Panama Canal Cruises
All You Need to Know for Cruising the Panama Canal – The Best Cruise Lines, Offers & Guides in One Place
A Panama Canal cruise isn’t just a holiday – it’s one of the world’s most iconic travel experiences. This epic voyage connects the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans through a marvel of engineering and a stunning journey through Central America. Along the way, you’ll visit tropical ports in countries like Costa Rica, Colombia and Mexico, while witnessing one of modern history’s greatest achievements firsthand. Whether you’re an adventure-seeker, a history buff, or simply looking to see something truly unique, a Panama Canal cruise offers a one-of-a-kind blend of discovery, relaxation and world-class scenery. At Hello Cruise, we bring together the best cruise lines, latest deals and insider tips to help you plan and book the perfect Panama Canal adventure.
Panama Canal Cruise Itineraries
There are two main types of Panama Canal cruise itineraries: full transit and partial transit. A full transit takes you through the entire 50-mile canal, from the Caribbean Sea to the Pacific Ocean (or vice versa), while a partial transit cruises through part of the canal before turning back – perfect for those with less time or who prefer round-trip options. You can sail from ports in Florida (like Miami or Fort Lauderdale) or from the West Coast (such as Los Angeles or San Diego). Some cruises even depart from the Caribbean or Central America itself. Along the way, expect exciting stops in Cartagena (Colombia), Puerto Limón (Costa Rica), Fuerte Amador (Panama), and more. Itineraries range from 10-night trips to longer 15-20 night voyages, often combined with Caribbean islands or Mexican Riviera ports for added variety.
Panama Canal Cruise Deals
At Hello Cruise, we make it easy to find the best Panama Canal cruise deals by comparing prices and itineraries from top cruise lines and trusted UK travel agents – all in one place. Whether you’re looking for a bucket-list full transit cruise or a shorter, affordable partial transit, we help you discover the best-value options, last-minute savings, early booking offers and exclusive perks. No more hours of trawling through different websites – just the best deals in a few clicks.
Oosterdam
Oosterdam, a Vista Class cruise ship, brings high style to the high seas with thoughtful upgrades and stunning artwork. Guests will have plenty to do on board when not taking in expansive views or stretching out in spacious staterooms. Begin with an exquisite breakfast in the Dining Room. Unwind with a massage at the Greenhouse Spa & Salon, or challenge the family to an air hockey game at High Score!—an Oosterdam exclusive. Indulge in pre-dinner craft cocktails at Ocean Bar, followed by delectable Italian fare at Canaletto.
- Large Ship
- Sophisticated
- Premium
Cruise: Fort Lauderdale, Florida – Grand Cayman – Fuerte Amador – Fuerte Amador – Manta – Salaverry – Callao – Callao – Callao – General San Martin – Coquimbo – San Antonio
17 nights
Caribbean Princess
Savour carefree moments at sea with enticing cuisine, engaging entertainment and venues to match every moodExciting adventures await aboard Caribbean Princess following her multi-million-dollar array of luxurious enhancements. From staterooms that offer a more restful sleep, to endless tempting new dining options, the newly reimagined Reef Splash Zone for kids and families plus other upgrades, you’ll find Caribbean Princess herself has come back new.
- Mega Ship
- Great Value
- Premium
Cruise: Fort Lauderdale, Florida – Aruba – Curaçao – Cartagena – Partial Transit of the Panama Canal – Colón – Puerto Limón – Ocho Rios – Fort Lauderdale, Florida
12 nights
Norwegian Jewel
This ship is a treasure not to be missed! Elegant décor, classic and contemporary designs and a relaxed atmosphere await your discovery aboard Norwegian Jewel®. Come aboard and venture into the wild on an Alaska Cruise. Whilst cruising to spectacular, bucket-list destinations, unwind in pristine staterooms and recline into total relaxation at the award-winning Mandara Spa®. Whether celebrating a special occasion, savouring a romantic date night or simply seeking delicious cuisine and good conversations, discover a wide range of complimentary and speciality dining on board, including Cagney’s Steakhouse and the French restaurant Le Bistro. Let the good times flow at Sugarcane Mojito Bar, Bliss Ultra Lounge or Maltings Beer & Whiskey Bar then enjoy thrilling live entertainment. Toss your timetable to the breeze on a Caribbean cruise. Or experience unique and immersive itineraries on an Extraordinary Journey.
- Mega Ship
- Relaxed
- Family-Friendly
Cruise: Miami, Florida – Cartagena – Gatun Lake – Colón – Puerto Limón – Harvest Caye – Cozumel – Miami, Florida
10 nights
Island Princess
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A floating retreat, bound for exciting destinationsIsland Princess is your own private retreat on the sea. Whether you crave relaxation or exhilaration, you’ll find the soothing Lotus Spa®, live entertainment, gourmet cuisine, casino gaming and more. And for a special treat, try the Bayou Café and Steakhouse, which features New Orleans-inspired Cajun and Creole cuisine.
