Since its completion in 1914, the Panama Canal has been called “the big ditch”, “the bridge between two continents” and “the greatest shortcut in the world”. This 51 mile marvel of engineering waterway knocked nearly 8,000 miles off the distance between New York and San Francisco and altered the industrialized world. Nowadays, Panama Canal Cruises are an unforgettable experience as your cruise ship is guided through locks and raised 26 metres to meet Gatun Lake and you can look out to the jungle beyond.

As your journey progresses cruising the Panama Canal you’ll see places shaped by Spanish, Dutch and French influences, each with their own unique flavor. With so much to see and do, you’ll find you want to try a shore excursion in every port. Lying at the Pacific end of the canal, Balboa offers a pretty waterfront and allows you to get up close and personal with the regions big attraction, Panama City. One of only a few walled cities in Central America, Panama City has the only protected rainforest in the world which lies within the cities limits, Metropolitan National Park.

Situated at the Caribbean entrance, the port of Cristobal is another city featuring on Panama Canal Cruises itineraries. The city was founded in 1850 by the Americans working on the Panama railroad and for the new millennium the city underwent massive redevelopment, now offering fantastic shopping opportunities. Cruising the Panama Canal you can take an enchanting journey into the lush rainforest to San Lorenzo Fort and walk in the footsteps of the adventurous buccaneer – Captain Morgan. Experience the ecology and get a closer look at the wildlife on and around the amazing Gatun Lake.

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