![Panama Canal Cruise](/images/cruise-destinations/panama-canal-banner.jpg)
Panama Canal Cruise
About Panama Canal Cruises
A Panama Canal Cruise is an amazing experience that should not be missed. The canal is a 48 mile long canal that links the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans. Cruises through the Panama Canal have varied itineraries. Twice a year in the fall and the spring as the ships reposition between the Caribbean and Alaska cruise lines offer full transit through the canal. These one way cruises sail through all of the canal's impressive locks. In the winter cruise lines offer partial canal cruises. These itineraries sail roundtrip from Florida, pass through the locks before turning around and returning to their originating port after re-entering the canal system on the return trip.
Taking a cruise through the Panama Canal allows travelers to witness first hand this marvel of modern engineering. The canal system is made up of three locks and a series of artificial lakes and canals. As ships pass the locks from the east their elevation is gradually lowered and as they pass the final set of locks, the Gatun locks, the ships ascend an amazing 85 feet bringing them back to sea level. The complete journey takes about 8-10 hours in each direction.
Panama Canal cruise itineraries also include wonderful ports of call in the Caribbean, Central and South America and Mexico. Travelers can explore these different ports and enjoy a number of activities including sightseeing, shopping, watersports, beautiful beaches and friendly people.
Best Panama Canal Cruise Deals
![Windstar Cruises](https://www.cruise.com/images/logos/windstar_cruises_color.png)
- Up to $1700 ONBOARD CREDIT: EXCLUSIVE OFFER
- Complimentary All-Inclusive Upgrade: on select voyages
- $200 ONBOARD CREDIT: EXCLUSIVE OFFER
- Windstar's Luxury Amenities
![Silversea Cruises](https://www.cruise.com/images/logos/silversea_color.png)
- Up to $1700 ONBOARD CREDIT EXCLUSIVE
- Save Up to $4,000, Reduced Deposit, Plus: select categories & voyages
- SILVERSEA ALL-INCLUSIVE VALUE: FREE GRATUITIES + FREE Drinks + more
![Star Clippers](https://www.cruise.com/images/logos/star_clippers.png)
- Up to $1700 CASH BACK: EXCLUSIVE OFFER
- Star Clippers All Inclusive Experience
![Lindblad Expeditions](https://www.cruise.com/images/logos/lindblad-expeditions.jpg)
National Geographic Quest
Panama City/Panama to Cartagena/Colombia
Oct 13, 2024 - Nov 9, 2025
- Up to $1700 CASH BACK: EXCLUSIVE OFFER
- Why Lindblad
- Exclusive Exploration Tools
- What's Included
- Exclusive Suite Amenities
![Norwegian Cruise Line](https://www.cruise.com/images/logos/ncl_color.png)
- Up to $1700 CASH BACK: EXCLUSIVE OFFER
- FREE Gratuities: on select categories and sailings
- 70% Off 2nd Guest + Take All FREE on select sailings
- Buy 1st Guest Air, 2nd Guest Flies FREE: from select gateways
- FREE Open Bar, Specialty Dining, Wi-Fi, Excursion Credit: & more
- 50% Reduced Deposit: Club Balcony Suites & below
- Cruise Next Double Up: (select categories & sailings)
![Azamara Club Cruises](https://www.cruise.com/images/logos/azamara_cruises_color.png)
- Up to $1700 ONBOARD CREDIT: EXCLUSIVE OFFER
- $300 Shore Excursion Credit, WiFi & Upgraded Beverage Pkg or up to $1000 Airfare Credit:
- FREE GRATUITIES + Beverage Package + AzAmazing Evening Event
![Oceania Cruises](https://www.cruise.com/images/logos/oceania_color.png)
- Up to $1700 ONBOARD CREDIT: EXCLUSIVE
- FREE Beverage Package, Wi-fi, Excursions + More (select categories & sailings)
![Celebrity Cruises](https://www.cruise.com/images/logos/celebrity_color.png)
- BOOK ANY CELEBRITY CRUISE AND GET A COMPLIMENTARY 5-NT RESORT STAY:
- Up to $1700 ONBOARD CREDIT: EXCLUSIVE OFFER
- Get up to $200 Savings: per stateroom on select ships and sail dates
- Great Savings: up to 75% OFF 2nd Guest: on select ship and sail dates
- ALL INCLUDED: Free Classic Beverage Package + Basic Wi-Fi
- Back to Back Savings: Save up to $200 Savings when you book a back to back cruise
- SAVE: up to $50 ONBOARD CREDIT on select departures!
