary wine and beer with lunch and dinner. 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. For a Panama Canal experience that begins and ends in Fort Lauderdale, Celebrity Cruises' 11-night Panama Canal & Southern Caribbean itinerary is a great option.
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. The one-week-long Costa Rica & Panama Vacation Cruise offers you the unique opportunity to enjoy the sun, beach, and palm trees as you explore the breathtaking beach destinations on this incredible voyage. The cruise travels from San Jose, Costa Rica, to Panama City for seven nights. Along the way, guests can visit the Panama Canal, Pearl Islands, Gulf of Panama, and even Coiba National Park. Offering the perfect blends of coasts and jungles, the UnCruise Adventure cruise is best for wildlife lovers and adrenaline junkies who want to explore various activities such as kayaking and hiking.
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