Princess Cruises
Mid-premium cruising with destination-strong itineraries — Alaska, Caribbean, Mediterranean.
Cruise destinations
Panama Canal Cruises
Sail through the canal's locks between the Atlantic and Pacific, often combined with Caribbean islands and the coasts of Central America.
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Panama Canal Cruises with Travelisto
A Panama Canal cruise takes you through one of the great engineering projects of the modern world. Over a single day, your ship is raised through a series of locks to Gatun Lake, crosses the isthmus through rainforest, then is lowered back to sea level on the other side. Most people spend the transit out on deck watching the locks fill and the narrow gaps close around the hull. It suits travellers who enjoy sea days, history and a long, relaxed voyage.
There are two main types of trip. A full transit sails from one ocean to the other, usually between Florida and the US West Coast, and lasts around 14 to 18 nights. Ports along the way often include Caribbean islands, Cartagena in Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico's Pacific coast and sometimes Guatemala. A partial transit is a round trip from Florida of around 10 to 12 nights, where the ship enters the canal as far as Gatun Lake and then returns to the Caribbean.
The season runs from roughly October to April, when the Central American dry season brings more settled weather. Many full transits are repositioning voyages, timed for spring and autumn as ships move between Alaska or the Pacific coast and the Caribbean. These can be good value for the number of nights, and some voyages continue north to San Francisco or Vancouver. Common embarkation ports include Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Tampa, Los Angeles and San Diego.
Because a full transit is one-way, you will need an open-jaw flight from the UK, flying into one end and home from the other. Our Travel Designers can arrange the flights, a pre-cruise hotel and transfers so the whole journey is planned together, and help you compare a full transit with a shorter partial transit if time is limited.
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Lines we recommend
The cruise lines our Travel Designers suggest most often for this kind of trip. Tap a line for the full guide.
Princess Cruises
Holland America Line
Refined mid-size cruising with strong Alaska and global itineraries, mid-premium pricing.
Celebrity Cruises
Modern premium cruising with stylish ships, world-class dining and global itineraries.
NCL Norwegian
Freestyle American cruising with no fixed dining times — flexible and family-friendly.
Royal Caribbean
Large family-friendly ships packed with entertainment, water parks and waterslides.
Oceania Cruises
The finest cuisine at sea, smaller premium ships and country-intensive itineraries.
Which line suits you?
| Cruise line | Best for |
|---|---|
| Princess Cruises | First-timers who want a wide choice of full and partial transits. |
| Holland America Line | Travellers who enjoy long, relaxed voyages and plenty of sea days. |
| Celebrity Cruises | Couples who want a modern premium ship on a canal voyage. |
| NCL Norwegian | Travellers who like flexible dining and a casual atmosphere. |
| Royal Caribbean | Families and groups who want big-ship entertainment between ports. |
| Oceania Cruises | Food lovers who want a smaller ship and port-rich itineraries. |
Panama Canal voyages at a glance
- Full transit
- Sails from one ocean to the other, usually between Florida and the US West Coast, with Caribbean, Central American and Mexican ports along the way.
- Partial transit
- A round trip from Florida that enters the canal as far as Gatun Lake, then returns to the Caribbean. Simpler flights and a shorter trip.
- Repositioning voyages
- Longer sailings as ships move between seasons, sometimes continuing to San Francisco or Vancouver. Good if you love sea days.
Making the most of your canal day
The transit itself is the highlight. Find a spot on an open deck early in the morning as the ship approaches the first locks, and listen out for the commentary that many ships offer during the crossing.
Watch how the locks work: the gates close behind the ship, water fills the chamber and the ship rises to the next level. Forward-facing decks give the best view of the narrow fit between ship and lock walls.
Many guests choose a cabin with a balcony for the journey, though the open decks usually give the widest views. Bring sun protection and plenty of water, as the canal day is long and warm.
Who a Panama Canal cruise suits
A full Panama Canal transit suits travellers who enjoy long voyages, sea days and a real sense of journey, with a mix of Caribbean islands, Central America and Mexico along the way.
A partial transit suits travellers who want to see the canal without committing to a long one-way trip, and who prefer return flights to Florida.
Both appeal to anyone with an interest in history and engineering, and many guests combine the cruise with a few days in Florida or on the US West Coast. Our Travel Designers can plan the flights and hotel stays around your sailing.
FAQ
Panama Canal Cruises: your questions answered
What is the difference between a full and a partial Panama Canal transit?
A full transit sails right through the canal from the Atlantic to the Pacific, or the other way, and is usually a one-way voyage of two weeks or more. A partial transit enters the canal through the first set of locks into Gatun Lake, often with an excursion ashore, then turns back to the Caribbean. Partial transits are shorter round trips, usually from Florida.
When is the best time to cruise the Panama Canal?
Most Panama Canal cruises run between October and April, which matches the dry season in Central America and the winter Caribbean season. Spring and autumn are busiest for full transits, as ships reposition between the Pacific coast and the Caribbean. Expect hot, humid days in the canal itself whatever the month.
How long does it take a ship to go through the Panama Canal?
A full transit of the canal usually takes around 8 to 10 hours, from early morning into the afternoon. Ships pass through three sets of locks and cross Gatun Lake in between. Many ships have a commentator on board during the transit, and the open decks at the front of the ship are the most popular viewing spots.
Which ports do Panama Canal cruises visit?
It depends on the route, but common calls include Caribbean islands such as Aruba and Curaçao, Cartagena in Colombia, Colón in Panama, Puntarenas in Costa Rica, and Mexican Pacific ports such as Puerto Vallarta, Huatulco and Cabo San Lucas. Full transits usually start or end in Florida and Los Angeles or San Diego.
How do flights work for a one-way Panama Canal cruise?
Because a full transit starts and finishes in different cities, you fly out to one, such as Miami or Fort Lauderdale, and home from the other, such as Los Angeles. This is known as an open-jaw ticket. Our Travel Designers can book these flights alongside the cruise and suggest a hotel night before boarding in case of delays.
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