Panama Canal Cruises
One of the world’s great engineering marvels, seen from your own balcony. A Panama Canal cruise glides through the historic locks between two oceans.
A Panama Canal cruise is a bucket-list transit: watch your ship rise and fall through the century-old locks, sail past rainforest-lined Gatun Lake, and pair it with Caribbean, Central American and Mexican Riviera ports. Choose a full ocean-to-ocean transit or a shorter partial transit that returns to the Caribbean. A cruise specialist matches the ship, direction and season.
Why Cruise the Panama Canal?
Engineering wonder
Transit the historic locks between two oceans.
Rainforest & wildlife
Gatun Lake, jungle shores and birdlife.
Two-ocean itinerary
Caribbean on one side, Pacific on the other.
Full or partial transit
Ocean-to-ocean or a shorter round-trip.
Panama Canal Itineraries
Full transit
Ocean-to-ocean, often Florida to California.
Partial transit
Into Gatun Lake and back to the Caribbean.
The locks
Gatun, Pedro Miguel and Miraflores.
Add-on ports
Cartagena, Costa Rica and the Riviera.
Popular Panama Canal Itineraries
- Full transit — Fort Lauderdale to Los Angeles (or reverse)
- Partial transit round-trip from Florida
- Panama Canal & Costa Rica
- Panama Canal & the Caribbean
- Repositioning sailings (spring & fall)
Ready to transit the Panama Canal?
Tell us your dates, direction and transit type and we’ll match the perfect sailing. Get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes from a cruise specialist.
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Panama Canal Cruises — Frequently Asked Questions
Full transit or partial transit?
A full transit crosses ocean-to-ocean (about 10–15 nights); a partial transit enters Gatun Lake and returns to the Caribbean on a shorter round-trip.
When is Panama Canal cruise season?
Most sailings run in spring and fall as ships reposition between the Caribbean/Alaska and other regions; a specialist finds the best dates.
Which side of the ship is best?
Both sides see the locks and lake as the ship turns; a specialist advises on cabin and side by itinerary and direction.
How do I get a quote?
Request up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes from a cruise specialist and compare ships, directions and transit types.