Panama weather and seasons when to visit rainforest cruises. Panama canal authority on november 7, the caribbean princess became the first cruise vessel of the 20172018 cruise season to transit the expanded panama canal. The path between the seas by david mccullough is one of the more exceptional. Theres an incredible wave of awe that comes over every cruiser transiting the lakes and locks of this spectacle that made the list of the seven wonders of the modern world. Lauderdale and san diego aboard the stunning celebrity infinity. If the words pacific coastal cruising dont make the heart of any cruise fan beat a little faster then were not sure what will. The best time to go is after the rainy season ends in november. Caribbean princess became first cruise of 20172018 season. We are considering a panama canal full transit cruise from midoctober to early november.
Cruises to panama canal cruising, panama royal caribbean. Thanks to the historical nature of the canal, a wealth of books exists to increase your appreciation. As you make your way between the pacific and atlantic oceans with your panama canal cruise, youll pass by soberania national park, a lush region of protected. Uncover legends of pirates and conquistadors among the ruins of panama viejo. While anyone is allowed to go, 14night itineraries and pricey oneway airfares have a. During season 20162017, the number of cruise ship transits through panama canal was 223. Cruising the panama canal is a onceinalifetime experience reserved for only the most determined travelers. From ships custom built to sail the massive locks to immersive onboard programs and onshore adventures that inspire, princess is the number one way to explore this epic phenomenon. Because i thing if hurricanes occur so much they are not so mad to do cruises in that season pls help me to learn more about cruising in that season,in those areas, im from. An unparalleled exploration of costa rica and panama when you pair a cruise featuring a daylight transit of the panama canal with an inland tour of lush cloud forests and costa ricas most prominent volcano is the best way to maximize your time in this region. The height of panama canal cruise season runs october to april, but the best month to travel will depend on how much you expect to be active and outdoors. No bucket list is complete without a panama canal crossing.
My account 8003384962 opening in 3 hours and 22 minutes. Panama canal welcomes first cruise ship transit of 20192020. Arrived friday, measured saturday, paid monday and transited saturdaysunday. Panama canal cruise best panama canal cruise deals. If you read just one guide to prepare, this should be it. Experiencing this feat of engineering is a must for every world traveler, so for our 2019 season, were once again offering two 15night, canaltraversing vacations sailing between ft. A core group of cruisers has also decided to make the san blas their home, with some of them having been there for a dozen years or more. The island princess has opened the panama canals 20192020 cruise season. Hi im interested to take a cruise from california to florida passing through panama in late september the only thing that is worrying me are hurricanes in that season. Cruises to the panama canal, 2020, 2021 and 2022 panama canal. Learn more about panama canal cruises from the worlds largest cruise agency. Check out our expert advice on cruising panama canal, central america.
All of norwegian encores alaska itineraries will feature glacier bay. Panama canal map the 48 mile 77 km long panama canal links the atlantic ocean via the caribbean sea to the pacific ocean. The new ships, called new panamax, are about one and a half times the. Yacht scraatch, 56ft sundeer, transited the panama canal in one week during february 2020 high season without using an agent. The best time to travel to the panama canal depends on how youll spend your time, lonely planet concedes. Find a great panama canal cruise itinerary, deal and learn about ports youll visit. Panama canal cruise and weather in october panama canal. The reason for this is the strong easterly trade winds of the southern caribbean that typically spill through the low points in the central american isthmus providing a consistent northerly.
Add peace of mind and a sense of security to your vacation with a cruise plus hotel package. The proximity to the panama canal means many boats from europe as well as the united states stop in the san blas before heading through the canal. Far greater than just a centuryold engineering feat, the panama canal is critical for global trade, a testament to human willpower and a cruising gateway to the wonders of the americas. I have learned that this is the rainy season at many of our ports especially colombia, costa rica, guatemala, and panama, but this is the only time we can schedule this trip. Princess cruises guests sailing to the islands of the caribbean or the engineering marvel of the panama canal now have a variety of itineraries and cruise ships to choose from with the announcement of the cruise lines fall 2020 to spring 2021 cruise season, open for sale may 9, 2019.
Gaze upon sand beaches and turquoise waters in honduras and jamaica. In 1967, princess cruises was the first cruise line to sail through the panama canal locks. This is still the dry season, although some years it ends midmarch. Panama canal welcomes 1st cruise ship in 201718 season. The nearly 50mile panama canal, which first opened in 1914 and was recently expanded in 2016, is truly a marvel to behold. The canal is an engineering marvel connecting the atlantic and pacific oceans via the 50mile long isthmus. The panama canal is a manmade waterway that connects two oceans. Best month to cruise to the panama canal januaryfebruary. May is the start of the wet season, so its a good time to look for cruise deals. Traversing the 40mile panama canal is a rite of passage and something youll remember this panama canal cruise for a lifetime. Unlike the rest of central america, panama is far enough south that hurricanes are never a worry, despite the. How to transit the panama canal in your yacht preparation, costs, top tips and more from behan gifford for a smooth crossing from the atlantic to the pacific ocean.
