The Panama Canal is rapidly becoming Central America's newest cruising destination. Panama Canal cruises unite the world-famous water routes with great ports in the Caribbean and/or Mexican Riviera. While traveling the Panama Canal you will view Caribbean Islands, rain forests, ruins of Mayan cities, Mexican resorts, mysterious Yucatan Peninsula, wild magnificence of Costa Rica and squares and cathedrals of Cartagena. Set off for a Panama Canal cruise and observe the majestic engineering miracle that now connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. When cruising the Panama Canal, six huge locks raise the cruise ship from sea level up to almost 90 feet, and then mildly lower it. Try not to ignore a canal historian and join other passengers on the decks as he explains the mechanisms of the locks and points out sights along the way. The best time to visit the Panama Canal is from September to April. Typical Panama cruise lasts for 10-15 days. You may book round-trip partial transit or one-way complete transit cruise. The first one usually departs from and arrives in Florida. Partial transit ships ply to the Canal, float there and turn back to the port of departure. The second one usually navigate from east coast to west one and usually last for 15 days.

Crossing from one ocean to another, Panama cruises are unusual trips that not only bring a fabulous cruise vacation pleasure, but also cater the most and best in coast to coast travel. The Panama Canal was a decade-long project, finally completed in 1914 and cost unheard sum of more than $385 million. The six sets of locks carry both cargo and passenger ships through eighty-five feet of height as they cross the Isthmus of Panama, and nearly one million ships have crossed through the canal till now. Before starting sail, it is important for future passengers to learn the essentials of their voyage so they could take full advantage of the opportunities a canal sailing offers.

Cruises that cross the Panama Canal take place only during the winter, usually between September and April. During the summer, canal traffic is jammed with cargo shipments and passenger traffic is rather restricted. Most voyages are planned for April, though there are various itinerary options offered throughout the winter.

Because the Canal is quite remote from usual United States departure ports, Panama cruises are longer than most voyages. The majority of sailings last from 8 to 15 nights, however you may take a cruise which lasts 21 nights. It depends on where the ship comes from and number of different ports it will call at along its route.

Because of the duration of Panama cruises, the most frequent lines to cross the Canal are luxury lines and more elite mainstream lines. Princess and Holland America offer the greatest number of voyages during the season, but interested travelers can also book the itinenary on Oceania, Royal Caribbean, Cunard, Norwegian, Silversea, Crystal, Seabourn, and Celebrity ships. For modernized itinerary options and to learn which cruise lines have planned Panama sailings you should contact a travel agent.