Cruising
Cruising the Panama Canal

Transiting the Panama Canal

You'll spend one day of your cruise transiting the Canal. Here's what happens:

• Vessels from around the world gather to wait their turn to transit the Canal. They must book ahead with cruise ships taking priority for daylight transits.
• Upon entering the Canal the ship's name becomes the transit code. (On my transit Pacific Princess became South 14 Zulu. Southbound vessels have even numbers and Zulu is a priority clearance.)
• This is the only place on earth that a ship's Captain relinquishes control of his vessel. Panama Canal pilots take command of each ship and guide it through the three sets of locks (which raise and lower the vessel 26 meters), across Gatun Lake and along the Gaillard Cut.
• The pilots provide an informative commentary throughout the day.

Panama Canal Itineraries

Full Transit

• Cruises of around 14 days between Florida and California are the norm. There are calls in the Caribbean, Mexico, South and Central America in addition to the one-day transit.
• Crystal Cruises offers a full transit on a series of 11 day sailings between Miami and Caldera on the Pacific side of Costa Rica in the winter.
• The best deal is a positioning cruise. These are numerous in the spring, when ships move from the Caribbean to the West Coast for Alaska sailings, and fall when they return to the Caribbean. Start or end your cruise in Vancouver or Seattle on the full voyage of around 21 days.

Partial Transit

• Partial transits are around 10 days, round-trip from Florida in the fall and winter. The ship will ascend the three Gatun Locks to Gatun Lake then return to the Caribbean.
• There's usually an opportunity to take excursions to see more of Panama.
• Ships often call at the cruise terminal in the town of Cristobal, Panama where you'll find an outstanding market and be entertained by musicians and dancers in colourful costumes.
• Note that some ships only call at Cristobal, Panama where you can take an excursion to watch ships go through the locks, as well as other excursions to see more of Panama. Don't assume your ship will enter the Canal if Cristobal is on the itinerary. Be sure to confirm the arrangements in Panama before booking.

Exotic Options

• You'll also see the Panama Canal featured on longer cruises between Florida and South America, the South Pacific or Australia and as a World Cruise segment.

Sample Excursions in Panama

• Take an aerial tram ride in the rainforest
• Meet the local Embera Indians in their villages
• Tour Panama City
• Visit the Miraflores locks observation centre
• Ride the historic Panama Canal railway which runs alongside the Canal
• Take an eco cruise or fish in Gatun Lake
• Drive the Trans-Isthmus Highway from the Atlantic to the Pacific
• Kayak in the Canal
• Take a nature hike

Fuerte Amador

Princess Cruises is one line that offers a two-day "Canal Experience" with a full transit of the Canal plus a day at Fuerte Amador with excursions available. This resort area on the Pacific side of the Canal is not far from Panama City which can be seen in the distance. Here you'll find shops, restaurants, a large marina and the Smithsonian Institute of Tropical Research.

Viewing Tips

• Choose a ship with a good deal of outdoor deck space, forward facing deck space and an observation lounge or restaurant.
• You can also have a wonderful view of the proceedings from a private balcony.
• Head down to the promenade deck for a low level view of the action that will give you a different perspective.

Recommended Reading and DVD

Be sure to do some research before you go to fully appreciate your Panama Canal experience.

The definitive history of the Panama Canal, is David McCullough's book The Path Between the Seas. It is also available as a DVD entitled A Man, A Plan, A Canal: Panama.