- Mega Ship
- Great Value
- Premium
Cruise: Fort Lauderdale, Florida – Cartagena – Cruising by Panama Canal – Fuerte Amador – Puntarenas – Puerto Quetzal – Manzanillo, Mexico – San Francisco, California
16 nights
Seabourn Sojourn
Seabourn Sojourn enchants her guests with an array of public areas scaled to encourage a relaxed sociability. One of the most unusual features of Seabourn Sojourn and her sisters is Seabourn Square, an ingenious “living room” that replaces the traditional cruise ship lobby with a welcoming lounge filled with easy chairs, sofas and cocktail tables; making it more inviting and relaxing on a small ship cruise. An enclave in its center houses knowledgeable concierges discreetly seated at individual desks.Experience Seabourn SojournSeabourn Sojourn (launched 2010), an oceangoing ship with a passenger capacity of just 458 guests, offers spacious accommodations spanning categories ranging in size from 295 to 1,182 square feet of indoor space. Verandas add an additional 65 to 558 square feet of outdoor living area spacious enough for private al fresco dining. All suites feature a comfortable living area, walk-in closet, fully stocked bar and refrigerator filled with seaside favorites. Expansive ocean views are framed by either a picture window or the glass doors of the veranda.
- Small Ship
- All Inclusive
- Luxury
Cruise: Miami, Florida – Catalina Island – Curaçao – Santa Marta – Golfito – Puntarenas – Puerto Quetzal – Puerto Chiapas – Huatulco (Santa María Huatulco) – Cabo San Lucas – Long Beach, California
22 nights
Seabourn Sojourn
Seabourn Sojourn enchants her guests with an array of public areas scaled to encourage a relaxed sociability. One of the most unusual features of Seabourn Sojourn and her sisters is Seabourn Square, an ingenious “living room” that replaces the traditional cruise ship lobby with a welcoming lounge filled with easy chairs, sofas and cocktail tables; making it more inviting and relaxing on a small ship cruise. An enclave in its center houses knowledgeable concierges discreetly seated at individual desks.Experience Seabourn SojournSeabourn Sojourn (launched 2010), an oceangoing ship with a passenger capacity of just 458 guests, offers spacious accommodations spanning categories ranging in size from 295 to 1,182 square feet of indoor space. Verandas add an additional 65 to 558 square feet of outdoor living area spacious enough for private al fresco dining. All suites feature a comfortable living area, walk-in closet, fully stocked bar and refrigerator filled with seaside favorites. Expansive ocean views are framed by either a picture window or the glass doors of the veranda.
- Small Ship
- All Inclusive
- Luxury
Cruise: Miami, Florida – Catalina Island – Curaçao – Santa Marta – Golfito – Puntarenas – Puerto Quetzal – Puerto Chiapas – Huatulco (Santa María Huatulco) – Cabo San Lucas – Long Beach, California – Honolulu, Hawaii – Honolulu, Hawaii – Hilo, Hawaii – Kahului-Maui, Hawaii – Lihue, Kauai Island, Hawaii – Kailua-Kona, Hawaii – Ensenada – Long Beach, California
42 nights
Nieuw Amsterdam
The second of our Signature-class ships, Nieuw Amsterdam celebrates historic New York City with its inspired design and an art collection valued at more than $3 million. While on board enjoy regional cooking demonstrations and food and wine tastings with Port to Table programming. Dine in your choice of specialty restaurants. Or rejuvenate in the Greenhouse Spa & Salon.
- Large Ship
- Sophisticated
- Premium
Cruise: San Diego, California – Cabo San Lucas – La Paz – Loreto – Mazatlán – Puerto Vallarta – San Diego, California
10 nights
Caribbean Princess
Savour carefree moments at sea with enticing cuisine, engaging entertainment and venues to match every moodExciting adventures await aboard Caribbean Princess following her multi-million-dollar array of luxurious enhancements. From staterooms that offer a more restful sleep, to endless tempting new dining options, the newly reimagined Reef Splash Zone for kids and families plus other upgrades, you’ll find Caribbean Princess herself has come back new.
- Mega Ship
- Great Value
- Premium
Cruise: Fort Lauderdale, Florida – Grand Cayman – Falmouth – Puerto Limón – Partial Transit of the Panama Canal – Colón – Aruba – Curaçao – Fort Lauderdale, Florida
12 nights
Norwegian Jewel
This ship is a treasure not to be missed! Elegant décor, classic and contemporary designs and a relaxed atmosphere await your discovery aboard Norwegian Jewel®. Come aboard and venture into the wild on an Alaska Cruise. Whilst cruising to spectacular, bucket-list destinations, unwind in pristine staterooms and recline into total relaxation at the award-winning Mandara Spa®. Whether celebrating a special occasion, savouring a romantic date night or simply seeking delicious cuisine and good conversations, discover a wide range of complimentary and speciality dining on board, including Cagney’s Steakhouse and the French restaurant Le Bistro. Let the good times flow at Sugarcane Mojito Bar, Bliss Ultra Lounge or Maltings Beer & Whiskey Bar then enjoy thrilling live entertainment. Toss your timetable to the breeze on a Caribbean cruise. Or experience unique and immersive itineraries on an Extraordinary Journey.
