Panama Canal / Central America

A Man-Made Marvel.

Connecting Two Oceans

An essential task for any merchant vessel — to get from Point A to Point B in the shortest possible time. Passenger liners also prefer to cut the route to avoid being worn out by excessive rest. With the development of regular shipping schedules between America and Europe, there arose an urgent need for the shortest route without going around South America. The first plans were drawn up by the Spanish back in the 16th century, and over almost three centuries many countries sought to do what was achieved only in 1920. To create a work of engineering and construction art – the Panama Canal. For already a hundred years, it has been shortening the journey for hundreds of ships, yachts, liners, and tankers every day. The place for Panama’s authorities is warm, profitable, and very beneficial for global shipping as a whole. By the way, worldwide, the Panamax standard is accepted; all ships were built with the canal’s dimensions in mind. The length of liners did not exceed 294 meters, and the width — 32.6 meters. That was the case until 2017; now, after the canal expansion, a new standard has appeared: Neopanamax. Its length is 366 meters, and its width is 49 meters. This significantly frees the hands of shipbuilding companies in constructing gigantic tankers and liners. In fact, a cruise through the Panama Canal offers several travel options. It’s either a route from California to Florida and Caribbean islands, or the Mexican Riviera. This type of trip includes passage through the Panama Canal, which in itself is unusual and spectacular, and takes almost a full day. And there is also an option for direct tourism to Panama, with the goal of exploring local landmarks and cultural treasures. When ships drop passengers off for a week, and then land transport delivers curious travelers all around, including Panama City, the city of contrasts. Where skyscrapers sit alongside slums and old colonial districts that are over 500 years old. And it’s especially interesting to visit the Bocas Del Toro island, where you’ll find untouched jungles and wonderful beaches with clean water ideal for snorkeling. Be sure to visit the town of Boquete; they say it’s very beautiful—perfect for meeting old age. People here are sociable, friendly, unhurried, and always ready to help with anything. Lots of conveniences, pleasant leisure, quality food, affordable accommodation. 14% of the town’s population – are European retirees. Jungles with a variety of animals, coffee plantations with the best coffee (in the opinion of local planters). Right nearby is Mount Barú volcano, from which you can see two oceans and even the capital of neighboring Costa Rica. The highlight of all excursions in Panama is the Panama Panama Canal. It’s interesting to watch all the operations involved in moving ships from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific—so to speak, the connection of two great waters, one, but the most important man-made artery.

A World Cruise Through the Panama Canal

World cruises are especially popular among travelers; during the cruise you cross the Panama Canal – like a link connecting two oceans and two Americas. Yes, in terms of shipping, this place is one of the busiest, and the luxurious liners of leading cruise companies NorwegianCruiseLine, HollandAmericaLine, CelebrityCruises, SilverseaCruises, and others meet in the Panama Canal practically every day, either starting or ending another Caribbean cruise, Mexico, or other countries. In fact, within the Panama Canal itself, there’s nothing particularly special in terms of spectacle. Unless you count a few ports and locks (including the Panama one, located right in the city), which must be visited by the traveler as the liner moves along the route. Having a relatively small width, they captivate the eye and make you worry about the cruise liner that will try to confidently force its way through the narrowest stretch, which is unlikely to be even twice its width. But overcoming all the connecting knots will take about a day – and the traveler will find themselves at the «other end of America». And although the canal crossing takes only a small part of the total trip time, it is precisely one of the moments that is most memorable. Because between the sea gates, it’s as if you are placed «between two worlds»—a place where the contrast and the difference between North America and South America are especially strongly felt. So, on one side of the liner, as it performs a cruise through the Panama Canal, Mexico, Cuba, and the USA are confidently positioned (most tours start from here). And from the other side, you can enjoy views of the horizons of the Caribbean islands, Ecuador, Colombia, and Venezuela.

One Canal – A Variety of Routes

In its variety, cruises through the Panama Canal differ by the greatest diversity among all sea journeys. Thus, depending on the tour operator and the liner, by passing through the canal you can:

• visit Mexico, enjoying its exotic culture, cuisine, and traditions;
• take a cruise through Central America – visiting ruins of ancient cities, Indian reservations, or old forts that played a huge role in the region’s military history. Here, too, there will be plenty to do for lovers of flora and fauna, whose diversity in this region is simply off the charts;
• set off on Caribbean cruises, which traditionally include visiting a group of islands with the same name, with an obligatory shore visit in a couple or three quiet harbors with the cleanest bays and comfortable beaches.

All Sea Routes Begin, and the End of Sea Routes…

Most journeys through the Panama Canal traditionally begin as a trip that occurs as — cruises from the USA — and end after the liner returns to the same port. However, there are also trips that do not involve a double passage through the sea gate and end in another part of America. And this is a great chance for vacationers who want to extend their holiday a bit and spend a few extra days soaking up the sun in some paradise town. Or to take a sightseeing excursion to some legendary city. For example, when traveling on cruises from Miami, you can start your vacation by visiting the famous beaches of Los Angeles, and from there board the liner, which at the end of the cruise through Central America will return back to Miami. Experienced travelers often take advantage of this possibility to maximize travel impressions and give the journey even more variety and spectacle.

The Panama Canal is a marvel of engineering that will not leave any traveler indifferent. It is a connecting link between two oceans and two continents – North and South America. The Panama Canal is more than a canal. It was created specifically to shorten the long and dangerous route that ships traveling from the Atlantic through Cape Horn had to take in order to reach the Pacific, and vice versa.

Visiting the Panama Canal is an amazing adventure that can only be experienced by getting aboard an ocean liner. Passage through the canal for passenger vessels takes more than nine hours. Before noon, ships go from the Pacific to the Atlantic, and in the second half of the day – back. The difference between the level of the World Ocean and the Panama Canal is 26 meters. The total length of the canal is 81.6 km. There are three lock complexes on the canal. The most picturesque and scenic are the Gatun locks. This is where most cruises offer passengers shore landings and panoramic coastal tours.

The best time for cruises through the Panama Canal is from October to April.