Panama Canal Cruises

Going down the Panama will take you along the 77 km ship canal that joins the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific ocean which is a key conduit for international maritime trade. It is rising in popularity as a destination and annual traffic has risen from about 1,000 ships in the canal's early days to 14,702 vessels in 2008. One of the largest and most difficult engineering projects ever undertaken, the canal had an enormous impact on shipping between the two oceans, replacing the long and treacherous route via the Drake Passage and Cape Horn at the southernmost tip of South America. A ship sailing from New York to San Francisco via the canal travels 9,500 km, well under half the 22,500 km route around Cape Horn and is a fascinating adventure seen from the deck of a ship on one of our amazing cruise deals.

While the Pacific Ocean is west of the isthmus and the Atlantic to the east, the 8- to 10-hour journey on the Panama Canal from the Pacific to the Atlantic is one from southeast to northwest.

Undoubtedly the most cosmopolitan capital in Central America Panama City is both a gateway to the country’s natural riches and a vibrant destination in its own right. As a thriving center for international banking and trade, Panama City sports a sultry skyline of shimmering glass and steel towers that is reminiscent of Miami and is a fascinating feature of Panama canal cruises. The city’s architectural diversity is rivalled only by its cultural diversity. Urbanites here hail from all over Latin America, the Caribbean and Asia and given the ethnic diversity, it’s no surprise that the capital boasts a wide array of restaurants, with everything from Panamanian-style ceviche and bluefin tuna sushi to tikka masala and chicken kebabs. Not far from the city, you’ll also find some impressive adventure opportunities, from hiking through tropical rainforests to skirting along the jungle on a train ride to Colon. With many cruise deals available to visit this fascinating destination, a Panama cruise offers an adventure not to be missed!