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While the railing of the balcony can give you a better appreciation for just how tight that squeeze is, being up on the bow is the best way to appreciate the full scope of the process. There are so many fabulous encounters with nature available from this port, you'll have a hard time deciding on a shore excursion. A visit to the Tabacon Resort Hot Springs takes you to the slopes of the active Arenal volcano. The Poas volcano features the amazing sight of a huge crater filled with iridescent blue water.
Panama Canal & Central America Cruises
At the facility’s seafood court, specialties include ceviche and seafood stew. Exploring the Biomuseo broadens your visit to the Panama Canal by expanding your understanding of the region’s biodiversity. While Panama’s Pacific coast may seem like a world away from the Caribbean, it’s actually very close. If you base yourself in Colon, on the Caribbean side, you can be in Panama City, on the Pacific coast, in under an hour by road.
Entire Panama Canal Season Cancelled for Royal Caribbean Ship - Cruise Hive
Entire Panama Canal Season Cancelled for Royal Caribbean Ship.
Posted: Thu, 10 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
San Juan del Sur Excursions: A Volcanic Adventure in Nicaragua
Rejuvenate your spirit in The Spa, unwind by the pool as you cruise along emerald shorelines, and toast the end of another perfect day at the Sunset Bar in the balmy warmth of a tropical evening. Enjoy the best of the Panama Canal with a day to explore the locks, kayak the forested fringes of serene Gatun Lake, or admire the fine Spanish colonial architecture of Panama City’s historic Casco Viejo. There’s no shortage of beach time on these 11-night cruises, with blissful, sun-soaked days on the dazzling white sands that fringe Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao, and a day to explore Grand Cayman’s glorious Seven Mile Beach. Explore the engineering genius of the Panama Canal with Celebrity on a thrilling voyage that brings history and human achievement to life.
Extraordinary Panama Canal Cruise Tours
Typically, the transit of the Panama Canal takes eight to ten hours, but this depends on how much traffic there is and whether there is any congestion at the massive locks. Our one-way cruises take you either east or westbound between Florida and California. See the intricate workings of the locks and the graceful Bridge of the Americas as you cross the narrow Panama isthmus. Discover the lush scenery around manmade Lake Gatun, listen to tales of pirates and conquistadors, and buy exquisite handicrafts made by Panama’s indigenous Emberá tribe. Other highlights include vibrant Cartagena, glamorous Puerto Vallarta, and thrilling Costa Rica.
The best time to cruise the Panama Canal
You can expect crowds, especially with the festivals during that time. November can be rainy — and even the rainiest month of the wet season — with temperatures starting to warm closer to December. The month brings a mix of low-priced early-season fares but also several public holidays that bring crowds of both tourists and residents to attractions in places like Panama City and Boquete. Many cruises through the Panama Canal offer trips to these popular ports of call that are consistent with most itineraries.
What are the options for Panama Canal cruise routes?
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. When you choose to apply (and are approved) for a new credit card through our site, we may receive compensation from our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Despite the early start, you'll want to be prepared for the Panama sun, as it can get surprisingly hot while you're out there waiting. Some ships will do their best to make passengers comfortable, offering chilled towels and water, juice and Panama rolls (Danish-like pastries with sweet fruit filling in the center) for a small breakfast alfresco. Carnival Cruises has a range of Panama Canal cruises leaving from different ports in the US, including Tampa, New Orleans and Galveston. When the ship reached Lima, the Griffins said goodbye to their floating home for the past three weeks.It wasn’t the end of the cruise for the Seven Seas Splendour, though.
Related Itineraries
Starting around 1597, the Spanish also used Portobelo’s harbor to transport their booty, constructing a series of forts to protect Portobelo Bay. Fort Santiago and San Jeronimo are the two most visited of the four forts. Attacked by pirates and privateers over the decades, the fort was rebuilt in the 1680s and the 1760s. Perched atop a promontory, Fort San Lorenzo’s ruins offer a splendid view of the Chagres River.
The best time to cruise Alaska - The Points Guy
The best time to cruise Alaska.
Posted: Wed, 11 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
During this time, you can expect large bursts of rain in the afternoon and early evening. We last found them on safari in Africa; this time, they’re sailing from Miami to Lima, Peru and passing through the iconic Panama Canal. “We are so very, very fortunate to be able to travel and we shall always appreciate it,” said Joan. You just board a big, beautiful cruise ship, and within hours, you are casting off and heading off to exotic destinations. In our case, it was sailing the western Caribbean and then traversing the Panama Canal to the Pacific Ocean and beyond,” she added.
Entering Gatun Lake, it’s fun to be forward on deck as you can see the procession of ships coming towards you. You could also be aft, at the back of the ship, with a pair of binoculars to spot other ships. On Celebrity Summit, guests of The Retreat can view the locks from the Retreat Sundeck on deck 12 forward. Other options include the Sky Lounge, which has panoramic forward views and is climate-controlled, or the Rooftop Terrace, aft.
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. 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. A motorcoach ride delivers passengers back to their waiting ships at Colon. The Panama Canal is one of the most astonishing human-made wonders, a sliver of ingenuity that allows ships to move from one ocean to another.
I admit I was guilty of not learning as much as I could about the history of the Panama Canal. Thankfully there are educational cruise talks and guest lecturers who will be onboard most cruise ships. It’s a mistake not to attend some of these talks to be better prepared and enhance your experience. However, most cruise travelers agree that the old locks present the most interesting experience. As the ship glides through the narrow passage, you’re practically touching the walls.
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