- Mega Ship
- Relaxed
- Family-Friendly
Cruise: Miami, Florida – Georgetown, Grand Cayman – Cartagena – Gatun Lake – Colón – Puerto Limón – Harvest Caye – Cozumel – Miami, Florida
11 nights
Seabourn Encore
Seabourn Encore is as strikingly beautiful and as excitingly innovative as any Seabourn has ever debuted. She crowns a fleet of luxury cruise ships that is already the newest, most modern and most acclaimed in the ultra-luxury segment. Modeled on the award-winning trio of ships that came before her, Seabourn Encore represents another welcome stage in the evolution of small ship cruising, which Seabourn pioneered and has consistently expanded and enriched for all of our small ship cruises.
- Small Ship
- All Inclusive
- Luxury
Cruise: Miami, Florida – Bonaire – Curaçao – Cartagena – Fuerte Amador – Fuerte Amador
10 nights
Popular Panama Canal Cruise Lines
Many of the world’s leading cruise lines sail through the Panama Canal, each offering a different take on the journey. If you’re looking for comfort, classic cruising and a British feel, P&O Cruises offers excellent itineraries and the option to fly from the UK. Princess Cruises is one of the most experienced lines for the region, with fantastic enrichment programmes and canal-focused excursions. For all-out luxury, Oceania, and Silversea deliver small-ship elegance with an educational twist.
Holland America Line is a favourite for travellers wanting a mid-size ship experience with deep destination immersion, while Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line offer larger ships with more onboard activities and flexible dining.
Whether you want a fly-cruise or a repositioning voyage from Southampton, we’ll help you find the right line, ship and sailing to suit your needs.
Recommended Ships
Island Princess
Princess Cruises are one of the top cruise lines for Panama Cnaal
Rotterdam
As seen on TV, Rotterdam is a popular Panama Canal ship
Norwegian Bliss
Award-winning ship with lots of facilities including go-kart track
Queen Elizabeth
Sails West Coast USA to Miami which is always a popular itinerary
Featured Offer
Great Savings on Panama Canal Cruises
Hurry limited time offer
Types of Panama Canal Cruises
From all-inclusive escapes to great-value winter getaways, there’s a Panama Canal cruise to suit every traveller. Fly-cruises from the UK are a popular choice, with easy access to departure ports like Miami or Los Angeles. All-inclusive options make budgeting simple, with drinks, dining and tips often covered. Looking for something special? Cheap Christmas cruises through the canal offer sunshine and adventure over the festive season. Or go for a cruise & stay package and explore cities like Panama City or Fort Lauderdale before or after you sail. Whatever your style, we bring all the best options together to help you compare and book with ease.
Top Cruise Panama Canal FAQs
How long does a Panama Canal cruise take?
Most full transit Panama Canal cruises last between 14-18 nights, depending on the itinerary. Partial transits are typically 10-12 nights.
What’s the best time to cruise the Panama Canal?
The prime season is October to April, during the dry season, but cruises run year-round with lower prices in the summer months.
Can I cruise the Panama Canal from the UK?
Yes! While most Panama Canal cruises require a flight, some repositioning cruises depart from Southampton and include a full transit as part of a longer voyage.
Is a passport required for a Panama Canal cruise?
Yes – you’ll need a valid passport with at least 6 months remaining. Check visa requirements for each port of call as they vary by nationality.
What is the difference between full and partial transit?
A full transit cruises the entire canal between oceans. A partial transit typically enters from one side (usually the Caribbean), sails through the locks and Gatun Lake, and then turns back without crossing through to the Pacific.
Our Top Panama Canal Cruise Advice!
If you’ve never cruised the Panama Canal before, here’s what to keep in mind: Bring binoculars and a camera – the canal is a technical masterpiece, and there’s plenty to see from the open decks. Look out for wildlife too, especially in Gatun Lake and nearby rainforests. Weather can be hot and humid, so lightweight clothing, a wide-brimmed hat and breathable shoes are essential for excursions. The experience of watching your ship rise and lower through the locks is surprisingly moving, and onboard commentary often enhances the moment. Be sure to book shore excursions early – they can sell out fast, especially in Cartagena and Panama City. Looking to save? Repositioning cruises that include the canal are often cheaper than standard round-trip options, especially in spring and autumn.