As part of its roundtrip itinerary, the caribbean princess, operated by princess cruises, did a turnaround transit through agua clara locks on the atlantic side. The caribbean princess, operated by princess cruises, became the first cruise of the 20172018 season to transit the expanded panama canal. Panama canal cruises cruise to panama canal holland. Offering impressive views and the chance to explore panama itself cruises to this region are becoming ever more popular. This incredible 48mile passageway is an engineering marvel that took several attempts to complete.
Looking for the best panama canal, central america cruise. Get discounts, upgrades, onboard credits and more on your next panama canal cruise. Set sail with princess the best panama canal cruise line. We were fortunate in having arrived in early january. For the upcoming 20202021 season, five ships will sail the waters of the panama canal, with 30 departures and nine unique itineraries, offering three ways to experience this epic destination.
Explore panama destinations on a cruise to the panama canal. Look for panama canal cruise deals as ships reposition between alaska and caribbean bases. The canal is a key route for maritime traffic, cutting huge distances off many sea routes. Best panama canal cruise shore excursions cruise critic. Outside the canal, eric bauhaus book, the panama cruising guide, is a recognized authority. The panama canals cruise season runs from late september through april. We take more guests through the panama canal each year than any other cruise line and were also the only line to offer a full season of voyages from fall through spring, which is the best time. January brings the flower and coffee festival in boquete and the jazz festival in panama city. Weve sailed the panama canal since 1967 and we have more itinerary choices and departures of any cruise line in the region. An unforgettable attraction in itself, with jungle views and mellow cruising, a cruise to the panama canal also serves as a jumpingoff point to highoctane adventures by the coast or on land.
Sail through the panama canal a modern marvel of engineering. Book a panama cruise and ride camels in the baja outback or snorkel in the sea of cortez. The panama canal is a spectacular manmade construction located on a busy maritime route. A cruise through the panama canal is a onceinalifetime experience for many travelers. Cruising in costa rica and panama is a fairly unknown area for british visitors and still relatively undeveloped. Best month to cruise to the panama canal cruise critic. The panama canal expects to receive approximately 236. Also helpful is the panama cruising guide bauhaus but its very expensive if you only want canal info. Give yourself a few days to relax either before or after your panama canal cruise and take in the sights of a sensational city. The panama canal cruise season runs from october to april. Princess cruises fall 2019 through spring 2020 season went on sale today, and it includes the lines largest deployment ever to the panama canal, featuring the maiden season of emerald princess sailing through the new locks.
The best time to visit panama is in the winter and spring, especially. Hike during the dry season from middecember until may and bring warm. The best time to cruise the panama canal getaway usa. The panama canal announced its first transit for the 20192020 cruise season, marked by the princess cruises island princess, highlighting. Cruises to the panama canal, 2020, 2021 and 2022 panama. For season 20172018, panama canal cruise ship schedule had listed a total of 248 passenger ships booked for passing through the expanded canal new panamax and neopanamax locks. Take an eco cruise on lake gatun and explore island habitats created during the canals building. Full transit itineraries generally last 14 days and go from one coast of the u. Panama canal welcomes first transit of 20192020 cruise season. Add in compelling ports like cartagena, huatulco and puerto chiapas on your panama canal vacation, and youre in for a unique adventure.
Princess cruises announces 20202021 caribbean, panama. Cruises to panama canal cruising canal panama canal. The official opening of the 48milelong waterways massive new locks on sunday will add a new twist to what long has been a. Many cruise lines in all sizes and categories offer panama canal sailings each season typically october to april with either the traditional transcanal all day, oceantoocean crossing, or a. The dry season is panama s high tourist season because the weather is at its best in panama and winter is at its worst in the united states and europe. Find and plan your next cruise to the panama canal. November to april is the most popular season for canal cruising. The panama canal expects to receive approximately 234 cruise ships through the panamax and neopanamax locks during the upcoming 20182019 cruise season.
The dry season, between december and may, is the best time for cruising the gulf of panama. It turns out its not so hard to create a private, rumsoaked romance aboard a megayacht carrying 148 strangers from west to. Powered by vacations to go, with over 8 million happy customers since 1984. When you sail through you really get a sense of the magnitude. The celebrity infinity was making its way from the pacific ocean to the atlantic ocean through the panama canal. Panama canal to welcome 234 cruise ships in upcoming season. This is their report of the transit and with a few extra notes added on services and facilities after the canal on the pacific side. Invaluable for guna yala, however, a good allaround cruising guide for panama. Tips for transiting the panama canal cruising world. Cruise from the pacific to the atlantic, or vice versa, and take in the scenery as you move through this engineering marvel built in 1914. Norwegian encore will commence her alaska cruise season on may 2, 2021, sailing to juneau, skagway and ketchikan, alaska.