![Holland America Line](https://www.cruise.com/images/logos/holland_color.png)
- Up To 40% Off, FREE Gratuities + $25 Deposits: on select Caribbean cruises
- Up to $1700 CASH BACK: EXCLUSIVE OFFER
- Shore Excursions, Beverage Package, Specialty Dining & WiFi: on select cruises
- Amenities include a Cocktail Reception, Exclusive Shore Event + more
- Up to $50 ONBOARD CREDIT: EXCLUSIVE OFFER
- Up to $75 ONBOARD CREDIT: EXCLUSIVE OFFER
- Enjoy specialty dining for two at Rudi’s Sel de Mer
- Complimentary Chocolate Covered Strawberries
- Complimentary Chocolate Covered Strawberries & Complimentary Bottle of Wine
![Royal Caribbean Cruises](https://www.cruise.com/images/logos/rcl_color.png)
- Up to $1700 ONBOARD CREDIT: EXCLUSIVE OFFER
- up to $500 Onboard Credit: per stateroom on select ships and sail dates
- EXCLUSIVE: FREE GRATUITIES
- Kids Sail FREE: Guest 12 & under SAIL FREE (select 3 night or longer sailings)
- BOGO60 Sale: 60% OFF 2nd Guest + 30% OFF 3rd/4th Guests
- $50 Onboard Credit on select Royal Caribbean Cruises!
![Viking Ocean Cruises](https://www.cruise.com/images/logos/viking_cruises_color.png)
- Summer Sale : Free International Airfare + Special Fares + $25 Deposit
- Viking Ocean Amenities: FREE Shore Excursions, Wi-Fi and Beer & Wine with lunch & dinner
![Princess Cruises](https://www.cruise.com/images/logos/princess_blue.png)
- Up to $1,700 ONBOARD CREDIT: EXCLUSIVE OFFER
- Princess Premier Upgrade: Beverage Package, Wi-Fi, Crew Appreciation, Specialty Dining + more
- Love Boat Sale Up to 40% Off + FREE 3rd & 4th Guests & $99 Deposit
- $60 ONBOARD CREDIT: EXCLUSIVE OFFER
- MILITARY: Up to $250 Onboard Spending
![Carnival Cruise Line](https://www.cruise.com/images/logos/carnival_color.png)
- Up to $1700 CASH BACK: EXCLUSIVE OFFER
- EARLY SAVER SALE: Great Rates + Reduced Deposit from $50pp
- Fun Select Rates: Enjoy a Two Category Upgrade
- Save with Senior Rates: Guests over 55 can save with a senior rate
- Reduced Rates for Military Personnel!
![Cunard](https://www.cruise.com/images/logos/cunard-brand_color.png)
- Up to $600 Onboard Credit + Drinks & Hotel & Dining Charge Included for Grills
- Up to $2,400 Fare Discount on Big Balcony Event: for select sailings
- Up to $300 Onboard Credit
- $50 Bonus Commission
- Military Special - Up to $250 Onboard Credit
![Seabourn](https://www.cruise.com/images/logos/seabourn-stacked_color.png)
- Up to $1700 ONBOARD CREDIT: EXCLUSIVE
- Up to $2,000 USD per suite in Flight Ease Air Credit on select sailings
- FREE Gratuities, FREE Open Bar, All Suite Accommodations + more
![Seabourn](https://www.cruise.com/images/logos/seabourn-stacked_color.png)
- Up to $1700 ONBOARD CREDIT: EXCLUSIVE
- More Moments on Us Up to $2,200 Shipboard Credit on select sailings
- SPECIAL AMENITIES: Private Host, Cocktail Reception & Exclusive Shore Event
- FREE Gratuities, FREE Open Bar, All Suite Accommodations + more
All offers are based on select sailings and categories and are subject to availability at time of booking. All rates are per person based on double occupancy.
Panama Canal and Central America Cruise Highlights
![The Panama Canal Locks](/images/cruise-destinations/panama-canal-cruises/canal-locks.jpg)
The Panama Canal Locks
Panama Canal Cruises are available in a variety of itineraries. Partial transit itineraries are offered for those seeking the convenience of departing from and returning to the same port. Full transit Panama Canal cruises are also offered for those who prefer to sail coast to coast and can often be combined with back to back cruises to create a longer and more diverse cruise experience.
![Variety of Itineraries](/images/cruise-destinations/panama-canal-cruises/itineraries.jpg)
A Variety of Itineraries
Panama Canal Cruises are available in a variety of itineraries. Partial transit itineraries are offered for those seeking the convenience of departing from and returning to the same port. Full transit canal cruises are also offered for those who prefer to sail coast to coast. Full transit Panama Canal cruises can often be combined with back to back cruises to create a longer and more diverse cruise experience.
![Variety of Excursion Opportunities](/images/cruise-destinations/panama-canal-cruises/excursions.jpg)
A Variety of Excursion Opportunities
A variety of excursion opportunities are offered in the different ports on a Panama Canal cruise. In the Caribbean there are beautiful beaches and a variety of watersports and shopping. In Central and South America guests on a Panama Canal cruise can explore local markets, colonial towns and exotic surroundings.
![Diverse Ports](/images/cruise-destinations/panama-canal-cruises/ports.jpg)
Diverse Ports
In addition to the time spent transiting the canal, the itineraries include diverse ports throughout the region including beautiful Caribbean ports, Central America ports as well as stops in South America and Mexico.