Cruising the Panama Canal is the perfect way to see, what many consider, to be the eighth wonder of the world. Known to be one of the greatest human achievements in history, the Panama Canal offers cruise enthusiasts a different approach to sailing.

About Panama Canal cruises

More than 100 years after its completion, The Panama Canal provides passengers with an exhilarating experience as it meanders through the man-made waterway. Along the journey, you will encounter six enormous locks that raise the ship about 85 feet beyond sea level before gently setting it back, often with mere inches to spare.

The Panama Canal is a great modern engineering marvel, as the work was carried out over 400 years and included everyone from Spanish Kings to several different American presidents. Panama Canal cruises are often filled with stories involving the tales of human woes when undertaking this massive project to link two oceans.

Passengers on a Panama Canal cruise are not restricted to only the canal itself, but will venture out into surrounding areas that can include several Mexican or Caribbean ports. These ports of call offer holidaymakers an opportunity to view rain forests, Mexican resorts, Caribbean Islands, and many spectacular Mayan ruins.

Those considering Panama Canal cruises should consider booking their cruise after the rainy season, which ends in November. This means taking a cruise anytime from September to April will offer the best weather.

Most major cruise lines offer Panama Canal cruises. However, numerous smaller cruise lines take passengers along this delightful journey through the jungle. Princess Cruise lines leads the pack when it comes to Panama Canal cruises, averaging about 40 scheduled cruises each season.

There was a time when a Panama Canal cruise was rather standard with a 14-day itinerary that sailed passengers from Florida to the West Coast. From there, ships would stop in other places such as Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean. Because passengers demand variety, many Panama Canal cruise itineraries have changed.

Since Panama Canal cruises have become so popular, major cruise lines now offer cruises that range from seven to nine days, 14 to 16 days in length and also 18 to 21 day cruises. Major lines such as Seven Seas, NCL, and Regent offer holidaygoers the seven to nine day cruise package while Costa, Princess, Royal Olympia, Crystal, and Holland America offer the ten to 11 day version. For a two-week version, Adore Cruises recommends you book with Celebrity, Carnival, Silversea, or Princess; while the longest journey of 18 to 21 days is offered by Cunard, Princess, and Holland America. Experience the history and heritage of the Panama Canal while getting a glimpse of tropical jungle wildlife.