Why you need to go on a Panama Canal cruise
Looking for your next cruise holiday destination? For a destination that combines intriguing history and culture, otherworldly scenery and warm tropical weather, add a Panama Canal cruise to the top of your travel bucket list.
Sailing through the engineering marvel that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans offers a unique opportunity to learn about the canal’s intricate lock system, spot incredible wildlife in the rainforest and explore sun-soaked destinations across the Caribbean and Central America. Keep reading to learn why you need to cruise the Panama Canal.
Take the world’s greatest shortcut
Known as the ‘Crossroads of the World’, the Panama Canal truly is one of the most astonishing marvels of engineering. While only 77 kilometres long, the Panama Canal divides two continents and has dramatically changed the face of the shipping and cruising industries. Thanks to the canal’s lock system, over 14,000 vessels annually can make the journey from the Pacific Ocean to the Caribbean Sea (or vice versa) within days, rather than weeks.
A journey through the Panama Canal isn’t all about engineering, however. In fact, you’ll also be witness to spectacular rainforest scenery and intriguing wildlife. The canal is located amid Panama’s lush rainforests, meaning that, if you’re lucky, you’ll spot creatures like sloths, ocelots and toucans.
Immerse yourself in the history of this exceptional man-made marvel
A Panama Canal cruise holiday provides an opportunity to learn all about its fascinating past. The first attempt at building a canal through Panama was by the French in the 1880s, although this ultimately failed due to illness, disease and dangerous work conditions. It wasn’t until the Americans took over in the early 1900s that the Panama Canal had a chance at succeeding – construction finally began in 1904 and was completed 10 years later.
By cruising through the Panama Canal, you’ll also learn more about the canal’s many locks and how they work to lower and raise ships, allowing them to sail between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. If you appreciate human ingenuity, you’ll surely be fascinated by the canal and its history.
Explore diverse ports of call across Central America and the Caribbean
While cruising through the Panama Canal is an experience in and of itself, you’ll also visit a range of captivating destinations across Central America and the Caribbean along the way. Whether you wish to laze on warm tropical beaches, explore historic UNESCO World Heritage Sites, spot unique rainforest wildlife or try adventure sports like kayaking, rafting or ziplining, this region of the globe has something for everyone to enjoy.
Some of our favourite Panama Canal cruise destinations include:
Miami, Florida
Known as the ‘Magic City’, almost all Panama Canal cruises either depart from or arrive in Miami. A melting pot of cultures, only in Miami can you spend a morning sipping Cuban coffee in Little Havana before sampling creole flavours in Little Haiti. Be sure to spend a day relaxing on the sunny shores of South Beach, checking out grungy street art at the Wynwood Walls and admiring the iconic Art Deco architecture lining Ocean Drive.
Cartagena, Colombia
Cruising the Panama Canal offers travellers a taste of exotic Colombia, with many itineraries including the Caribbean city of Cartagena. Home to one of the best-preserved walled cities in the world, the streets of Old Cartagena are lined with multicoloured colonial buildings and plenty of restaurants serving traditional fare. Be sure to tour the city’s most famous sight, the Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas, or take a boat to the nearby Rosario Islands for superb snorkelling opportunities.
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
On the Pacific side of the Panama Canal, you’ll find Cabo San Lucas, the ultimate paradise for sunseekers. Some of Cabo’s most popular attractions include El Arco, an impressive arch-shaped rock formation home to adorable sea lions, and Lovers Beach, famed for its glittering white sand and azure blue waters. Plus, there’s no better place to enjoy fresh Mexican cuisine than in Mexico itself – fish tacos, anyone?
Puerto Limon, Costa Rica
From lush tropical rainforests to golden palm-fringed beaches, natural beauty abounds in Costa Rica. Discover a taste of this fascinating country in Puerto Limon, a frequent stop on many Panama Canal cruises. There are endless adventures to be had here, like cruising down the Tortuguero Canal, ziplining above the canopy at Veragua Rainforest Park and meeting Costa Rica’s cutest creatures at the Sloth Sanctuary.
Willemstad, Curacao
No Panama Canal cruise is complete without visiting the Caribbean Islands. With beautiful beaches, vibrant culture and colourful Dutch colonial architecture, Willemstad is one of the most fascinating ports in the Caribbean. There’s something for everyone here, from exploring the limestone caverns of the ancient Hato Caves to snorkelling with schools of vivid fish in Blue Bay.
Cruise the Panama Canal with Cruise Club UK
Have we convinced you to add a Panama Canal cruise to your travel bucket list? Find your ultimate Panama Canal voyage with Cruise Club UK, who offer an exclusive range of perfectly-packaged journeys.
The team start by hand-selecting the best Panama Canal cruises, then package them with inclusions like flights, pre and post-cruise discoveries, luxury upgrades and so much more. It’s all part of the Cruise Club UK difference, which simply can’t be found anywhere else.
Explore our range of immersive Panama Canal cruises here.
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